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General discussion

Upconverting DVD player vs. watching on a PC/MAC

by mmmGuinness Aug 21, 2008 9:51AM PDT

Hey Gang,
I'm wondering what will provide the best picture on a 720p/1080i plasma: an upconverting DVD player or a PC/Mac Mini attached via DVI/HDMI. I assume I can run the computer at native resolution, I'm just not sure if upconverting dvd players have any special rendering in hardware that would produce a superior image to the computer.

thanks!
Bryan

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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I would personally go the way of DVD player (or receiver)
by jostenmeat Aug 21, 2008 11:29AM PDT

If I had $5,200, I would get the Denon AVP. Scored perfect 135/135 on the HQV test.

Less that, probably top of line Denon, Im guessing 1k plus

the two above use Realta, I believe. Made by Silicon Optix/Teranex, from which one rep said that its better in the receiver. Why? Because processing works better after video and audio have been split.

De-interlacing is trickier than scaling, because the first has to deal with two separate periods in times, and get them together.

Less price, Id go Oppo 983 with Anchor Bay processing.

However, I don't really have any need for HTPCs. I will say that this item might have been the most often listed in a thread called "worst HT purchase" in the high end digital projection thread at AVS.

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A PC can make a very good upscalling DVD player.
by jcrobso Aug 28, 2008 8:29AM PDT

Think about it: you have all the processing power of the main CPU and chip on the video card. I have done this a lot since I got my HDTV 3 years ago. I hook up with a DVI cable and boot up the PC set my to 720p
play the DVDs, looks great. John

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What about the audio?
by Dan Filice Aug 28, 2008 9:55AM PDT

Can a Mac or PC output 5.1 or DTS? If so, how would one connect to take advantage of this audio? I'm with Josten...I'd take a stand-alone DVD player.

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