Progessive Upscaling versus HD DVD, is HD better?

Question

I have a Pioneer Elite DVD player with upscaling, is
there a substanitial benefit to getting an HD DVD player?
I was debating getting the HD DVD for my Xbox 360.

Answer 1

Yes, HD DVD is better because it's true, not upscaled (i.e. interlaced)...
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Answer 2

A HD DVD player is much better
it can display HD video (at 1280 x 720 resolution), unlike your pionner elite DVD player (at 720 x 480 resolution).
I know the pioneer was probably very expensive, its still a great DVD player. Dont be confused, if u play regular DVD's through the HD DVD player, they are going to look exactly the same. But if u play a HD DVD through a HD DVD player, its gonna look much better compared to a regular DVD played through the pioneer. (also note, this is assuming u have a HDTV, if not, then there is no reason to buy a HD DVD player) a HD DVD player is around $500. Don't buy a xbox kit, not worth it, its like playing DVD's through a playstation 2, u don't get all the benefits of a real DVD player. (eg. zoom settings, memory, etc)


The highest resolution and best picture quality is from Blu-ray (at 1920 x 1080 resolution). Its avalible in the Playstation 3 system (built in). An Blu-ray player is around $800 - $1200 dollars, currently. (its called Blu-ray, because it uses a blue laser, instead of a conventional red laser)

Answer 3

Progressive upscaling is taking a 480p DVD to a 720p signal, which leaves artifacts.

An HD DVD (BluRay or HD-DVD) are 1080p DVD's and can output up to 1080p. There is no scaling involved. Higher resolution source, higher resolution output, better video quality. Of course, you are not going to benefit unless you have a nice HDTV, especially one that supports 1080p.

I would recommend the HD DVD route. But, I would be hesitant to purchase the HD-DVD accessory because you don't know which format is going to win. I would recommend purchasing a hybrid HD DVD player that supports HD-DVD, BluRay and DVD. They just announced it at the CES. Hopefully, we should see this later this year.

Answer 4

Of course you'll get a BETTER picture with an HD-DVD player...All the folks you're talkin' to are on the right track.

But the TRUE benefit of trading up to HD-DVD is not the picture but the SOUND...The new HD-DVD discs have (if the "DolbyTrueHD" label is on the title you're buying-NOT just "DolbyDigitalPlus") COMPLETELY UNCOMPRESSED DIGITAL SOUND recorded on them.

This means for the FIRST time ever you can here movie soundtracks EXACTLY the way they were recorded in the studio...The experience COMBINES the CLARITY of CDs with the WARMTH of record players...It's not JUST the SOUND EFFECTS but the sound BETWEEN the effects...There's really NOTHING like it.

But you have to hook the players up to your stereo ANALOG or it won't work...A standard DIGITAL connection (fiber optic or digital coax) will WATER DOWN the audio to old-school DTS...You have to connect an RCA cable for each of your 5 speakers and sub-woofer...(sorry folks with 6 and 7.1 - your CENTER REAR(S) will be SILENT)

But I don't think the XBOX 360 HD-DVD add-on has the MULTI AUDIO-OUT like a STAND-ALONE player...If you bought the XBOX player you'd have to buy an A/V Receiver (not invented yet) that DECODES the new "DolbyTrueHD" audio format.

Answer 5

A regular DVD frame is made up of 480 lines.
A HD DVD frame is made up 1080 lines.

There's no disputing the numbers is there?? Upscaling only adds filler lines to bring an image made up of 480 lines to the 1080 line resolution!!!

To reap it's benefits, the DVD you buy or rent should be HD DVD's - and the picture then becomes stunning!!!

Answer 6

hd dvd will definetly give you a better picture, it has higher resoultion because the hd dvd disc has much more information packed onto it than a regular dvd. Your dvd player is an awesome one, but it can only do so much with so little (a regular dvd). We have a saying "garbage in, garbage out". I'm assuming you have a hi-def tv.