HDTV does not have HDMI or DVI so how does it play back 1080i?

Question

My tv is a 2 yr old Akai 52 in. widescreen I bought at Circuit City in 2005. I recently bought a 480p dvd player from Sony, the pic looks GREAT! but I really wanted to get an upconversion dvd player, however everything I read online tells me that in order to enjoy upconversion dvd, I must have HDMI or DVI. My tv says 1080i on the top right corner and the component input on the back says 480i/480p/1080i. So how do I get 1080i out of this TV or an upconversion DVD? can I even do this at all since my tv does not an HDMI or DVI input, I'm so confused, and really dont have the money for an upgraded tv at this time. HELP?!

Answer 1

You can upconvert using the component cables. The upconvert DVD player should have component outputs. Before you buy the upconvert DVD player, ask to see the back to see if it has the component outputs. I have the Sony DVP-NS70H, and it has component outputs in the back.

Using component cables isn't as good as using HDMI or DVI because it's not a digital signal, but it should still look significantly better than 480p.

Answer 2

I had the same issue. I got a large LCD with the 1080 option, but it was only showing the picture in 480i. After goofing around, I had to change the setting in the hi-def cable box. Dig through the cable box menus or call you cable supplier. Once I changed it, the picture is much clearer because it is now at 1080i on both the tv and the box.

A good cable helps as well between the cable box and the TV. Don't waste your money (if you need to buy one) on a $99.00 cable. The same $30.00 from BJ's or Sam's works just as good. You just don't get to say you have a "monster cable".

Good luck.

Answer 3

Save your money. You don't need an upconversion DVD player.

The TV automatically upconverts the DVD signal. Actually, it may have a better scaler/deinterlacer than the cheap upconverting DVD players.

Save your money for a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player and you can use component cables just fine.