Does an HDTV (720p) Sony, really need an "upconverting" DVD player?

Question

The salesman told me I could get "near" HD on my Sony HDTV if I also purchased an upconvering dvd player. A friend also told me that the Tv automatically upconverts on a regular dvd player. So why do manufactureres even bother with these upconverting dvd players for hdtv's if the tv already does it? or am I out to lunch on this one???

Answer 1

No you don't. The TV is perfectly capable of upconverting your regular DVD player. It may even have a better scaler than low-end upconverting players.
Save your money and buy a HD/Blu-Ray-player.

When DVD players hit the low of $30, the only way manufacturers could differentiate and get some extra cash was by adding "new" features; upconverting was one of them.

Answer 2

An upconverting player will upscale the image to 720p or 1080i. A dvd is 480p standard. Honestly you probably won't notice much of a differance and you would also need to purchase an HDMI cable with that kind of player for it to even matter. And that would run for a good one about 100-150 bucks. The salesman was by no means lying to you. Your TV may have a feature to upconvert signals to near HD. Most TV's do. You will notice a differance, but if your the kind of person that doesn't notice sublte differances, don't bother. I'd suggest investing in an HD DVD or Blu-Ray player. They are still expensive though but will also upconvert standard DVD's. Just remember this with HDTV's. The source is the most important factor. Always try use a digital source. At the least a progressive scan dvd player, and defiantly upgrade your cable/sattelite to HD. Its worth it.

Answer 3

Your friend is correct. HDTVs will always scale any incoming signal to the native resolution. In this case, 720p.

As for why are there upconverting DVD players, it's a low cost solution than buying an expensive scaler. Does it really make a difference? Is it a marketing scam? Is it another ploy to make more money.

No. Yes. Yes.

Some people say they notice a difference. I can't tell the difference. My standard DVD player and 720p HDTV looks perfectly fine.

The success of the electronic industry is built on ignorance and marketing-speak. Upconverting DVD players, Divx players, 1080p TVs, Monster Cables. People buy these not because they need them, but because of great advertising and media coverage.

Answer 4

i might want to get a psthree, regardless of if you're actually not into video games. It performs DVDs, Blu-Ray, and that is made through Sony that can artwork mutually with the Sony television really nicely, to boot as aesthetically tournament the television's bezel. The HDTV gained't "upscale" the SD DVDs. you merely favor to substantiate that the SD DVDs are in Widescreen format. the image high quality won't be able to be more advantageous through hardware; it would want to only be shown on the time-honored in which it develop into produced. base line, the psthree gained't allow you down, and that is the most inexpensive Blu-Ray participant on the marketplace perfect now, with many extra sensible aspects than only a movie participant. do not get an HD-DVD participant. they're going to be less costly in case you observe them, yet HD-DVD has been killed off and is merely not in production any more. Blu-Ray gained the Blu-Ray/HD-DVD conflict.

Answer 5

It doesn't really need it. However, a proper upconverting player like Faroudja upconversion will interpolate the pixels, giving you smoother edges; plus conversion from interlace (480i) to progressive scan (720p).

It's your $, tell you saleman to give you a demo and decide for yourself it it's worth it.

Answer 6

yes, you need an upconverting dvd player to get to 720p.