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Anonymous | Hey, just curious what the opinions are on the best single disc, Progressive Scan DVD players are on the market? Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic? what to get? |
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Peter Connor | I just bought a Sony progressive dvd/ SACD player, model DVP-NS900V. I noticed NO discernable difference between progressive and interlaced viewing. HOW DISAPPOINTING!!!! In many electronic stores, I had seen progressive players in action and was IMPRESSED with the image. What has happened with my new Sony? Does it use an inferior chip? I am using a Philips 34 inch widescreen high definition ready tv and acoustic research component cables. I am confident that calibration is not the problem, as I have experimented with every option and even used the AVIA dvd to help. As it is too late to return the Sony, HOW CAN I IMPROVE THE PROGRESSIVE SCAN IMAGE? Should I buy a upconverter/scaler and try this approach? Has anyone tried this? I am afraid this might cost me more than I spent on the Sony DVD player, roughly $700. I would do it if I would get a better image, though!!!!! Would an alternative component cable - other than Acoustic Research - make a significant difference? Should I give up and just buy another progressive DVD player, such as a Philips with the Faroudja DCDi or a model with the Silican Image circuits? This would be my least favorite option, as I am now broke! Please, is there a videophile out there who can help me??? Peter |
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Derek | You may not see a difference at first (and maybe ever) because your Philips has a scaler built in. I have see that television and it makes peoples movements spooky smooth. The progressive scan players can make progressive material (and all of it isn't) smoother as far as eliminating the blinking and running scan lines of interlaced television. If your DVD player has 2:3 pulldown for film bases sources, diaginal lines and some types of movement will also be smoother. Progressive sources from your DVD player bypasses that scaler and should look slightly better becuase the picture is being "reproduced" and is simply being passed through. The scaler in your television is "creating" the picture through algorithms. See this report http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_3/dvd-benchmark-introduction-9-2000.html. They really do a good job at providing samples of what you should be looking for. I have a Philips 724S PS 2:3 I paid $129 and an ATI All-in-Wonder 8500DV I also paid $129 for and the Phillips produces a slightly better picture on my test DVDs. I've also seen the Philips on sale for $99. Hope this helps. |