up-scaler
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High-end DVD up-scalers - a great alternative?
Does this Blu-ray/HD DVD war scare you a bit? That's cool, we still here to make sure that you get the very best picture quality on your HDTV. There are some very nice DVD up-scalers out there that have ether very good up-scaling ability or audiophile grade components. There has always been a good rule of thumb that your HDTV doesn't need the help of a DVD up-scaler if the HDTV has a good processor in it. Well we got news for you. As the price of the TVs drop, so does the quality of the processors. Some are great, some are not and the best way to figure it out is with your eyes. We have to warn you though that some of these aren't that cheap and in fact, cost more then the Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player. But some people want need that high-end audio sound that the initial HD DVD and Blu-ray players are simply not going to provide. It will be awhile till you see Onkyo or Marantz get into the high-def media format for the same reason a lot of you are wait...you don't want to make the wrong choice. Follow the link for a nice sampling of mid-range to high-end DVD up-scalers.
The best explanation of a DVD up-scaler
DVD up-scalers have been everywhere lately. We have done tons of posts about them the last few months and even an in-depth review of one of the newest ones on the market. But they can be confusing. We have located the best explanation of what they do and why they are good. While we are not as excited about them as this author is - he presents it like it is a gift from God - they do work good sometimes. Before you get out your pocket book though, many high-end HDTVs have great scalers built in so you might not see any improvement over your current progressive scan DVD player.
Panasonic's DVDS52 $100 up-scaler
Samsung ain't the only company out with a cheap up-scaler now: ladies and gentlemen, say hello to Panasonic's DVDS52, the other high definition DVD up-scaler with HDMI-out and a $100 price tag. We've yet to vouch for the quality of the picture (perhaps because it's not out yet, so far as we can tell) or even get some firm details on this puppy, but as long as you're waiting for your Blu-ray or HD DVD player, you may as well at least be watching video on that HDTV the right way (and the cheap way, which itself is sometimes the right way).
Panasonic now offering $100 DVD up-scaler too - DVDS52
The boys high up at Panasonic must have read our post about Samsungs $100 DVD up-scaler last month. (we can dream can't we?) Even if the previous statement isn't entirely true, this one is. Panasonic now has a $100 HDMI equipped DVD up-scaler just like Samsung named the DVD-S52. Truthfully, there isn't much else to say about. Just another 100 dollar DVD player that takes the 480i signal and scales it up to ether 720p or 1080i.Interesting enough though, this model is not listed on Panasonics website. While the MSRP is $100, Froogle pulls it for well under that.
Sony taking the DVD up-scaling market by storm
When Sony does something, they go all out. Check out their current selection of DVD up-scalers. Well, you really cannot browse all of them at one time 'cause the players span a couple of US markets. But just from two major websites, Sony.com and Cructfield, they have a total of eight DVD up-scalers! Talk about jumping on the bandwagon. DVP-NS9100ES - $1,299RDR-HX715 - $699DVP-NS3100ES - $499DVP-CX995V - $399DVP-NS90V - $199DVP-NC85H - $149DVP-NS70H - $149DVP-NS75H - $129So it seems that if you are looking for a DVD up-scaler, you will probably see a Sony in your price range.
