HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #252 - Blu-ray Backlash

[Richard]

OPPO DV-981HD Upconverting SD DVD Player
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/reviews/200 ... player.php

[jerfilm]

Thanks, Richard.

I probably should have added one other purchase to the above list - my old Pioneer 50 inch plasma with ONE component video input, which unfortunately, still looks like new. On second thought, I guess it wasn't a bad format choice - it was what was available at the time. My, how far we've come in such a short time, huh??

Jerry

Oh, someone did steer me to a box that will convert HDMI to Component that works well but I think it's no longer on the market. It was a lot cheaper than buying a new flat screen.......but of course, only one input at a time.......

[allchemie]

There are quite a few component to HDMI boxes with a number of inputs, such as from Gefen. And you can always connect the HDMI output to an HDMI repeater box with 4 or so outputs from Radiient--a very solid company.

Greg

[terrypaullin]

Greg (and others),
Remember that when you convert component to HDMI - either direction - you lose HDCP copy protection. That means you lose the upconversion feature. You can still play NTSC discs, but they will be shown in 480p resolution.
Terry Paullin

[Richard]

Jerry, your box may have supported HDCP but that would not be the norm.

The only legal device I know of that will convert an HDMI HDCP source to analog video is the HD Fury.
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8497

As Terry stated though, that is NOT component YPbPr but RGBHV analog video output. If you have an RGBHV or VGA input on your Pioneer that would work for you.

[robmcclary]

Like many members here I bought both formats and both are problematic and/or have trouble playing certain discs. Competition kept pressure on the manufacturers, however, and although I bought a Blu-Ray player first and hadn't initially planned to buy HD-DVD, I ended up buying two--one for my mom and one after seeing how great it was for myself.

Both formats need improvement as to their speed and reliability but there's less pressure on Blu-Ray manufacturers to get the many bugs out now. I had just bought the Toshida HD A35 a week before they made the announcement and paid an extra $100 because it was out of stock at my favorite and preferred retailer. I knew there was a likelihood the end was near for HD-DVD, but I liked the machine and the features. The retailer I bought from, B&H Photo in Manhattan, is very reputable and the salesman warned me that HD-DVD was likely to be discontinued in the near future. It didn't matter to me because there were movies I had purchased and/or wanted that weren't available on Blu-Ray.

I gradually came to the conclusion that Blu-Ray overall was the superior format (which led me to buy that format first) but the images coming out of the HD-DVD players were fantastic. Anyone who really appreciates high quality graphics and sound has to appreciate the research & development that went into HD-DVD. It is with some sadness to see that venture fail. They were also the first to market and for those of us who skipped D-VHS, it was the first chance for real high-bandwidth high definition signals. That was pretty exciting. More power to them, better luck next time.

[allchemie]

There is plenty of pressure on Bu Ray (even without Toshiba HD) to get all the features working probably. And the competition will come from the many manufacturers of Blu Ray players who both want to get to market first with the best and those that are also competing on price. Your view that there is less competition is likesaying since receivers all do the same thing basically that there is no competition between manufacturers on price, featuresets, and performance. We all know there is plenty of competition at all price points.

Greg

[allchemie]

Also, I know the Sherwood Newcastle HSB-600 HDMI link and the HSB-6501 video transoder both convert component to HDMI does the following:

Provides remote (or RS-232) switching for 2 HDMI source units
Converts any component video input into an HDCP-compliant HDMI output.

Hence, you can use 2 source video sources directly into the unit and output HDCP-compliant HDMI. I bet there are others out there too, such as from Gefen.

Greg

[akirby]

But that doesn't help Jerry who needs to convert HDMI to Component since his TV only has one component input and no DVI or HDMI.

I have the same problem with a MITS CRT RPTV and right now I'm using component video from both the DirecTV HR20-700 DVR and the PS3. The only thing I don't get in 1080i is standard DVDs - but since my TV is native 480p that isn't so much of a problem. I watched Michael Clayton in Blu-Ray format Saturday night and while it may have looked slightly better than a standard DVD it wasn't night and day.

I'm sure it's a different story for a digital 1080p or 720p display but until I get a new display I'm happy with 480p DVDs.

[ofield]

Hello,

Yes I am disapointed that Blue Ray won. But I really don't mine keeping the titles i have in HD.
And it plays Great as a Upconverter. I won't consider buying a Blue Ray until they reach around $100.00.
If they never do then I will never have one.

Besides something Even Better will probably come out before then.