OK, what is the deal with this product? Can you watch, say, older movies like Tombstone, or old Ren and Stimpy cartoons, etc., in HD? How much difference does the upconversion make? Is it really like watching in HD?I have an 82" DLP (the last one Mitsu made) and find I now hate watching anything from the pre-HD era, so I find this product very intriguing... EDIT: Thanks for all the responses! The reviews were also helpful, but really appreciated the answers to my noobish question. Obviously it can't invent new source data, but apparently it's pretty good at interpolating. I guess I'll have to try it to see if it's worth it to me :) OK, what is the deal with this product? Can you watch, say, older movies like Tombstone, or old Ren and Stimpy cartoons, etc., in HD? How much difference does the upconversion make? Is it really... » Read More OK, what is the deal with this product? Can you watch, say, older movies like Tombstone, or old Ren and Stimpy cartoons, etc., in HD? How much difference does the upconversion make? Is it really like watching in HD?I have an 82" DLP (the last one Mitsu made) and find I now hate watching anything from the pre-HD era, so I find this product very intriguing... EDIT: Thanks for all the responses! The reviews were also helpful, but really appreciated the answers to my noobish question. Obviously it can't invent new source data, but apparently it's pretty good at interpolating. I guess I'll have to try it to see if it's worth it to me :) « Show Less
874211
Upscaling. It will take a picture that was made for TV in the 480P format ( Scanning a 480 lines per second ) and "Upscale" the picture to the 1080P format ( Scanning at 1080 lines per second ) so the picture looks clean, vibrant, and perfect on your NEW hd TV - Or in the 16:9 ( Wide Screen ) format...
874212
Yes but VCR tapes still look better but not like an up convert on a DVD. VCR is still not quality like blu-ray or DVD. Read all the reviews Your question is already answered.
874213
There is Y/C (luminance/chrominance) Auto or manual correction, so this will help with VCR playback via standard composite output to your HDTV (less color smearing--the ubiquitous bane of VHS and Beta composite outputs), although from S-VHS output of an S-VHS VCR, the correction is not as noticeable as S-VHS handles Y/C better than VHS.
874214
What this product will do is convert any input into an output that is most compatible with the display, i.e. 1920 x 1080 p. What this product will not do is improve the picture quality. A VCR tape using 455 scan lines will look so so but all the imperfections will be accentuated, especially on an 82" screen. The product does not create any additional information from the source information, it deconstructs the signal and reprocesses it to be compatible with the display.
3363
Isnt that a shame? so you're saying that it will look grainy on any blue ray player? I wouldve thought any encoding problem wouldve been fixed by now, i mean 300 just came out on blue ray.Do stores offer refunds or something? Have you tried a different blue ray? or a different TV? Im going to take mine to my friends house and test it on his LCD TV.thxThank you.
1785502
Sadly, after watching an "Aliens" DVD on this new BDP-350 I think the upconversion is inferior to my now disconnected Toshiba A-3. My plasma is a 2005 Panasonic 480p EDTV, the best ever made before the resolution was phased out, and the difference is obvious and painful. Resolution is set to "auto" which seems to be the same as 480p.Maybe I've missed something. Anyone out there have any suggestions? Thank you.
1329476
Hi Wise 1, You can view blu-ray (and *probably* NON-upconverted standard DVD but I'm not sure of this) output using the component outputs. Assuming your TV has component inputs. There is also an RCA video output but this will be very low-fidelity. At least the specs on this TV say those outputs exist (I don't own one of these players ... yet). I say NON-upconverted for standard DVDs, since upconversion only makes sense over HDMI. You won't be getting the most out of your blu-ray player but it will be useable. You will eventually want to upgrade to a TV with a 1080p HDMI input. If you do not need analog outputs for multi-channel decoding (this is usually the case for most people, but not for me) then you can save a bit of money by buying the Panasonic DMP-BD60 instead. If your TV does not have component inputs then don't bother until you get a new TV (but yes you *could* use the RCA composite video option). Hope this helps.
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Karen, I cannot find anything in any descriptions that say it records in HD, but it sure looks like it does to me. The only reference I can find about it's HD is it "supports full hd 1080p upconversion". I tape HD shows onto the hard drive, edit out segments that I don't want, then I burn them to a DVD. I never record directly to the DVD, because I like to edit first, but I'm sure it would work beautifully. The quality of the DVDs cut from the hard drive is, in my opinion, excellent but I can't absolutely swear they're technically HD. I would recommend the product, it's the best recorder I've ever had. I hope my comments have helped a little. Larry Karen, I cannot find anything in any descriptions that say it records in HD, but it sure looks like it does to me. The only reference I can find about it's HD is it "supports full hd 1080p upconversion". I tape HD shows onto the hard drive, edit out segments that I don't want, then I burn them to a DVD. I never record directly to the DVD, because I like to edit first, but I'm sure it would work beautifully. The quality of the DVDs cut from the hard drive is, in my opinion, excellent but I can't absolutely swear they're technically HD. I would recommend the product, it's the best... » Read More Karen, I cannot find anything in any descriptions that say it records in HD, but it sure looks like it does to me. The only reference I can find about it's HD is it "supports full hd 1080p upconversion". I tape HD shows onto the hard drive, edit out segments that I don't want, then I burn them to a DVD. I never record directly to the DVD, because I like to edit first, but I'm sure it would work beautifully. The quality of the DVDs cut from the hard drive is, in my opinion, excellent but I can't absolutely swear they're technically HD. I would recommend the product, it's the best recorder I've ever had. I hope my comments have helped a little. Larry « Show Less
1698138
VHS will not fully up-convert to HD due to VHS is SD material & hardware. Your picture will improve somewhat, but not to HD quality. I hope this will help.
1451042
I solved this. There is no upscaling of HDMI, thats they way it should be. I solved this for older SD DVDS that I play on my blue ray like this, I hooked up a second set of connections and when its old DVDs I switch the receiver to DVD instead of blueray and the upscaler makes them look very much better than just normal DVDs. When I say switch I mean just like you switch the receiver from one component to another its that simple. I am really liking my investment with this receiver.
1682503
I have been tweaking my new set's picture for 3 days now. The high def is terrific but I only get 12 channels of HD. Since 50% of my viewing will be standard def cable channels, I am very disappointed that I can't get the SD picture to a level of acceptability. (I feel compelled to go to another room and watch non-HD programs on my old 36" CRT.) Any suggestions on setting changes for SD programs? A lot of the screen is blurry and pixelated (with or without the 120-Hz on).
16077
I have the HDA2 with a Hitachi PJ-TX100 which is a 720p projector. IMO the upgrade in PQ of HDVD vs Upconverted SD-DVD is quite noticeable and well worth the upgrade over my Oppo 971. HDVD movies look great and HD DVD video such as the Planet Earth series will knock your socks off even at "only" 720p. I've had several goose bump moments watching Planet Earth on my setup and I'm only 2 episodes into it.I'm shooting on a 92" screen with a seating distance of about 9 feet, just for reference.
890634
Doggone. And I was just thinking about springing for a samsung 4671 (a consensus 5 stars from Amazon consumers). The main thing that bugs me about the V2500 series is the omission of Normal mode when adjusting aspect ratio. Since the set automatically interprets a 480i signal as 720p or 1080i, you're stuck watching nothing but short fat people unless you can control aspect ratio from the DVD player and set-up box. It wouldn't matter if all source material were in hi def, but unfortunately most is not. Sony made a colossal blunder, but apparently woke up by the time of the 3000 series.
1179374
Jorge .. I almost forgot. If you have some Region 1 DVDs, play this on the HD-A35 and be surprised at just how good the HD-A35 is at upscaling your standard Region 1 NTSC DVDs. I particularly recommend you try Star Wars 2 & 3. I think you will like what you see. =) Now, if you like what you see and want to do the same with your Region 4 DVDs, consider adding the Oppo DV-980H or Oppo DV-981HD to your list of DVD players. The HD-A35 will play only Region 1 DVDs and Region Free DVDs. My DVD collection consist of Region 1 NTSC, Region 2 PAL, and Region 3 NTSC DVDs. This is why I have the Oppo DVD player in addition to my Toshiba HD DVD player. Jorge .. I almost forgot. If you have some Region 1 DVDs, play this on the HD-A35 and be surprised at just how good the HD-A35 is at upscaling your standard Region 1 NTSC DVDs. I particularly recommend you try Star Wars 2 & 3. I think you will like what you see. =) Now, if you like what you see and want to do the same with your Region 4 DVDs, consider adding the Oppo DV-980H or Oppo DV-981HD to your list of DVD players. The HD-A35 will play only Region 1 DVDs and Region Free DVDs. My DVD collection consist of Region 1 NTSC, Region 2 PAL, and Region 3 NTSC DVDs. This is why I... » Read More Jorge .. I almost forgot. If you have some Region 1 DVDs, play this on the HD-A35 and be surprised at just how good the HD-A35 is at upscaling your standard Region 1 NTSC DVDs. I particularly recommend you try Star Wars 2 & 3. I think you will like what you see. =) Now, if you like what you see and want to do the same with your Region 4 DVDs, consider adding the Oppo DV-980H or Oppo DV-981HD to your list of DVD players. The HD-A35 will play only Region 1 DVDs and Region Free DVDs. My DVD collection consist of Region 1 NTSC, Region 2 PAL, and Region 3 NTSC DVDs. This is why I have the Oppo DVD player in addition to my Toshiba HD DVD player. « Show Less
1895962
Thanks. Seems like each of these makes has its quirks. I just gave away on old (4 years) Toshiba DVD recorder that did OK for its time, but the menus were very unintuitive, and the manual was in broken english. I guess I could always pick up a D-R410 at Fry's and if I don't like it, return for the Panny when it's in stock. Fry's also has a Sony RDR-GX360 for the same price as the Panasonic, and it seems to have the same ins/outs and upconversion, but I can only find one user review out there and it was bad. I hear that Sonys are picky about the DVD brand you use, plus they're the "source" for the industry restrictions on recording HD, so I don't want to support them. Thanks. Seems like each of these makes has its quirks. I just gave away on old (4 years) Toshiba DVD recorder that did OK for its time, but the menus were very unintuitive, and the manual was in broken english. I guess I could always pick up a D-R410 at Fry's and if I don't like it, return for the Panny when it's in stock. Fry's also has a Sony RDR-GX360 for the same price as the Panasonic, and it seems to have the same ins/outs and upconversion, but I can only find one user review out there and it was bad. I hear that Sonys are picky about the DVD brand you use, plus they're the... » Read More Thanks. Seems like each of these makes has its quirks. I just gave away on old (4 years) Toshiba DVD recorder that did OK for its time, but the menus were very unintuitive, and the manual was in broken english. I guess I could always pick up a D-R410 at Fry's and if I don't like it, return for the Panny when it's in stock. Fry's also has a Sony RDR-GX360 for the same price as the Panasonic, and it seems to have the same ins/outs and upconversion, but I can only find one user review out there and it was bad. I hear that Sonys are picky about the DVD brand you use, plus they're the "source" for the industry restrictions on recording HD, so I don't want to support them. « Show Less
410289
I've heard this models great with HD. But I'm not planning on updating the box or getting a newer generation gaming system quite yet.I currently have no TV. My goal is to find the most cost efficient TV I'll be happy with for years. In other words, one that handles SD well for now, but handles HD good enough that when I switch to it I won't feel like I should buy a newer model.
17188
I'd like to ask you a question about the 24p content. I produce videos in 24p, and although I'm very creative, I'm not a tech guru. Thus, I've been trying to witness the difference between TV's out there that claim to have good 24p playback capabilities, as we produce several things at that frame rate. Have you seen them side by side? Does the lower Hz level really make a big difference? I've seen the 8000 in action, but never checked the Hz level and didn't compare it to the 7000. Thanks in advance for your help.
2205467
Thanks. I always wanted a Delorean--wouldn't have guessed it would come in this format, or via Amazon!My (older, though HD) tv does have component outputs, which I currently use. But if what you say is correct for this and other blu-ray players, it doesn't seem to make much sense to purchase a blu-ray player (I have a large collection of standard DVDs, including lots of Criterion Collection, which would benefit from upconversion; I'm not much for the blow it up movies that have so far dominated blu-ray production) unless and until we replace our tv with one equipped with HDMI inputs. That day will eventually come, but maybe not so soon. Thanks. I always wanted a Delorean--wouldn't have guessed it would come in this format, or via Amazon!My (older, though HD) tv does have component outputs, which I currently use. But if what you say is correct for this and other blu-ray players, it doesn't seem to make much sense to purchase a blu-ray player (I have a large collection of standard DVDs, including lots of Criterion Collection, which would benefit from upconversion; I'm not much for the blow it up movies that have so far dominated blu-ray production) unless and until we replace our tv with one equipped with HDMI inputs.... » Read More Thanks. I always wanted a Delorean--wouldn't have guessed it would come in this format, or via Amazon!My (older, though HD) tv does have component outputs, which I currently use. But if what you say is correct for this and other blu-ray players, it doesn't seem to make much sense to purchase a blu-ray player (I have a large collection of standard DVDs, including lots of Criterion Collection, which would benefit from upconversion; I'm not much for the blow it up movies that have so far dominated blu-ray production) unless and until we replace our tv with one equipped with HDMI inputs. That day will eventually come, but maybe not so soon. « Show Less
670151
Man, 50GB TITLES? Definitely a marketing strategy. So you believe anything the press tells you? People, movies are made by directors, some films are shot to be murky and grainy, while some are smooth and crisp. HD was made to make pictures more detailed when you have a 60" screen, NTSC just cannot adapt to this screen size w/out noise. Which is why you can ONLY see the differnce betweeen 1080i(1780x1080) and 1080p(1920x1080)in a 60" or LARGER hdtv. I do not believe that movies will be coming out in 50GB, 10-15 gb probably. I am talking about just the film itself, not special features and what-not. You know the disc the HD discs(BR/HDDVD) they have today ONLY USE 18-20% disc space? Sad to say, our purchases are dictated by corporations. They will not invest in a perfect HD film unless viable, it is all about the almighty dollar!! My friend is a film editor, you watch the stuff he makes from Warner. Blu-ray may have a future aside from JUST movies. However, for film, I am not so sure... Look for my posts under one of the reviews of the toshiba HD-A20 with 13 comments. I tried to explain HD. I got tired of all the hype between HDDVD AND BLU-RAY. Now you know what the corporations should do, make machines that play both formats for a reasonable OR CHEAP price(unlike the LG hybrid), stop making dvd players, make all machines 100% backwards compatible w/ dvd, tell consumers that 1080p is not needed for HDTVS 30-55 inches size, make cheap hybrid 360 and PS3 games to play in both machines, sell HDDVD AND BLU-RAY discs for a $15 price etc. You know why this will not happen? because they want $$$, they don't care about the consumers. You know HDDVD and BLU-RAY technology has been around when DVD was a mere 3-5 year old technology? They didn't bring them out until they got all the money invested in dvd back to the investors... That's the name of the game. Unfortunately, we are controlled by the corporations...
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I hear the Oppo is a great DVD player (although I do not have one myself). There are several models and I think you can find them here at Amazon quite easily. They are standard DVD players (not HD DVD or blu-ray) who do up-conversion of your DVDs to 1080p.The up-conversion on the Toshiba HD DVD players are also regarded as being among the best (if not the best)... but the DVD playing is region locked. Try the Oppo, then.Also, Onkyo announced their first HD DVD player due next Fall. It will probably be the best HD player on the market by then. However, I'm not sure if the DVD playing will be region locked or not. I hear the Oppo is a great DVD player (although I do not have one myself). There are several models and I think you can find them here at Amazon quite easily. They are standard DVD players (not HD DVD or blu-ray) who do up-conversion of your DVDs to 1080p.The up-conversion on the Toshiba HD DVD players are also regarded as being among the best (if not the best)... but the DVD playing is region locked. Try the Oppo, then.Also, Onkyo announced their first HD DVD player due next Fall. It will probably be the best HD player on the market by then. However, I'm not sure if... » Read More I hear the Oppo is a great DVD player (although I do not have one myself). There are several models and I think you can find them here at Amazon quite easily. They are standard DVD players (not HD DVD or blu-ray) who do up-conversion of your DVDs to 1080p.The up-conversion on the Toshiba HD DVD players are also regarded as being among the best (if not the best)... but the DVD playing is region locked. Try the Oppo, then.Also, Onkyo announced their first HD DVD player due next Fall. It will probably be the best HD player on the market by then. However, I'm not sure if the DVD playing will be region locked or not. « Show Less