Home audio & video forum: Upscaling DVD Players without HDMI

The OPPO 970HD DVD player will upconvert via component if you download a hack for the player. There was discussion about this, with a download link, on another website, but the general consensus was that you couldn't see any difference between the settings. I believe download the hack code will violate the warranty, so for me this wasn't an option. I have a Toshiba RPTV too that does not have HDMI and I investigated the same thing, but I decided to just use 480p as this already looked so good, and I will worry about HD DVDs when I get another TV to replace my old workhorse Toshiba. I've used the upconverting on my smaller Sony LCD TV and personally, I think this feature is over-hyped. There wasn't a night-and-day difference in image quality, and in fact I think the image seemed to have a bit more detail enhancement that seemed to distract me. Until I move to a true High-def DVD player, 480p via component or HDMI will be fine.

Todd,

The OPPO is not and HD player, it does "upscaling". It cost $149.00. It's one of the best rated players. It does "upscaling" via HDMI easily, but if you want to "upscale" via component, that's another story. The OPPO will do that by using a hack, which I don't use. There aren't many players that will do this via component. Personally, I would just stay with a good DVD player that gives the best 480p picture, and the OPPO does this better than 99% of the available players, according to the test results.