OK...I have that rare HDTV that has a "DVI" input...

[Joshua_me]

Yes, apparently a few years ago, a DVI (digital video input) made, somehow,
a lot more sense to the good folks at Toshiba.

So, we invested mega bucks in a 62" 16x9 projection TV....

It looks just great, using the S-video inputs from the cable box, and the 'component out' inputs for our dvd player.

But.

I still feel that we are not tapping the full 'digital potential' for our (kinda HD TV...)

So, I know they sell HDMI to DVI converters, but would it really be worth the money ?

And also, do any of you guys recommend a good 'upconvert' dvd player that has an HDMI output that we could convert into a DVI input ?

This isn't confusing at all, I swear .

 

[provenlogic]

Well here's a short answer, yes i think it would be worth it to you if you have HD television from your cable box. If you don't, then there's no reason to, unless you want an upconverting DVD player, which in my opinion, is also worth it.

Going over HDMI/DVI will be much better for HD picture quality. However, as noelie said, if your TV is a few years old, it won't support 1080P, but will support 1080i. And to be honest, 1080i is just about as good. The difference b/w 1080P and 1080i is debatable at best.

So i'd say definately do it if you have an HD box, or plan on getting one. And if you want an HD upconverting DVD player, you should do it as well. Upconverting players won't give you a "true" HD picture, since DVD is still in 720x480 (480i or 480p). However what they do is resize the picture to 720p or 1080i (i don't beleive any upconverting DVD player will convert to 1080P yet), and sharpen the picture. This gives you a fo-HD picture from a normal DVD. And you should be aware that if you get an upconverting player, 90% them will ONLY upconvert thru HDMI/DVI, so you'd have to get a cable to support the upconverted picture.

If you are looking for a good upconvert DVD player, i would STRONGLY reccommend the OPPO DV-970HD. You may never have heard of the brand, but they are known online as the best DVD player makers available. All they're players are of top-notch quality, and come loaded with features. And you won't find a website around that doesn't have an impeccible rating of their DVD players. The DV-970HD is the only player on Amazon.com with 4.5 out of 5 stars.

It's an upconverting DVD player, supporting NTSC 480i/480p/720p/1080i, AND PAL 576i/576p/720p/1080i over HDMI and Component. It's also a Universal Region Free player, meaning you can play DVD's from anywhere in the world.
It supports DivX and XviD encoded .avi movies, as well as DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), Audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, WMA and other digital audio and video media/formats. And it supports all Computer DVD read/write media.
It has a 4in1 card reader in the front, as well as a USB port, both of which fully support playback of DivX and XviD .avi files.
In addition to HDMI, it has component jacks, Optical and Coaxial digital audio jacks, composite RCA audio/video, S-Video, and BUILT IN Dolby 5.1 decoding, with 5.1 audio output jacks on the back.
It's firmware is also upgradable by download from OPPO's website.

I just got mine a few weeks ago, love it .
It also comes with an HDMI cable in the package

 

[richardPB1]

I bought the OPPO for its up converting characteristics. My Time Warner cable does not recognize OPPO. Oppo does not have the required MFG Code. OPPO was no help at all, admitting that the manufacturers code was not available. Just be very carefull. Sending it back to lAmazon is such a hassle.

 

[provenlogic]

I bought the OPPO for its up converting characteristics. My Time Warner cable does not recognize OPPO. Oppo does not have the required MFG Code. OPPO was no help at all, admitting that the manufacturers code was not available. Just be very carefull. Sending it back to lAmazon is such a hassle.

Ummm, forgive me for being blunt, but your DVD player has nothing to do with your cable box or cable provider. They shouldn't EVER interact at all. So why should Time Warner not recognizing it matter in the slightest?

Unless you're talking about programming a universal remote, which is a COMPLETELY different issue. And even then, all you have to do is search for the code, which will pick it up in a snap. Or if you have a nice universal remote (i.e. Logitech Harmony) like me, setup is a breeze, had my harmony programmed for the OPPO in a matter of minutes.

you also need to select your adapter/converter carefully (maybe proven will help there?).

Joshua, as for adapters and cables, when you are dealing with digital signal, the brand of cable doesn't really matter, as the makup isn't that important. Digital signal is just 1's and 0's, so it doesn't matter if the quality degrades slightly along the length of the cable, as long as the TV can recognize the signal as a 1 or 0. With Analog cables however, the opposite is true, it very much does matter b/c any degredation will effect your picture clarity.

So for digital cables, such as HDMI, DVI, or HDMI to DVI cables or converters, i'd say just search around for one you like at a good price. The only thing i would recommend is getting gold plated connectors at the end, so that the signal transfer is good. You can get either a cable that has HDMI on one end, and DVI on the other, or an HDMI cable with a seperate HDMI>DVI adapter (or vica versa), its up to you. Personally i'd go for the cable, less parts and less chance for problems to arise.

Now, since your particular TV uses DVI, you need to be aware that you won't be able to get audio through HDMI like you normally would, as DVI only supports video. So u'll need some analog RCA audio cables to go along with the HDMI>DVI cable or adapter. I'd recommend something from the companies "Acoustic Research" or if you have the money, "Monster Cables". (Acoustic Research is also a good brand for your HDMI/DVI cables/adapters).

P.S.
Noelie, i haven't gotten back to you with the laptop pix b/c i don't have the laptop right now, she's using it . I'll snap the pix next time i have it.

 

[provenlogic]

Where's this from proven?

Free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny. The once-chained people whose leaders lose their grip on information will soon burst with freedom and vitality, but the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism. Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.

It's paraphrase from a quote in a late 1990's video game called Alpha Centauri, truncated to fit in my sig:

"As the Americans learned so painfully in Earth's final century, free flow of information is the only safeguard against tyranny. The once-chained people whose leaders at last lose their grip on information flow will soon burst with freedom and vitality, but the free nation gradually constricting its grip on public discourse has begun its rapid slide into despotism. Beware of he who would deny you access to information, for in his heart he dreams himself your master.

-- Commissioner Pravin Lal
"U.N. Declaration of Rights""


I thought it had significant relevance in today's world .

 

[provenlogic]

It's a fantastic quote - very apt.

I hear what you say about the cable/adapter but there is an issue called HDCP handshake and it does have something to do with your cable/adapter though I'm not quite sure what or where the problem might apply here since we still don't have a specific model:

http://www.avrev.com/news/1105/10.hdcp.html
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/forum/showthread.php?p=21605

http://www.digitaltvdesignline.com/...JVN?printableArticle=true&articleId=198900437

The resolution of the handshake problem is dependent to an extent on the efficiency/quality of your connector/cable/adapter.

The HDCP is basically a DRM for upconverting DVD, it's complicated... But it's all in THE DVD PLAYER, not the cable or TV. All it requires is that you go over an HDMI cable, which he would be.

 

[richardPB1]

Thanks for your response Provenlogic. Yes I was talking about programming he universal remote provided by Time Warner. It could find no code, as OPPO could not give me a code. Gee I wish things were simpler. What ever happened to Plug And Play?

 

[provenlogic]

Thanks for your response Provenlogic. Yes I was talking about programming he universal remote provided by Time Warner. It could find no code, as OPPO could not give me a code. Gee I wish things were simpler. What ever happened to Plug And Play?

You could have just bought a $10 universal remote that had a code search, or learning function .

But i always recommend the king of remotes, Logitech Harmony Remotes. They can literally control ANYTHING, and you set them up from your computer.

 

[trawler69]

What ever happened to Plug And Play?

This phrase is an edited version of the true phrase: "Plug, and play forever to get it to work"

 

[provenlogic]

This phrase is an edited version of the true phrase: "Plug, and play forever to get it to work"

It's actually Plug and Pray, we've been mispelling it for years.

 

[trawler69]

Ah I see but I am not religious, praying never works so I have to play instead.

 

[Joshua_me]

*Gadzooks* !!

I can't thank you guys enough for all of your responses and suggestions !

As I speak, (err...'type') Keith and I are desperately looking for the owners manual that came with this TV, (which after less than 4 years is already a 'relic' ) The damned manual was the size of a phonebook....where WTF did it go ??? Couch cushions are flying, chairs are flipping over, our cat is sitting in the front yard with a 'please adopt me and get me away from these idiots' sign around his neck.... It isn't pretty.

As soon as we find it, I'll post the specific model number. Hell, I didn't even know there were more than one kind of DVI inputs...

Home theaters shouldn't be this mind-numbingly stressful.

 

[provenlogic]

The model number should be on the back of the TV

Ditto... or on the original remote.