Low: Basic Upconverting DVD Players Can Be Found for Around $50
Medium: Mid-Range Upconverting DVD Players Ru Around $70
High: High end Upconverting Players Can Run $100-$370
In today's world, the current buzzwords seems to be "High Definition". The consumer video electronics industry is churning out new HD digital ready television sets, and Blu-ray is the latest trend to watching HiDef 1080P (1080 lines of vertical resolution) movies. However, the cost of Blu-ray movie discs and players are still high comparatively as the market is still transitioning to this new standard and technology. An inexpensive, standard "regular" DVD player these days can upconvert and output your old DVD movies collection to play on your new HD television set for you to still enjoy watching your movies in a more HD-like viewing. Upconverting is a term where the 480P content of a DVD disc is upscaled, interpolated and processed by a chip to 1080P resolution.
Typical costs:
While all Blu-ray players do upconvert regular DVD discs, it is still less expensive to buy a newer DVD player with upconverting technology that outputs the picture through an HDMI port.
Very basic upconverting DVD players can be found for about $50 such as the LG DN798 DVD player[1] ($50) and Philips DVP3980/37 ($50).
A fairly good, midrange upconverting DVD player can be had for around $70, such as the Samsung DVD-1080P9 ($70) or the Sony DVP-NS710H/B[2] ($70). Both of these players upscale to 1080P and output in HDMI.
High end upconverting DVD player brands such as Denon, Onkyo, or Oppo Digital often provide additional audio decoding that less expensive players do not. Some players also provide a dvd recording feature. These players range from $100 and higher. Examples include the Denon DVD-1940CI[3] ($370), Onkyo DV-SP406[4] ($125) and Oppo Digital DV-980H[5] ($170).
HDMI cables are often not included and are an additional cost if you wish to take full advantage of your upconverting DVD player and HD television set.
Online retailers such as Meritline.com[6] and eForCity.com[7] offer HDMI cables for about $4-$6.
Discounts:
Older models and refurbished models can often be had for around $35-$50. For example, the older Philips DVP5990/37B DVD player with USB can also be found for $50 at Overstock.com[8]
Shopping for a dvd player:
Brick and Mortar stores such as Best Buy[9] , Target[10] and Wal-Mart[11] offer some of the models mentioned in their electronics section.
Online retailers such as Amazon[12] and TigerDirect.com[13] also sell upconverting DVD players.
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My old Panasonic DVD player finally kicked it (after 7 years), so I had to get a new one. I needed a DVD player that had optical audio and component video output, and Consumer Reports recommended the JVC especially because I play VCDs. While it seems very solid (and is ultra slim and has an HDMI output in case I ever get an HD TV), I was surprised that it still costs 80 bucks for a DVD player that is otherwise pretty similar to the one I got 7 years ago. While the DVD video and audio quality is very good, I was a little disappointed that it wasn't noticeably better than the DVD player I got 7 years ago. Maybe I've maxed out what non-HD can do?
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