http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/ Engadget HD Comments for PlayTV upgraded with upscaling, more DVR features http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
Is there an indication about when/if its comming to the US ?]]>Apr 6th 2009 2:20PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/Apr 6th 2009 4:04PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
you and i both know thats not what he meant...
anyways, it would be nice if they actually brought this DVR device to the US. I might actually start recording my shoes w/ this rather than getting them through..."other sources"]]>Apr 6th 2009 4:32PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/Apr 6th 2009 4:39PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/Apr 6th 2009 7:13PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
Some TVs, like the high-end Sony XBR4/5/6 cost more *because* of the scaling technology built in. So you don't actually *need* an upscaling DVD/STB/Play

Yet you say "Among the new additions, upscaling should bring a sharper picture to HDTVs *everywhere*." That is not true. Many TVs -- see Sony XBR reference -- actually upscale better than something like this.

But the whole "Upscaling Myth" is propogated by sites like EngadgetHD, who should know better. I really wish you would tell people their TV already upscales and they may not need this feature (quality does vary). It could actually save your readers some real money in the end!

-Pie]]>Apr 6th 2009 4:29PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
if you have an upscaler that is in your DVR, DVD player, etc...and its NOT AS good as the upscaler in your swank HDTV then your tv will upscale the signal itself. IF you have a VERY high quality piece of video equipment, but your TV is a budget basement tv, or maybe just oen w/ a scaler that isn't that great, then in this case, yes your tv will use the scaler in the device.

so really, dont try to bash on engadgethd...or scream about the "upscaling myth" when it certainly isn't the case. Some people will def benefit from the scaler in this, some will not. ]]>Apr 6th 2009 4:38PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/Apr 6th 2009 4:41PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
To SimbaDogg, I'm not sure where you say I'm wrong. Though my post was a little too strongly worded, bordering on rude, which I regret. (My apologies to Richard.)

I actually had a paragraph about cheaper TVs having crappy scalers -- meaning an upscaling DVD player would be a better way to go -- but I cut it for brevity (crap my post was too long anyway!). Should have left it in, I guess.

But indeed, it does depend... thing is, most people are *completely oblivious* to the fact that their brand new Sony LCD scales video to 1080p all by its lonesome, and does a deadly awesome job at it. This is because Best Buy, et. al., can sell them an upscaling DVD player if they leave out all the facts (ie upscaling DVD player isn't necessary with this TV, but would definitely help with that one!). Of course, retailers are in this to make money, not be your friend and give full disclosure.

-Pie]]>Apr 6th 2009 4:57PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
"if you have an upscaler that is in your DVR, DVD player, etc...and its NOT AS good as the upscaler in your swank HDTV then your tv will upscale the signal itself."

That there is not true.

Assuming a 1080p TV for simplicity... If you upscale the source to 1080p at the player end, the TV receives it and displays it. Period. The only time the TV's scaler comes into play is when you feed the TV something *lower* than 1080p. IE, you *must* set your DVR/DVD player, etc. to output the source's native resolution (disable the DVR/DVD player's upscaling)... it doesn't happen automatically.

See what I mean about confusion!

-Pie]]>Apr 6th 2009 5:04PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
The PS3 can't possibly have a higher quality scaler in it than the Elite does. Can it?]]>Apr 6th 2009 8:29PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
Pioneer used to be known for the best line doubler (480i --> 480p) on the market back in the CRT days. Sony has more or less stolen that crown with their scalers on the high end XBR series (XBR5 or XBR6). The only published difference between an XBR5 and XBR6 (last summer) was the higher quality scaler... and those were the two top of the line TVs.

But this all goes back to my original point. You are not *guaranteed* to get better results from an upscaled source (which is what the article said). The converse is also true (which, I admit, I should have said originally). A good scaler in the TV does not *guarantee* better results than a good upscaling source. What was true with the old line doubler days is still true with the modern scaler days: you need to check both and see which is better.

The mythical part is that we just *assume* upscaling devices are better. And that's just not always the case.

-Pie]]>Apr 6th 2009 10:22PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/Apr 7th 2009 12:26AMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/
And let me tell you, with the TV I bought -- a Mitsubishi 73711 -- NONE of the cost went into the line doubler. It has to be the worse one ever put in any device ever in the history of TV! I had to factor in the cost of an external line doubler when I got it. But, man, it has the best picture! Still beats the hell out of the Elites... when you don't feed it 480i. :D

-Pie]]>Apr 7th 2009 7:03PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/

Such a missed oppertunity !!]]>Apr 10th 2009 7:36PMhttp://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/http://enghddev.weblogsinc.com/2009/04/06/playtv-upgraded-with-upscaling-more-dvr-features/Apr 14th 2009 2:40AM