You are called "EngadgetHD" but you seem to be completely unaware of one huge fact in the HD industry: All fixed-pixel displays do upscaling internally. That means every LCD, DLP, LCOS/SXRD and Plasma.
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!
stop trying to come off smarter than you really are.
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.
We've posted about upscaling, both within the display itself and on external hardware many times. The post doesn't say "Buy playTV to get upscaling." Whether or not this affects your picture quality depends on how its performed on the system or within the display, but there's at least a chance it will be improved by doing it on the system itself before sending the signal over. It's worth checking out if you have one.
Thanks for the response Richard. You are absolutely right, it depends on the quality of the TV you own. However, I think "TVs already do scaling, and yours might do a better job than that newfangled Toshiba DVD player" bears reminding, since I have been an avid reader of EngadgetHD from the getgo, and don't recall this point being made.
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EatingPie @ Apr 6th 2009 4:29PM
You are called "EngadgetHD" but you seem to be completely unaware of one huge fact in the HD industry: All fixed-pixel displays do upscaling internally. That means every LCD, DLP, LCOS/SXRD and Plasma.
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
SimbaDogg @ Apr 6th 2009 4:38PM
stop trying to come off smarter than you really are.
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.
Richard Lawler @ Apr 6th 2009 4:41PM
We've posted about upscaling, both within the display itself and on external hardware many times. The post doesn't say "Buy playTV to get upscaling." Whether or not this affects your picture quality depends on how its performed on the system or within the display, but there's at least a chance it will be improved by doing it on the system itself before sending the signal over. It's worth checking out if you have one.
EatingPie @ Apr 6th 2009 4:57PM
Thanks for the response Richard. You are absolutely right, it depends on the quality of the TV you own. However, I think "TVs already do scaling, and yours might do a better job than that newfangled Toshiba DVD player" bears reminding, since I have been an avid reader of EngadgetHD from the getgo, and don't recall this point being made.
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