LCD/Plasma/CRT/DLP - questions

[dvdx2]

Would a ?50 QED HDMI lead give a significantly better picture than a cheap ?12.99 HDMI lead?

[gIzzE]

No.

if you are having problems with the picture, white sparklies etc. then a better lead may help, but generally I have never seen a more expensive hdmi cable out perform a cheapy that is put together correctly.

[HaHaUK]

I want to buy either the Samsung HD950, HD850 or the Oppo for DVD goodness. Anyone care to tell me which is the best to get and why?

Thanks

[sj33]

They all do essentiially the same job.

I am a big fan of the Oppo and can recommend it, thanks to the support of a large range of formats, regular firmware updates and general high quality of image processing.

You will end up with a decent player either way mind. But I do hear the newer releases of the HD950's do not have the disable HDCP hack anymore... something to consider.

[HaHaUK]

And is it better via DVI or HDMI?

[Geezer]

The picture quality is the same via either.

[sj33]

All current HDMI devices output 8-bit RGB, same as DVI, so there will be no quality difference.

[gIzzE]

The only real differences between hdmi and dvi regarding picture is the resolutions that are stored in the EDID info.
You may find that you can put 1024x768/60/72/75, 1280x1024/60/72/75, 1366x768/60/72/75 etc. etc. computer resolutions into the DVI port but when you try and put 720p or 1080i (especially at 50Hz) it doesn't play ball.

The the opposite goes for HDMI, 720 and 1080 are fine but try and give it 1366x768 to get it pixel mapped or display your PC and it doesn't want to know.

[sj33]

I was under the impression that HDMI supported YUV and 24-bit (or maybe 32-bit?) RGB, which I don't think DVI can do. Course, nothing uses those formats to my knowledge, least not primarily.

[gIzzE]

It does, but as you say nothing supports it currently, but the main differences that people need to consider is what resolutions the different inputs take, this is where people get really unstuck.

[HaHaUK]

Does the Oppo only come in silver, and Shakey, is that link that you posted the cheapest place to get it?

[sj33]

It is indeed silver, and I bought it from the official Oppo site, though the link I posted was about the same price.

I point out that I use mine in the DVI socket because there were some issues when connecting to the HDMI. That keeps the HDMI free for PS3 anyway.

[HaHaUK]

Shakey, one thing, is there a really big difference between the quality on the Oppo and 360?

Thing is, I've been watching Rocky Anthology on the 360 for the past 2 days and then tried it on my Xbox (XBMC) at 1080i and there was no major difference. (BTW I'm using the VGA cable for the 360). So just want to know if it's worth spending the cash on the Oppo.

[sj33]

I believe so, I was very unsatified with the DVD Playback on the 360 and XBMC. The Oppo does so much to clean up the image.

But if you only watch DVD's now and again, you might be less concerned. I have a large DVD collection so it's well worth it for me. DVD is still DVD... it's just cleaned up a bit.

[HaHaUK]

Here's an example. The first is through the 360, the second through XBMC at 1080i. Could it be because of the DVD?