which is better ? a PC or DVD player

[daRkStar]

Hi guys, I wonder if you guys can help me.

I have a LCD projector, and have been playing DVD from my PC.

I have been thinking of using a standalone DVD player, do you think its a good idea? will it produce same or better image quality? or simply playing from the PC is better? is playing on a PC, in a way, progressive scan?

is there any difference? I'm playing my PC at 1024x768, at what resolution will the standalone DVD player play at?

pros and cons?

thanks guys

 

[AJ Bertelson]

first of all what are your pc specs, that will help answer some of our questions

 

[verbose mustafa]

A progressive scan dvd player will have the same output as your computer. It basically gives the the raw dvd image if i am correct. I non progressive scan dvd player will interlace the image which degrades the quality.If you are using composite outputs, it does not matter, but svideo and up it will make a difference.

 

[daRkStar]

so what you saying is leave it alone, means just play from the PC, which produces better/clearer/sharper output, progressive scan.

for info, my specs

Intel 1.4ghz
Sony DVDrom
512mb ram
ATI Radeon 7500
played through the VGA connection to my projector at 1024x768
PowerDVD as the DVD software

which pose another question, which is the better DVD software
PowerDVD (so many features)
WinDVD
Sonic Cineplayer (better image I think)

 

[AJ Bertelson]

Ok it looks like you have a perfect set-up for a DVD-player (HTPC). there are two ways to go about this though.

1)get zoomplayer witch is a front end for powerdvd and windvd, this thing has so many features and is so configurable but if you have ever used photoshop that is what it is like to learn zoomplayer.

2)Get theatertek. This player cost $70 from www.theatertek.com but it has some special features that work extremely well for the radeon series, specially the 7500. Theatertek is more just install and go.


I would check out the avsforum and look in the hometheater pc area. They just had a pretty length discussion on the differences between the two.

 

[Lifter]

Playing DVDs is always going to look better. DVD players, even progressive scan ones, have to convert the image into an analog video signal. Then, your input source (monitor or whatever) converts that analog input into RBG analog data, and then RGB digital data. Three scenarios:

1) Player - your going from point A, to point B, to point C, then back to point B, and then back to point A.

2)DVD Rom (analog VGA) - point A to B and then B to A

3)DVD Rom (digital DVI) - no conversions. Perfect digital signal.

That being said, I can bareley tell the difference between the 1 and 2 (haven't tried 3 yet). But there is a difference, and the PC is without a doubt better. But again, the difference is not very significant.