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upconverting cable TV via upconverting DVD player/recorder onto a 1080p HDTV

Question : upconverting cable TV via upconverting DVD player/recorder onto a 1080p or 1080i HDTV
Question Details: I bought a 1080p HDTV (LCD, 47", capable of displaying 720p, 1080i, and 1080p), and I found out that I cannot get HDTV programming from my Direct TV due to old wiring in my building. I would like to take the TV signal from the Direct TV analog box and input it into an upconverting DVD player (? recorder) and then send the signal from the upconverting DVD player/recorder live via HDMI signal to my TV, so I can watch on my TV upconverted cable (Direct TV) TV signal. The HDTV itself can do this to some degree, but not very well. Is this possible? I don't know if upconverting DVD players/recorders have any video input and if they can upconvert a passing through signal from such input onto a HDMI video output to be played on 1080p or 1080i HDTV.
Alternatively, I can buy an HDTV cable settop converter box from Best Buy and connect it via HDMI to my HDTV, and hope to get a better upconversion from my TV. Would that work?
Alternatively, I can get an HDTV Tivo and connect it to my analog Direct TV converter box and connect the HDTV Tivo via HDMI to my HDTV, and hope to get a better upconversion this way. Would that work?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Callandor

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rumenslavkov

ASKER

I am not sure I understand the part about using an upconverting DVD player with a built in ATSC tuner. Are you saying that I connect the cable set top box/converter to the ATSC tuner (?via coaxial/TV cable or composite video or S-video or Component video) and then connect the HDMI output cable to the HDTV, and the upconveting DVD player with built in ATSC tunur will pass the 480p(?i) input from the cable TV converter through its video processor automatically (or do I need to make some selection in some menu re. upconverting?) and output it via the HDMI cable as a 1080p or 1080i signal?

Thanks

Rumen

Callandor

Actually, your HDTV probably already has an ATSC tuner and just requires a source. If you live in an area that has free over-the-air high definition broadcasts, all you need is a rooftop antenna to pick them up, provided there aren't buildings or other natural features that block the signal. You can experiment by running a coax from the HDTV to an antenna and see if you get a picture. Again, I am saying an upconverting DVD player will not upconvert anything other than a DVD movie in the player.

rumenslavkov

ASKER

Yes, you are right, I found the video upscaler exactly designed to take a composite video input (480i or 480p) from a cable set top box, regular DVD or VHS player, and upconvert it via HDMI cable to 1080i(which my HDTV supports). It is "Analog Video To Digital HDMI Up-Scaler Model US392" by firebird-systems.com for $240. I ordered it, and I hope it will work as advertised. Thanks for the suggestion.

Rumen