Panasonic now offering $100 DVD up-scaler too - DVDS52
By Matt Burns 
posted April 16th 2006 10:32AM
posted April 16th 2006 10:32AM
The boys high up at Panasonic must have read our post about Samsungs $100 DVD up-scaler last month. (we can dream can't we?) Even if the previous statement isn't entirely true, this one is. Panasonic now has a $100 HDMI equipped DVD up-scaler just like Samsung named the DVD-S52. Truthfully, there isn't much else to say about. Just another 100 dollar DVD player that takes the 480i signal and scales it up to ether 720p or 1080i.
Interesting enough though, this model is not listed on Panasonics website. While the MSRP is $100, Froogle pulls it for well under that.
Give me one good reason why a $100 outboard upscaler will necessarily produce better output than the upscalar that is built into every HD television.
I agree with Yem. Why should we go out and spend inordinate sum of money on HDTVs, A/V Receivers and speakers, then trust the video quality to a chip that I know is inferior to the one in either one of my sets (1 50" plasma /1 30" WS HD CRT).
Now, if it were a player that were passing straight 480i to my sets via HDMI to let them upconvert to native, then I might be a bit more inclined to jump.
A television has to be designed to scale almost any possible resolution into its native resolution (say for instance if a VHS video player is used) whereas a DVD player can concentrate on optimising the 480p image into a 720p or 1080i image.
I'd prefer to let the source unit provide the television with the appropriate signal and leave the television to work hard at displaying the signal it receives as best as it can.
Bottom line is what upscaling processor does it have? If its better than your TV's, then its worth looking into. If its not, don't bother. Most decent upscaling DVD players are $200+ (low end) for a reason. You get what you pay for.