360 to offer DVD upscaling to 720p

[dukmahsik]

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360/morethangames.htm

"watch your movies in glorious 720p from the get go"

hmmm i wonder if it's true and has built in upscaler.

 

[RobHT]

Scaler, yes. Encrypted digital output (HDMI/DVI with HDCP), no.
Interesting. . .

 

[London Geezer]

Uhm it was always known... Both X360 and PS3 will upscale DVD movies to 720p/1080i. PS3 should have the edge with its HDMI connection though, in theory.

Not a perfect solution, in the end it's still DVDs, but it will help. Compared to Bluray/HDDVD movies they will look quite washed out though, even if they're upscaled.

 

[PC-Engine]

I think that's a typo not that it couldn't be achievable though.

 

[Cobra101]

Very interesting if true.

Probably true as I just bought a Sony DVP-NS3100ES upscale DVD player about 2 weeks ago.

 

[London Geezer]

I think that's a typo not that it couldn't be achievable though.

?? What's the typo?

 

[Titanio]

Uhm it was always known... Both X360 and PS3 will upscale DVD movies to 720p/1080i. PS3 should have the edge with its HDMI connection though, in theory.

It is/was more than theory, because apparently the only way manufacturers are allowed to offer upscaled DVD is over HDMI or HDCP-compliant DVI. Of course, both systems are technically capable of upscaling the picture, but the outputs supposedly required for it (for "political", not technical reasons) aren't on both systems.

 

[London Geezer]

It is/was more than theory, because apparently the only way manufacturers are allowed to offer upscaled DVD is over HDMI or HDCP-compliant DVI. Of course, both systems are technically capable of upscaling the picture, but the outputs supposedly required for it (for "political", not technical reasons) aren't on both systems.

Uhm nope. DVD players already upscale normal DVD movies through either component or HDMI/DVI or VGA.
HDCP material is only to protect HD material. Upscaled DVD movies are not HD material and therefore shouldn't have to worry about HDCP.

 

[RobHT]

DVD players already upscale normal DVD movies through either component or HDMI/DVI or VGA.

Not to my knowledge.

 

[London Geezer]

Not to my knowledge.

Surely through HDMI/DVI and not because of HDCP.

 

[RobHT]

My understanding is that, while it is technically possible to upconvert DVD via DVI or Component, it is not legal to do so through an unprotected (non HDCP) output. Therefore, upcoverting via component is not "legal". Now some DVD players distributed from certain 3rd world countries are not so concerned with these legalities. MS, on the other hand, is going to have to play by the rules.
That's the way I understand it anyway.

 

[London Geezer]

My understanding is that, while it is technically possible to upconvert DVD via DVI or Component, it is not legal to do so through an unprotected (non HDCP) output. Therefore, upcoverting via component is not "legal". Now some DVD players distributed from certain 3rd world countries are not so concerned with these legalities. MS, on the other hand, is going to have to play by the rules.
That's the way I understand it anyway.

Well, Denon and others are not third world countries bogus manufacturers and provide 625p over Component and 720p over HDMI/DVI, whatever the legalities are. Not sure about VGA.
I always thought the distinction was because of some limitation with the upscaler with analog outputs, but if you guys say it's because of HDCP, cool. Not one of the many upscaling DVD players mention HDCP as a requirement - so using DVI without HDCP (many sets are like that) is fine.

 

[RobHT]

That's news to me. I haven't been in the market for a DVD player in a while, but last I checked Denon DVD players did upconversion only via HDMI/DVD (with HDCP).

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Sorry? It's illegal to upscale a conventional DVD onto a HD display? How the $*&@# is the illegal. What law disallows upscaling? How long will it be before I'm thrown into prison for enlarging a digital photo?

 

[Shogmaster]

If this "no upscaling to HD res without HDCP" non-sense was true, then why can every copy of Power DVD for Windows let you watch upscaled DVD via VGA and DVI? I've been watching DVD movies upscaled to my 1280x1024 monitor for the longest time without the G-men breaking down my doors.

 

[London Geezer]

Yep. Doesn't make sense at all. HDCP is something that's encoded on the disc. Upscaling normal DVDs shouldn't magically give birth to HDCP issues.

 

[kyleb]

Heh, yeah, I upscale DVDs on my HTPC all the time and send them over a non-HTCP protected connection; though maybe I can slide though on a technicality since it is all getting downconverted back to 480 lines on my ED display.

Seriously though, I'm curious to see if MS really pulls this off in spite of the MPAA, and how good of a job it does with the upconversion if they do.

 

[kyleb]

Yep. Doesn't make sense at all. HDCP is something that's encoded on the disc. Upscaling normal DVDs shouldn't magically give birth to HDCP issues.

The MPAA often doesn't make sense.

 

[London Geezer]

The MPAA often doesn't make sense.

Yeah but not THIS much.

 

[kyleb]

Yeah, this is about as stupid as it gets from what I have seen. But, the fact remains that almost any DVD player sold today has this limitation, though if you dig around the net a bit you will see talks of a few that can be hacked to bypass the HTCP requirment.