How Does Standard DVD Upscaling Compare to Blu-ray? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Home Theater & Entertainment > DVDs, DVRs & Videos 510 510 people found this article helpful
How Does Standard DVD Upscaling Compare to Blu-ray?
Sorting out the differences in image quality
By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 29, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section The Evolution of DVDs Introduction of DVD Upscaling The Practical Effect of DVD Upscaling Points to Remember About DVD Upscaling DVD Upscaling vs Blu-ray If your home theater movie collection has a mix of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs, you may wonder about the differences between DVD quality and Blu-ray Disc quality. Here's a primer about DVD upscaling and how the results compare to Blu-ray. Vichan Chairat / Getty Images The Evolution of DVDs
The DVD format supports a natural video resolution of 720 x 480 (480i). When you put a disc into a DVD player, the player reads this resolution. Hence, DVD is classified as a standard resolution format. This worked well when the DVD format debuted in 1997, but DVD player manufacturers soon decided to improve DVD image quality. They implemented additional processing to the DVD signal after it was read off the disc but before it reached the TV. This process is called progressive scan. Progressive scan DVD players output the same resolution as other players but provide a smoother-looking image. Introduction of DVD Upscaling
Although progressive scan improved image quality on compatible TVs, when HDTV came along, image quality needed more help. In response, DVD makers created a process called upscaling. Upscaling mathematically matches the pixel count of the DVD output signal to the physical pixel count on an HDTV, which is typically 1280 x 720 (720p), 1920 x 1080 (1080i or 1080p), or 3840 x 2160 (2160p or 4K). 720p represents 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This means there are 720 horizontal lines on the screen displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another.1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This means there are 1,080 horizontal lines displayed alternately. All the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines.1080p represents 1,080 horizontal lines displayed sequentially. This means all lines are displayed during the same pass.4K (or 2160p) represents 3,480 horizontal lines displayed sequentially. This means all lines are displayed during the same pass. The Practical Effect of DVD Upscaling
Visually, for the average consumer, there's not much difference between 720p and 1080i. However, 720p delivers a slightly smoother-looking image because lines and pixels display in a consecutive pattern, rather than in an alternate pattern. Upscaling does a good job of matching the upscaled pixel output of a DVD player to the natural pixel display resolution of an HDTV, resulting in better detail and color consistency. However, upscaling can't convert standard DVD images into true high-definition (or 4K) images. Upscaling works best with fixed pixel displays, such as plasma, LCD, and OLED TVs. Results aren't always consistent on CRT-based HDTVs (there aren't too many of those still in use). Points to Remember About DVD Upscaling
Here are a few things to keep in mind when working with a DVD player and a newer TV. Do I Need an Upscaling DVD Player
You can hook up any DVD player to an HDTV. Upscaling DVD players are better able to match the natural pixel resolution of an HDTV. Still, you may see good results on a standard DVD player that doesn't have progressive scan or upscaling capability when it's connected to an HDTV's provided component or S-video inputs. Most newer TVs don't have S-video inputs. Connecting a DVD Player to an HDTV
If you have an HDTV (or 4K Ultra HD TV) and a standard DVD player, use the component video connection (red-blue-green) between the DVD player and the HDTV for best results. If your DVD player is progressive-scan capable, always use this option when connected to a progressive-scan capable TV. However, if your DVD player provides upscaling, it has an HDMI connection, so always use HDMI to access the DVD player's upscaling capabilities. True High-Definition Viewing
DVD upscaling is only an approximation of the high-definition viewing experience. To get true high-definition viewing from a disc format, use Blu-ray Disc content with a Blu-ray player connected to an HDTV or 4K Ultra HD TV using HDMI. The Blu-ray Disc format supports 720p, 1080i, and 1080p resolutions. DVD Upscaling vs Blu-ray
An upscaled DVD, even when it's good, can't match the quality of a natural Blu-ray Disc source. Compared to Blu-ray Disc, an upscaled DVD tends to look flatter and softer, especially in the background. There's a difference when looking at reds and blues. With upscaled DVDs, reds and blues tend to override underlying detail. The same colors in Blu-ray are tight, with the detail visible under the color. Although an upscaling DVD player can only upscale DVD to 1080p, an Ultra HD TV accepts that signal and upscales it further to 4K. Blu-ray Makes Content Better
All Blu-ray Disc players can upscale standard DVDs, provided the player is connected to an HDTV or 4K Ultra HD TV using the HDMI connection option. Some Blu-ray Disc players have built-in 4K upscaling for both DVD and Blu-ray Disc playback. If a Blu-ray Disc player doesn't provide this feature, the 4K Ultra HD TV further upscales the 1080p signal from the Blu-ray Disc player to 4K. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? What to Look for When Buying a Projector Can Blu-ray Discs Be Played On a DVD Player? What You Need to See 4K Resolution on a 4K Ultra HD TV What Is HDTV? FHD vs UHD: What's The Difference? What Disc Formats Can Be Played on a Blu-ray Player? 5 Ways to Get Audio From a Blu-ray Disc Player What Is 4K Resolution? Overview and Perspective of Ultra HD A Beginner's Guide to HD Camcorders The 8 Best Blu-Ray and Ultra HD Blu-Ray Players of 2022 What Is HDMI and How Do You Use It? 720p vs. 1080i vs. 1080p All About the DTS 96/24 Audio Format The 5 Best Upscaling DVD Players of 2022 The 4 Best Portable DVD and Blu-Ray Players of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies