I newly bought an LCD HDTV. Should I take an upconverter?
Answers: Depends what you mingy by "upconverter".
If you mean a video processor (e.g. DVDO) as used within high bring to a close HT systems, they are very expensive (typically $2-3000), and I don't estimate you are considering one of these.
On the other hand if you show an up-converting DVD player, whether you would benefit or not depends on the relative quality of the video processor surrounded by your HDTV (which has its own up-convertor) and contained by the DVD player.
A good up-converting DVD player (e.g. Oppo 981... see link) will grant better results than a normal DVD player feed to an HDTV with mediocre video processing capability. Results will not be as good as true HD disks, BUT depending on your HDTV they may be pretty close ... and whether the difference is worth the cost would be up to you.
That said, HD DVD or Blu-Ray players are moderate to honest quality DVD up-convertors (as okay as HD disk players). One problem is that the less expensive (~$250) players (e.g. Toshiba HD-A2) are not as apposite up-converters as for example the Oppo 981 DVD player.
A first question is whether you will benefit sufficiently from HD disks to prove the $250-$500 cost of a HD player over a good upconverting DVD player (~$230).
If your 1080p HDTV is smaller than give or take a few 40" and you watch further away than optimum (e.g. 5 ft for a 37") you won't see a big difference. And differences even below optimum conditions are noticeable, but just about startling. See the 2nd link for some comparison pictures of one and the same scene from a DVD and an HD DVD (Caution .. big files. mouse over to 'flip' between versions).
Other considerations include: HD DVD and Blu-Ray are incompatible formats and about 50% of the ~800 HD movies so far available are within each format; prices for disks are typically $5-8 complex than for DVDs; and, rental options are much more fixed than for DVDs.
So you have a bit of a dilemma. If you can benefit from HD disks you may will to consider a HD DVD or Blu-Ray player and also use it to upconvert normal DVDs. But file the low end ($250) model is 1080i output and just available in HD DVD format, and won't do as suitable a job upconverting as the oppo, but $500 is deeply to spend for as good an upconverter unless you also want righteous HD DVD or Blu-Ray as well. If not, or you don't want to move to HD disks for anything reason, you could benefit from a angelic upconverting DVD player for ~$230. But differences will not be great so unless you have a big DVD collection and/or you are massively fussy about video power (which considering you bought a 1080p HDTV you may be) you may be quite in good spirits with your existing DVD player.
I'd suggest you consider your preferences and try your existing player to see if you are happy with the results, and if see if you can borrow an up-converting player or a Blu-Ray or HD DVD player to see if it provides a benefit. You may even get a store to put on the market you one with an agreement to permit you bring it back if it doesn't provide a benefit.
BTW I assume you own ordered HD cable or satellite to take help of your new TV? A surprising % of consumers don't.
Anyway .. hope this help.
NO need to buy any upconverters. These days you can buy an HD DVD players at alike price.
(Your TV can do the upconversion just fine).
Make sure you capture some HD programming via off the upper air antenna, satellite, or cable.
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