For about 9 months, Sony has been producing High Definition Upconversion DVD Players.  These DVD players are capable of playing your DVD and producing a near HD quality picture.  Is it worth the money to go out and purchase one of these?

First off, these DVD players have 3 ways to connect to your television, lcd or plasma.  Unless you have a tv that you bought within the last 11 months, you probably will NOT have the proper way of connecting to the upconversion DVD player to achieve high definition upconversion.  You need the HDMI jack on the tv.  HDMI is a flat cable that looks more like it goes to your computer instead of your tv.  If you chose to link the DVD player to your tv either with Sony S link or the typical 5 red, blue, green, red, white cable, you will not get the benefit of the HD upconversion.  Simply put, if you don't have a new tv, don't buy the DVD upconversion player.

The earlier Sony model was the DVP-NS70H and the current model, as of August 2006, is DVP-NS75H.  I own both. Both play DVD, DVD-R, DVD+R, VCD and CD format. The earlier NS70H received mixed reviews.  If you aren't a bit technically inclined, then don't buy the earlier version.  There is a time lag as this unit loads your DVD. Out-of-the-box, the NS70H's picture tends to be really dark.  Once connected to your tv, without a DVD in the player but with the player and tv turned on, you need to double click the DISPLAY button on the remote.  Follow the on screen set up list for display and select CINEMA 2.  This lightens the picture to acceptable viewing.

The current Sony model DVP-NS75H has all the changes which makes it an awesome HD upconversion player.  Easy set up was all that was necessary.  There is virtually no time lag as the unit loads your DVD.  Using the HDMI cable, the picture is nearly high definition quality as it should be.

The current price for the Sony DVP-NS75H is $120.  Some stores were blowing out the older DVP-NS70H at less than $100.  Remember, you also need to purchase the HDMI cable.  The major retail electronics stores sell the HDMI cable between $100-$150.  Radio Shack sells it for $49.  On eBay, it can be purchased under $30.

In all, if you have a new tv, it is worth the money to get a Sony HD upconversion DVD player.  If you have a more-than-a-year-old tv, save your money as you won't benefit from a HD upconversion dvd player's features.