Computer Source V's Dedicated Source

[Major Dutch]

Quick question, I'm considering buying a new dedicated DVD source (DENON DVD1720, PIONEER DV490V or SONY DVPNS76H probably) to use for movie use only. However I'm unsure if the quality those players could give me via component would be better than the DVI output from my Mini Mac into my HDTV - which has no HDMI input unfortunately.

Any advice on this much appreciated, thanks in advance

[Major Dutch]

Can no-one help? All I'm basically asking is can a dedicated DVD player via component better a computer source via DVI through a HDTV?

Many thanks

[Nic Rhodes]

Can the mini mac show movies at 50Hz for R2 discs?

[Major Dutch]

Originally Posted by Nic Rhodes

Can the mini mac show movies at 50Hz for R2 discs?

Hi, a good question well presented, I'm not sure, only mention of 50Hz after a search brought back reference to the power supply....

Found this on a web site which refers to the DVI output I'm using:

"DVI video output for digital resolutions up to 1920 x 1200 pixels; supports 20-inch Apple Cinema display and 23-inch Apple Cinema HD display; supports coherent digital displays up to 154MHz; supports non-coherent digital displays up to 135MHz"

Sorry I can't help much more on that one, I was under the (probably wrong) impression that DVI was pure digital so the refresh rate didn't matter?


EDIT - Found it now, refresh rate = n/a must be because it's DVI?

[Nic Rhodes]

My gut hunch, and this is just an 'educated guess' is that it will display everything at 60Hz. Therefore NTSC stuff then DVD might look quite good but for R2 50hz material then a dedicated player would have the edge. Certainly if correct this would be something you need to find out first. How much R2 do you watch?

[Arfa]

But then I was under the impression that most LCD screens locked to 60Hz? Or do they handle both 50Hz and 60Hz? Don't know if the original posters output device is an LCD or not, but could be an consideration.

[Nic Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Arfa

But then I was under the impression that most LCD screens locked to 60Hz? Or do they handle both 50Hz and 60Hz? Don't know if the original posters output device is an LCD or not, but could be an consideration.

Exactly, through DVI 50 hz may not be possible. HDMI yes at some limited resolutions (not 1:1 though) but a stand alone player would drive same component connections fine.

[Major Dutch]

Thanks for the info Nic,

Yes, sorry I should have specified a few more details about he screen, it is indeed a Sony LCD HDTV (17") - I would say at the moment my entire collection is R2