Best DVD Upscaling Player to Play DVDs in 1080p or 4K
Donna Peng
Updated on
The most common resolutions in today’s TVs is 1920x1080 (a common native resolution of HDTV screens). That means, when you play a 480p DVD on the TV, it will take only ~16% of the display. That’s where DVD upscaling player comes in.
The upscale DVD player can upconvert the DVD signal before send it to the TV, transforming the bog-standard DVDs to "near HD quality" that matches the resolution of the TV. In this way, the DVD quality is noticeably improved for widescreens. If you have any DVDs to play on a modern HD/4K UHD TV, a DVD upscaling player is a must-have. Check the players that have the best DVD upscaling below.
Upscale DVD players only improve the quality of a DVD temporarily when it's played on the TV. Nothing has changed in the DVD quality itself. To upscale the quality of DVD video for playback on iPhone, Android, Tablets, PSP, websites, etc., try WinX DVD Ripper Platinum. A real DVD upscaler that will convert 480p DVD video into 720p/1080p in MP4, H.264, MPEG4, MOV, AVI, WMV, etc. digital format.
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Free DownloadPart 1. Top 5 DVD Upscaling Players to Upscale DVD Playback to 1080p/4K
1. Sony DVPSR510H DVD Player ($43)
Sony DVPSR510H DVD Player, with HDMI port (Upscaling) is a popular DVD upscaling player that lets you watch DVDs at HD 1080P resolution via HDMI. It will play different DVDs, 5.1 channel surround sound, MP3, WMA, AAC, linear PCM, JPEG images, etc. The upscaling feature works as advertised. According to user’s feedback, there is very noticeable improvement in picture from a standard 480p DVD on a 1080P TV. At a price around $43.00 on Amazon and with a dimension of 8.30 x 10.00 x 1.26 inches, it’s suitable for most home entertainment systems.
2. Sony S6700 Blu-ray 4K-Upscaling Blu-ray DVD Player ($128.95)
This model can upscale 2D video to Simulated 3D and play media with near 4K quality. But it doesn't play 4K UHD discs. The $128.95 priced bundle include a 4K upscaling Bluray DVD player, remote control, 2 x batteries, Tudak high speed HDMI cable with Ethernet and Tudak Ultra gentle cleaning cloth, Instruction manual and 1 Year card. Sony S6700 4K-Upscaling Blu-ray DVD Player has HDMI audio/video output, USB input, digital coaxial audio output, and Ethernet input.
3. LG DP132H ($42.78)
If you have a large old DVD collections which contains foreign titles, LG DP132H is a good choice. The DVD player with HD upscaling function will not only boost the DVD sources to near to Full HD over HDMI, it's also a region-free DVD player that supports DVDs from 0-9 regions. It supports various DVD types, CDs, and audio/videos in various formats. Though most users love the player for it plays DVDs from other zones without problem, it also does a nice job when upscaling DVDs. Connect it to the TV via HDMI cable and watch SD DVDs in smooth, jagged-free, and 1080p quality at will.
4. Panasonic DVD Player DVD-S700 ($44.61)
Panasonic DVD-S700 Up-Convert DVD Player can upscale DVDs to 1080p detail by correcting the brightness signals of the DVD sources in pixels. Like other DVD upscaling players, you can throw any DVD, MP3 music, and JPEG image to it. You can enjoy great sound and video quality playing DVDs through HDMI with the 1080P up-conversion. It’s almost as good as Blu-ray quality.
5. Craig CVD401A Compact HDMI DVD Player ($24.80)
This upscale DVD player from Craig Electronics has a lower price and a spec at 6.5 x 7.8 x 1.7 inches . It is compatible with DVD-R, DVD-RW, JPEG, CD-R, and CD-RW. It can upconvert DVDs to 1080p. Note that this product doesn't include 2 AAA batteries and you need to pay extra to purchase batteries. Also, this upscale DVD player is not multi-zone and only play DVDs on USA and Canada.
Notice.
Before you purchase an upscale DVD player, you should know some shortcomings of a DVD upscaling player.
DVD upscaling player won't actually turn a DVD from 480P into HD resolution. DVD upscaling is a process that merely makes the picture fit the screen, it doesn't make the quality HD or anything close. No extra pixels are added. You will have the same amount of data when the signal comes in. However, the upscaling quality depends on the scalers involved. Upscaling DVD players, especially BD players generally have better scalers than most TV’s (unless you have an advanced TV or home cinema projector) – particularly old or cheap ones.
Not all upconvert DVD players have the same upscaling quality. Some lower-end DVD players don't let you upconvert DVD to 1080P. If you want to watch DVDs on an HDTV, get a DVD player capable of converting the DVD for the HDTV. Generally, a DVD player with a better scaler often comes in higher price.
Some DVD players upscale DVDs via HDMI. Most often, a standard DVD player connects the TV using the Component video connection. But to access DVD player upscaling abilities, HDMI connection is required. For some players, they only upscale DVD to 1080P over the HDMI connection.
A DVD upscaling player has the capability to enhance DVDs up to a resolution of 1080p at most only. On the other hand, an Ultra HD TV is able to receive this signal and enhance it even further to a resolution of 4K. Therefore, in order to enjoy your old DVDs in 4K quality, it is necessary to connect your upscale DVD player with an Ultra HD TV.
Part 2. How to Upscale DVDs without An Upscale DVD Player?
As said, a DVD upscaling player can upscale your DVD when you are playing the DVD. To permanently upscale the DVD video quality to 1080p, you can try to rip and upscale a DVD to MP4 or other digital formats in 1080p or 4K to collect forever. This way also helps keep your DVD data safe without worrying about the DVD discs being scratched or corrupted.
WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, the best DVD upscaling player and ripper will digitize DVDs to video formats like MP4, H.264, HEVC, MOV, etc. and upscale DVD videos to 720p and 1080p quality forever.
Step 1. Get WinX DVD upscaling player and ripper.
Click the Download button to download WinX DVD Ripper, install and launch it.
Step 2. Load your DVD you want to upscale.
Once you insert your DVD into a DVD drive on computer, click the DVD Disc button. Then, select your DVD and the software will analyze the disc.
Step 3. Select an output format.
After analysis, a window will pop up to ask you to set an output format, and you are suggested to choose MP4 format to get the best DVD upscaling result. Simply go to General Profiles and select MP4 Video. Then, drag the quality bar to HQ/Slow to upscale DVD to 1080p with the best quality.
FYI: The software will automatically remove any encryption methods on the DVD and select the right title for you.
Step 4. Upscale DVD resolution to 1080p.
Back to the main interface, click the gear button next to the selected output profile to adjust output resolution. Find Resolution and open the drop-down menu. Select 1920x1080 to upscale DVD from 480P to 1080P and click OK. Also, you can choose 720P, 800P, 1200p, etc. as you please.
Step 5. Upconvert DVD to 1080p.
On the main UI, click on the Browse button to specify a destination folder to save the upscaled DVD video. Then, hit the RUN button to start upconverting your DVD with WinX DVD Ripper Platinum.
Tip:
If you want to upscale DVD quality to even higher level, you can make use of Winxvideo AI – an AI-powered video quality enhancer to upscale a video from low resolution to 4K. Winxvideo AI can upscale a video by 2X, 3X, and even 4X. So, you can use it to upscale your DVD video that's 720x480 to 1440x960, 2160x1440, or 2880x1920.
How to Choose the Best Upscaling DVD Player
Upscaling DVD players can offer a modest improvement in picture quality by stretching the image to fit the screen. However, they can't create true HD detail. Remember, the most important factor is resolution. If you want the best possible picture quality, choose a player that supports 4K or higher resolution. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best upscaling DVD player for your needs.
1. Resolution
Resolution is the most important factor to consider when choosing an upscaling DVD player. The higher the resolution, the clearer and sharper the picture will be. Most modern upscaling DVD players support 4K resolution, and some even support 8K resolution. If you want the best possible picture quality, choose a player that supports 4K or higher resolution.
2. Audio Format
Audio format is another important factor to consider, especially if you have a home theater setup. Upscaling DVD players typically support a variety of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. These formats can provide an immersive and surround sound experience. If you want the best possible sound quality, choose a player that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
3. Connectivity
Upscaling DVD players come with a variety of connections to allow you to connect them to your other devices. Common connections include HDMI, USB, and optical.
- HDMI: Used to connect to TVs, projectors, and other display devices.
- USB: Used to connect to flash drives, hard drives, and other storage devices.
- Optical: Used to connect to receivers and other audio equipment.
4. Smart Features
Some upscaling DVD players also have smart features, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These features allow you to connect to the internet and stream content from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. If you want to use smart features, choose a player that has the features you need.
5. Other Factors
In addition to the above factors, you may also want to consider the following:
- Brand: Reputable brands typically offer higher quality products and better customer service.
- Price: Upscaling DVD players range in price from around $50 to $500. Choose a player that fits your budget.
- Appearance: Choose a player that matches your home décor.
Additional Tips
If you have a large DVD collection, an upscaling DVD player may be a good investment. However, if you only have a few DVDs, you may want to consider upgrading to a Blu-ray player instead.
You can also use your TV's built-in upscaler to improve the picture quality of your DVDs. However, dedicated upscaling DVD players often offer better results.
FAQs about Upscale DVD Player
"Upscaling" on a DVD player is used to enhance the resolution of a standard definition image by allowing the player to analyze the color composition within the picture. Subsequently, it incorporates pixels of a similar shade to increase the pixel count, resulting in an image that resembles high definition quality.
Yes. To play DVD with HD quality, you can use an upscale DVD player like Sony DVPSR510H DVD Player. Also, with a DVD video upscaling software like WinX DVD Ripper Platinum, you can upconvert DVD video from 480p to 720p/1080p forever.
Yes. There exist software and players designed for DVD upscaling, capable of upscaling the resolution of a regular DVD to 1080P and 4K. However, it is advised against upscaling a DVD from 480p to 4K due to potential degradation in quality. Furthermore, the quality of upscaled DVDs may differ depending on the tool used.
Yes. Upscaling DVD players can provide a modest improvement in picture quality on HDTVs by stretching the image to fit the screen. However, they can't create true HD detail. If you have a large collection of DVDs and plan to keep it for a while, a budget-friendly upscaling player might be worth it. But for the best picture quality, consider a Blu-ray player or upgrading your DVDs to Blu-ray versions.
4K upscaling on a DVD player attempts to make your DVDs look sharper on a 4K TV. It stretches the lower resolution image (like blowing up a photo), potentially offering a minor improvement. But it can't create true 4K detail that wasn't there on the DVD. Think of it as a temporary solution for an older movie collection.
Final words:
In conclusion, the upscaling DVD player stands as a bridge between the cherished memories of DVDs and the ever-advancing landscape of high-definition entertainment. As technology continues to evolve, these players serve as a testament to the timeless appeal of physical media, offering a practical and budget-friendly means to enjoy favorite films with enhanced clarity. Whether you're rediscovering classic gems from your DVD collection or introducing a new generation to cinematic treasures, the upscaling DVD player proves that sometimes, the path to a superior viewing experience is found not only in the latest advancements but also in the thoughtful reimagining of familiar formats.
So, as we usher in a new era of home entertainment, the upscaling DVD player emerges as a reliable companion, transforming movie nights into visually captivating experiences that seamlessly blend the nostalgia of the past with the visual brilliance of the present.
