Looking for a cheap upscaling DVD Player and surround sound

[Mupepe]

Okay, now keep in mind, I want this mostly for the surround sound.  So, is this a good deal?  Also, the upscaling DVD player should keep me satisfied until I get my HD DVD add on for the 360.

http://inktomi-cnet.com.com/RCA_RTD258_home_theater_system_5_1_channel/4014-6740_9-32028141.html?part=inktomi-cnet&subj=RCA+RTD258+-+home+theater+system+-+5.1+channel&tag=feed

Is that a decent deal for $199?

And for the upscaling DVD player, can it output the DVD's in 720p through component?  Or is that a no-no?  I haven't really kept up with that. 

Anyways, if this isn't a decent deal, can you suggest something better?  I'm not a huge audiophile and i'm mostly looking for a decent surround sound system, the one I have now sucks donkey balls.

[The Fake Shemp]

I have an upscaling DVD, and I really can't notice that big of a difference from progressive scan.  Although, I have a CRT, which is pretty good at changing resolutions when needed, whereas LCDs and such can look ugly outside of native apparently.

[Mupepe]

http://www.rcaaudiovideo.com/rcaav06/AudioVideo/ProductDownloads/RTD258_IB.pdf

PDF of the manual and specs for the RCA system.  That CNET description sucks

[Mupepe]

I have an upscaling DVD, and I really can't notice that big of a difference from progressive scan.  Although, I have a CRT, which is pretty good at changing resolutions when needed, whereas LCDs and such can look ugly outside of native apparently.

Hm, I have a RPCRT, so would the upscaled difference not be that big?  Can you upscale through component?  Because most upscaling dvd players I've seen only have HDMI and I remember people saying it can't be done through component for piracy reasons or some shit.

[The Fake Shemp]

I am pretty sure you can upscale with component, but if you have a CRT - what's the point?  Just get a good progressive scan player.  The only reason I took the upscale DVD player was because I got it for ridiculously cheap (cheaper than a decent Sony progressive player) and I needed a player.  I'm using component with it now anyway.

[Mupepe]

I am pretty sure you can upscale with component, but if you have a CRT - what's the point?  Just get a good progressive scan player.  The only reason I took the upscale DVD player was because I got it for ridiculously cheap (cheaper than a decent Sony progressive player) and I needed a player.  I'm using component with it now anyway.

Hm, true.  Besides, the HD DVD add one comes out in less than a month (or so everyone assumes).  Well, then do you know of a decent surround sound system in the 300 dollar range?  That's mostly why I wanted this in the first place.  The one I have now (a logitech) is trash and doesn't have optical input and just has shitty quality.

[Mupepe]

Come on people, recommend me a good surround sound system for about 300 dollars.

[Darth LOL]

You're not going to find anything really amazing for three hundred dollars, but here's a pretty decent deal on a THX certified set of Logitech speakers with a built in decoder.

[Mupepe]

You're not going to find anything really amazing for three hundred dollars, but here's a pretty decent deal on a THX certified set of Logitech speakers with a built in decoder.

Nice, thank you.  I wasn't really looking for anything amazing, but I did pick up a Logitech set last night similar to this.  The 5500 set I believe.

[MrAngryFace]

Just wait for the Day After Thanksgiving and Run With The Bulls at Wal-Mart for a 20 dollar upscalling DVD Player. This annual event proves rewarding beyond the simple purchase, as the thrill of a life-threatening situation is a once in a lifetime experience.

[Mupepe]

Just wait for the Day After Thanksgiving and Run With The Bulls at Wal-Mart for a 20 dollar upscalling DVD Player. This annual event proves rewarding beyond the simple purchase, as the thrill of a life-threatening situation is a once in a lifetime experience.

Oooh, I'm a pathetic little man, I should have nothing better to do on that day anyways.  I was looking at upscaling DVD players last night and tempted to get one except didn't because of the stuff Willco was saying.  I can only imagine how pissed I would be if I got home and couldn't tell the difference between my progressive scan DVD player and my upscaled DVD player.

[MrAngryFace]

I dunno, I would figure you would only get the full effect with newer movies. Older ones look crap, if not worse, on higher def setups I thought.

I run my 360 at 480p and dvds look fine, I mean its still a clean ass signal.

[Mupepe]

I dunno, I would figure you would only get the full effect with newer movies. Older ones look crap, if not worse, on higher def setups I thought.

I run my 360 at 480p and dvds look fine, I mean its still a clean ass signal.

Yeah.  A lot of my DVD's look great.  I own mostly newer DVD's anyways.  I didn't own any DVD's until about 2 years ago to begin with.  And on my Samsung RP CRT, movies with awesome transfers, like Lord of War or something, look fucking gorgeous.  I would really love to see an upscaling DVD player in action before I could decide I think.

[MrAngryFace]

Just borrow one from a friend for a night. I didnt start buying dvds till recently too, once I got a new job with more $$$ I got a little outta control lol

[Mupepe]

Just borrow one from a friend for a night. I didnt start buying dvds till recently too, once I got a new job with more $$$ I got a little outta control lol

None of my friends are into A/V equipment or anything like that.  They all are happy with their 20 inch sdtv's and look at me funny when I start talking about resolution and color banding. 

I did the same thing when I moved out on my own     I bought about 500 dvd's in a matter of months    And after I bought basically every movie that I want, I practically stopped.  I picked up a few 5 dollar DVD's last night from wal mart. 

Mothman Prophecies
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (remake) special edition (6 bucks!  I couldn't pass it up)
Running Scared
Four Brothers

Now I'm buying lots of games.  I have 13 360 games and I've only beaten 2 of them.

[MrAngryFace]

Yeah im outta dvds and tv series I REALLY want, tho I stopped at about 180-200

[Mupepe]

Yeah im outta dvds and tv series I REALLY want, tho I stopped at about 180-200

I still need to finish my Seinfeld collection.

But I also bought a lot of stuff I heard was good, but really wasn't.  Like Wolf Creek.  Australians have horrible taste in movies.

[MrAngryFace]

Haha, good ol australian movies

wait...you dont mean crocodile dundee...

[Mupepe]

Haha, good ol australian movies

wait...you dont mean crocodile dundee...

Crocodile Dundee is a fucking classic.  I don't know any other Australian movies actually, but Wolf Creek is awful and worthy of a nuclear attack.