Must-have HDTV addons
By John P. Falcone,Philip WongFeb 19, 2008
Buying an HDTV solves only part of the high-definition equation; you'll also need some HD source material to watch on your new TV, as well as a smattering of accessories. We've assembled an assortment of products that will ensure your HDTV achieves its true potential. Note that you don't need everything listed here--in many cases, it'll be an either/or proposition--but you'll definitely want at least some of the items listed here to fully enjoy your HDTV viewing experience.
1. Upscaling DVD players and recorders
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Once a premium DVD upgrade, so-called upscaling (or upconverting) DVD players are now practically the industry standard, with prices starting as low as S$250. These players take your DVDs and output the video at 720p or 1080i resolution via their HDMI jack. That shouldn't be confused with native high-definition content--it's still starting with the maximum DVD resolution of 720 x 480. But if you find that your DVDs aren't looking so hot on your new HDTV, an upscaling DVD player may help.
Most of the latest DVD recorders also offer upscaling options. But if you're shopping for VHS/DVD recorders, make sure to get a model that upconverts the DVD and VHS outputs via HDMI (not all do). The VHS video won't look particularly good in high-def, but from a convenience factor, it's preferable to use a single output.
A final word of advice: If you are in the market for an HD-DVD or a Blu-ray player, note that each of those players should double as an upscaling player for standard DVDs.
