Question:

Dear Expert,

My BenQ projector (model PB7200) is three years old and does not have a HDMI connection. So I cannot use the DVD upconversion features (to 720p or 1080p) of DVD players since it needs to go thru HDMI.

Is there any solution to this other than getting another projector with HDMI?

Regards,

-Andy

Answer:

Hello, Andy,

Because of copyright/DRM issues, it is getting pretty difficult to find DVD players which will do upconversion over standard component video connections. Most upconverting players disable the upconversion feature over component video if you are watching a copy-protected DVD.

One notable exception would be the DVD players made by Helios, which do upconvert DVDs over component video, DVI and HDMI. The more traditional brands (Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba, Denon, etc.) all require an HDMI or DVI connection to do upconversion of standard definition material.

But your particular projector is probably not going to see a tremendous benefit from an upconverting DVD player. The native resolution of the PB7200 projector is 1024x768 pixels (in 4:3 mode). In widescreen 16:9 mode, the active panel is 1024x576 pixels. So even an upconverted 1080i or 720p signal is going to be to be downconverted by your projector to match the DLP panel's native resolution.

A projector upgrade, to one of the newer 720p or 1080p native resolution models, will not only give you the ability to watch upconverted DVDs in near-HD quality, but it will also give you much better detail on high definition sources as well.

Hope that helps.

Regards,

-Chris