I'd like to play some DVD's on a computer (Yawn Yawn everyone says - use VLC or whatever).
Yes that's fine but my DOMESTIC DVD machine does a brilliant UPSCALE of a standard DVD to almost full HD / Blu Ray quality. Can I do this also with a software player on Windows -- VLC brilliant though it is doesn't I believe seem to have a setting to UPSCALE the output from a standard DVD but just plays whatever is thrown at it.
For standard DVD's the upscale is great !!- you have to have your nose almost touching the screen to detect the difference from Blu Ray to a decently upscaled standard DVD-- note the original DVD must be decently recorded in the first place - some early DVD's don't look much better than old VHS tapes - not much you can do with those old DVD's except say thank goodness the quality (picture -- not necessarily of the STORY !!) is streets better today.
I've just tested -- Copied a standard DVD9 (> 8GB) to a 4.7 DVD +RW so about 60% compression -- but with UPSCALING this actually plays better on my stand alone DVD player than the ORIGINAL DVD did on the computer !!! so there definitely is some considerable "pixel manipulation" here.
Used Magic DVD copier to copy the original DVD9 ISO to a DVD +RW.
I do quite a lot of "Photoshopping" so I'm quite used to "up rezzing pics" from Pro DSLR's and know the limitations of the process -- however the DVD player seems to work really well. It's only a "Cheapo" non Blu ray one so the algorithm in it can't be that complex.
Surprised VLC player doesn't have an "Upscale" setting in it.
Any offers here or should I just go for full 1080p download rips (not always possible for old DVD's to get them).
For any HD file playback, Splash Pro with the options for enhancments ticked, upscales fantastically on my 55 inch Sony.
Perfect for any TV episodes downloaded.
I think you will find decent upscaling is hardware based - it is in my Panasonic DVD player and TV anyway (and from a quick search PS4 as well although I didn't go past the first page on Google).
It's an increadibly cheap DVD machine I bought in Shanghai -- cost around 40 EUR !!! and it sure beats a lot of much more expensive models. I think it was also "Chipped" as it plays NTSC and PAL discs from any region without the slightest problem.
The make is something with Chinese characters all on it although the Menu's fortunately were in English --the guy in the store did that for me before I took the machine away.
(I think the size of me compared to the average height of his customers probably scared him into making sure I had a good deal !!!!!).
So it looks likely it's not possible on a PC via inline software- I'll have to stick with the DVD player.
Upscaling the DVD in advance using things like Handbrake gives partial success but still isn't as good as the DVD player --goodness know what CHIP those Chinese put into the DVD player --probably something copied from NASA or JPL's high resolution imaging labs !!!
