An HD Upconverter (High Definition Upconverter) is a device that converts the digital data embedded in DVDs into a format that can be directly viewed on a HDTV (High-Definition Television) without an intermediate conversion to an analog signal. An upconverter also digitally enhances and enlarges the standard lower resolution of some DVDs and ‘upconverts’ it so it can be seen clearly on a HDTV. In addition, some of the modern HD upconverters can even convert the frame rate of 35 mm movies to that of HDTV’s so that flickering is avoided when such movies are viewed on a HDTV.

One might think that an HD upconverter is not necessary now, but it legitimately becomes more of a necessity due to the fact that newer equipment is designed almost exclusively for digital environment (while legacy equipment is still analog). With this being the case, when two of these components interface at some point, there arises a compatibility issue, and in order to overcome these glitches, we may have to hire the services of such intermediary devices for temporarily spanning the technological gap that exists between the two different classes of components.

Before the introduction of digital televisions, virtually all televisions and computer monitors relied on analog input signals for their operation. Consequently, the DVD player was designed accordingly, to convert the digital format data stored in DVDs to analog signals understood by televisions. This design fails to work optimally with HDTVs as they utilize a digital signal input rather than the conventional analog input.

With a normal DVD player, in order to view the DVD contents on a HDTV, the digital signals from the DVD are first to be converted into analog format, then upconverted from 480 lines/frame standard resolution to HDTV resolution (1080 lines/frame), and again reconverted back to digital format before feeding to the HDTV input. It is a complex process that can substantially affect the picture quality.

A one-stop solution to this problem is an HD Upconverter, which transfers the DVD digital signals by enhancing each frame to suit the higher resolution format of HDTVs. The result is a more crisp, clearer picture without flickering, color swirl, grains, or digital noise.

HD Upconverters are available in varying models and prices, from commercial units used in the film industry (sometimes costing thousands of dollars) to the domestic models that are modestly priced. HDTVs and DVD players with built-in HD upconverters are also gaining popularity, as they eliminate the need to buy a separate device for upconverting.

If you plan to replace your standard DVD player any time soon, consider one with a built-in HD upconverter, even if you don’t currently own a HDTV. Otherwise, when you do buy a HDTV, you may have to purchase an additional upconverter to facilitate the connection between your DVD player and your HDTV.