Depends on how far away you're sitting. Good HDMI players at 1080p upscale better than the Panny, but the extra detail only really noticeable at under 6 feet. At 10 feet you can't really tell the difference.

Well, the Panny's upscaling is softer, meaning less detail but able to hide artifacts very well. Color is also deep. That's why Astro looks good on it.

The DVD players upscale sharper, so there's more detail, but if your DVD is not a fantastic copy, artifacts are easy to make out.

To the layman, the difference will not be readily discernable. Both will look good. Even if you're really looking for differences, you'll have to sit under 6 feet or closer (I do it at 3-4 feet to make out the difference).

If you're on a tight budget, you'll be pleased to know you're not losing out that much on PQ if you stick with your current set-up, not at 10ft+ anyway.

If you decide later to blow a few hundred bucks on good component cables, then that's the time to consider switching to HDMI.

This post has been edited by 99below0: Aug 28 2008, 04:38 PM

1) Your TV also has an internal upscaler or it wouldn't be able to fill the screen. The Panny has a good upscaler, so don't feel too disadvantaged at not having a HDMI DVD. If you're sitting over 10ft, you won't really see a difference and may regret squeezing out an extra RM400 for a new player. Of course, if you already plan to buy a new one, then by all means go ahead. Just that not having one doesn't mean your TV will suck. Plasmas are very forgiving of the source unlike LCDs.

2) I'm using Monster THX, my mom is using the panny freebie. The Monster is a little sharper and brighter. The Panny freebie is still highly watchable. Monster is nice to have if you got some extra budget but not essential to enjoying your Plasma. That's why so many forumers like Plasma. It's highly forgiving of the source and integrates into your existing system well without needing substantial upgrading.

This post has been edited by 99below0: Aug 29 2008, 03:34 PM

Well, simple analogy:

HDMI is a digital cable like your USB. Heard of anyone needing a Monster USB cable for "extra-high quality" transference of data? Thought not.

HDMI transfers "data" not analogue signals like your old component/s-video/composite cables. You either get the data or you don't, much like either your USB cable works 100% or it's broke.

Cable companys have to instill the high-quality HDMI cable myth into everyone cause they'd be out of business if everyone switches from thousand-dollar component cables to RM50 HDMI cables.

I agree. Probably an optical illusion...