DVD Player Connected via USB; Up Convert?

[burpnrun]

I only have two HDMI ports on my TV; both are used by the PBO and the cable company box/PVR.

Before I had the PBO, purchased DVDs would be put into a standalone DVD player box, connected by HDMI to the TV, and played DVDs would be upconverted nicely. No longer possible with only a composite connection available for the DVD player.

If I purchase an external DVD player, connect via the PBO's back USB port, and play DVD's in it, will the PBO upconvert the picture to the TV since it is connected via HDMI? I can't seem to find a thread or fact that discusses this. If not, is there another solution? TIA.

For info, the USB DVD player I'm looking at is the Asus SDRW-08D2S-U... 8x slimline. I'll also buy a powered USB hub, since I currently have a WD 2.5" 1tb USB HDD connected.

[tourist]

Since the output is fixed at 1080p, the DVD video should be upconverted. However, the video quality will not be as good as real 1080p. It will still have the same DVD quality. In addition, you will not be able to play most commercial DVD that has region lock or encryption on USB DVD player through PBO. It will play your home video DVD or ripped DVD, as well as any video files on DVD media (as on a USB drive).

[burpnrun]

Thanks for the speedy reply. I had forgotten about the encryption thingy; got so used to watching DVDs on my PC using VLC. So this gives rise to a couple of questions:

1. I'm using HDMI now from the PBO to the TV; would the quality be the same if I change the PBO to using the composite outlets/cables to the TV instead? Most of the stuff on the HDDs are main movie .iso's of ripped DVDs I own, via DVDfab. If the same quality, I could then revert to using the HDMI plug on the TV for the stand-alone DVD player, and resume getting the upconvert function.

2. I'm at BC 18 - P53 now. Any need/benefit in going to 70R2 (going down to P02 first), for adding the external USB DVD player, given that my needs are modest ... i.e., play DVDs and ripped DVDs to .iso? I have an internal 500 gig WD inside, and a WD 1tb 2.5" USB external in use now.

[aasoror]

1. I'm using HDMI now from the PBO to the TV; would the quality be the same if I change the PBO to using the composite outlets/cables to the TV instead?

composite is 480i, HDMI will allow you to fully use the 480p resolution of the SD-DVD.
If you have a standard DVD player, I recommend using component output (if available) to your TV and keep your PBO on HDMI.
BTW, PBO doesn't upconvert SD but rather upscales it (and most probably your DVD player wont be upconverting it too).

2. I'm at BC 18 - P53 now. Any need/benefit in going to 70R2

There is no need to upgrade if the current version is doing exactly what you need.
That said you might want to look on the 70R2 thread and see what you are missing (or if you might have any use for it).

[burpnrun]

Thanks very much. I hooked up the DVD (actually a combo DVD/VCR) player/recorder up to the TV with composite cables, as you suggested, and I was able to get the 480i and 480p since it's an upconverting box (well, its specs say it is). Then I used the stretch function of the TV (specifiable on an input by input basis) to upsize it. Works very well, considering the original format of the DVD.

Thanks again for your help.