Is there a good HD upscaler that's not $300???

[Snatch1414]

So I moved in with the girlfriend and I'll have my own space for games, but I can't use my big old nostalgic tube TV anymore because it just wouldn't be an efficient use of space. I need a newer TV for movies and TV purposes in that room as well you see. All I want to do is hook a flat screen to an upscaler > switch box > all my consoles. I have a Retron 5 but that's not going to cut if for my disc-based systems. Is there a way to do this without spending hundreds of dollars on a Framemeister? All I want to do is upscale in one shot. Thanks

[fastbilly1]

You can grab an old Direct TV receiver that has inputs and VGA out. I have used one for everything post NES with no issue. I can get you the model number tonight.

[Snatch1414]

Awesome if you happen to be able to convey that info that would be great! I'm just really confused there's not a cheaper way to do this effectively. I don't know why they can fit an upscaler into a Retron why is an upscaler itself $350? Not counting the ones on Amazon with spotty reviews of course.

[Fragems]

There are quite a few in the $15-50 price range on amazon. Most are probably decent as long as you aren't looking for perfection or a ton of options.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... 3Aupscaler

Personally I just have an old ViewSonic HD Reciever that I use to convert RF/S-Video/Composite to Component works pretty well but these went out of production ages ago and when one pops up it's usually without a remote which is a pain since most universal remotes don't support it.

[nullPointer]

This article was a fantastic resource for me when I was in the same boat; looking for a decent upscaler that wouldn't break the bank. It's a great breakdown of what's possible, what's available, and what features you're actually getting for your money. As a result of the recommendations in that article I purchased this model from Monoprice with which I've been fairly pleased, although I should note that I was specifically looking for something that I could attach to a computer monitor rather than a television (although I'm sure either way would work just fine).

[Snatch1414]

Thanks. I am looking for something to put all my AV-based consoles through a switch box, then an upscaler, then to the TV. I'm surprised there isn't a painless model that's not so expensive.

[Ziggy]

Thanks. I am looking for something to put all my AV-based consoles through a switch box, then an upscaler, then to the TV. I'm surprised there isn't a painless model that's not so expensive.

Cheap scalers aren't gonna be any different that what you'd find in any TV from the last decade. Unless your TV's scaler REALLY sucks, or you can't do 240p over component but that's something you need, you're not gonna gain anything. In fact, there's a chance a cheap scaler will do a WORSE job than your TV!

One solution to your "switch box + scaler" setup would be a good A/V receiver. Some mid-higher end models will output everything (composite, S-Video, component) over HDMI, which means it would be scaling it to at least 480p. It would also work as a switch box. Maybe look for an older one with S-Video inputs (nothing seems to have S-Video anymore), a used one might not be too much money.

My suggestion to anyone, don't bother with cheap scalers. If you're not happy with the way your TV is scaling, the only way you're gonna see an improvement is with an expensive ($300+) scaler, not a cheap one. The only time a cheap scaler is worth it is if you don't care so much about quality and just want the convenience of getting your old console over HDMI. Otherwise, just save your bones, it'll be worth it.

[Snatch1414]

Thanks. Yeah I kept looking at the cheap ones trying to justify taking a shot in the dark with one of them and truly couldn't. Honestly it might be best for me to just use my big old tube TV and take up the extra space. I'm really not interested in paying $350 for a Framemeister that just seems nuts to me when, like I said, a device like the Retron can do it.

[Ziggy]

If you can afford to keep the tube TV around, go for it! Nothing is gonna be better than that. And you can still play Duck Hunt.