If you've been wondering what to do with your massive collection of standard DVDs when you switch to HD, Arcam may have the answer.
They have announced an addition to their DiVA (Digitally integrated Video and Audio) range of high-performance home entertainment equipment.
The Arcam DV137 is a DVD player that can upscale standard-definition DVDs to any of the three HD formats (720p, 1080i, 1080p) via its HDMI output. The British company claims that their player outputs 'near HD quality'.
Of course, it's another piece of kit to add to your growing collection of home cinema equipment, but it may help to 'future proof' your existing collection of DVDs.
It doesn't come cheap - suggested retail price is £1200 - however it will also play CDs, SACDs (if you have any) and DVD-Audio discs.
It's not yet been released, and no word on Arcam's web site at present.
I'm guessing its R2?
Are there any decent upscalers that are multi or region-free? My collection is about 60/40 R2/R1 and i'd prefer to get the best out of all my dvds.
I haven't seen a region listed yet. It would be nice if it was region-free, given the cost and what it's doing.
No reputable manufacturer who actually pays for their DVD license can sell a multi-region DVD Player. That's why only the cheap chinese crap or tiny kit builders sell region-free. Cost has nothing to do with it. I am sure that like Denon, Sony, Pioneer and others, a little internet research will show you ways to 'open' the Arcam.
The whole region thing really irks me - I know the rationale behind it but it still ends up being another pain for legitimate consumers, who then have to resort to cracking it.
"No reputable manufacturer who actually pays for their DVD license can sell a multi-region DVD Player."
Really? Linn is a reputable manufacturer and all their DVD players are sold multi-region.