My PC has a blu-ray/HD-DVD combo drive, but I'd like to be able to watch my new HD movies on the nice big TV in the living room. Unfortunately, I only have a standard DVD player, but it can read xvid files. Would I be able to "trick" my DVD player into playing HD movies by: 1. Ripping the Blu-ray or HD-DVD to PC hard drive 2. Converting it to a 1920x1080 Xvid file 3. Burning the Xvid to a DVD and then playing it on the Xvid-compatible DVD player? Or would something stop me from doing this? Thanks!

This one is easy.... NO. There is a reason why they sell Hi def players... and this is it. Even if you could get aroung the format difference, you're still left with the fact that standard dvd players have a resolution max of 720x480 (for NTSC). The other thing to think about is the copy protection on the new disks... I know that there is one brand of dvd player that will play a higher resolution will wmv files (sorry, can't of hand remember the name)... but then it's not exactly a standard dvd player with a standard price. You could try running component video lines from your computer to your HDTV if you have the right video card. (This is what I used to do when I didn't have a HD DVD player) Or better yet, just go buy a HD DVD player. They have dropped in price now to a somewhat reachable number. You can get the Venturer HD DVD player at Walmart (in the USA) for about $200. That's pretty amazing when you consider mine cost $800 just a little more than a year ago! Don't use mine much for commercial movies though.... I have a couple of hi def camcorders and I burn a lot of 3X DVD's (hi def on standard dvd media with a standard burner)

My DVD player uses an HDMI connector and can output standard DVDs at 1080p resolution. So output resolution to the TV set isn't an issue. Also, I have a program that's able to crack the DRM bullsh*t that's on Blu-ray/HD-DVDs, so that's also not a problem. My only concern is the "processor" inside the DVD player. Do any of you know how fast they are and if they can play 1080p xvid files? Thanks

Why not try it and let use know. :-)

Because it takes forever and a day to convert BD/HD-DVD to 1080p Xvid, even on a fast PC. :-) If it doesn't work, that's a lot of power wasted (cpu running full-tilt for hours and hours). Yes, I am a tree hugger.

"My DVD player uses an HDMI connector and can output standard DVDs at 1080p resolution. So output resolution to the TV set isn't an issue." =================================== That's called an "Upconverting" dvd player which is not the same. It can OUTPUT electronically generated hi def from a standard dvd, but it can not READ hi def. It can only read standard dvd. If it was that easy then both Toshiba and Sony would be throwing away millions of dollars trying to sell hi def players I repeat... the answer to your question is NO.

Crap. I guess I'll have to drag my PC into the living room for now. Thanks for the help. :-)