Is the HD DVD player compatible with a regular tv?

Answer 1

HD DVDThey might work, but you'd be wasting your time. HDTV today is all about one thing: resolution. SDTVs (the ones most watched today, referring to CRT TVs) are only capable of 480i resolution, period. A hi-def DVD may play on it if the player can output 480i resolution (most likely not though). Most HD players output 720p and 1080i/p resolutions. In other words, a regular DVD player will look exactly the same (given cable type of course, composite, s-video, or component) as an HD DVD player on a standard, nonHD television.

Added by yubslide:

I just bought an HD DVD drive for the Xbox 360 the other day. I have a standard def television (480i) with component capabilities. (this allows for 480p resolution, which is known as EDTV or Enhanced Definition TV) In standard definition or SDTV mode, there isn't much difference from regular DVD's EXCEPT the fact that the black level is improved and the color and effects run smoother. However, when I view the HD DVD's from EDTV, the change was fantastic. The picture is clearer, the colors much more defined and the separation of objects and characters in the movie is amazing (for example, in King Kong, you can see the individual plants and their color is the true color, like you're actually there. In SDTV mode, the jungle looks more like a green mass with squiggly lines through it. So to jump to the conclusion of whether it works on an SDTV or not: yes. The only advantage, which is a very verysmall one I might add, is that you can access your menu while the movie is playing. Like I said, very small. So if you are just dying to get an HD DVD player, shoot for the HDTV, or if you are on an extremely low budget like me and saving money for something big is way too hard for you, atleast get an EDTV before you get an HD DVD player.

Answer 2

Absolutely you can. An HD or HD ready TV will handle HD signals but they all will accept and display standard definition signals. That includes DVD players, VHS players and all other devices that can be connected to older televisions.

Be aware that showing a DVD on and HD does NOT make the picture into high definition one even though you may think the image looks a little crisper than on older televisions.