• A standard DVD will never be able to match HD quality, but it can come close.a dvd-r disc image by wayne ruston from Fotolia.com
  
  A staple of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the standard DVD constitutes a milestone in our transition into the digital era. But with the advent of HD disks, like Blu-ray or the now defunct HD-DVD, the standard definition DVD is rapidly falling by the wayside. Just like with VHS, people are realizing they'll have to replace their entire collection. Fortunately, a few ways are available to get near-HD quality out of those aging DVDs.
  
  

Upscaling DVD Player

• Purchasing a good upscaling DVD player, such as the Oppo DV-983H or even the PS3, can get you quality close to that of HD. Standard definition DVDs play at 720 pixels by 480 pixels, or 480i. An upscaling DVD player will take that and raise it to 1280 pixels by 720 pixels, and convert it to a progressive display for smoothness. This quality is known as 720p. Any upscaling beyond that will not look different to the naked eye.
  
  

Using Different Cables

• The argument of DVI versus HDMI versus Component cables has been going on since the introduction of HD, and the answer as to which is superior is still not clear. The best way to find out what gives you the best image quality when playing a standard DVD from a DVD player is to just try each one and see what works the best. Be warned though: HDMI cables can be very pricey for not much difference.
  
  

Digitalizing Your Collection

• Ripping your DVD collection not only preserves your purchases, but also allows you to get a device such as the Apple TV or WDTV that allows you to watch those ripped movie files on your TV. Best of all, these devices also upscale them to 1080p quality. To do this, you'll need a computer with a DVD player and some ripping software, such as DVD Rip or RipIt4Me.