Term used to describe the conversion of a lower apparent resolution to a higher. This process increases the number of pixels and / or frame-rate and / or scanning format used to represent an image to interpolate pixels in place to create a new distance closer. For example, Sony TV with Digital Reality Creation ® ascendingly can convert 480i video sources to 960i. Often referred to as "double line."

The projector's process of converting a different input format to its native output format is called scaling. Making a small resolution large is known as upconversion, while making a large image small is known as compression.

The prevalence of standard-definition video is why it might make sense to add an outboard video scaler to your high-definition setup. A scaler can provide multiple benefits even for an HDTV that performs well. The most important advantage is better picture quality, due to the growing availability of "super-deinterlacer" chips from such specialist makers as Faroudja, Gennum, Silicon Image, and Silicon Optix. These chips excel in the upconversion from standard definition to high definition, providing near-HD levels of visual resolution while eliminating the various artifacts associated with interlaced-to-progressive scan conversion—and even correcting for production defects within the video source material itself.

Some projectors are very good at scaling, so the resulting image softness is relatively minor, and quality degradation is almost negligible. The quality of scaling varies widely among projectors and like all technology, it is constantly being improved. Scaling is an important consideration, so whenever possible, try to see the projector demonstrated as you would use it.

It is getting pretty difficult to find DVD players which will do upconversion over standard component video connections. Most upconverting players disable the upconversion feature over component video if you are watching a copy-protected DVD.