| |  | Electronics OPPO DV-980H 1080p Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio |  | | | | | | | | | | Rating:  - Wow! Great DVD player!
I did some research and found the OPPO dvd player to be the best reviewed up-converting dvd player out there. They were right! The picture is second only to Blue-Ray at less than half the cost. I have no problem recommending it to any of my family and friends. Can't say enough good things about this player. It makes my new 1080p HD tv look awsome.
Rating: - An amazingly good HD picture
I normally don't bother with writing reviews, but for this, I HAD to add my voice to the chorus of praise.
After getting this player, I bought the "Planet Earth" DVDs instead of waiting to buy a Blu-Ray player so I could watch the "HD" version of "Planet Earth," and I can't believe how good the Oppo's HD upscaling picture is on my 1080p LCD TV!I don't think I will buy a Blu-Ray player for some time, at least not until it comes down in price to about $100.Why should I?The Oppo turns all DVDs into HD-quality, or at least something good enough to fool me.Blu-Ray manufacturers must consider Oppo Enemy #1.
Rating:  - What's the fuss?It's loud, picture quality isn't that great!
I bought this because everyone was giving it rave reviews for TV's 46" and below.My TV is a Samsung 46" LN46A650.Previously, I was using my PS3 to play all DVDs, including Blu-Rays.I decided to buy a standalone up-converting DVD player in hopes that my standard DVDs would be "enhanced" to a level fairly close to Blu-Ray.Blu-Ray discs look incredible!I realize the term "up-convert" means that the DVD player takes the DVD's native resolution and "smartly" blows it up to 1080p (or whatever resolution you so choose).But, people keep saying that there is no need for a Blu-Ray player because up-converted DVD's look just as good!
FYI:All HDMIs are connected direct to the TV, not through my audio receiver (which I find unnecessary considering it's an audio receiver and does nothing with video).I say this to clarify that there is no issue with my HDMI-switching receiver - I don't use that feature.Also, I'm using top-quality, and overpriced, Monster HDMI cables.(I doubt even the cheapest cable would make a real difference anyway so long as the gauge of wires are the same.)
I first started with a Pioneer unit for $89 because all my home theater equipment (except for the Samsung 46" TV) is Pioneer.The standard DVD playback at 1080p with it looked no better than when I played my DVDs through my PS3 and the picture actually looked darker and noisier, as if someone aged the picture in Photoshop.I spent an hour with different DVDs (e.g., Ronin, Kill Bill, American Gangster) attempting to notice a difference, especially one worth spending $89 for.I decided to return it to Abt.com.
I then typed in "Best Up-converting DVD Player" into Google and the Oppo line came up.I decided to go with the least expensive one because all of them were extremely expensive relative to the Pioneer I had.I figure just over double the price of the Pioneer I just had should get me an up-converting DVD player I'll be satisfied with.Boy was I wrong!
Just like the Pioneer, this thing doesn't up-convert any better than my PS3.It certainly up-converted better than the Pioneer, but not by much and certainly not enough to justify its price relative to the Pioneer.I consistently felt as if standard DVDs looked better coming through the PS3.I tested and tested and tested, same feeling.I also consistently felt that DVDs played through the Oppo had a subtle green hue where dark grays and browns were.Through the PS3, everything was natural and normal looking.Not to mention this weird issue: title credits and moving text would actually skip around or get all discombobulated for a quick second everyone once and a while.This never, ever happened with any DVD player connected to any TV I've ever had (including my PS3 and the Pioneer I tried first).My TV checks out fine.
I'm going to try, just because Amazon.com has a fair return policy, the more expensive Oppo 981HD with the Faroudja chipset and see if it will finally satisfy me.If my standard DVD's don't "enhance" to near Blu-Ray quality with the 981HD, I'll stick with using the PS3 and keep my money for something worth it.As far as I'm concerned, if standard DVD's don't look "better" by using this Oppo over a PS3, then it isn't worth two-cents.
Also, just so you know, when the laser eye is moving about the disc, this thing makes more noise than my dust buster, I swear.It sounds like Robocop moving.This isn't a quiet machine.I'm sure it's built well with high quality parts, but it's loudness doesn't reflect that.Plus, why the blue screen text?What home theater set-up uses blue text?Most are green or amber.Blue is hard to read in the dark because there are less blue receptors in the eye than other colors and therefore causes eye strain.(This is why I always wonder why VW still has that blue interior!)
Am I going to say don't buy this?No, because you may not have a PS3 or Blu-Ray player and/or Blu-Ray discs.Nor would you want to pay for either if you don't.(I rent Blu-Rays from Blockbuster Online!)I'm going to say, if you have a big 46"+ TV, I have a feeling you and I will be sticking with Blu-Ray discs only and skipping the whole "up-convert" thing because it just ain't good enough.
Rating: - Not that I can add much besides a good rating.
Bought mine last Christmas.The DVD is clearly superior to anything on the market of similar capabilities.And the price can not be beat.If you want the superior all around at this price range, stop, look no further.With new animation, for example Ratatouille, the 3D quality is amazing. My TV is a tube HD (e.g., 1080p, superior black depth, superior high speed motion) and it looked as good as a Blu-Ray disc played on a Sony player on a $1200 LCD at Circuit City.
Rating: - Nearly Perfect
It has style, and it works!
The Pros:Owning this for nearly a month, the Oppo DV-980H can only be described as near perfect.Outshining my previous Panasonic, Toshiba & Denon players the DV-980H video is near flawless, even on my 32" JVC with a 1024x768 CRT. There is no Chroma bug, jitter or flawed color pallete. Signal strength is awesome using the S-Video connection, preferred for CRT TV's.It correctly plays discs the other players I've had could not.
Audio is superb with excellent separation, range & response on either the TOS or discrete outputs. Signal strength is again excellent.Those with a SACD or DVD-Audio collection will appreciate the HDMI or Discrete outputs.Since I use the Discrete and TOS they are the only ones I can comment on, but I can say it is best described as "Opulent audio bliss!" through a Yamaha RX-V 740 with 6.1 surround.Performance surpasses the Yahama & Marantz CD player's I own.
The casing is matte black with a matching faceplate and blue VF Display.The front USB port allows HDD/Flash devices for audio playback of your music collection.The settings menu is VERY, VERY extensive for player configuration to match any TV/Monitor and Amplifier/Receiver type.The device itself runs cool tempratures even sandwiched between a Cable DVR & Power Correction Unit.
The Cons:The carriage is slightly noisy during transport but silent (yes, silent) during playback.The display is a bit small.
As an Electronics Specialist for a major retailer I see a lot of equipment pass by me, it is a shame we do not offer Oppo products as my DV-980H is the first to satisfy my extremely demanding nature.Rest assured I'm requesting Oppo be introduced to our product lineup.
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