The Official Oppo DV-981HD DVD Player Thread

**Owen Bartley** · **04-06-07, 10:45 AM**

Has anyone bought or experienced this player? Oppo has a pretty great reputation, and this 1080p upconverting player for $229 seems like an incredible deal. Is it a no brainer? I guess the only thing that I don't see with it that would be a small concern is lack of HDMI 1.3, but then again, I don't think there are more than a handful of displays that support 1.3 yet anyway.

I'll be buying a new TV this year, and I wanted a nice upconverting player to go with it. I don't think I'm quite ready to step into the BD/HD DVD arena yet, at least until a good multi-format player comes out, so whatever I get to upconvert will likely be in my system for a while.

I was just hoping someone had a 981, or had been able to spend some time with one.

**majorloser** · **04-11-07, 10:11 PM**

Own it, love it!

Also plays SACD's and DVD-A's as a bonus. It's a good player till the format wars are over.

**Otto** · **04-11-07, 10:16 PM**

No first hand experience here, but I did come across this today...

http://www.prillaman.net/oppo981_review.html

**Owen Bartley** · **04-12-07, 08:51 AM**

Thanks guys. I really like the idea of this player, and think I'll order one as soon as I decide on a new HDTV.

Hmmm... Otto, I was having trouble loading that site, but I'll try again later, it might be temporarily down.

**Otto** · **04-12-07, 08:55 AM**

Yep, that link is broken for me as well at the moment. I've dealt with that guy elsewhere, and I'm sure he'll have it back up shortly...

**Bob_99** · **04-12-07, 10:39 AM**

The link is working for me.

Bob

**Owen Bartley** · **04-12-07, 01:06 PM**

Yep, it's now working for me too. I'm not sure if it was on their end or mine. Either way, that's a comprehensive review! Thanks again.

**Jerm357** · **04-15-07, 12:53 PM**

Never messed with the 981 but, I have the older model 971 and it has been great. Awesome PQ for the price if you take the time to calibrate the display.

**Steven Midkiff** · **05-13-07, 02:44 PM**

I've had an DV-981HD since December. I have to agree, it's the best answer till the HD format wars are over. But that Toshiba HD-2A is $350 at Costco. Starting to look mighty nice. Hmmmmmm............

**Mitch G** · **05-16-07, 09:37 AM**

Quote:

Steven Midkiff wrote:

I've had an DV-981HD since December. I have to agree, it's the best answer till the HD format wars are over. But that Toshiba HD-2A is $350 at Costco. Starting to look mighty nice. Hmmmmmm............

Well, I would appreciate it if you hopped over the Costco, picked up that A2 and did a side-by-side upscaling comparison with the 981HD.

Although I am kind of serious. You can always return the A2 when done with the comparison if it doesn't meet your expectations.

Mitch

**Steven Midkiff** · **05-16-07, 10:58 AM**

Well Mitch, seeings as how I blew my HT budget for this month (and next) on a new Yamaha 2600 receiver, I'm afriad I'd be inclined to decline right now.

BTW, there are rumors about that HD players will reach $200 or so by Chrsitmas 2007. Personally, I'm hoping HD will win over by shear force of sales. But I doubt the Blu Ray camp will giive up easily.

Yammy 2600 arrives today. Oh boy!

**Mitch G** · **05-16-07, 11:14 AM**

Quote:

Steven Midkiff wrote:

Well Mitch, seeings as how I blew my HT budget for this month (and next) on a new Yamaha 2600 receiver, I'm afriad I'd be inclined to decline right now.

BTW, there are rumors about that HD players will reach $200 or so by Chrsitmas 2007. Personally, I'm hoping HD will win over by shear force of sales. But I doubt the Blu Ray camp will giive up easily.

Yammy 2600 arrives today. Oh boy!

No problem. I can forgive you your Yammie desires.

Mich

**elmer1024** · **05-18-07, 05:21 AM**

Quote:

Owen Bartley wrote:

Has anyone bought or experienced this player? Oppo has a pretty great reputation, and this 1080p upconverting player for $229 seems like an incredible deal. Is it a no brainer? I guess the only thing that I don't see with it that would be a small concern is lack of HDMI 1.3, but then again, I don't think there are more than a handful of displays that support 1.3 yet anyway.

I'll be buying a new TV this year, and I wanted a nice upconverting player to go with it. I don't think I'm quite ready to step into the BD/HD DVD arena yet, at least until a good multi-format player comes out, so whatever I get to upconvert will likely be in my system for a while.

I was just hoping someone had a 981, or had been able to spend some time with one.

Hello I bought the Oppo DV-981HD? Thru amazon and i was not to thrilled with picture when it upconverted to 1080p , I have lowere sony up upconvert to 1080l came in just a good . I sent the model back. I called Oppo and they said on some TVs it does not work that well. I have 60 in SXRD 1080 p rear projection and the picture seemed in 480p. I am going to wait when the HD players are a little cheaper before i buy. '
I would say try it if you like it but if not return it .

Good luck

**Owen Bartley** · **05-18-07, 06:03 AM**

Thanks Elmer, how were they when you told them you wanted to return it? No problems?

**elmer1024** · **05-18-07, 07:39 AM**

Quote:

Owen Bartley wrote:

Thanks Elmer, how were they when you told them you wanted to return it? No problems?

I went thru amazon.com and it was cheaper. but the problem it that they sent me a replacement and I did not want to another and now I have to return that one too, I found amazon a good site as far ordering things. I just do not get wowed by the picture. It seemed to be in 480 picture not the 1080p upconversion like it says . Maybe i got a lemon but I did not try another one . I have sony upconversion that was reviewed in Cnet that i only payed 120 at circuit city with a 35 $ rebate that plays better than the Oppo DV-981HD. I emailed the service dept at oppo and they said you have to calibrate the model and sometimes some TV 's. They were nice but to me I will just keep my sony and wait this fall or winter and buy a HD or Blue ray combo . I heard sanyo is making one that will cheaper than the LG which retails for 1180. People have good review about this dvd player but I was not sold on it . I have 6 month old 60 inch sony SXRD and comes in real good in HD but not with the Oppo DV-981HD.

Good luck on your choice . Check CNet for reviews.
Let me know how you make out.

Mike

**RayJr** · **05-21-07, 06:26 PM**

OJ,
I own the DV-981HD...and I love it.
I use it for CD, SACD, DVD-A, and upsampling DVDs..and all funtions work great.
I will tell you that you may have macro blocking a problem if you use it with a DLP TV..
....in that case they recommend the 970.
Hope this helps.
Oh ya....I own the Toshiba HD-A1..and I have to say the the oppo upsampling of SD-DVD is very close to the upsampling of SD-DVD of the A1.

Later
RayJr

**Owen Bartley** · **05-22-07, 06:16 AM**

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the input.

Ray, that's the first I've heard about a possible problem with macroblocking on a DLP set, thanks for that heads up, because that was what I was leaning towards getting. I'll keep up the research.

**elmer1024** · **05-22-07, 04:10 PM**

HI OJ

I want to thank yoiu for replying on the Opp 971 HD. I did not see much change between my Upconvert Sony dvd player that goes 1080i. I sent my Oppo back and I waiting till samsung has the dual HD and blue ray or the sony blue ray that is comming out this summer, I have a sony rear projection 60 SXR KDS a2000. I will put the 229 to better use. What system do you have? I have a 2005 Yamaha Htr 5780 and Jm labb speakers in the front and monitor audio on the wall. i am looking to up grade my receiver this fall along with a blur ray or HD player. How do you like the the Toshiba HD?

Cheers

**Dundas** · **05-23-07, 02:05 AM**

Secrets Benchmark review:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...igitalDV-981HD

**Owen Bartley** · **05-23-07, 10:17 AM**

Sorry Elmer, just saw this after your PM... thanks for the reply. I actually don't have anything HD right now, just my old standard def DVD player and 32" tube TV. I'll be leaving the video part of my system as-is until I can buy a house, hopefully this year, and then I'll pick up a nice big TV that will do 1080p and a nice upconverting player. I will probably do like you and wait for a good combo HDDVD/BR player before I get into that format, and I have lots of standard DVDs that I'd love to watch upconverted. I thought the Oppo looked nice, and it usually gets great reviews, so it was where I started looking. I'm happy with the audio in my system, with Paradigm speakers and a Denon 2802 receiver that will last me for a while still. I guess I should check out a few different upconverting players before I buy anything.

Dundas, thanks for the Secrets review, those guys are scary detailed.

e: Yeah, so according to the Secrets article, some displays just don't seem to play well with the Oppo, and will show the macroblocking. I think based on the strength of the rest of the review I'd give it a try and then either return it or move it to a bedroom or something if it showed serious problems.

**Steven Midkiff** · **05-29-07, 06:38 PM**

Ah boy, the HD-2A just dropped to $250 at Costco.

As soon as I sell my Marantz SR7000, it's Toshiba HD for me. My Oppo 981 will go to my B system, currently pushing dvd's from a Helios H4000 into a kitchen sized 32" Sceptre LCD.

I understand the HD-2A up-converts standard dvd as well or better than the Oppo does. What's a poor HD deprived HT Guy to do?

Hey, never had any macro blocking on my 62" Toshiba dlp when using the 981, via HDMI.

A long strange road it's been........

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