Oppo DV-981HD Upconverting DVD Player 229.00

[Stingercjc]

This is my first hot deal post, but I noticed that Oppo has released the new DV-981HD 1080p Up-Converting DVD Player. The price is 229.00, which while not super hot, is a great price for those of us with 1080p capable displays.

I'm picking one up for my 50" SXRD. Here's the link:

Oppo DV-981HD

Site says it is in stock and ready to ship as of December 6th! Get it in time for X-mas folks! These may or may not go fast, but I know a lot of people were waiting on a 1080p Up-Converting player.

 

[igowerf]

I have the 970HD and it's an awesome DVD player. Keep in mind that the 981HD does not have component output so your set must support HDMI.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: igowerf
I have the 970HD and it's an awesome DVD player. Keep in mind that the 981HD does not have component output so your set must support HDMI.

Probably good that they got rid of component as the 971 was only a really good option for digital video output from what I understand.

 

[CKDragon]

I hope you don't think this is thread crapping, as I'm sure this is a hell of an upconverting standard DVD player for the here and now. But when you start getting to the $230 pricepoint, I think I'd start to consider making the leap to HD-DVD.

There are a ton of factors that would go into that decision for each specific buyer (existing standard DVD catalog, consideration of the nextgen format war, whether you NEED to upconvert to 1080p, etc.), but I just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. There have been several deals on the Toshiba HD-A1 for sub-$400 recently and once more players hit the market it shouldn't be too long before we see $300.

CK

 

[rconrad]

I don't think there is a 1080p display in existence that doesn't have HDMI

 

[Apex]

Originally posted by: rconrad
I don't think there is a 1080p display in existence that doesn't have HDMI

There are a few, but they're uncommon.

 

[iliopsoas]

Originally posted by: CKDragon
I hope you don't think this is thread crapping, as I'm sure this is a hell of an upconverting standard DVD player for the here and now. But when you start getting to the $230 pricepoint, I think I'd start to consider making the leap to HD-DVD.

There are a ton of factors that would go into that decision for each specific buyer (existing standard DVD catalog, consideration of the nextgen format war, whether you NEED to upconvert to 1080p, etc.), but I just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. There have been several deals on the Toshiba HD-A1 for sub-$400 recently and once more players hit the market it shouldn't be too long before we see $300.

CK

If you're still waiting for the format war to settle, the Oppo DV-981HD is a good upcoverting player.

The Toshiba HD-A1 has very slow loading time and is sluggish. And there aren't very many HD-DVD titles available just yet.

 

[Odeen]

I think the point is that the Oppo does a better job upconverting conventional DVD's than most any other scaler/deinterlacer combo, whether it's in a TV or in an HD-DVD player. So, while the Toshiba HD-DVD unit might be more versatile, regular DVD's will look better on the Oppo.

 

[Childs]

Since MSRP is $229, I wouldnt call this hot. This might be better in Video or Off Topic forums.

 

[KPACOTKA]

OPPO has bad UI and problem with playing AVI files, so I woudln't consider buy any player of the brand, unless they will price it under $80 mark.

 

[hofan41]

Originally posted by: KPACOTKA
OPPO has bad UI and problem with playing AVI files, so I woudln't consider buy any player of the brand, unless they will price it under $80 mark.

i have an OPPO and have never had a problem with playing AVI files (xvid/divx/whatever), it is an excellent player that plays almost everything (except RM but who cares) and I recommend it fully.

 

[fourml8r]

upconverting is just a stopgap until HD-DVD or Bluray is dominant within a few years. AFter that standard def DVD will slowly become obsolete. So is it wise to spend $200+++ for an upconverting player? probably not. when you can get a basic model for around $50-60 today (toshiba/zenith etc.) and use it for a few years then take the difference in $$ and save up for an HD DVD player

 

[bigpow]

if you have a big shiny new 1080p display, then yes, this is totally worth the price.
if you don't already have 1080p display, than even the $50-$60 DVD players are already too expensive for you!

IMO this is not a hot deal. Since when, full MSRP + tax + shipping is considered Hot deal?

 

[Matt2]

I'm just gonna get a philips one from BB for $80.

My TV is 1080i/720p so I dont wanna spend $229 when I can just get a HD-DVD player for the 360 for only $200.

 

[Nutdotnet]

Originally posted by: bigpow
if you have a big shiny new 1080p display, then yes, this is totally worth the price.
if you don't already have 1080p display, than even the $50-$60 DVD players are already too expensive for you!

IMO this is not a hot deal. Since when, full MSRP + tax + shipping is considered Hot deal?

You = Moron

That is all.

 

[aggressor]

How does this compare to an Xbox 360 with it's upconversion to 1080p?

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: aggressor
How does this compare to an Xbox 360 with it's upconversion to 1080p?

My roommate says that my 970HD looks WAY better than his 360 for DVDs even at 480i.

 

[Diablo6178]

The price for what you are getting is a very good deal. This upconverting DVD player is more than just a $80 progressive scan DVD unit that outputs HDMI. The Upconverting processor in the DVD player has the best picture quality you can get for under $800. This unit makes any DVD look sharper and reduces noise. Pull out the origional Die Hard DVD and put it up on your projector or High Def Panel. The larger the screen, the better quality you need from you equipment. Why on earth would you buy an $80 component for a $2000+ TV or Projector. Save the money you would waste on a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD player and get this. Then when the format wars settle out and you can get a Dual Format HD Player to go with the Oppo or just buy the Oppo version when it is released.

I own the 971HD and with 1080i the quality difference compared to my MediaCenter PC or my Progressive Scan Toshiba unit is noticable.

*Fixed Grammar*

 

[Tegeril]

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: bigpow
if you have a big shiny new 1080p display, then yes, this is totally worth the price.
if you don't already have 1080p display, than even the $50-$60 DVD players are already too expensive for you!

IMO this is not a hot deal. Since when, full MSRP + tax + shipping is considered Hot deal?

You = Moron

That is all.

Please feel free to elaborate and enlighten us with your heretofore unseen intellect.

 

[AMDZen]

Someone wanna buy my OPDV971H so I can get one of these

 

[voodoo7817]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do not believe that the current HD-DVD players play DVD-A's and SACD's, and are also not region-free DVD players, like the Oppos are. I am currently deciding between the new Toshiba HD-A2 at around $450 and this product, and having just purchased a 1080p HDTV, I'm having a rough time deciding. If I am right about the audio, then the Oppo seems to be the big winner, as I have a nice set of speakers and no digital audio player at the moment.

As someone mentioned above, I'm leaning toward the Oppo and letting this format war play out another 18-24 months before I jump in. At that point, I think I know that I will not be getting 'doomed' hardware, and will probably be able to get a probably better player than the Toshiba HD-A2 for 200 bucks or so, for a total expenditure of $450, with only slight amounts of delayed gratification (I know, what a concept!). In addition, I'm not really that impressed with the current HD-DVD selection, so a little bit of waiting should be ok.

Also, the Oppo comes with an HDMI cable, so while not OMGHOT!!! because it is MSRP, the Oppo is a great deal compared to the Denon's of the world.

 

[bigpow]

Originally posted by: Tegeril

Originally posted by: Nutdotnet

Originally posted by: bigpow
if you have a big shiny new 1080p display, then yes, this is totally worth the price.
if you don't already have 1080p display, than even the $50-$60 DVD players are already too expensive for you!

IMO this is not a hot deal. Since when, full MSRP + tax + shipping is considered Hot deal?

You = Moron

That is all.

Please feel free to elaborate and enlighten us with your heretofore unseen intellect.

I've got a 42" 1080p LCD (42W2) as my monitor. My PC up-converts anything to 1080p.
Now, please, the guy who just called me a moron, explain yourself, what's your setup?

I still don't think this is a hot deal. Throw in a free shipping and it's goes warmer. Add $20 MIR and I'd call it hot.

And for those with XBOX 360, HD-DVD can be had for less than $200 (although you'd have to buy VGA cable to get 1080p, try playasia.com for <$10 VGA cable).


voodoo7817, go get the Toshiba HD-DVD; search for reviews - it upconverts normal DVD similar if not better than Oppo 97x - plus the HD-DVD media of course. A big plus if HD-DVD wins the format war..

 

[aimanzym]

hot for a 1080p dvd player. thanks OP

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: bigpow
I've got a 42" 1080p LCD (42W2) as my monitor. My PC up-converts anything to 1080p.
Now, please, the guy who just called me a moron, explain yourself, what's your setup?

Is your PC really up-converting or is it just scaling the image to full screen? What software are you using?

 

[Rio Rebel]

Oppo makes a great player at a great price. I'm sure this player is no exception.

It does interest me, though, why someone would pay more for a 1080p display (when there is virtually no source material in 1080p), but would not be buying an HD-DVD or Blu-Ray player? To me, that seems to be conflicting priorities. Buying a 1080p display now, before there is any significant content in 1080p, says you're willing to pay a premium for the best picture. But then buying a standard DVD player seems to say you're not willing to pay for a clearly superior, readily available HD player because you're either waiting for the "bugs" to be worked out or for one format to win.

Odd. At least to me, it's odd.