Toshiba Upconverting DVD Player with HDMI Output

[Googer]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/31/oppos-upconverting-dv-970hd-dvd-player/

 

[ironk]

yeah, thats what i was thinking. Plus it has HDMI too. Only thing is that it has a different chipset from the other Oppo model, but so what. This newer model is probably better than the Sony's or pannys since it supports TONS more media and software.

 

[cohenfive]

for those of us who will only use this for non-burned movies won't the panny s52s suffice for $90?

 

[ironk]

i think if you want the closest to the best picture quality with upconversion under $150, get the oppo. I tink $60-70 more is well spent to gain picture quality. Otherwise, go with the panny if your budget is tight...i doubt the panny will give you the same quality, but maybe you'll be satisfied.

 

[cohenfive]

as an aside, i just bought the panny s52s for $92 including shipping from abt electronics (large, highly reputable appliance and electronics store in chicagoland). that's the best i've seen for this unit. added 2 hdmi cables and a switch from monoprice.com and i should be all set.

 

[soloz2]

I ordered an OPPO OPDV971H a couple days ago. it'll be here today

 

[Fritzo]

BTW- If people are worried about HDMI cable prices, Taget sells GE brand HDMI cables for $30-$45 (depending on length).

 

[cohenfive]

Originally posted by: Fritzo
BTW- If people are worried about HDMI cable prices, Taget sells GE brand HDMI cables for $30-$45 (depending on length).

ge probably buys them from monoprice....

 

[zettler]

Originally posted by: videopho
...and since then I have gone to a 3rd different dvi cable, the latest from Monoprice, a very well constructed 24awg gauge size that proves worthy, it offers better/sharper pictue quality than any other previous ones. BTW, none of my dvi cables are longer than 3 ft and cost more than $15.00. I also use the Zektor switcher for all of my dvi switching ie.

Can you provide the links to the apropriate DVI & HDMI cables and switches at Monoprice?

While I am not new to DVD's and Home Theatre, I just bought a JVC HD-ILA 52G786 TV and now I need to upgrade and figure out ALL the nuances with regard to upconverting, etc....

I have a collection of well over 1,850 DVD's and want to see and hear the best I can afford - read that as inexpensive as I can!

It took me forever to figure out even setting up this TV and I am sure I still do not have it set the way it needs to be...and then throw in trying to watch the DVD's and cable programming from InsightBB - OY VEY!

 

[ironk]

I have a collection of well over 1,850 DVD's

:Q

I ordered an OPPO OPDV971H a couple days ago. it'll be here today

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Blues X]

Originally posted by: StormRider
Has anybody done any comparisons between these upconverting DVD players and HD DVD players? I'm hoping that these upconverting DVD players produce output close enough to true HD DVDs so that most people would have trouble telling them apart. I've already invested a lot in my DVD collection (I have over 500 DVDs) and it just pains me to think about upgrading them to HD DVDs...

This might help a little...

Comparison of 'FOTR' dvd & hd screenshots

Being amazed at how fantastic the HD transfer of Fellowship of the Ring looked, I decided to compare it to the transfer on the DVD. Now, the DVD transfer is among the best you can find on DVD, so this really is comparing the respective creams of the crops.

I used WinDVD 6 to capture files from the DVD, and Elecard Mpeg2 player to capture from the HD stream. Both were captured directly to BMP files and converted to JPG at very high quality so there should be almost no artifacting introduced (sorry, the BMP files were too large to use).

I used Photoshop to bicubically resample the DVD source images from 852x480 to match the 1920x1080 of the HD images. This page features the HD image sampled down to the DVD's resolution of 852x480. Surprisingly, even at DVD-resolution the HD source features more detail.

Now, I know that this isn't the same as seeing them in the dvd players. And the upscaling for use as a comparison is questionable.

But, look at the hd shots that were scaled down to dvd resolution. Those tell me that there will be a noticeable difference (if you have a large-enough hdtv) on the hd discs. But, not all movies will really 'need' that difference (i.e. it'll be worth it for eye-candy movies, but maybe not 'Anchorman').

 

[superflysocal]

 

[superflysocal]

Originally posted by: ironk
i think if you want the closest to the best picture quality with upconversion under $150, get the oppo. I tink $60-70 more is well spent to gain picture quality. Otherwise, go with the panny if your budget is tight...i doubt the panny will give you the same quality, but maybe you'll be satisfied.

why do you assume this? This just came out and there is little first hand experience of this unit. Is it just because the last Oppo was pretty decent? But this new one has a different chipset, which changes EVERYTHING. Lack of Faroudja may actually help the macroblocking issue though.

And why has this thread been hijacked...has anyone tried the new toshiba from costco? The main problem with the last one offered by costco was the freezes, otherwise pic quality was decent with no macroblocking.

 

[soloz2]

Originally posted by: ironk

I ordered an OPPO OPDV971H a couple days ago. it'll be here today

Let us know how it turns out.

well I got the Oppo hooked up last night and thus far I really like it. Granted I only watched the Jacket on it, which probably isn't the best of all movies to try it out on, but the picture was crisp and clear.
I've got it connected to my 27" Viewsonic HDTV via DVI and the sound goes to my reciever via the optical digital out.

On a side note, I did order mine from amazon and I got both a DVI and a DVI to HDMI cable with the player. Everything you need to set it up is incluced.

 

[StormRider]

Originally posted by: Blues X

Originally posted by: StormRider
Has anybody done any comparisons between these upconverting DVD players and HD DVD players? I'm hoping that these upconverting DVD players produce output close enough to true HD DVDs so that most people would have trouble telling them apart. I've already invested a lot in my DVD collection (I have over 500 DVDs) and it just pains me to think about upgrading them to HD DVDs...

This might help a little...

Comparison of 'FOTR' dvd & hd screenshots

Being amazed at how fantastic the HD transfer of Fellowship of the Ring looked, I decided to compare it to the transfer on the DVD. Now, the DVD transfer is among the best you can find on DVD, so this really is comparing the respective creams of the crops.

I used WinDVD 6 to capture files from the DVD, and Elecard Mpeg2 player to capture from the HD stream. Both were captured directly to BMP files and converted to JPG at very high quality so there should be almost no artifacting introduced (sorry, the BMP files were too large to use).

I used Photoshop to bicubically resample the DVD source images from 852x480 to match the 1920x1080 of the HD images. This page features the HD image sampled down to the DVD's resolution of 852x480. Surprisingly, even at DVD-resolution the HD source features more detail.

Now, I know that this isn't the same as seeing them in the dvd players. And the upscaling for use as a comparison is questionable.

But, look at the hd shots that were scaled down to dvd resolution. Those tell me that there will be a noticeable difference (if you have a large-enough hdtv) on the hd discs. But, not all movies will really 'need' that difference (i.e. it'll be worth it for eye-candy movies, but maybe not 'Anchorman').

Wow, that's a great site. The difference seems most noticable on images with text (like the map). The letters on the HD version look sharper and more readable. But for some images, it's a little harder to notice the difference. By that I mean you don't really notice that HD looks more sharper because you notice more that it seems darker.

I have a feeling that once a person gets used to HD DVD, then going back to DVD will be really noticable and will seem blurry. But going from DVD to HD DVD, it will be less noticable for most images.

 

[SimMike2]

Originally posted by: Blues X

Originally posted by: StormRider
Has anybody done any comparisons between these upconverting DVD players and HD DVD players? I'm hoping that these upconverting DVD players produce output close enough to true HD DVDs so that most people would have trouble telling them apart. I've already invested a lot in my DVD collection (I have over 500 DVDs) and it just pains me to think about upgrading them to HD DVDs...

This might help a little...

Comparison of 'FOTR' dvd & hd screenshots

Being amazed at how fantastic the HD transfer of Fellowship of the Ring looked, I decided to compare it to the transfer on the DVD. Now, the DVD transfer is among the best you can find on DVD, so this really is comparing the respective creams of the crops.

I used WinDVD 6 to capture files from the DVD, and Elecard Mpeg2 player to capture from the HD stream. Both were captured directly to BMP files and converted to JPG at very high quality so there should be almost no artifacting introduced (sorry, the BMP files were too large to use).

I used Photoshop to bicubically resample the DVD source images from 852x480 to match the 1920x1080 of the HD images. This page features the HD image sampled down to the DVD's resolution of 852x480. Surprisingly, even at DVD-resolution the HD source features more detail.

Now, I know that this isn't the same as seeing them in the dvd players. And the upscaling for use as a comparison is questionable.

But, look at the hd shots that were scaled down to dvd resolution. Those tell me that there will be a noticeable difference (if you have a large-enough hdtv) on the hd discs. But, not all movies will really 'need' that difference (i.e. it'll be worth it for eye-candy movies, but maybe not 'Anchorman').

Those pictures are very dramatic, but depending on your display, the final result might not be as big a difference. It is hard to compare screen captures directly from files with real-world results. That being said, it was very impressive.

 

[kmmatney]

Originally posted by: SimMike2

Originally posted by: Blues X

Originally posted by: StormRider
Has anybody done any comparisons between these upconverting DVD players and HD DVD players? I'm hoping that these upconverting DVD players produce output close enough to true HD DVDs so that most people would have trouble telling them apart. I've already invested a lot in my DVD collection (I have over 500 DVDs) and it just pains me to think about upgrading them to HD DVDs...

This might help a little...

Comparison of 'FOTR' dvd & hd screenshots

Being amazed at how fantastic the HD transfer of Fellowship of the Ring looked, I decided to compare it to the transfer on the DVD. Now, the DVD transfer is among the best you can find on DVD, so this really is comparing the respective creams of the crops.

I used WinDVD 6 to capture files from the DVD, and Elecard Mpeg2 player to capture from the HD stream. Both were captured directly to BMP files and converted to JPG at very high quality so there should be almost no artifacting introduced (sorry, the BMP files were too large to use).

I used Photoshop to bicubically resample the DVD source images from 852x480 to match the 1920x1080 of the HD images. This page features the HD image sampled down to the DVD's resolution of 852x480. Surprisingly, even at DVD-resolution the HD source features more detail.

Now, I know that this isn't the same as seeing them in the dvd players. And the upscaling for use as a comparison is questionable.

But, look at the hd shots that were scaled down to dvd resolution. Those tell me that there will be a noticeable difference (if you have a large-enough hdtv) on the hd discs. But, not all movies will really 'need' that difference (i.e. it'll be worth it for eye-candy movies, but maybe not 'Anchorman').

Those pictures are very dramatic, but depending on your display, the final result might not be as big a difference. It is hard to compare screen captures directly from files with real-world results. That being said, it was very impressive.

Yep, very impressive, but the end result depends on the display de3vices resolution as well

BUT - what about the Costco DVD player? Has anyone purchased one in the last few weeks, and are some of the issues fixed? The coupon price starts in 2 days!

 

[Atrail]

bump

 

[ironk]

why do you assume this? This just came out and there is little first hand experience of this unit. Is it just because the last Oppo was pretty decent? But this new one has a different chipset, which changes EVERYTHING.

Actually yeah...i know that the chipset changes everything, however, you just gotta go with oppo. They have proven to be pretty darn good with upconverting....

Yeah, that is based on their last model, no proof here.

 

[funboy6942]

Just to put my 2 cents into this.
I own this Sony 400 Disc player I will be selling very soon and it up converts but truth be told my HTPC with a X1800xt running a dvi to hdmi to my 65" Toshiba HD tv spanks the Sony BIG TIME.

The picture is soooo much clearer and crisp. I have the Sony configured correctly and if your looking for the best picture possable aside of blu-ray I would suggest putting together a cheap HT setup with the X1800xt card and use it to watch all of your svcd, dvd's, and divx movies. With the PC, wireless keyboard and mouse, very large external HDDs loaded with your movies, a external DVD drive set up with a long ass usb cord you dont have to move from your chair

I have to be honest I dont know if a agp HT system would look as good for the x1xxxxt series cards have a built in HD decoder that is supposed to make all the movies no matter what they are (including games) look great on HD sets and I can say my games look better on my TV with the X1800xt card then they did on my 22" Compaq P1210 crt monitor or my Olevia 32" LCD.

Just my 2 cents for thoes looking for the best in video content on thier HD sets like me. Cheap is good but what I have kicks ass for years to come and plays everything without a hitch and does so much more.

 

[estew33]

Originally posted by: MOCKBA1
Just want to add that DV-970HD is $50 cheaper, and what is more important it has descrete on/off remote codes. So go for this player and do not look further.

What are descrete on/off remote codes
thanks
ed

 

[ironk]

dunno.

 

[Pinan]

Thanks OP. Picked one up today. The only thing missing from this player is multi-disc resume (which is very cool to have). Other that that it's fine, especially for $60.

 

[ElDiablo]

Discrete on/off codes means that the remote sends a different signal for on/off instead of just having a toggle. This can be nice on higher end remotes (like my harmony 880) where you have macros that turn on multiple components. With a discrete code, you don't need to worry about whether it's on or off, pressing on always turns it on and pressing it off always turns it off.

Drew

 

[matrix5646]

bought this yesterday...watched underworld 2 on it..looks great...and no skipping or pausing between the layers like my old one..so im excited.