Oppo 981 arrived yesterday

Mike D · « **on:** 22 Dec 2006, 04:54 pm »

Scott was right about this player. It is incredible. I'll not write a long review, but I will say that it is out of this world.

I am only using an S-video cable to connect it to my 1998 JVC 32" tube television. That probably offends some home theater afficianados. My 1080p TV is on the horizon.

Even with my old TV that doesn't even have component inputs, this player is a significant step up from my Black Gate-loaded JVC XDVDGD 723.

The color, seperation of images, and general smooth appearance is better than I thought possible on a standard S-video television.

BTW, it also reads SACD, HDCD, DVD-A, Kodak discs, and everything else on the market.

fredgarvin · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 05:13 pm »

Good buy Mike! A couple of questions: Does it upscale with component cable, and does it also convert PAL, like the 970. Thanks, Jeff.

ted_b · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 06:05 pm »

No component video with the 981

BobM · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 06:50 pm »

I've been scanning the threads on the 971 and 981. The 971 has component and DVI. The 981 has HDMI (and DVI too I think) but no component connections. All Oppo's are firmware upgradeable from their site, so you can easily get any bug fixes that you may need.

There's way, way, way too much info here if you want to read up on them (I seriously recommend reading the first post, then skipping to the end of the thread):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=491306

What TV are you using it with, and do you see any video anomalies with the Faroudja chip

Enjoy,
Bob

ctviggen · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 06:57 pm »

The 971 doesn't apply any processing to its component outputs, so it might as well have only DVI/HDMI outputs. I compared the 971's interlaced output with the progressive scan output on my Proceed PMDT, and the Proceed's output blew away the 971's in every way imaginable. However, I expect the 971 to shine over DVI. But, I have no way of testing this at the present (my RPTV uses component, and I won't have an overhead projector/screen for a while).

fredgarvin · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 09:07 pm »

I'm in the same boat, component RPTV. The progressive scan is very good, really. I do want the PAL converting so I can but discs from anywhere and not limited to region 1 or NSTC.

Levi · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 11:47 pm »

Congrats on your new Oppo 981! 1080p up-convertion through HDMI. Sweet!

Has anyone compared it to 971H?

I have the 971H connected using DVI/HDMI to my Plasma tv and the video quality is excellent compared to it's luckluster component output. If you have a 971 definitely use the DVI or you are short changing yourself.

Chad our ISF Pro guy recommended only using the DVI/HDMI output of the 971. That's after you had your display ISF Pro calibrated.

Happy Holidays!

jqp · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Dec 2006, 11:59 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 22 Dec 2006, 06:57 pm

However, I expect the 971 to shine over DVI.

Yes it shines over DVI!

I bought it:

1) to take advantage of the DVI input on my Sony 40" tube - a KV-40XBR800. The DVI had never been exploited by me and I hated that, considering how amazing the tube is.

2) it is very highly rated among ALL dvd players for DVI/HDMI output

3) $200

4) plays among other things, divx/xvid video off a burned DVD

I pump the digital audio to my Outlaw 950 via an 8ft fiber optic cable

(The TV can actually "accommodate a copy-protected digital connection (HDCP)" over the DVI jack)