Oppo DV-970HD Universal Player, is it for real?

JLM · « **on:** 2 Sep 2006, 05:06 pm »

Is this the latest 4.4 pound, skinny little $150 player to kick sand in the face of the big boys?

http://www.oppodigital.com/dv970hd/dv970hd_faq.html

NuForce has been giving them away with the first 200 integrated's purchased.

Reference Audio Mods is doing their thing with it too.

And there are some favorable (mostly video related though) reviews out there.

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Sep 2006, 05:24 pm »

I am waiting for my unit which is due here next week. I will compare it with my own digital front end to see what the fuzz is all about. I am planning to giving away as a package gift for a friend of mine who got married last month. The least I can do for her and her system.

ted_b · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Sep 2006, 05:41 pm »

AVS has a 2000+ post thread. LOTS of info, about both video and audio. It reportedly sounds better than the 971 whcih I owned for awhile. The 971 (no SACD) had decent sound, except redbook. RB on the 971 is repartedly decent, but dunno what it's compared to. Video-wise, yes it is a clear-cut bargain for HDMI enthusiasts and a nice price-point for an interim deck until the Wars show a clear leader (HD-DVD has clearly won round one, IMO. Too bad, cuz BR has the software selection upper-hand).

timothyharnett · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Sep 2006, 06:11 pm »

Quote from: ted_b on 2 Sep 2006, 05:41 pm

AVS has a 2000+ post thread. LOTS of info, about both video and audio. It reportedly sounds better than the 971 whcih I owned for awhile. The 971 (no SACD) had decent sound, except redbook. RB on the 971 is repartedly decent, but dunno what it's compared to. Video-wise, yes it is a clear-cut bargain for HDMI enthusiasts and a nice price-point for an interim deck until the Wars show a clear leader (HD-DVD has clearly won round one, IMO. Too bad, cuz BR has the software selection upper-hand).

By AVS, which forum do you mean? I have an unmodded one & I do think it is extremely good although outpaced on redbook by my Meridian/Perpetual Tech P1 upsampler/Tag Mclaren.

ted_b · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Sep 2006, 06:19 pm »

Quote from: timothyharnett on 2 Sep 2006, 06:11 pm

Quote from: ted_b on 2 Sep 2006, 05:41 pm
AVS has a 2000+ post thread. LOTS of info, about both video and audio. It reportedly sounds better than the 971 whcih I owned for awhile. The 971 (no SACD) had decent sound, except redbook. RB on the 971 is repartedly decent, but dunno what it's compared to. Video-wise, yes it is a clear-cut bargain for HDMI enthusiasts and a nice price-point for an interim deck until the Wars show a clear leader (HD-DVD has clearly won round one, IMO. Too bad, cuz BR has the software selection upper-hand).

By AVS, which forum do you mean? I have an unmodded one & I do think it is extremely good although outpaced on redbook by my Meridian/Perpetual Tech P1 upsampler/Tag Mclaren.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=682896

Sorry, only 1,979 posts...

musiciseverything · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Sep 2006, 10:44 pm »

I have been very happy with my unit. I had an ISF calibration done and the only aspect that wasn't quite perfect was the gamma and it was only slightly off. Pretty respectable for a $150 player. The SACD and DVD-A is good but not on par with other dedicated players. The Redbook is easily bettered by stand-alone players, but I didn't expect it to be better. I will continue to use my CDP. It will work well for me while the big dogs fight out which format we will get to use for video. By the way my HD-RPTV is older with only component input and the picture is quite good.

JLM · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 10:46 am »

I'm not interested in "good for the money" and "good sounding" as judged by the HT crowd doesn't mean much to me either. And I'm not a fan of spending more on mods than the price of the unit. You can always find an overpriced (and in the fast moving world of players, outdated) chump to compare it to. Besides I've not had good experiences with cheaply built stuff, especially if its got moving parts.

If I didn't already have a player for my (low priority) HT system, I'd try it out with HT use as a fall back.

wshuff · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 01:42 pm »

I think that the real trick with this Oppo is that it allows digital transmission of DVD-A and SACD (converted to PCM) via HDMI. Of course, you have to have a pre/pro with HDMI audio inputs to take advantage of that trick.

ton1313 · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 05:38 pm »

Can anyone name which CDP they compaired it to? I am considering the OPPO, Rotel 1072, or Arcam CD73.

Thanks

timothyharnett · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 07:22 pm »

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=682896

Sorry, only 1,979 posts...

[/quote]

Ted, Thank you very much.

zybar · « **Reply #10 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:01 pm »

Well I am about to fire up for the first time the Oppo 971HD, how similar or different should they be?

I will be using a dvi to hdmi cable into my new Sony KDS-60A2000 rear pj tv.

George

JLM · « **Reply #11 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:37 pm »

George,

Check the FAQ at the oppo site.

Basically the 971 is recommended for screens over 50 inches and the 970 is recommended if audio is a priority.

zybar · « **Reply #12 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 08:48 pm »

Quote from: JLM on 3 Sep 2006, 08:37 pm

George,

Check the FAQ at the oppo site.

Basically the 971 is recommended for screens over 50 inches and the 970 is recommended if audio is a priority.

Thanks.

Looks like I picked wisely as my screen is over 50" and Oppo is just feeding a digital signal to a Denon 3805 receiver.

George

bubba966 · « **Reply #13 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 10:05 pm »

Quote from: zybar on 3 Sep 2006, 08:01 pm

Well I am about to fire up for the first time the Oppo 971HD

I will be using a dvi to hdmi cable into my new Sony KDS-60A2000 rear pj tv.

George

Is that stock or modded?

If stock you really should have Wayne fix it up for you. You'll be pleased that you did...

zybar · « **Reply #14 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 10:57 pm »

Quote from: bubba966 on 3 Sep 2006, 10:05 pm

Is that stock or modded?

If stock you really should have Wayne fix it up for you. You'll be pleased that you did...

Stock.

I still have to send Wayne my x-ls speakers...the Oppo will have to wait.

Plus I need to sell some more gear.

George

Levi · « **Reply #15 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 11:45 pm »

Excellent site for Oppo Digital. You sould see some of my posts there.

I actually owned one and Chad just Calibrated my monitor and Oppo.

This is one of the best bang for the money for picture. Don't forget your firmware upgrade if you don't have the latest.

Quote

Firmware Release

Latest Version: MVer: 05.00.01.07 Batch: 1A-0526
Release Date: May 31, 2006

Summary of Changes in This Release:

This firmware version is the initial public release for the OPPO DV-970HD Universal DVD Player with HDMI and High Definition Up-Conversion. It is already pre-installed in all units shipped on or after the release date.

Quote from: timothyharnett on 3 Sep 2006, 07:22 pm

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=682896

Sorry, only 1,979 posts...

Ted, Thank you very much.

zybar · « **Reply #16 on:** 3 Sep 2006, 11:56 pm »

Thanks for the info Levi.

I bought my Oppo used, so I will upgrade the firmware tonight.

Here is a picture of the new Sony it will be connected to:

George

Levi · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 12:36 am »

You are welcome George. Chad owns an Oppo aswell.

Nice and clean setup!

TIC · « **Reply #18 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 12:43 am »

George,

Can you say backpack?

"Backpack!"

Enjoy,

TIC

zybar · « **Reply #19 on:** 4 Sep 2006, 12:48 am »

Quote from: TIC on 4 Sep 2006, 12:43 am

George,

Can you say backpack?

"Backpack!"

Enjoy,

TIC

Or Map...

Or Swiper...

Tonight I might have to break out an episode of the Tick to counter a day of Dora and Sponge Bob.

George