Updated 11/13/2008: DV983H-18-1108 Firmware Released (http://oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-18-1108.html)
Updated 09/16/2008: DV983H-11-0910 Firmware Released (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-11-0910.html)
Updated 07/12/2008: Playback Magazine Review (http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200807/?folio=1)
Updated 06/27/2008: DV983H-07-0619 Firmware Released (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-07-0619.html)
Updated 06/25/2008: Audioholics (Clint DeBoer) Review (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transports/dvd-players/oppo-dv-983h)
Updated 06/02/2008: DVD Times (David Mackenzie) Review (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=67760)
Updated 05/09/2008: DV983H-06-0430 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-06-0430.html) Firmware released
Updated 04/18/2008: CNET (David Katzmaier) Review (http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/oppo-dv-983h/4505-6463_7-32896592.html)
Updated 04/10/2008: HDTV Solutions (Dick De Jong) Review (http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/OPPO_DV-983H_DVD_Player_Review.htm)
Updated 04/07/2008: DV983H-06-0406 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-06-0406.html) Firmware Released
Updated 03/25/2008: About.com (Robert Silva) Review (http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdproductreviews/fr/oppodv983full.htm)
Updated 03/20/2008: Jeffhdz DV-983H Versus PS3 Comparison (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13357573#post13357573)
Updated 03/20/2008: HDTVPodcast Review (http://www.htguys.com/archive/2008/March18.html)
Updated 03/20/2008: Darthfunk Mini Review (Singapore) (http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=52599.msg383979#msg383979)
Updated 03/10/2008: wmcclain (Bill McClain) Beta Wrapup (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13342161#post13342161)
Updated 03/10/2008: Gonk's DV-983H Review (http://www.prillaman.net/oppo983_review.html)

OPPO Receives First Ever 100/100 on Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cd-dvd-player-product-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---a-secrets-dvd-benchmark-review.html) DVD Player Benchmark

DV-983H Universal DVD Player (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/default.asp)

DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Redbook CD and HDCD Universal Playback with Precision Track 3™ Drive Mechanism

VRS™ by Anchor Bay (Video Reference Series) Video Processing Technologies – Precision De-interlacing™ and Precision Video Scaling™ to 1080p

Optimized Power Supply and Audio Circuitry, High Resolution Audio Digital-to-Analog Converters, 7.1CH Surround Sound and Audiophile-Level Sound Quality


Feature Highlights


Great Picture:

Advanced video processing featuring "VRS™ by Anchor Bay" technologies: Precision De-interlacing™ Precision Video Scaling™ Progressive Cadence Detection™, and AutoCUE-C™

High definition up-conversion with film-like picture quality and up to 1080p “Full HD” resolution

HDMI output with exceptional core video performance

Component video output with 108MHz 12-bit D/A converters


Great Sound:

7.1-channel audio with Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding

Digital audio output via optical, coaxial and HDMI with DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro-Logic II support

HDMI audio output supporting bit-stream and uncompressed multi-channel high resolution audio

24-bit, 192kHz, 8-channel high resolution audio D/A converters

Optimized analog audio stage and isolated audio power supply


Broad Compatibility:

PAL and NTSC compatible with multiple output formats – NTSC: 1080p/1080i/720p/480p, PAL: 1080p/1080i/720p/576p

Compatible with Kodak Picture CD, Windows Media Audio and other digital audio/video/picture on CD-R/RW and DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL discs*

Precision Track 3™ drive mechanism with dual-laser optical pickup head and excellent error correction

Wide range universal power supply (~100-240V, 50/60Hz AC)

Ultimate Convenience:

USB 2.0 interface for video, picture and music playback

High resolution photo slide show

RS232 and external IR in/out remote control integration

Multi-disc resume, various play mode (repeat, A-B repeat, shuffle, random and bookmark)

* Compatibility with user-encoded contents or user-created discs is on a best effort basis with no guarantee due to the variation of media, software and techniques used.


Details of Features


Universal DVD Player Features:

DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Video universal playback
Compatible with Audio CD, HDCD, WMA, Kodak Picture CD, and other digital audio/video/picture media and formats* (*Note: The DV-983H does not play Blu-Ray nor HD-DVD discs)
High resolution picture slide show
Plays XviD and .SRT, .SMI, .IDX and .SUB format
Compatible with CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW and DVD±R DL* (*Note: Compatibility with user-encoded contents or user-created discs is on a best effort basis with no guarantee due to the variation of media, software and techniques used. For example, Discs recorded on some stand-alone DVD recorders or DVD camcorders may not exhibit smooth playback.)

Video Up-Conversion Features:

High definition up-conversion with increased picture clarity. Up-converts standard definition video on DVD discs to 480p/720p/1080i and 1080p Full HD resolutions.
Motion-adaptive, edge-adaptive and inverse telecine progressive scan technology to produce a smooth and natural looking image.
High-quality pure digital video and audio through a single HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable
Multiple high definition output formats – NTSC: 1080p/1080i/720p/480p, PAL: 1080p/1080i/720p/576p
Compatible with HDTV, HD-Ready TV, HDTV monitors and projectors with an HDMI or DVI input (HDCP support is required)
PAL and NTSC compatible with system conversion
Supports screen aspect ratio 4:3 (standard) and 16:9 (wide-screen)
User adjustable video controls: Sharpness, Contrast, Brightness, Hue, Saturation, Gamma and Y/C Delay
Component video output with progressive scan (Up-converting over component output is only available for unencrypted DVD discs such as home video and consumer-created contents. Most commercially pressed DVD discs are CSS-encrypted and will be limited to 480i/480p output over component. HDMI output is protected with HDCP and has no such restriction.)
Composite video and S-Video outputs (standard-definition output only)

Convenience Features:

User selectable aspect ratio control modes: 1:1, stretch, letterbox, pillarbox, underscan, and various zoom levels
USB 2.0 interface for video, picture and music playback
Smooth and easy navigation of photo albums, music collections and video files on DVD and CD
Selectable subtitle and audio tracks
Discrete ON/OFF remote control IR code for programmable universal remote controls
10-disc memory resume

Optimized Audio Features:

High-resolution multi-channel digital audio output through HDMI supporting CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, Dolby Digital and DTS sound tracks. (Requires compatible A/V receiver)
Individual analog 7.1-channel surround outputs, compatible with 5.1-channel and down-mixed stereo.
Dolby Digital Surround EX decoding
24-bit, 192kHz, 8-channel high resolution audio D/A converters
Optical and coaxial digital audio outputs with DTS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro-Logic II and Linear PCM support
Built-in equalizer, channel trim, channel delay and lip-sync (audio delay) functions

Connectors:

HDMI - High Definition Multimedia Interface: 1
Component Video (YPbPr/YCbCr): 1 group (3 RCA connectors)
Analog 7.1-Channel Audio: 1 group (8 RCA connectors, may be configured as 5.1-channel or stereo)
S/PDIF (IEC-958) Coaxial Digital Audio: 1 (RCA connector)
S/PDIF (IEC-958) Optical Digital Audio: 1 (TOSLINK connector)
Composite Video: 1 (RCA connector)
S-Video: 1 (S-Video connector)
USB 2.0: 1
AC Power Inlet: 1 (IEC60-320 C18 type)

Compatibility Features:

Dual-laser optical pickup head with excellent error correction
Enhanced dual-layer disc support with fast layer change
Wide range universal power supply (~100V-240V, 50/60Hz AC)

Package Contents:

DV-983H DVD player
Remote control with glow in the dark keypad (batteries included)
High-quality certified HDMI cable with gold-plated HDMI connectors
Heavy gauge power cord
A/V cable
User manual and warranty information

USER MANUAL (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/download/DV-983H%20English%20Manual.pdf)

REVIEWS

Kris Deering (Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity) (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cd-dvd-player-product-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---a-secrets-dvd-benchmark-review.html)
"The tentative release date of the Oppo DV-983H is March 10, 2008, and if you’re looking for reference video playback performance, this is it. Oppo has produced one heck of a machine. Its performance matches any design I’ve tested to date, and its performance via HDMI with both video and audio is outstanding. My highest recommendation."

John E. Johnson, Jr. (Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity) (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/dvd-player-and-cd-player-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---the-rest-of-the-story.html)
"First of all, while I was testing the audio, I took the opportunity to enjoy DVDs as well, and I must say, I have not seen SD DVD look any better than this. I did not see any problems at all. So, it looks like this will be our reference DVD player for reviewing SD DVDs in the Movie Renter's Guide."

"While it is likely we will all be using HDMI from our DVD players to send both audio and video to our SSPs or receivers in the near future, measurement of the analog performance of players is still an indicator of build quality, and the Oppo DV-983H is excellent in this regard."

CNET (David Katzmaier) Review - 8.4/10 Score (http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/oppo-dv-983h/4505-6463_7-32896592.html)
The good: Excellent image quality on DVDs; can upscale to 1080p; plays DVD-Audio and SACD discs over HDMI output; 7.1 analog outputs; USB port for playing DivX, MP3 and JPEG files; excellent aspect-ratio controls and zooming; can be made region-free with a simple hack; also plays PAL discs.

The bad: Very expensive for a standard-definition disc player; remote is cluttered with buttons; Blu-ray discs look much better than DVDs.

The bottom line: The Oppo DV-983H is pretty much the ultimate standard-def disc player, but its high price means videophiles on a budget can get a better bang for their buck.

Audioholics (Clint DeBoer) (http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/transports/dvd-players/oppo-dv-983h) - Performance Rating: 4/5 Value Rating: 5/5
Pros
* Pristine video performance
* Bargain upconverting player
* Standard power cable

Cons
* Tough sell in current marketplace
* Rudimentary bass management
* Fixed crossover (when engaged)

PlayBack Magazine (http://magazine.playbackmag.net/playback/200807/?folio=1) - 9/10 Overall Value
Thumbs Up
Killer DVD image quality that really shows what a good upscaling player can do.
Sound quality hinges on good resolution, vibrant tonal colors, and terrific three-dimensionality -- a sweet combination if ever we heard one
Excellent user interface

Thumbs Down
Can sometimes sound slightly brihgt on CD playback
Makes more costly players nervous -- very nervous

Gonk's DV-983H Review (http://www.prillaman.net/oppo983_review.html)
After over a year and a half of turmoil, posturing, and conflict, we have come to the end of the HD format war. As a side-effect of the war and Blu-ray's final victory, there has been something of a decline in effort being put into standard DVD players by some manufacturers. It is into that environment that OPPO Digital is introducing a statement piece: a universal DVD player with a potent video processing section and a bit more polish than earlier OPPO players. At a price point of $399 for a DVD player in 2008, it's clear that OPPO doesn't expect this to be a player that sets sales records for them (that's what the 980H is for). Instead, it has been developed as a flagship player, and in that role it excels. If you aren't ready to buy into Blu-ray or if you want a player that will wring the most performance possible out of your existing DVD library, the 983H is a player that could serve you well for many years to come.

HDTVPodcast Review (http://www.htguys.com/archive/2008/March18.html)
We really liked the Oppo Digital DV-983H. So who should spend $399 on it? If you are really into movies and have a large collection of DVDs this is the player that will do the best with everything you have. If you have a front projector and don't want to spend $3000 on a video processor this player will do the same thing, at least for your DVDs, for a fraction of the cost. If you are a videophile and you want the absolute best video performance the 983 is for you. Finally, if you just can't bring yourself to buying a Blu Ray Player this is the unit for you.

About.com (Robert Silva) (http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdproductreviews/fr/oppodv983full.htm)
... the DV-983H produced excellent results in terms of detail, color, video noise reduction, moire pattern detection and elimination, and frame cadence detection. The video quality also bore out in real world DVD playback as well ...

Audio performance of the DV-983H was also excellent. Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound options worked well, with excellent imaging. CD, DVD-Audio, and SACD playback audio reproduction was solid. I did not sense any shortcomings that could be attributed to the DV-983H.

HDTV Solutions (Dick De Jong) Review (http://www.hdtvsolutions.com/OPPO_DV-983H_DVD_Player_Review.htm)
In the world of upconverting DVD players, the OPPO DV-983H is a videophile's dream machine

DVD Times (David Mackenzie) Review (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=67760)
Oppo’s DV-983H is one hell of a DVD player. If you don’t already have a Blu-ray Disc player, I’d advise that you put one of those on your shopping list before you go after DVD near-perfection ... When the time comes to squeeze more performance out of your standard-def back catalogue – or if you aren’t ready to take the Blu plunge just yet – then put the 983 at the top of your list. I would be lying if I were to say the player was perfect (in particular I’d like to see it’s auto-detection for PAL film content improved). But I’d also be lying if I were to say I could think of a better overall DVD player than this.

REGION UNLOCKING

Press Setup.
Press "9210" in quick succession. A new window will appear.
Press "0". Your region is now multi-region.
Press Setup to Exit.

FIRMWARE
Version: DV983H-05-0303 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-05-0303.html)
Category: Initial Firmware Release
Release Date: March 10, 2008
Release Notes: Initial Firmware Release

Version: DV983H-06-0406 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-06-0406.html)
Category: Minor Update
Release Date: April 7, 2008
Release Notes:

1. Improvement for Audio Drop-out Issue with Certain HDMI A/V Receiver Models

This version contains adjustment to HDMI audio information exchange with A/V receivers equipped with HDMI ports. The improvement solves the audio drop-out issue that a few users experience with their Pioneer VSX-94TXi and VSX-84TXSi receivers at 1080p resolution.

2. More Reliable Detection of DVD Aspect Ratio (4:3 or 16:9)

This version enhances the detection of DVD aspect ratio. OPPO beta test participants and some users have identified a limited number of DVD discs that contain inconsistent aspect ratio flags. When played on a DV-983H with previous firmware versions, these discs could be displayed with an incorrect aspect ratio. For example, a 16:9 movie could be displayed as 4:3. This version resolves the issue. The issue only affects users who set the "TV Display" setup menu option is set to "16:9 Wide/Auto". With this setting, the DV-983H automatically detects the aspect ratio of the DVD video program. If the program is 4:3 aspect ratio, the player adds borders in order to display the video correctly on a 16:9 screen.

3. Bass Management for 96k Source

This firmware version optimizes the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) usage and adds bass management for audio sources that are encoded in 96kHz sample rate. When the front speakers are set to "Small" and subwoofer is set to "On", the DV-983H can redirect bass from the front channels to the LFE subwoofer channel. This improvement applies to DVD-Video and DVD-Audio discs. It is in addition to bass management already supported in previous firmware releases for sources with less than 96k sample rate (CD, DVD-Audio/Video and SACD).

4. Improved Transition between CD Audio Tracks

This firmware version improves the transition between CD audio tracks. The improvement is noticeable on certain discs that have very tight transition between two tracks, and discs that start with a very strong note.

5. Improvements Based on User Provided Materials

This firmware version includes improvements made to enhance compatibility with some user provided materials. Although the product specification disclaims "Compatibility with user-encoded contents or user-created discs is on a best effort basis with no guarantee due to the variation of media, software and techniques used," OPPO tries very hard to accommodate customers' reasonable compatibility requests. This firmware version enhances compatibility to some DVD+R and DVD-R media, large Xvid files on USB drives, visibility/color of SRT subtitles, and recorded DVD with MPEG2 audio. These improvements are based on materials submitted by users. Thanks to all who provided materials for testing.

Version: DV983H-06-0430 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-06-0430.html)
Category: Minor Update
Release Date: May 9, 2008
Release Notes:

1. Improvement for Audio/Video Drop-out Issue with Certain Combination of HDMI A/V Receivers and Displays

This version contains adjustment to HDMI video clock timing to enhance compatibility with certain combination of HDMI A/V receivers and displays. By adjusting the relative timing between the video clock and video data, the new firmware leaves more safety margin for clock and data time variation along the HDMI signal chain. As a result, the audio/video drop-out issue that some users reported has been fixed.

Version: DV983H-07-0619, 07-0709, 08-0709 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-07-0619.html)
(All three batch numbers correspond to the same firmware release and contain the same feature/improvement set. Different batch numbers are used in different production runs.)
Category: Minor Update
Release Date: June 25, 2008
Release Notes:

1. SACD Priority
With this version, when a user selects an SACD layer (Multi-channel, Stereo, CD Mode) using the "AUDIO" button during SACD playback, the selection is no longer permanently stored as the "SACD Priority" setup menu choice. The change also resolves a problem of inadvertently changing "SACD Priority" when an SACD disc without a certain layer is played. Users can use the "SACD Priority" setup menu to specify a general preference of which layer to play by default, and can temporarily change the selection by pressing the "AUDIO" button during SACD playback.

2. Sample Rate for 176.4kHz DVD-Audio Discs
Previous firmware versions down-samples 176.4kHz DVD-Audio to 44.1kHz. This version no longer does it. When a connected HDMI receiver can handle 176.4kHz sample rate, the audio is sent over HDMI at 176.4kHz sample rate. Other sample rates do not have the down-sample problem, and are not affected by this version. DVD-Audio discs using 176.4kHz sample rate are rare but a few titles were released this way.


Version: DV983H-11-0910 (http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-11-0910.html)
Category: Beta Test Version
Release Date: September 16, 2008
Release Notes:

1. PAL 4:3 DVD Aspect Ratio Detection
This version enhances the detection of PAL DVD aspect ratio. When played on a DV-983H with previous firmware versions, some PAL 4:3 DVD discs could be displayed with an incorrect aspect ratio. For example, a 4:3 movie could be displayed as 16:9 even when the "TV Display" setup menu option "16:9 Wide/Auto". With this firmware version, the DV-983H automatically detects the aspect ratio of the DVD video program. If the program is 4:3 aspect ratio, the player adds borders in order to display the video correctly on a 16:9 screen.

2. Proper Aspect Ratio for Analog Video Output
Previous firmware versions always output full screen video through the player's analog output (Component, S-Video and Video), simply because the DV-983H is designed to be used with an HDMI-equipped display device. Users can override the full screen output by setting the "TV Display" setup menu option, but any interruption of playback will restore the video to full screen. With this firmware version, when the "Primary Output" setup menu option is set to "Component" and no HDMI cable is plugged in, the aspect ratio chosen by setting the "TV Display" setup menu option will be applied. Interruption of playback, such as pausing, fast forwarding or reversing will not change the selected aspect ratio. The user still needs to select the aspect ratio at the beginning of the playback by changing the "TV Display" setup menu option. OPPO is working on applying automatic aspect ratio detection to the analog output.

Version: DV983H-18-1108 (http://oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h-firmware-18-1108.html)
Category: Beta Test Version
Release Date: November 13, 2008
Release Notes:

Improved SACD Error Handling

When playing certain SACDs and the player encounters an encoding error on the disc, previous firmware versions skip to the next track. This version handles the situation more gracefully - it ignores the error and continues to play the track. So far only two such SACD titles are identified - "Heathen by David Bowie" and "All the Way ... A Decade of Song by Celine Dion". Our test indicated that when the error is ignored there is no audible glitch.

Undocumented

In the previous Beta Firmware, the player would not produce a HDMI image you had the ABT1018/102 hardware revisions and pressed Power on the remote control or the front panel of the player. It required that you press Eject to turn On the player. This firmware fixes this error, so Power will now properly engage the HDMI output for all hardware revisions.

Firmware Upgrade Instructions
USB Upgrade Instructions
1. Download *.BIN from OPPO Digital.
2. Copy the downloaded file to a USB thumb drive (or a flash memory card if you have a compatible card reader). Rename the file to 983.BIN. It is important that you must rename the file and use upper-case characters for the file name.
3. Turn on your TV display and the OPPO player. Insert the USB thumb drive or flash memory card reader to the USB slot. Open the player tray, and then close the tray with no disc in it.
4. The player will find the firmware file on the USB thumb drive or flash memory card. You will see "Press Play To Start" on your TV display. Press the PLAY key on the remote or the player once. The TV display shows "File Copying" and then "UPGRADING."
5. When the front panel display of the OPPO player starts counting "01/32", "02/32" and so on, remove the USB thumb drive or flash memory card reader from the USB slot. DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. What follows is the process when the player will reboot itself.
6. DO NOT PRESS ANY BUTTONS NOR ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE TRAY NOR UNPLUG THE POWER DURING THE REMAINING UPGRADE PROCESS.
7. After approximately 1 - 2 minutes, the player reboots itself to complete the process. The update process is completed when the front panel of the DVD player shows "No Disc".
8. Press the "OSD" button on the remote control to verify the new firmware version.
9. The new firmware may affect your HDMI output resolution and setup menu settings. To ensure you have the correct settings, turn off and then turn on the player. Press the HDMI button on the remote control to set the desired output resolution. Adjust the setup menu settings if necessary.
10. Congratulations! You have just completed the firmware upgrade.

CD-R Upgrade Instructions
1. Download the firmware ISO.
2. Burn a CD from the downloaded ISO image file. Be sure to burn the CD as an ISO image file, not a data file. The CD should contain a 983.BIN file if you burned it successfully. Please consult your CD burning software's help/instruction manual for more information on how to do this. Some general instruction for common CD burning software is listed below.
3. Turn on your TV display and the OPPO player. Open the player tray and insert the firmware CD, and then close the tray.
4. As soon as the CD is loaded, you will see "Press Play To Start" on your TV display. Press the PLAY key on the remote or the player once. The TV display shows "File Copying" and then "UPGRADING"
5. In about 8 seconds, the CD will be ejected. Remove the CD quickly; DO NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE. What follows is the process when the player will reboot itself.
6. DO NOT PRESS ANY BUTTONS NOR ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE TRAY NOR UNPLUG THE POWER DURING THE REMAINING UPGRADE PROCESS.
7. After approximately 1 - 2 minutes, the player reboots itself and closes the tray automatically to complete the process. The update process is completed when the front panel of the DVD player shows "No Disc".
8. Press the "OSD" button on the remote control to verify the new firmware version.
9. The new firmware may affect your HDMI output resolution and setup menu settings. To ensure you have the correct settings, turn off and then turn on the player. Press the HDMI button on the remote control to set the desired output resolution. Adjust the setup menu settings if necessary.
10. Congratulations! You have just completed the firmware upgrade.

The Big Four Caveats: Or Why We Should Never See These Features Asked For Again

No 1080p/24Hz Support
Many of you asked about a 1080p 24Hz mode. The ABT1018 scaler and frame rate converter in the 983H is capable of generating the 1080p24Hz timing and converting 50Hz or 60Hz input to 24Hz. However the frame rate conversion is not locked to the original cadence of the program. This is due to the ABT1018 scaler/frame rate converter is a separate chip from the ABT102 de-interlacer, and there is no cadence information passed between the two chips. As a result, the 1080p 24Hz output will have judder. This defeats the purpose of having a 24Hz output for film-based material. We decide not to offer 1080p 24Hz output on the 983H.

No SACD DSD
Due to the insertion of the ABT video processor chipset in the signal path, the DV-983H cannot output DSD in its native format via HDMI. This is because adding the video processor chipset requires an external HDMI transmitter, but the decoder chip does not have native DSD output to feed into an external HDMI transmitter. The DV-980H uses the HDMI transmitter built into the decoder chip, and can get DSD data internally.

No 480i/576i Over HDMI
Again due to the insertion of the ABT video processor chip, 480i/576i over HDMI is not possible on the DV-983H. 480i/576i over HDMI requires pixel repetition and double clocking. This is not possible because the output from the decoder chip is not pixel repeated.

Beyond this, 480i/576i is not necessary for this product. You are purchasing the DV-983H for its ABT de-interlacing and scaling prowess. If you are looking for a video transport, there are cheaper alternatives, such as the DV-980H. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=879341)

No Custom Resolutions
The ABT1018 scaler has some potential to support custom resolution. A major limitation is that the video timing clock must be derived from the input video clock using a PLL, which has a limited range. Due to the variation of custom resolution timing in different display devices, we will not officially offer custom resolution support. The DV-983H will initially offer no custom resolution support. After we get the standard features released, we will work with ABT to develop output timing for a limited set of custom resolution. Some custom resolutions may not be support due to the PLL cannot generate the required clock. The DVDO VP30/50 series video processor uses an external clock synthesizer chip to generate clock for custom resolutions. The external clock synthesizer solution is too expensive to put into the DV-983H. It is also too difficult to set up for non-expert users.

I realize that the Oppo DV-983H beats the Denon 2930ci and 3930ci on the Secrets benchmarks.

Can anyone who has seen the picture quality of the DV-983H comment on whether the upsacled picture quality is better or worse than the Denon 2930ci and/or 3930ci?

Can you describe the difference? (less noise, sharper, softer, etc.)

I am only interested in upscaled PQ (1080i and 1080P) not interested in differences in DACs, audio, etc. I will not be using an external scaler.

Thanks,

Abe

Advanced video processing featuring VRS™ by Anchor Bay technologies: Precision De-interlacing™, Precision Video Scaling™, Progressive Cadence Detection™, AutoCUE-C™, fine detail and edge enhancement


The 983 uses two Anchor Bay chips, the ABT102 (technically, it is an FPGA) and the ABT1018. Precison Deinterlacing, Precision Video Scaling, AutoCUE-C, and RightRate Framerate Converion are all supported technologies using this solution. Fine Detail Enhancement and Edge Enhancement are technologies that are exclusive to the ABT2010.

Don't kill the messenger. This was a boilerplate sent to me by OPPO. I will be updating it once the official specifications are released in two weeks.

Well I've pre ordered mine with 2 day shipping so I'll be one of the first to get their mitts on this thing. I'll post pics if I can figure out how.:)

I ordered mine with two day shipping, too. :cool:

Do I recall reading on another thread that the remote codes for all the OPPO players are the same? Or, to be more specific, will the remote codes for the 981 work for the 983?

Dana

Do I recall reading on another thread that the remote codes for all the OPPO players are the same? Or, to be more specific, will the remote codes for the 981 work for the 983?
The 983H includes a few buttons that the 981HD lacked (capture button, DVD/USB button), so there will be differences. In general, though, the two are fairly interchangeable. The 980H and 983H are even more similar.

I have a 40" Sony Bravia XBR 1 and I was wondering if by any chance the 983 will allow me to compensate for the 5% overscan on this set. Anyone? I have been ploughing through the other Oppo 983 thread for an answer to this but found nothing. Thast search in itself was prompted by a request to Oppo's Customer Service asking if any of their players would be able to handle this. It was implied (or I inferred) in their answer (back in January) that the 983 might be able to, but I had to wait until the final specs were confirmed.

So.... what are my chances? Am I in luck? Or do I still have to wait until there's an official announcement.

Thanks in advance

StevenPK

I have a 40" Sony Bravia XBR 1 and I was wondering if by any chance the 983 will allow me to compensate for the 5% overscan on this set. Anyone? I have been ploughing through the other Oppo 983 thread for an answer to this but found nothing. Thast search in itself was prompted by a request to Oppo's Customer Service asking if any of their players would be able to handle this. It was implied (or I inferred) in their answer (back in January) that the 983 might be able to, but I had to wait until the final specs were confirmed.

So.... what are my chances? Am I in luck? Or do I still have to wait until there's an official announcement.

Thanks in advance

StevenPK

I can't be specific, but you are in luck.

-Bill

Ya, hopefully Oppo will be able to implement an underscan feature for the DV-980H so I can use that feature on my living room tv. I've been asking for that for two years. ;)

Is there any additional video file support with the 983 like .mkv, mp4, H.264?

Do I recall reading on another thread that the remote codes for all the OPPO players are the same? Or, to be more specific, will the remote codes for the 981 work for the 983?

Same remote code. This is why I havn't used the DV-983H remote.

Is there any additional video file support with the 983 like .mkv, mp4, H.264?

No. You will likely have to wait for a BD player for those functionalities.

In regards to CD playback sound quality...

is it going to be more like or better than 980 or 981?

thanks.

N

PS: I pre-ordered mine. I just sold my 971 to a friend, so the buy in was not bad :)

I can't be specific, but you are in luck.

-Bill

Thanks!! So, after much deliberation between this and a high end multi-purpose HTPC, I think my mind has just changed back to this again. And it's my birthday in 2 weeks!

Happy daze!

StevenPK

In regards to CD playback sound quality...

is it going to be more like the more like or better than 980 or 981?

thanks.

N

PS: I pre-ordered mine. I just sold my 971 to a friend, so the buy in was not bad :)

I got the same question. I heard it would be similar to the 980, but that's about it. The last I read about the 983, it was stated that it could be better than the 980 due to upgraded power supplies, analog outs, etc. Is there any clarification on this? I already have a 981 and am using the analog outs for 2-channel listening BTW. I'm kinda looking at this or the Onkyo dx-7555 for 2.1 channel listening.:o

No clarification at this time. All I can say, just like other people, is that it is better.

Any word on how to order (or pre-order) the 983 in Canada?

Try the following people:
http://solutionsav.ca/index.html

They are not listed on Oppos website as an official reseller but if you e-mail Oppo, they will tell you about these guys as well.
Thats how I found out about them as I couldnt find the reseller link when I first looked.

This is the information they just gave me this morning.

Havent received an answer on whether they are taking pre-orders or not.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
We should have it by the end of the month, pricing at $397, same shipping
options as the other players. Preorders will receive free shipping.

-Andrew

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 9:21 AM
To: info@solutionsav.ca
Subject: Oppo 983 Info Request

Hi all,

Oppo already has it on pre-order.
http://www.oppodigital.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DV983H

Just wondering when you guys are planning to get it in.

Thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The only other place I know of in Canada that sells Oppos officially and is listed as a reseller on their website is the following:
http://www.onlybestrated.com/dvd-players-c-21.html

I havent talked to them yet and probably wont as I would have to pay shipping to get it to me and the people listed first are in Toronto within public transit range and they will ship it for free anyway.

Hope this helps.

Anyone have a softcopy of the manual yet?

Anyone have a softcopy of the manual yet?

yes

I realize that the Oppo DV-983H beats the Denon 2930ci and 3930ci on the Secrets benchmarks.

Can anyone who has seen the picture quality of the DV-983H comment on whether the upsacled picture quality is better or worse than the Denon 2930ci and/or 3930ci?

Can you describe the difference? (less noise, sharper, softer, etc.)

I am only interested in upscaled PQ (1080i and 1080P) not interested in differences in DACs, audio, etc. I will not be using an external scaler.

Thanks,

Abe

+1

yes

I see you're living up to your name :-)

I'm interested in any functional differences between this new player and existing models. Any way you can share what you've found? I'm not looking for spec differences but more user related differences.

sjschaff, The picture on a large screen looks substantially better, anything more may violate my NDA. One more week guys, one more week...;):)

Can anyone give an opinion on how this compares to SD's on the XA2?

Can anyone give an opinion on how this compares to SD's on the XA2?

A lot of people say the XA2 makes the picture look "plastic like". The 983 will make the pic look very film like and with lots of depth. The pics from both look good, but I like the 983 better. I also believe the 983 has better deinterlacing.

Pre-Order DV-983H (http://www.oppodigital.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DV983H). Estimated Ship Date is March 10.

Optimized analog audio stage and isolated audio power supply





Does the 980H also have this feature?

No and yes. No as the power supply is not isolated. Yes as in the power supply and sound stage have been optimized. The Dv-983H just takes it a step further.

You know what I'd like? A frickin' shipping notification. I mean, I preordered a few days ago. I don't want to wait until next week.

Just terrible service. I think I'll cancel and head down to Walmart.

Or maybe I need a time machine.

I know, it was a joke. I'm waiting like the rest of us. :)

You didn't get it when I said head down to Walmart?

I know, it was a joke. I'm waiting like the rest of us. :)

You didn't get it when I said head down to Walmart?

Well, you said it twice and I still don't get the WM referance:confused::).

Oppo DV-983H users manual version 1.0

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/images/stories/march-2008/oppo-dv-983h-dvd-player-instruction-manual.pdf

Oppo Digital DV-983H DVD Player - The Rest of the Story (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/dvd-player-and-cd-player-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---the-rest-of-the-story.html) includes some images now.

Availability: Sold Out. Check back in early April. ..........YIKES

Availability: Sold Out. Check back in early April. ..........YIKES

Those who waited will have to wait even longer now. I wonder how much they will end up costing on ebay :) Im glad I did not hesitate.

Those who waited will have to wait even longer now. I wonder how much they will end up costing on ebay :) Im glad I did not hesitate.

$699 BuyItNow... choose BIN and get free 3day shipping. ;)
(not really, just kidding :))

OPPO Digital has posted a commentary and chart comparing the features of the 983, the 981 and the 980 models here http://www.oppodigital.com/dv983h/dv983h_comp.asp

Dana

The NDA was lifted this morning, so here is a summary of my beta test notes.

My display is a Westinghouse LVM-37w3. I did no audio testing. I tested media
files using the downloadable disc from divxtest.com.

OVERALL

The 983 video image is sharp like the 980 but retains the film-like appearance
of the 981. The 981 appears soft by comparison.

PAL playback is as good as the 981, better than the 980.

The only deinterlacing errors I recall on the 981 were in certain scenes of
Japanese animation in the fine color detail; these are much improved with the
983.

Some useful ZOOM modes have been added (HDMI only): fullscreen for no black
bars, full-width for 4:3 letterboxed, underscan for displays that overscan,
and stretch for Constant Image Height users. Zoom levels on component are the
same as on the 980.

Previous Oppo models used a Sanyo Optical Pickup Unit; the 983 uses Sony. This
adds support for DVD-R DL.

Deinterlacing chip: http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/semiconductors/abt102.php
Scaling chip: http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/semiconductors/abt1010.php

The ABT chips are not used for component output. The Mediatek chip should
give performance equivalent to the 980 for component.

Setting to region-free is the same as for the other Oppo players.

FEATURES

USB capability seems to be the same as the 980, but the port has been moved to
the rear.

Y/C Delay is adjustable (HDMI only): -3 to +3. "0" seems correct for me. This
is a cool adjustment: you can see the bars on the calibration disc slide back
and forth.

A Border control allows the black bars to be set to gray levels between
black and white; values are 0 to 16. Useful for plasma owners trying to
prevent burn-in.

An optional CUE filter corrects Chromas Upsampling Error (CUE) and
Interlaced Chroma Problem (ICP). Values are: On/Off/Auto. I leave it on
Auto. See:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_8_2/dvd-benchmark-special-report-chroma-bug-4-2001.html

Deinterlacing mode is selectable: Auto/Film Bias Mode/Video Mode/2:2 Even/2:2
Odd. I leave it on Auto. From Oppo:

For extremely difficult contents such as certain animation or certain
mixed film-video material, one of the forced de-interlacing modes should
be used.


A Video 1/Video 2 selection is said to matter only for PAL<->NTSC conversion. I
was told:

Video 1 uses the Mediatek decoder chip to perform NTSC/PAL conversion.
This will work for analog outputs but picture quality is not the best.

Video 2 uses the ABT chip to perform NTSC/PAL conversion. This produces
the best conversion quality but analog outputs are not converted.

The Color Space selections are: Auto/YCbCr 4:4:4/RGB Video Level/RGB PC
Level. I use YCbCr 4:4:4.

Zoom modes. Here is a summary of how the zoom modes appear to work:

(1) 16:9 titles.

Wide and Wide/Auto work the same.

1:1 - normal aspect
stretch - vertical stretch for Constant Image Height users
full screen - normal aspect, 12% zoom
underscan - normal aspect, 5% reduction to accomodate displays with overscan
1.2 - normal aspect, 10% zoom
1.3 - normal aspect, 12% zoom
1.5 - normal aspect, over 15% zoom
2.0 - normal aspect, even bigger

(2) 4:3 titles, setup Wide/Auto

1:1 - normal aspect
stretch - horizontal stretch to full width
full screen - normal aspect, with zoom (good for 4:3 letterbox!)
underscan, etc - as above

(3) 4:3 titles, setup Wide

1:1 - horizontal stretch to full width
pillarbox - normal aspect
full screen - normal aspect, with zoom (good for 4:3 letterbox!)
underscan, etc - as above


Note from the above: there are Zoom modes which will cause 4:3 letterboxed
titles to be displayed at full width.

For people who hate black bars there are full screen modes (with the correct
aspect ratio, overscannning the edges) for both 4:3 and 16:9 "scope" titles.

Those with displays that overscan may like the underscan setting.

I am not a Constant Image Height user, so I didn't test the Stretch zoom
setting. It is suitable only for anamorphically encoded titles. A subtitle
positioning control was added during beta but removed because it was not
working correctly. Oppo says they continue to work on it.

The screen saver no longer displays a moving logo, it simply shuts off the
video signal. On my display, lack of signal puts the panel into a standby
mode. This is energy efficient, but I have to wake it up manually with the
display remote, by using the display "Info" function, for example. Since
burn-in is not a problem on my LCD, I have turned the screen saver off (and
am careful not to waste electricity).

Media file support is about the same as on the 980 and 981, but some WMV9 and
.MP4 files now show in the browser and will play. "WMA9 pro 5.1" audio is not
supported.

I did not test it, but DVD-R DL is supposed to be supported now.

NON-FEATURES

As expected, no HD video formats.

No 480i/576i over HDMI. This is not big drawback because if you want 480i/576i
over HDMI there is no reason to pay for ABT deinterlacing and scaling; get the
980 for $169. Although on the ABT web pages it says 480i/576i pass-through is
supported, the Mediatek decoder does not provide the right type of
signal. From Oppo:

Due to the insertion of the ABT video processor chip, 480i/576i over HDMI
is not possible on the DV-983H. 480i/576i over HDMI requires pixel
repetition and double clocking. This is not possible because the output
from the decoder chip is not pixel repeated.

The issue is that the Mediatek decoder does not supply the signal that the
Silicon Image HDMI transmitter chip requires. ABT102 requires raw
480i/576i to do proper de-interlacing, while SiI9030 requires
double-clocked 480i/576i to put it over the HDMI cable.


No custom output resolutions now, maybe later. From Oppo:

The ABT1018 scaler has some potential to support custom resolutions. A
major limitation is that the video timing clock must be derived from the
input video clock using a PLL, which has a limited range. Due to the
variation of custom resolution timing in different display devices, we
will not officially offer custom resolution support. The DV-983H will
initially offer no custom resolution support. After we get the standard
features released, we will work with ABT to develop output timing for a
limited set of custom resolutions. Some custom resolutions may not be
support due to the PLL cannot generate the required clock. The DVDO
VP30/50 series video processor uses an external clock synthesizer chip to
generate clock for custom resolutions. The external clock synthesizer
solution is too expensive to put into the DV-983H. It is also too
difficult to set up for non-expert users.

No 1080p 24hz. I was told:

The ABT1018 scaler and frame rate converter in the 983H is capable of
generating the 1080p24Hz timing and converting 50Hz or 60Hz input to 24Hz.
However the frame rate conversion is not locked to the original cadence of
the program. This is due to the ABT1018 scaler/frame rate converter is a
separate chip from the ABT102 de-interlacer, and there is no cadence
information passed between the two chips. As a result, the 1080p 24Hz
output will have judder. This defeats the purpose of having a 24Hz output
for film-based material. We decided not to offer 1080p 24Hz output on the
983H.

No DSD on HDMI. This affects only SACD. I was told:

Due to the insertion of the ABT video processor chipset in the signal
path, the DV-983H cannot output DSD in its native format via HDMI. This
is because adding the video processor chipset requires an external HDMI
transmitter, but the decoder chip does not have native DSD output to feed
into an external HDMI transmitter. The DV-980H uses the HDMI transmitter
built into the decoder chip, and can get DSD data internally.

ISSUES

Component is limited to 480i when the HDMI cable is connected. When HDMI is
not connected, component can be set to 480i and 480p. For non-CSS discs,
component can also be set to 720p, 1080i, 1080p.

A new setting PRIMARY OUTPUT must be set to "component" before output
resolution can be changed for component.

Like the other Oppo players, the browser does not display mp3 ID3v2 tags.

During the beta test, the player sometimes seemed confused about its correct
aspect ratio and zoom setting. Toggling the "Info" button corrected this. It
seemed to me this could happen when (1) playing a combination of 4:3 and 16:9
titles, (2) switching between "Wide" and "Wide/Auto", (3) cycling through the
Zoom settings.

I have some 16:9 titles which the 983 detects as 4:3. I have to set the aspect
control to Wide rather than Wide/Auto to get these to play correctly. The 981
also reports the discs as 4:3, but plays them as 16:9. Oppo has forwarded this
info to Mediatek. [UPDATE] This was fixed in firmware DV983H-06-0406
released on April 7 2008.

Currently, PAL titles on component at 1080p are not displayed correctly. They
are horizontally compressed leaving a large black bar on the right. Setting
the display type to NTSC and using VIDEO 1 allows these to be played. The 980
is said to have the same problem. Oppo says they will work on it.

-Bill

Now that "shipping day" is here for the 983H and the NDA is lifted, I've posted my 983H beta tester review (http://www.prillaman.net/oppo983_review.html) for those who are interested. There are some pics of the player's internals, but they are of the beta sample - I'll update with pics of production hardware when I am able.

I'm also tinkering with an article summarizing my experiences with the 983H, 981HD, and 980H, since I've used all three as my primary player at various times. I'll try to get that into a presentable form by the end of this week.

Bill/Gonk, thanks for posting your reviews!

Reviews from the beta-testers will be very valuable in helping those of us on the fence about purchasing - especially any bugs that might not yet be fixed in the initial production runs.

Gonk, I also look forward to seeing your thoughts on the player.
Just follow this link (http://www.prillaman.net/oppo983_review.html) for my 983H comments. I'll post a link to my comparison bit in this thread later this week...

Gonk,

I see in your review (excellent review by the way:)) you have the A2. I have been using the A2 for SD playback with my Panasonic TH-50PH9. How would you say the A2 compares to the 983?

Thanks, Bill

I see in your review (excellent review by the way:)) you have the A2. I have been using the A2 for SD playback with my Panasonic TH-50PH9. How would you say the A2 compares to the 983?
I have used the A2 for DVD's only intermittently. The player's start-up and disc loading speed (or lack thereof) was enough to get tiring quickly, and since the video performance of the A2 seemed very comparable to the 980H that I was using when I first got the A2 I saw no reason to keep putting up with those delays when the 980H did just as good a job without being slow. The 983H is certainly a step up from the A2 on video performance.

Bill/Gonk, thanks for posting your reviews!

Yes, they were both very good. Thanks your time putting them together.

I'd like to hear more comparisons with film-based DVDs with the 980 vs 983 on a 60" display. What are the differences and to what degree?

The 983 video image is sharp like the 980 but retains the film-like appearance
of the 983. The 981 appears soft by comparison.



Bill, are you saying the 980 retains the film-like appearance of the 983? Just making sure that's what you meant.

Bill, are you saying the 980 retains the film-like appearance of the 983? Just making sure that's what you meant.

No, that was a typo. Thanks for catching it; I've fixed it.

I meant that the 983 is sharp like the 980 but retains the film-like image of the 981. The best of both worlds.

-Bill

I have a favor to ask of all you fortunate 983 users. I will be using the 980 or 983 for SD-DVD's and for SACD and DVD-Audio playback. I see one of the major differences between the two is the 980 will pass DSD over HDMI whereas the 983 will convert to PCM over HDMI. If I recall Kal from Stereophile said he preferred the PCM to the DSD through HDMI to the Integra 9.8. When those who have/will be getting the 983 and have used the 980 are able, can you describe the sound quality differences in SACD's between the 980 using DSD and the 983 with the conversion. If the quality is only slightly better with DSD in the 980 then the 983 might be worth it for the video alone. Thanks for answering questions for those who have to wait.

Just follow this link (http://www.prillaman.net/oppo983_review.html) for my 983H comments. I'll post a link to my comparison bit in this thread later this week...

Really an outstanding review, Gonk. I was a big fan of your review of the 981 but I think you outdid yourself with your review of the 983. Instructional as well as informative. You put it through its paces with an impressive list of home theater peripherals - including a "vintage" Zenith C32V37 32" 4:3 HDTV! At the very least, it provides a common video reference point for comparison purposes. ;)

Many thanks.

Dana

>>The ABT1018 scaler has some potential to support custom resolutions. A
major limitation is that the video timing clock must be derived from the
input video clock using a PLL, which has a limited range. Due to the
variation of custom resolution timing in different display devices, we
will not officially offer custom resolution support. The DV-983H will
initially offer no custom resolution support. After we get the standard
features released, we will work with ABT to develop output timing for a
limited set of custom resolutions. Some custom resolutions may not be
support due to the PLL cannot generate the required clock. The DVDO
VP30/50 series video processor uses an external clock synthesizer chip to
generate clock for custom resolutions. The external clock synthesizer
solution is too expensive to put into the DV-983H. It is also too
difficult to set up for non-expert users.<<

Time to lobby Oppo to include timings for our specific displays!!!

Let me be first:

Dear Oppo - it would be GREAT if a 1366x768 custom resolution was made available with timings for Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK!!!

Thanks in advance.

I believe that is high on the to do list wojtech. 1366x768 would be the most common outside of 480/480/720/1080/1080. Send your requests/suggestions/observations regarding the 983 directly to Oppo though too. The best way for them to really gauge demand for anything regarding their product, it to hear it straight from their customers. ;):)

Updated the front page. Included Gonk's Review, Bill McClain's Beta writeup, and the "Top 4" things the DV-983H will not perform.

It's a universal player, so is it automatically region free? Or do I have to do something to make it play all regions?

Make it region free:

Setup.
9210.
0.
Setup to Exit.

Does Oppo send tracking numbers when they ship? My status still shows:

Est Ship Date: 3/10/2008

I believe that is high on the to do list wojtech. 1366x768 would be the most common outside of 480/480/720/1080/1080.

In all of cases I have seen, those 1366 x 768 panel's EDID indicates that the Native Resolution is actually 1280 x 720. It pays to check the actual native resolution rather than the advertised one before worrying about matching the output resolution. There possibly are actual 1366 x 768 panels, but I dont think they are as common as we think.

Does Oppo send tracking numbers when they ship? My status still shows:

Est Ship Date: 3/10/2008

If it shipped, you will receive a FedEx tracking number. If it did not ship, then you will not receive a tracking number, or when you check the Order Status, there will be no tracking number under the Status field.

If it shipped, you will receive a FedEx tracking number. If it did not ship, then you will not receive a tracking number, or when you check the Order Status, there will be no tracking number under the Status field.

What was OPPO Digital's final decision regarding shipping priorities, if you know? Expedited shipping vs. date/time of order placement.

Also, thanks for updating the first page of this thread aka Brain Dump. Now to get everyone to look there for basic answers before posting the questions here. ;)

Dana

I believe that is high on the to do list wojtech. 1366x768 would be the most common outside of 480/480/720/1080/1080. Send your requests/suggestions/observations regarding the 983 directly to Oppo though too. The best way for them to really gauge demand for anything regarding their product, it to hear it straight from their customers. ;):)

I will, Smarty-pants.

Thanks.

What was OPPO Digital's final decision regarding shipping priorities, if you know? Expedited shipping vs. date/time of order placement.

Last thing I heard was first in, first out. No priority based off of shipping preference. Incidentally, I believe this also includes Local Pickups.

What 16x9 dvds were displayed incorrectly as 4x3?

It pays to check the actual native resolution rather than the advertised one before worrying about matching the output resolution. There possibly are actual 1366 x 768 panels, but I dont think they are as common as we think.

My Sony Bravia XBR1 is advertised in its specs as being 1366x768 - how can I check if this is the case? I can confirm that when I try and set this through my HTPC's Nvidia graphic's card it is currently rejected, but I believe that may be because of recent drivers rather than the TV not accepting it.

Also, it's great to hear that I would be able to zoom out by 5% to account for the XBR1's overscan, but will this xtra processing / converting noticeably mess with the "purity" of a 720p signal (or better yet a 1366x768 signal if it becomes possible)?

Essentially I'm just tryoing to find the best and most complete image quality I can find and am currently torn between the 983 (that will offer DVD-A and SACD) or a high-end HTPC (that will decrease the number of units in my living room and add "region free" Blu Ray support down the road).

Thanks in advance

Steven

I just checked my pre-order status... Order shipped. I now have a Fed Ex tracking number.

What 16x9 dvds were displayed incorrectly as 4x3?

Let me be clear: they were displayed correctly when the setup was WIDE, but were detected as 4:3 and were therefore improperly pillarboxed when the setup was WIDE/AUTO.

The first ones were all UK TV titles like episodes of MIDSOMER MURDERS and the recent FORSYTE SAGA, which were in NTSC but originally PAL. I thought that might be a clue, but then encountered the same behavior in a US TV title, an episode of MYSTERY WOMAN.

I was looking at the authoring flags to see if the letterboxing attributes made a pattern, but then encountered a very strange case: FAR AND AWAY, directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Chapters 1-8 show as 16:9 in the browser. It changes to 4:3 in chapter 9 and continues that way for the rest of the title. The whole title is supposed to be 16:9, of course.

This indicates something in the video stream rather than the way the whole title is flagged. I reauthored one of the earlier titles as an experiment and the faulty behavior disappeared. This also points to the video stream.

The 981 "info" function also detects these as 4:3, but plays them as 16:9. This suggests that the "info" and "playing" functions detect aspect ratio differently. In the 983 the "playing" function seems to share the error of the "info" function.

I supplied sample discs to Oppo, who have forwarded them to Mediatek.

It's a small thing, but odd. Until it's fixed, use WIDE instead of WIDE/AUTO for those titles (whatever they may be).

-Bill

Does anyone feel the 983 will upconvert better than the Toshiba HD-XA2 upconverter?

It should.

I just checked my pre-order status... Order shipped. I now have a Fed Ex tracking number.

When did you place your order?

In all of cases I have seen, those 1366 x 768 panel's EDID indicates that the Native Resolution is actually 1280 x 720. It pays to check the actual native resolution rather than the advertised one before worrying about matching the output resolution. There possibly are actual 1366 x 768 panels, but I dont think they are as common as we think. 1366 x 768 native LCD panels are PLENTIFUL.

Gary

1366 x 768 native LCD panels are PLENTIFUL.

Gary

I thought panels that accepted 768p were rare.

-Bill

I just checked my pre-order status... Order shipped. I now have a Fed Ex tracking number.

Did you receive an order confirmation? They never emailed me a pro forma invoice, so I have no idea what order number to check. They did put a hold on my card, so I assume I'm in line.

Check your spam filters for an e-mail from Service@oppodigital.com (Confirmation e-mail) and another email from FedEx for the shipping confirmation.

You can also e-mail OPPO Digital and request a resend of your Order Confirmation e-mail and your Order ID number.

I have a favor to ask of all you fortunate 983 users. I will be using the 980 or 983 for SD-DVD's and for SACD and DVD-Audio playback. I see one of the major differences between the two is the 980 will pass DSD over HDMI whereas the 983 will convert to PCM over HDMI. If I recall Kal from Stereophile said he preferred the PCM to the DSD through HDMI to the Integra 9.8. When those who have/will be getting the 983 and have used the 980 are able, can you describe the sound quality differences in SACD's between the 980 using DSD and the 983 with the conversion. If the quality is only slightly better with DSD in the 980 then the 983 might be worth it for the video alone. Thanks for answering questions for those who have to wait.

Apparently we will not get Kal's opinion of the audio quality of the 980H compared with the 983 for a few more months, when his Stereophile article is published. Meanwhile, I would also be interested in seeing the opinions of others comaring the audio qualities the two units.

If the ability to pass DSD over HDMI can provide advantages for MC SACD, which is important to me, I'm wondering whether Oppo would consider offering both the 980 and the 983 together in a "pachage deal" priced somewhat less than the total cost of the two units.

Jim

1366 x 768 native LCD panels are PLENTIFUL.

Gary

Yes they are..... but I dont think those that accept that as an input are all that common?

In which case waiting for Oppo to address that as an output may be disappointing in the end.

I just checked my pre-order status... Order shipped. I now have a Fed Ex tracking number.

When did you place your order?

the link has your answer....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13260435#post13260435

fyi...i pre-ordered mine on the 3rd and it has not shipped yet....

N

the link has your answer....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13260435#post13260435

fyi...i pre-ordered mine on the 3rd and it has not shipped yet....

NProbably will be mid week, mines later, but they still say by end of week.

I thought panels that accepted 768p were rare.

-Bill

Most (if not all) commercial (not sure about consumer) Panasonic, Pioneer, NEC, etc plasma panels accept their native resolution. Often via the VGA input, though, so be careful.

For individual displays folks should check in the Video Processors and HTPC Forums at AVS. Folks there go to great length to feed their displays their native resolution and map every pixel.

My display, Panasonic TH-50PHD8UK plasma, accepts its native resolution via VGA and the optional DVI-D card. I just got one of those cards cheap on Ebay - now I am crossing fingers that Oppo will find a way for the DV-983H to output 1366x768 with the timings for my display.

the link has your answer....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13260435#post13260435

fyi...i pre-ordered mine on the 3rd and it has not shipped yet....

N

Thanks, I ordered mine on Sunday the 2nd in the evening and it hasnt shipped yet. I sure hope it goes tomorrow. I got 3 day shipping and Fed X doesnt do Monday's.

Got my FedEx tracking number.... Unfortunately it appears my unit/package is marked with "Direct Signature Required" So I'm not going to be able to get mine Thur (FedEx guy'll find no one home and take the 983 away with him)... Gotta call Thur night and then Friday drive to shipping location to pickup. What a pain.

BTW I could have sworn I did NOT check the "sig required" box when ordering through Oppo.

Maybe I'll email/call Oppo and have them change/remove the Sig required on the package. FedEx said that can be changed by the person/company that shipped it (on the fly, so to speak).

I ordered mine on Feb 29 at 12:17 (as per my order) and when I checked Oppo's website today (around 1:00) I saw the order status was "shipped" and it had a FEDEX shipping tracking number. I never did receive an email with the tracking number and when I checked FEDEX it is still not in their system. I am guessing it will be in the FEDEX system tomorrow.

It should.

This is what I wanted hear... 983 besting a Reon-based player.

Well done Oppo!

I also ordered on the 29th (late at night) and received a Fedex email at 2:33pm today. Status shows "picked up". FWIW, I got 2-day service.

When did you place your order?

I placed my order 2/29 @7:12pm EST for standard delivery.

Did you receive an order confirmation? They never emailed me a pro forma invoice, so I have no idea what order number to check. They did put a hold on my card, so I assume I'm in line.

I did receive an order conformation from Oppo w/an order # almost immediately after placing the order. I also just received a tracking update via Fed Ex w/tracking link... Status: Picked Up.

Most (if not all) commercial (not sure about consumer) Panasonic, Pioneer, NEC, etc plasma panels accept their native resolution. Often via the VGA input, though, so be careful. Yes, I hadn't thought about that. Many LCD TV's will accept their native resolution when connected to a PC via the VGA the port, but I do not know how many will accept it via HDMI.

Gary

I'm giddy as a school boy. I can't wait to get it! Sorry about that outburst:)

I thought panels that accepted 768p were rare.

-Bill
There is no such thing as 768p, and that's part of the problem. Fujitsu plasmas and Pannys (maybe not all) that are 1366x768 will accept 1360x768. Anthem D2's have a pre-defined rez and it seems to work for quite a few of these plasmas. 1024x768 and 1280x768 are other common plasma resolutions. Some Samsung players had a predefined 1024x768 output to match the plasmas they sold at one time. It will be interesting to see how OPPO approaches handling the nonstardardized resolutions.

larry

BTW I could have sworn I did NOT check the "sig required" box when ordering through Oppo.

For a $399.00 product OPPO is likely requiring a Signature. This is too expensive of a product to have it "lost" by FedEx.

It will be interesting to see how OPPO approaches handling the nonstardardized resolutions.

larry

It sounds like a nightmare..... I can see why they have put it off!

Bill

Got my FedEx tracking number.... Unfortunately it appears my unit/package is marked with "Direct Signature Required" So I'm not going to be able to get mine Thur (FedEx guy'll find no one home and take the 983 away with him)... Gotta call Thur night and then Friday drive to shipping location to pickup. What a pain.

BTW I could have sworn I did NOT check the "sig required" box when ordering through Oppo.

Maybe I'll email/call Oppo and have them change/remove the Sig required on the package. FedEx said that can be changed by the person/company that shipped it (on the fly, so to speak).

Where do you live? I'll be happy to sign for it :-)

Seriously, I waited 4 months to order this only to find out, NO DSD out :-(

What a shame.

It would also be interesting to know what kind of sharpness, noise reduction and other settings are being used when reviewing.

It would also be interesting to know what kind of sharpness, noise reduction and other settings are being used when reviewing.
I can't speak for others, of course, but for 99% of my testing I ran it with the video settings "zero'd".

My order was placed 2/29/08 @ 4:50MST, and shipped out today (with a tracking # from Fedex).

I can't speak for others, of course, but for 99% of my testing I ran it with the video settings "zero'd".
I actually used "-1" for Sharpness. I found the default to be too sharp on some contents.

Check your spam filters for an e-mail from Service@oppodigital.com (Confirmation e-mail) and another email from FedEx for the shipping confirmation.
I checked my mail server log, and it shows nothing. Even if blocked by an RBL or nuked by spamassassin, or somehow failed, it would show in the server log. But there's nothing there.


You can also e-mail OPPO Digital and request a resend of your Order Confirmation e-mail and your Order ID number.
Just sent them an email! If I haven't heard back tomorrow sometime before COB I'll give them a call. Thanks! I just wanted to know if the lack of confirmation is normal.

(I asked for local pickup, so don't expect to receive anything from FedEx...)

I can't speak for others, of course, but for 99% of my testing I ran it with the video settings "zero'd".

I actually used "-1" for Sharpness. I found the default to be too sharp on some contents.

I kept trying to tweak the picture to see how good I could get it, but I too kept coming back to "0" default.
The exeption was indeed the same as for you Neuro. I keep going back and fourth between 0 and -1 on the sharpness. In some cases the 0 does seem too sharp, but then the -1 seems too soft to me. It's like the increments are too large.

I actually used "-1" for Sharpness. I found the default to be too sharp on some contents. I also prefer the "-1" setting. I hate edge ehancement with a passion.

Gary

I sure wish they supported FLAC files via the USB port. That would have made it the perfect machine for me.

R

The question I have is does the 983 produce as sharp an image as the 980 with sharpness set to 0? If not, what is the equivalent setting on the 983 to produce the same degree of sharpness? Does that setting produce less artifacting than the 980 -- or say something like the HD-XA2?

At 0 the DV-983H looks as Sharp as the DV-980H. I find that in some movies, such as the Fifth Element, that you need to drop it down to -1, otherwise everything looks too enhanced, particularly the ridges of Korben Dallas' shirt (see chapter 10).

When it comes to test patterns, there is no visual difference between the two (-1, 0).

I sure wish they supported FLAC files via the USB port. That would have made it the perfect machine for me.

This is something I have been bugging OPPO for a long time. Right now the only solution would have been to include some kind of external DAP (such as those used in the OPPO brand MP3 players) but the cost of adding a DAP for this single function would have been cost prohibitive in terms of time, implementation, and hardware costs.

I wouldn't be surprised if their future BD player supported this functionality, as the processing architecture for BD players is much higher than standard DVD players. ie. you can do everything as an emulation on a basic FPGA (think of the Xilinx Spartan used to emulate the ABT 102 in the DV-983H).

(I asked for local pickup, so don't expect to receive anything from FedEx...)

If it is a local pickup then you would get an e-mail telling you that your order was ready for pickup. It could be that your e-mail address was entered wrong, so you are not getting any of the e-mails.

High points:

Excellent case design: The 983 has a solid look and feel to it.
I really like the design and finish of the front panel and display.
The new loading tray is much more substantial, and should put an end to the occasional comments about OPPO's earlier tray design being "flimsy" (even though it was incredibly tough and flexible).
Excellent layout of the rear connectors, and choice of power connector.
I prefer that the USB connector is on the back, despite the slight inconvenience of having to use an extension cable. It looks more professional than the rubber plug on the front of the 980, and using an extension means that the player's USB port is saved from the wear and tear of constant media insertion.
As an electronics engineer, I paid close attention to the design of the internals - power supply, PCB layout, and so on. The player is exemplary in this regard. Fantastic de-interlacing and scaling, including excellent PAL support and conversion to NTSC.
Aces all the tricky test sequences on ABT's VRS test disk, which readily show up the shortcomings of other players.
A couple of my test DVD's have some particularly nasty clips that trip up Faroudja and other players, including a few that cause jumping or "twitching" of the image, especially noticeable on the edges of white motionless text. The 983 handles most of them flawlessly.
None of the Faroudja processor's issues, like macroblock-enhance, image retention, or color tinges.
Grayscale and color ramp gradation is incredible, and a huge improvement over the performance of the Faroudja chip. There is almost NO evidence of banding/false-contouring. The tricky, constantly moving, graduated blues in "Finding Nemo", look beautifully smooth.
The zooms are superb. At last, there is no loss of resolution when pillar-boxing 4:3 content, and non-anamorphic widescreen content looks as good as it gets, when zoomed to fill the screen.
Passes all the standard video tests perfectly, including black/white levels, blacker-than-black, whiter-than-white, color decoding, Y/C delay, CUE, pixel cropping, image distortion, etc.
The new "Border Level" control for gray pillar-boxing will be a welcome addition for plasma owners.
It has the functional enhancements of the 980 (like multi-disk resume-play memory).
The USB port works well with FAT16/32 hard drives and flash drives. I tested Divx movies, VOB movies, JPG images, MP3 and WMA music files.
Divx playback from DVD works very well too. (I had a few problems with unusual aspect ratios, but these could usually be fixed by fiddling with both the zoom and the 16:9 wide/auto setting). The audio performance is superb, although I do not have a dedicated, high-end listening environment to fully appreciate the player's capabilities with hi-res content. I am seriously impressed with the A/V performance of this player. I have compared it with many other players, including OPPO's 980 and 981. The image is incredibly detailed, yet natural and film-like. My only concern is the edge enhancement introduced by the ABT scaler (the de-interlacer does not introduce any significant EE, because the 480p output looks clean). The scaler in my Sony LCD TV creates a sharp picture from the 480p output without adding any EE, but it simply cannot match ABT's smooth scaling. OPPO and ABT worked hard to provide two extra sharpness settings (-1 and -2) that help significantly with the EE, but cannot eliminate it completely (evidently, ABT's VP30 has the same issue). Nevertheless, in real-world viewing, the EE is not distracting, and it seems that most people prefer the "sharp" look that players like the 980 and the 983 provide.

All in all, this is one heck of a player, and I would highly recommend it. My DVD's have never looked so good!

Also see the reviews linked in the first post of this thread, especially the respected DVD Benchmark Test at SECRETS of Home Theater and HiFi (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cd-dvd-player-product-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---a-secrets-dvd-benchmark-review.html).

Gary

When it comes to test patterns, there is no visual difference between the two (-1, 0). Ah, but that depends on the test-pattern you're looking at! There's actually a significant difference on horizontal lines.

Gary

Regarding using a usb external hard drive to play music files, how do you navigate & play them? Do you have to have a tv display turned on or do you use the front panel of the 983? The reason I ask is that I've read (the words of) all-knowing, infallible audio gurus who state that music read from a hard drive is superior to any disc drive. :confused:

Regarding using a usb external hard drive to play music files, how do you navigate & play them? Do you have to have a tv display turned on or do you use the front panel of the 983? The reason I ask is that I've read (the words of) all-knowing, infallible audio gurus who state that music read from a hard drive is superior to any disc drive. :confused: I play music from a USB drive without turning on the display (the front display panel numbers the files). If you need to see the titles though, the display must be on.

HOWEVER, bear in mind that the OPPO's USB port only supports compressed audio files. The all-knowing, infallible audio gurus are referring to wav files or losslessly compressed music read from a hard drive. There is no way that compressed audio from a hard drive can match uncompressed audio from a CD drive.

Gary

My order of 3/3 8:24 PST was confirmed with an estimated ship date of March 10 by FEDEX 2 day air. Apparently it didn't make it out the door as I have received no info from OPPO, no tracking number, etc. I sent them an email inquiry at 6:06 PM PDT. No response as of this hour.

Apparently, it was a busy day yesterday at Mountain View, CA.

Dana

For a $399.00 product OPPO is likely requiring a Signature. This is too expensive of a product to have it "lost" by FedEx.

Yah I figured that and will leave the shipment alone... just initially disappointed as it means (most likely) that I'll miss Thur deliverfy and get it in person at local dist. on Friday. Realizing a day delay was frustrating but I'd rather that than have it go "missing" without recourse.

My order of 3/3 8:24 PST was confirmed with an estimated ship date of March 10 by FEDEX 2 day air. Apparently it didn't make it out the door as I have received no info from OPPO, no tracking number, etc. I sent them an email inquiry at 6:06 PM PDT. No response as of this hour.

Apparently, it was a busy day yesterday at Mountain View, CA.

Dana

Luckily mine's on it's way. Shipped from Sunnyvale (where ever that is) to Oakland to be stuffed on a plane. Had it shipped to where I work so the mail room goons can supply signature. Should have it tommorrow unless they deliver after working hours. Can't wait.:D

Ah, but that depends on the test-pattern you're looking at! There's actually a significant difference on horizontal lines.

You using the new 303? When I ran the test patterns again with default (0) and -1 for Sharpness I did not see any difference using AVIA and DVE with my projector. I can check again tonight (assuming I don't get sucked back into SSB).

I sent them an email inquiry at 6:06 PM PDT. No response as of this hour.

OPPO sleeps at 5:30PM PST and wakes again at 9:00AM PST. After hour/weekend e-mails will likely not be responded until the next business day, unless the CSR who does e-mails is feeling very frisky.

As Neuromancer stated in the other thread
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=13344347&postcount=2141
"It can, but you will not get any of the IFO/BUP benefits, so you will get no menus, alternative audio or subtitle streams, and each VOB file will have a long pause in between as the player buffers up the next content."

Could any insider tell me if there's any chance to see it fixed in a next firmware revision?

Thanks.

Likely not. Unless they somehow enable a "if Video_TS folder; than DVD" argument, the player will just use the VOB files as a data file.

It should.

983 vs. Toshiba HD-XA2.

Were there any side by side testing on this?

Would you think there is a noticable difference in PQ?

I am speaking purely on the theoretical. Based on synthetic scores, the DV-983H is better than the HD-XA2. I used the HD-XA2 back in the day, but can't conjure up my feelings of its processing and don't have one lying around for a A-B test.

Noticeable difference? Likely not. If you have a XA2, or can find one on the cheap, it is a great player. The only disadvantage is that it is slow and technical support (hardware, software, and CSR) will likely dry up in the coming months.

I do not believe that IFO support can be added in a firmware fix as the feature is not available in the hardware of the Mediatek chipset that is used to play VOBs.

FYI for who wants to optimise their online rentals using the 983:

I rent from the Canadian version of Netflix and get them sent to work, rip movies to my SATA laptop HDs at work, bring them home, transfer them to my movie server PC and watch them from there at a later date after which I delete the movie to make space for something new.

I strip only the movie with one audio stream, usually the first for most titles, using DVD Decrypter.

The menu system is also included but stripped down to save space using MenuShrink.

I dont even bother ripping the extras although I keep the IFO/BUP and *_0.vob files in case they are needed by the menu.

My current playing method involves an old Pentium 200 with a Realmagic MPEG decoder card that spits out a 480i RGB signal over 35ft of Canare component cable to an HD1000U 720p DLP to a 86" screen. The audio goes out via SPDIF coax to my Onkyo and Paradigms.

The PC takes the stream over the network from the movie server where it is shared so that the mapped drive seems like a DVD to the player since the folder and menu structure is intact.

Back in October, I was researching the DVDO VP20 with ABT102 add-on card as an option added to my current setup so it could take the 480i component and process it out its HDMI port to the DLP when I learned about Oppo making the 983 with its USB port and the ABT chipset built in.

When the 983 shows up, I will be using a Corsair Flash Voyager 8GB USB2.0 drive formatted as FAT32 to transfer the files from my movie server to the 983 and play them from there through HDMi to the receiver.

Anything whose aspect ratio causes problems that I cant resolve using the projector settings, I can always play using the old method through component.

As far as the delay between files, one of the beta reviewers mentioned that the pause was only a couple of seconds between files.

Since you are allowed FAT32 as a filesystem on the USB drive, it can handle single files upto 4GB so the way I will get around the pauses is to set DVD Decrypter in IFO mode to split the ripped output files at 4GB instead of the default 1GB.

Also, with the split at 4GB, you wont get more than two files [one pause] on any SD-DVD rip as long as you strip out all the streams except one audio and one video which is what I always do anyway.

My pre-order is already in with a Canadian retailer right here in Toronto although I have been told that they wont ship until the end of this month when the US firesale-launch has ended and they actually get stock in.

P.S. I read the original 983 thread EVERY day at work in a separate tab in Opera for months and I would like to thank everyone who contributed. It felt like one big happy family waiting for a long-lost family member to come back.

Since you are allowed FAT32 as a filesystem on the USB drive, it can handle single files upto 4GB so the way I will get around the pauses is to set DVD Decrypter in IFO mode to split the ripped output files at 4GB instead of the default 1GB. Sounds like a good plan, assuming the MTK chip doesn't choke on the huge VOB.

Gary

You using the new 303? When I ran the test patterns again with default (0) and -1 for Sharpness I did not see any difference using AVIA and DVE with my projector. I can check again tonight (assuming I don't get sucked back into SSB). I'm currently using 303, but I can't remember if I rechecked EE. I'll check tonight too.

Gary

Playing media files usually entails streaming it from the source and not buffering the whole thing so I dont think it will be an issue.

Also, it would be impossible if buffering the whole thing was the way the 983 did it for a regular VOB file on a DVD is still 1GB and I doubt the 983 has 1GB of RAM onboard.

The 4GB file being too big is also one of my worries but I will test it when I get the player.

When I heard of the 983, I changed the ripper settings right away so all the rips I currently havent watched all have 4GB files.

The Realmagic card plays the same 4GB files just fine and the pause is usually only a couple of seconds between them and we are talking about a 9-year old technology so I would be really surprised if something coming out this year would actually have the issue.

On the first page of this thread, shouldnt the firmware release date be March 10, 2008???

OPPO Digital has promptly responded to my email but the answer is a bit curious - and disappointing. As I noted above, my order was dated Monday 3/3 8:24 AM PST and confirmed with an estimated ship date of March 10 by FEDEX 2 day air.

Here's OPPO's latest response

Dana,

The DV-983H is still in back-order. We will be processing all orders in a first come, first serve basis. Right now we are still processing orders from the original pre-order weekend.

We expect all pre-orders to be shipped before the end of the week.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.

Oh well...

Dana

Well, I just tested two movie-ROTK and Nemo both PQ is stunning. Granted my 970 created a very Nice PQ but it was not OPPo's top dog. With no calibration, the PQ is very beautiful & smooth- colors are more subdued more accurate. But the DVD sound tract is much clearer, the center speaker really came to life. I hope I did not have the center setting wrong.
Music ?? If will be a few days before I can reconfigure the system.
The machine body is really is very good looking////////
I’m happy.
db


GOT IT - it just arrived- talke to you later
TIME : PST- 11:50 am
OPPO HQ is about 34 miles from my home>40mim.
Here is it’s route: it traveled more miles yesterday & today than I did.

Date/Time Activity Location Details
Mar 11, 2008 9:26 AM On FedEx vehicle for delivery SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
6:24 AM At local FedEx facility SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA
3:50 AM Departed FedEx location SACRAMENTO, CA
2:30 AM Arrived at FedEx location SACRAMENTO, CA
Mar 10, 2008 10:15 PM Left origin SAN JOSE, CA
8:53 PM Arrived at FedEx location SAN JOSE, CA
5:07 PM Picked up SAN JOSE, CA
12:34 PM Package data transmitted to FedEx Mountain View, CA

I've been sick and missed the pre-order. So bummed. Any idea when these will hit other retailers (like Amazon)? Presumably after Oppo starts offering them on their site again. Oh well, April is just 2 more weeks away. I am still just hoping to get my hands on one before the new baby comes and we are all tied up with that hoopla.

Joy

Can someone post side-by-side screen comparisons with other Oppo models? Wondering about the de-interlacing/scaling improvements

And maybe PS3 DVD comparison?

I second the PS3 DVD comparison, as I am using one to watch my standard def DVDs on my RS-1. Does it look $400 better?

On the first page of this thread, shouldnt the firmware release date be March 10, 2008???

It should, but my mind is still in 2007.

I second the PS3 DVD comparison, as I am using one to watch my standard def DVDs on my RS-1. Does it look $400 better?

On the same Secrets benchmark test that the OPPO 983 aced with a top score of 100 out of 100, the PS3 scored a 61 as a DVD upconverting player. The review is here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=133#SonyPlayStation%203%20(HDMI)

Conclusions

It is a shame that Sony put so much work into the PlayStation 3 in some areas but not in DVD playback. The lack of a film mode for de-interlacing and no support for upscaling are rare in progressive scan DVD players these days. While I would still recommend it as a Blu-ray player, anyone considering adding the PS3 to their home theater rack should probably keep their standard DVD player as well.


Kris Deering revisited the PS3 with FW 2.1 more recently here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/dvd-player-and-cd-player-reviews/dvd-players/sony-playstation-ps3-fw-2.1.html and concluded:

Like most game consoles, the PS3 is not what I would call a preferred video playback solution for standard DVDs. However, it is far and away one of the best Blu-ray players on the market today and an outstanding value for those looking to add HD support to their home theater system. But I would still recommend a higher quality stand alone DVD player for the more demanding home theater enthusiast.

Dana

So has anyone taken or planned a personal/sick day off to play with their new toy? :D

On the same Secrets benchmark test that the OPPO 983 aced with a top score of 100 out of 100, the PS3 scored a 61 as a DVD upconverting player. The review is here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi?function=search&articles=133#SonyPlayStation%203%20(HDMI)



Dana

I think that comparison is old though (I could be wrong). From what I hear, the PS3 has had some really good FW udates since then and now does much better with sd-dvd. Neuro??... care to comment on that? Don't you have a PS3. :D;)

Oppo specifically mentions DD EX decoding, but doesn't mention DTS ES.

Could someone please give me an explanation of why this is mentioned and what it means to the user.

Thanks,
Rob

I don't have the PS3 anymore, but I was never that impressed with it for SD DVD - subjectively speaking - even after the update. The image didn't look as natural or filmlike compared to other players.

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

Oppo specifically mentions DD EX decoding, but doesn't mention DTS ES.

Could someone please give me an explanation of why this is mentioned and what it means to the user.

This means that the DVD player can only decode DTS Core, while it can decode Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital ES for the HDMI or analog audio outputs.

It can still do a bitstream of DTS ES through optical and HDMI.

I think that comparison is old though (I could be wrong). From what I hear, the PS3 has had some really good FW udates since then and now does much better with sd-dvd. ...

Yes, the initial review is dated. But, when Kris revisited it in a review posted Feb. 29, 2008 - no change.

Introduction

Last year, I put the Sony Playstation 3 through our DVD Player Benchmark™ testing and it didn’t fare very well. In fact, it turned out to be one of the worst players I had tested to date. Later in the year the PS3 got a firmware update (v1.8) that supposedly revamped the DVD performance of the gaming console. I was bombarded with emails from our readership asking me to retest the console claiming they were seeing a huge difference in DVD playback after loading the new firmware.

At the time the new firmware came out, I did not have access to a PS3 anymore. Later on I was able to acquire one and run it through the tests. The only problem is, it didn’t seem to do any better.

Dana

Yes, the initial review is dated. But, when Kris revisited it in a review posted Feb. 29, 2008 - no change.



Dana

Got it... thanks.:)

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

"Worth" is subjective. It is hard for anyone else to say what it is worth to you. It depends on how much $400 means to you, how fanatical you are about your DVDs, and what your alternatives are.

I'm fanatical but cheap. $399 is a lot for an SD-DVD player these days. Coincidentally that is exactly what I paid for a 480i component-out player almost 10 years ago, but we expect lower prices now.

I have a 981 and 980 and am pleased with them. My small LCD really doesn't require the 983, but I can see a difference and as long as I have the Oppo beta machine I will use it in preference to the others. If I did not have it I probably would not buy one.

I would miss the 4:3 letterbox zoom, though.

-Bill

My estimated ship date has now moved to March 12, 2008. TG I selected FEDEX 2 day Air delivery.

Dana

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

http://www.solutionsav.ca

Click on the Oppo link right on the main page a few lines down from the top.

As they say, you can get it to your door for CDN$397+taxes if you pre-order since shipping is free in this case.

Shipping is only 2 dollars anyway.

Either way, you will have to wait till the end of March as they say.

As far as Reons go, I would say the ABT is a superior solution but thats just my take on the subject.

To get an outboard processor that has the same chipset as this one [VP20 or VP30 with the ABT102D add-on card], you would have to spend at least CDN$1500 and thats through eBay.

It would cost you a couple of hundred more if you bought it new in Canada.

Hope the local Oppo link helps you.

This means that the DVD player can only decode DTS Core, while it can decode Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital ES for the HDMI or analog audio outputs.

It can still do a bitstream of DTS ES through optical and HDMI.

Thanks. I thought that's what it was, but wanted to make sure.

Mine will be delievered Friday... I will unfortunately likely have to wait until Saturday to pick it up as it is signature required and my wife and I both work. Either way just in time for the weekend.

My estimated ship date has now moved to March 12, 2008. TG I selected FEDEX 2 day Air delivery.

Dana

Mine is still setting at 'pending order change'. I asked Oppo to change the shipping to 2 day if it shipped tomorrow so I could have it for the weekend.

Fingers crossed.... :)

My estimated ship date has now moved to March 12, 2008. TG I selected FEDEX 2 day Air delivery.

Dana

Same here.

So has anyone taken or planned a personal/sick day off to play with their new toy? :D

Hi boss... I.. cough... cough... fell kinda like im cough... getting sick... cough.... See ya monday.... :)

http://www.solutionsav.ca

Click on the Oppo link right on the main page a few lines down from the top.

As they say, you can get it to your door for CDN$397+taxes if you pre-order since shipping is free in this case.

Shipping is only 2 dollars anyway.

Either way, you will have to wait till the end of March as they say.

As far as Reons go, I would say the ABT is a superior solution but thats just my take on the subject.

To get an outboard processor that has the same chipset as this one [VP20 or VP30 with the ABT102D add-on card], you would have to spend at least CDN$1500 and thats through eBay.

It would cost you a couple of hundred more if you bought it new in Canada.

Hope the local Oppo link helps you.

Thanks for the link, but since I've seen an A1 upconverted using VP20 vs XA20 and prefer the XA2 (just preference, I guess), I'll wait until there is a more definitive review comparing between the 983 vs the $500 Reon outboard (which I can also use for to upconvert my original Star Wars Trilogy :D

So has anyone taken or planned a personal/sick day off to play with their new toy? :D

No unfortunately my vacation doesn't start until Monday but my 983 is now in Ft. Worth Texas fixin' to be on it's way To Tulsa and my sweaty hands tommorrow!! wwOOOOt! :D Anyway I've read over the new owners manual and looks like setup will be a breeze as defaults are good for most everything so at least I'll be able to hook it up and look it over after work. All I have to compare it to is my Oppo 970 So I'll post my thoughts on that.

I have a favor to ask of all you fortunate 983 users. I will be using the 980 or 983 for SD-DVD's and for SACD and DVD-Audio playback. I see one of the major differences between the two is the 980 will pass DSD over HDMI whereas the 983 will convert to PCM over HDMI. If I recall Kal from Stereophile said he preferred the PCM to the DSD through HDMI to the Integra 9.8. When those who have/will be getting the 983 and have used the 980 are able, can you describe the sound quality differences in SACD's between the 980 using DSD and the 983 with the conversion. If the quality is only slightly better with DSD in the 980 then the 983 might be worth it for the video alone. Thanks for answering questions for those who have to wait.
I definitely prefer the sound of PCM! To have the extra bass management applied and other setting makes PCM much richer sounding to me than DSD in a pure mode. Just sounds so dull.

And with ABT to boot, the PQ is exceptional on DVD.

Yes, the initial review is dated. But, when Kris revisited it in a review posted Feb. 29, 2008 - no change.



Dana
I'd have to argue in favor of PS3 upscaling. It can truly handle some difficult cadences.

I've been waiting to get one of these. But, after finally getting to look at the back panel, It doesn't have a seperate 2 channel mixed output like the 981. A good feature if you want to take advantage of 5.1 analog for high rez. And a 2 channel analog out for cd playback. Oh well.

I've been waiting to get one of these. But, after finally getting to look at the back panel, It doesn't have a seperate 2 channel mixed output like the 981. A good feature if you want to take advantage of 5.1 analog for high rez. And a 2 channel analog out for cd playback. Oh well.
Unless you plan to route the two-channel to a separate receiver or pre-amp, you can still do this. If you disable Pro Logic II, the 983H will output 5.1 analog for DVD-A and multichannel SACD as well as straight stereo for stereo SACD and CD.

I've been waiting to get one of these. But, after finally getting to look at the back panel, It doesn't have a seperate 2 channel mixed output like the 981. A good feature if you want to take advantage of 5.1 analog for high rez. And a 2 channel analog out for cd playback. Oh well.

Cant you just use a 1male->2female RCA splitter on mixed outputs?

Unless you plan to route the two-channel to a separate receiver or pre-amp, you can still do this. If you disable Pro Logic II, the 983H will output 5.1 analog for DVD-A and multichannel SACD as well as straight stereo for stereo SACD and CD.
I believe a simple pair of Y adapter is all that is needed correct?

Thanks for the link, but since I've seen an A1 upconverted using VP20 vs XA20 and prefer the XA2 (just preference, I guess), I'll wait until there is a more definitive review comparing between the 983 vs the $500 Reon outboard (which I can also use for to upconvert my original Star Wars Trilogy :D

What is this $500 outboard Reon processor?

I'd have to argue in favor of PS3 upscaling. It can truly handle some difficult cadences.

That and animations are sublime on it. I want to shake the hand of the engineers who wrote the de-interlacing and scaling algorithms for animated contents.

I believe a simple pair of Y adapter is all that is needed correct?
That ought to work, although you might need to tweak the left and right channel trims when doing that (the splitter may produce a drop in the signal).

Can someone post side-by-side screen comparisons with other Oppo models? Wondering about the de-interlacing/scaling improvements

And maybe PS3 DVD comparison? How can screenshots even possibly do justice to the stunning images from these players?

Firstly, it takes a great deal of effort to set up a camera on a solid tripod with manually set focus, shutter speed and aperture to eliminate camera variables from the equation.

And secondly, it would be especially difficult to demonstrate de-interlacing/scaling improvements with a photo. The most challenging situations are with mixed stills and motion. Effectively capturing motion at exactly the same place on different players would be next to impossible.

Gary

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

Thanks for the link, but since I've seen an A1 upconverted using VP20 vs XA20 and prefer the XA2 (just preference, I guess), I'll wait until there is a more definitive review comparing between the 983 vs the $500 Reon outboard (which I can also use for to upconvert my original Star Wars Trilogy :D

What is this $500 outboard Reon processor?

yes, id like to know, also. edit-the upcoming gefen (realta) vp has msrp near $700.
thanks!

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.


Well you can order the player from one of the Canadian resellers and it will be way cheaper than $550... they will have for the same price as the US and the shipping at one of them is $2 or free if you pre-order the player

I'm still debating about this player due to the $400 price but you will definately get it cheaper than $550. Likely $397+2+PST&GST

To get an outboard processor that has the same chipset as this one [VP20 or VP30 with the ABT102D add-on card], you would have to spend at least CDN$1500 and thats through eBay.


Don't the Yamaha (HTR6190B, RX-V1800) receivers have ABT chipsets that could do this as well if you were to send the signal via component to the receiver for this player or HDMI for the 980 model?

What is this $500 outboard Reon processor?

There is an upcoming $700 Realta processor coming from Gefen in a month or so. Some online dealer lists a pre order price of a little over $500; maybe that is what he is referring to.

http://www.gefen.com/gefentv/ Look for their Pro Scalar in the downloadable PDF.

Ongoing discussion at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=983643

yes, id like to know, also. edit-the upcoming gefen (realta) vp has msrp near $700.
thanks!

Let's not talk about MSRP. Talk street price vs street price. Oppo street price $400, Geffen scaler street price $508.

Well you can order the player from one of the Canadian resellers and it will be way cheaper than $550... they will have for the same price as the US and the shipping at one of them is $2 or free if you pre-order the player

I'm still debating about this player due to the $400 price but you will definately get it cheaper than $550. Likely $397+2+PST&GST

The $397 is pre-order price. Even with free shipping, after PST and GST added it's still going to be at least $450.

Let's not talk about MSRP. Talk street price vs street price.

And have a mod close the thread?;)

The Gefen can be used with various sources, not just with DVD.

Personally, I am going with the 983 myself.

I'm willing to get the 983 for my 3,000 DVDs (which I'm not going to re-buy on HDM... at least most of them)... but I'd like to read some definitive reviews comparing those two.

Let's not talk about MSRP. Talk street price vs street price. Oppo street price $400, Geffen scaler street price $508.

u previously mention a 'outboard reon processor' which is not the same as a gefen realta outboard processor.

would u please clarify which one u were referring to?
thanks!

I think I am waiting for the gefen so I can upscale my TV toooooo.........

Let's not talk about MSRP. Talk street price vs street price. Oppo street price $400, Geffen scaler street price $508.
I saw the gefen scaler at CES and I wasn't impressed with the implementation. I was more impressed with Marvell's chip. Oppo's implementation is very good on the VRS.

I am not a Constant Image Height user, so I didn't test the Stretch zoom
setting. It is suitable only for anamorphically encoded titles. A subtitle
positioning control was added during beta but removed because it was not
working correctly. Oppo says they continue to work on it.

-Bill

Bill,

Thanks for the review. Your comment about Oppo working on subtitle movement for constant image height set up is very encouraging. To me this is the biggest difference between Oppo and the mass market manufacturers where you are clueless as to what features or fixes they are working on.

Bill,

Thanks for the review. Your comment about Oppo working on subtitle movement for constant image height set up is very encouraging. To me this is the biggest difference between Oppo and the mass market manufacturers where you are clueless as to what features or fixes they are working on.

They can't be all things to all people, but they are trying hard to produce good products. I wish every company I dealt with put as much into their efforts.

You watch the evolution of their players and you can see them learning, another thing you don't see from vendors every day.

-Bill

I have used the A2 for DVD's only intermittently. The player's start-up and disc loading speed (or lack thereof) was enough to get tiring quickly, and since the video performance of the A2 seemed very comparable to the 980H that I was using when I first got the A2 I saw no reason to keep putting up with those delays when the 980H did just as good a job without being slow. The 983H is certainly a step up from the A2 on video performance.

gonk,

Thanks for your thoughts. I will order one when they become available:).

Bill

I found this tidbit of info interesting, Nuforce apparently had some involvement in "tweaking" of the audio circuit in the 983.

Received my 983H order today. To my delight, there is a VRS Evaluation & Optimization DVD included. I quickly ran though the disc and HQV 1.4 on the PS3 and then the 983H. Here is my result:

PS3: Firmware 2.10, all default settings
983H: Firmware 0303, all default settings except TV Display set to 16:9 Wide/Auto to match the PS3.
Display: Pioneer's new Elite Kuro 50"

VRS Eval & Optimization DVD (Format: Test: PS3 Result / 983H Result)

Brightness/Contrast: Pass (slight etching on vertical edges) / Pass (no etching)
Y/C Delay: Pass / Pass
Resoltuion: Pass / Pass (The thin lines of colored resolution pattern on the right side appear more even than the PS3)
Image Cropping: 0 all sides / 0 all sides
Gray Ramp: Pass / Pass
ICP: ICP filtered (muted color), flickering image / ICP filtered (muted color), smooth motion with no flickering
2:2 CUE: filtered (muted color), flickering image / Pass (bright color, smooth motion with no flickering)
2:3 CUE: Pass / Pass

Source Adaptive (cadence test) -
2:2: Pass / Pass
2:2:2:4 Fail /Pass
2:3:2:3 Pass / Pass
2:3:3:2:2 Fail / Pass
2:3:3:2 Fail / Pass
3:2:3:2:2 Fail / Pass
3:3 Fail / Pass
4:4 Fail / Pass
5:5 Pass / Pass
6:4 Pass / Pass
8:7:8:7 Pass / Pass
Speed: Fail / Pass
Bad Edit: Visible, quick recovery / No visible problem except "5 of 7", which is recovered quickly

Synthetic Wedge (cadence test): This is a strange one. PS3 failed all tests, including those cadences that it passed with actual video (see above). From the tip to about 1/5 length of the horizontal wedge the resolution was totally messed up. The 983H had no problem at all and the tip of the wedge was clean. I am guessing that the PS3 calculates cadence using probably 3-4 pixel blocks, while the 983H does it pixel by pixel.

Jaggies 45 degree: Pass / Pass
20 degree: Pass / Pass
10 degree: Pass / Pass
All: Pass / Pass
Rope: Ropes with small degree angle (near horizontal) have jaggies or scan lines / Pass
Ship: Lines and ropes with small degree angle have jaggies or scan lines / Lines and ropes with small degree angle have jaggies but appears less frequently
Hocky: Edge of the glass wall shows jaggies now and then / Edge of the glass wall is smooth and solid
Bridge: Cables show etching (bright edge around the cables); Cables show flickering when zooming out / No etching; Cables show flickering when zooming out

Mixed mode: Pass / Pass
Montage: Momentary combing visible when the scenes switch / No combing.

HQV 1.4 benchmark disc result is as the following:

(Format - Test: PS3 Result / 983H Result)

The HQV 1.4 disc is recognized as 4:3 by both PS3 and 983H. All tests are done in pillarbox mode with border added by the players on left and right sides.

Color Bar: Areas 2 and 3 have flickering; Cropped about 3% on left and right / Stable image, no flickering; No cropping.
Jaggies 1: Pass / Pass
Jaggies 2: Pass / Pass
Flag: Pass / Pass
Detail: Pass / Pass (seems to have better detail on the bridge)
Noise Reduction: not tested (don't know how to turn on NR with the PS3)
Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction: not tested. However I noticed apparent etching around the roller coaster tracks with the PS3. The 983H shows no etching.
Film Detail: Pass / Pass
Assorted Cadences:
2:2 30fps Video: Pass / Pass (momentary flickering noticed but quickly recovered)
2:2:2:4 DVCAM: Pass the first round, fail the second round / Pass for both rounds
2:3:3:2 DVCAM: Fail / Pass
3:2:3:2:2 Vari-Speed: Fail / Pass
5:5 Animation: Pass / Pass
6:4 Animation: Pass / Pass
8:7 Anime: Pass / Pass
3:2 24fps Film: Pass / Pass
Mixed 3:2: Pass / Pass

I would say the 983H does a better job processing DVD than the PS3. It handles more cadences, has less flickering, and less etching. Bad Edits handling is also better on the 983H. On the other hand, the PS3 can play Blu-ray and still does a very good job playing DVD, especially animations. I will keep both on my A/V rack, with the PS3 primarily for Blu-ray, and the 983H for the rest of round discs.

Forgot to mention, all tests were done at 1080p. The TV is set to dot-by-dot mode.

Received my 983H order today. To my delight, there is a VRS Evaluation & Optimization DVD included. I quickly ran though the disc and HQV 1.4 on the PS3 and then the 983H. Here is my result: Nice work! Thanks for sharing the results.

Rock-solid performance from the DV-983H!

Gary

You using the new 303? When I ran the test patterns again with default (0) and -1 for Sharpness I did not see any difference using AVIA and DVE with my projector. I just tested 303 again. There is still a fairly significant difference between the "0" and "-1" setting. Look especially at the result in the high frequency vertical stripes in the bottom right of the Avia Sharpness pattern.

Gary

Does the 983H retain the full resolution of 4:3 DVDs when pillarboxing them, unlike previous models?

Also, does the 983H eliminate the flickering/strobing in 1080i mode that affected previous models (due to the Faroudja chip)?

Cant you just use a 1male->2female RCA splitter on mixed outputs?

I'm not quite sure how the 983 does this. It must recognize the type of disc, then decide wheather it is 2 channel fullrange/downmix or if the signal is the front 2 channels in a 5.1 analog configuration. Right? The good thing about the 981 is it does have 2 seperate front outputs. One set (downmix) is just for fullrange 2 channel. From what I understand in the specs.


Unless you plan to route the two-channel to a separate receiver or pre-amp, you can still do this. If you disable Pro Logic II, the 983H will output 5.1 analog for DVD-A and multichannel SACD as well as straight stereo for stereo SACD and CD.

I'll be feeding the 5.1 high rez into my HT processor and the 2 channel (cd/2 channel sacd) will go to a seperate 2 channel preamp. My 2 channel pre has a HT passthrough so my front speakers will be for HT and 2 channel duties.

Does the 983H retain the full resolution of 4:3 DVDs when pillarboxing them, unlike previous models?

Yes.

Also, does the 983H eliminate the flickering/strobing in 1080i mode that affected previous models (due to the Faroudja chip)?

I don't remember seeing that on the 971/981.

-Bill

I'm not quite sure how the 983 does this. It must recognize the type of disc, then decide wheather it is 2 channel fullrange/downmix or if the signal is the front 2 channels in a 5.1 analog configuration. Right? The good thing about the 981 is it does have 2 seperate front outputs. One set (downmix) is just for fullrange 2 channel. From what I understand in the specs.
When Pro Logic II is disabled and the fronts are set to "large," the 983H will send the left and right channels for whatever source is playing (whether 5.1 or 2.0) to the left and right outputs with no alteration. That means that for stereo sources, the left and right outputs will work just fine as a full-range stereo output.

Also, don't forget that the 983H allows you to toggle between multichannel SACD, stereo SACD, and (when available) CD on an SACD using the Audio button on the remote. Previous OPPO players did not offer this.

I just tested 303 again. There is still a fairly significant difference between the "0" and "-1" setting. Look especially at the result in the high frequency vertical stripes in the bottom right of the Avia Sharpness pattern.

Gary

So what did you see? EE with 0?

Also, I would be very thankful if a 983 owner could test the non-anamorphic DVD of Star Wars IV (i.e. A New Hope). You know the "untouched one" that was released a couple of years ago as a Bonus disc to the remastered one.

In addition to being non-anamorphic, this title has severe aliasing, especially in the first part of the movie. If the 983 can reduce or eliminate it, it would be amazing. I'm not sure if the problems I see are burned into the video encode, or can be corrected by a DVD player. So far, none of my decks can overcome these jaggies/aliasing. TIA.

Any views on the scaling features of the oppo 938 - namely the letterbox to widescreen (16:19) conversion?

Any views on the scaling features of the oppo 938 - namely the letterbox to widescreen (16:19) conversion?

983...16:9.

Works great. It depends on the source, of course.

-Bill

When Pro Logic II is disabled and the fronts are set to "large," the 983H will send the left and right channels for whatever source is playing (whether 5.1 or 2.0) to the left and right outputs with no alteration. That means that for stereo sources, the left and right outputs will work just fine as a full-range stereo output.

Also, don't forget that the 983H allows you to toggle between multichannel SACD, stereo SACD, and (when available) CD on an SACD using the Audio button on the remote. Previous OPPO players did not offer this.

So if I hook the Oppo up via HDMI then would I use the audio button on the Oppo to listen to 2 channel music or would I just change it on my AVR? My NAD T785 has a button on its remote as well that can toggle between formats.

So if I hook the Oppo up via HDMI then would I use the audio button on the Oppo to listen to 2 channel music or would I just change it on my AVR? My NAD T785 has a button on its remote as well that can toggle between formats.
Keep in mind that this is just relating to SACD, at least as far as the specific behavior of the Audio button is concerned. If you connect the 983H to your NAD via HDMI, an SACD will normally default to whatever "SACD Priority" is set to (multichannel, stereo, or CD) and the 983H will output either multichannel or stereo PCM. You will then be able to change between those three using the Audio button. Each time you change between one of the three, the SACD will be re-started from the beginning. The NAD will see either multichannel PCM (from multichannel SACD) or stereo PCM (from stereo SACD or from the CD layer, if it is a hybrid SACD that offers the CD layer) and will do whatever you ask it to do with that.

Well here I am at work with a Oppo 983 box in my lap. Can't wait 'till quiting time......:)

Well here I am at work with a Oppo 983 box in my lap. Can't wait 'till quiting time......:)
You suddenly got the flu right? now go home (and play with your 983 and report back here :D )

That does sound like a pretty nasty cough you've got there, hikinokie... ;)

Yeah.. you are looking very pale.....

Jeff, i too played with this disk. However, i do not know what i am doing. Can you tell us -nontechs- how to use this or just keep it in the box. I haven't had chance to cali. w/Avis/RS SPL yet.
Just to make sure the disk is the Anchor bay-video reference series- one

HQV 1.4 benchmark disc result is as the following:

(Format - Test: PS3 Result / 983H Result)

The HQV 1.4 disc is recognized as 4:3 by both PS3 and 983H. All tests are done in pillarbox mode with border added by the players on left and right sides.

Color Bar: Areas 2 and 3 have flickering; Cropped about 3% on left and right / Stable image, no flickering; No cropping.
Jaggies 1: Pass / Pass
Jaggies 2: Pass / Pass
Flag: Pass / Pass
Detail: Pass / Pass (seems to have better detail on the bridge)
Noise Reduction: not tested (don't know how to turn on NR with the PS3)
Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction: not tested. However I noticed apparent etching around the roller coaster tracks with the PS3. The 983H shows no etching.
Film Detail: Pass / Pass
Assorted Cadences:
2:2 30fps Video: Pass / Pass (momentary flickering noticed but quickly recovered)
2:2:2:4 DVCAM: Pass the first round, fail the second round / Pass for both rounds
2:3:3:2 DVCAM: Fail / Pass
3:2:3:2:2 Vari-Speed: Fail / Pass
5:5 Animation: Pass / Pass
6:4 Animation: Pass / Pass
8:7 Anime: Pass / Pass
3:2 24fps Film: Pass / Pass
Mixed 3:2: Pass / Pass

I would say the 983H does a better job processing DVD than the PS3. It handles more cadences, has less flickering, and less etching. Bad Edits handling is also better on the 983H. On the other hand, the PS3 can play Blu-ray and still does a very good job playing DVD, especially animations. I will keep both on my A/V rack, with the PS3 primarily for Blu-ray, and the 983H for the rest of round discs.

I tried to register there but the registration process is disabled..

presently have the 980 being used as my DVD-A and SACD player..

This is a pretty vague statement..are there any sonic improvements over HDMI or have they just improved the analog output stage?

I was bit disappointed with the 981 HDMI audio and thought the issue was with my Denon receiver. So I purchased the 983 with the thought of using the analog outs to bypass the DAC's in the Denon. But I was pleasantly surprised to find there is a significant improvement in the HDMI audio compared to my 981. I would attribute that to the transport and ps upgrades.(?) There may also have been up some upgrade to digital audio output. Perhaps some 'insider' may have an idea. Haven't tried the analog outs yet but will, when i get hold of 8 rca cables.

Overall, I am very happy with the 983. :)

Yeah.. you are looking very pale.....

Boss..*cough-cough* feeling sick...eyes watering, barely see back door.....stagger stagger crawl crawl...

Does the 983H retain the full resolution of 4:3 DVDs when pillarboxing them, unlike previous models?
Yes.
Excellent.

Also, does the 983H eliminate the flickering/strobing in 1080i mode that affected previous models (due to the Faroudja chip)?
I don't remember seeing that on the 971/981.
It is very noticeable on the 971 as viewed on my native 1080i display. I have to use the 720p output mode to get a stable, solid image. Neuromancer references it here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6482797#post6482797).

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

Especially when several Toshiba HD-DVD players have Anchor Bay processors in them, and can be had for dirt cheap. The A30 is about $130 right now, and has AB processing for upscaling, making it $270 less for basically the same performance upscaling standard-def DVDs.

Granted the Oppo has numerous other features (PAL, etc.) but this unit really is over-priced given the other players out there for what it's primarily geared to do.

Especially when several Toshiba HD-DVD players have Anchor Bay processors in them, and can be had for dirt cheap. The A30 is about $130 right now, and has AB processing for upscaling, making it $270 less for basically the same performance upscaling standard-def DVDs.

Granted the Oppo has numerous other features (PAL, etc.) but this unit really is over-priced given the other players out there for what it's primarily geared to do. The A30 has ABT scaling... but it doesn't have ABT de-interlacing. That makes a HUGE difference! Proper motion-adaptive de-interlacing is by far the most difficult part of successfully upconverting standard-def DVDs.

Here's what the CNET review said about the A30's upscaling performance:
One of the disappointments with the Toshiba HD-A20 was its performance on standard DVD in 1080p mode. It does not appear that the HD-A30 has made any major improvements, as we observed essentially the same lackluster performance on test patterns. We started off our tests with the standard definition HQV test suite from Silicon Optix, over HDMI in 1080p mode. It passed the initial resolution test, demonstrating it can display the full resolution of DVDs, although we saw more flickering than we'd like on several parts of the image. Next up were two "jaggies" test patterns and the HD-A30 performed poorly on both of them, exhibiting jagged edges where there should be smooth lines. This was also very evident in the next test with program material of a waving flag, with jaggies showing up on nearly every ripple. On the upside, it did successfully handle HQV's difficult 2:3 pull-down processing test, kicking into film mode in about a half a second.

I wouldn't call that "basically the same performance" as a 983!

Gary

De-interlacing is the most important aspect of quality video performance of a DVD player. Proper scaling can further refine the picture, but the number one factor will be proper de-interlacing.

I just tested 303 again. There is still a fairly significant difference between the "0" and "-1" setting. Look especially at the result in the high frequency vertical stripes in the bottom right of the Avia Sharpness pattern.

Are you seeing negative performance (ie. loss of resolution) with the 303 at -1? My comment was that there was no negative side effects of the "softer" picture of -1, unlike in previous firmware were the reduction of the Sharpness showed loss of horizontal and vertical resolution.

It is very noticeable on the 971 as viewed on my native 1080i display. I have to use the 720p output mode to get a stable, solid image. Neuromancer references it here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6482797#post6482797). I had no trouble with 1080i from the 971/981 on my displays, but I do know that the Faroudja chip's 1080i implementation is a little odd. The 983 will not have the same issue.

Gary

Are you seeing negative performance (ie. loss of resolution) with the 303 at -1? My comment was that there was no negative side effects of the "softer" picture of -1, unlike in previous firmware were the reduction of the Sharpness showed loss of horizontal and vertical resolution. Absolutely not. No negative side effects. I meant that there's a significant difference in the EE between each of the settings.

Gary

Especially when several Toshiba HD-DVD players have Anchor Bay processors in them, and can be had for dirt cheap. The A30 is about $130 right now, and has AB processing for upscaling, making it $270 less for basically the same performance upscaling standard-def DVDs.

Granted the Oppo has numerous other features (PAL, etc.) but this unit really is over-priced given the other players out there for what it's primarily geared to do.
As others have mentioned, the Toshiba HD-DVD players only use ABT for scaling, not for deinterlacing. The deinterlacing solution used by the 983H is a significant part of why it performs so well - and neuromancer posted something a week or so ago (here's the specific post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=13313472#post13313472)) that honestly startled me. Just the deinterlacing chip and its associated ROM chip cost anywhere from $70 to $100+, before you do anything with them. That's about 18% to 25% of the total retail price of a 983H, tied up in two little chips.

Any views on the scaling features of the oppo 938 - namely the letterbox to widescreen (16:19) conversion? Non-anamorphic letterbox to widescreen conversion is as good as it gets.

Gary

Absolutely not. No negative side effects. I meant that there's a significant difference in the EE between each of the settings.

Ahh, then we were thinking two separate things. In your case, yes, there is significant differences between the default and -1 Sharpness.

In my regard for preserving resolution, -1 does not have any side effects.

Heads Up: All Pre-orders Will Be Fulfilled This Afternoon

So what did you see? EE with 0? At the sharpness setting of "0", the EE looks about the same as the "sharp" players that most people seem to prefer (like the DV-980H). The "-1" setting reduces the EE, but does not get rid of it.

Gary

Especially when several Toshiba HD-DVD players have Anchor Bay processors in them, and can be had for dirt cheap. The A30 is about $130 right now, and has AB processing for upscaling, making it $270 less for basically the same performance upscaling standard-def DVDs.

Granted the Oppo has numerous other features (PAL, etc.) but this unit really is over-priced given the other players out there for what it's primarily geared to do.

Deinterlacing and upscaling are TWO very different things....with deinterlacing being much more important and difficult. As mentioned, the Toshiba units do not use ABT deinterlacing.

Denon. But I was pleasantly surprised to find there is a significant improvement in the HDMI audio compared to my 981.

I'm surprised by this comment - pleasantly as well..:)

guess I'll have to invite a local 983 owner for some A/B'g using multichannel DVD-A and SACD discs..

Neuro - sent you a PM. Thanks.

Heads Up: All Pre-orders Will Be Fulfilled This Afternoon

Thank you! My OPPO Order Status page reverted to "Payment Received." :confused:

Dana

Payment Received means that the order has been authorized for shipping (ie. OPPO has your money). Authorized orders will then be processed in the afternoon for shipment.

Payment Received means that the order has been authorized for shipping (ie. OPPO has your money). Authorized orders will then be processed in the afternoon for shipment.

Yes, I now have my FEDEX tracking number. Hopefully, all other pre-order customers do, too.

Dana

i recieved my fedex tracking number!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

when can we place orders for the 983 -- the website doesnt accept it at this time.

Do the e-mail signup. I hear they have very limited quantity left.

Does 983H support HD Divx? What about ISO images of DVDs over USB?

I'm surprised by this comment - pleasantly as well..:)

guess I'll have to invite a local 983 owner for some A/B'g using multichannel DVD-A and SACD discs..

Just picked up my 983 at the Mountain View HQ. First initial test was using it to play parts of August Rush disc I'd viewed/listened to last night on my trusty 971. Right away the audio was what I'd hoped for. I'm feeding a Theta Casanova via coax digital. Using the Theta 5-way amp into a Hales front end with Sonus Faber rears. Very big improvement. That's why I got it (already have a Samsung BD-P1200 for Blu-Ray and it's Reon upscaling). But I don't believe the Samsung is a match for the 983's audio section, at least for AC3. I'll need to play other source material to validate all of this.

p.s. the unit comes with an Anchor Bay VRS DVD with a nice assortment of test material. Unfortunately, there's no documentation on the disc or in the package describing what's on it, how to use it, or why you'd want to have it, though I'm certain Stacey Spears (one of the authors) would have wanted us to know and not bug him offline :)

Jeff, i too played with this disk. However, i do not know what i am doing. Can you tell us -nontechs- how to use this or just keep it in the box. I haven't had chance to cali. w/Avis/RS SPL yet.
Just to make sure the disk is the Anchor bay-video reference series- one

DAB, are you asking about the VRS disc that comes with the 983H? I will write about how I use it below. For the HQV benchmark disc, there is a guide on the HQV site: http://www.hqv.com/contentEngine/dspDocumentDownload.cfm?PCVID=6557af58-7e90-e2a3-bea3-f6ec25bf8781

VRS disc usage:

Static Patterns - Picture Controls:

Brightness/Contrast: There are two white areas and two black areas. This is for calibration. Adjust the TV's brightness setting up until the three black bars are visible, then adjust it down until the darkest bar disappears into the background. Adjust the TV's contrast or picture setting down until the three white bars are visible, then adjust it up until the brightest bar disappears into the background. If you cannot get all three black and white bars showing, there is a problem passing Blacker-than-black or Whiter-than-white signal from the DVD player to your TV.

Color/Tint: This will require a filter. With a filter you can adjust the TV's saturation and hue. Since I don't have a filter I just leave it alone.

Y/C Delay: The left and right borders of the red bar should be about the same. If one side is brighter or darker than the other side, there is a Y/C delay issue. If color bleeds out of the red bar, there is a severe Y/C delay issue. Adjust the Y/C delay on the 983H if necessary (mine was fine at default settings)

Resolution: Make sure the vertical bars and lines are clean, and no group is particularly brighter or darker than others. On the right hand side, make sure the thin vertical lines can be individually counted, and the width of the black/white lines is about the same. Also check the colored lines. Adjust the sharpness setting of the TV or DVD player will affect how this test looks.

Static Patterns - Geometry:

Frame Geometry: I don't know how to use this. Perhaps useful for CRT?

Image Cropping: Make sure all four sides show the border line for the box marked as "1". If not, there is an image cropping or overscan problem with the TV or DVD player.

Cross Hatch - Coarse/Fine: I think this is for CRT or PJ that requires focusing or convergence. For my plasma there is no problem.

Focus: I think this is for CRT.

Static Patterns - Gray Scale:

Window - 10:100 - I believe this is for calibration with a light meter. Without a light meter, I just ensure each level is visibly different from the other levels.

Gray Ramp: Smooth transition of black to white. The left side is the reference black and the right side is the reference white. The ramp should start blacker than the reference black and gradually brighten up until brighter than the reference white. Banding or macroblocking can be shown if there are such problems.

Static Patterns - Half Patterns: I think these patterns are mainly for measuring output with meters.

Motion Patterns - Chroma Upsampling:

These patterns are for checking the Chroma bugs. I remember hometheaterhifi.com has an article on Chroma bugs. ICP is caused by encoding and cannot be totally fixed by the player or display. It can be filtered so the picture does not show jaggies, at the cost of muted color. Chroma Upsampling Error CUE is a problem with decoder. Good decoder should have no CUE. Again it can be filtered at the cost of muted color.

ICP: check for ICP bug. The rolling of lines should be smooth without jaggies and without flickering. The 983H's CUE correction on/off setting can show the difference.

2-2 and 2-3: check for CUE bug. The rolling of lines should be smooth without jaggies and without flickering. The color lines should be vivid. On the 983H, the CUE correction setting does not affect the result. It is clean anyway.

Motion Patters - Source Adaptive:

Film: This group of clips test for cadence support. The most important one is 2.3.2.3, followed by 2.2. Animations use 5.5, 6.4 and 8.7. The clips are the same as those in the HQV disc. See the HQV docs for what to check. Basically the edge of the news papar should have no jaggies, and the black rings on the coffee cup should have no flickering.

Bad Edits: There are 7 places where normal cadence is broken. In the best case (with 983H), at each place (marked as x of 7) the edge of the newspaper and the rings on the coffee cup should have no flickering. If there is flickering but the flickering disappears quickly, it's also OK (PS3 is like this). If the picture becomes much worse - more flickering or even combing as if watching through a miniblind, the player fails to recover from bad edits.

Film Detail: Also tst for cadence support. The grand stand should be clean without moire (moire is like watching the movie through a screen door). The quicker the player can remove moire to restore clean picture, the better.

Bad Edits: same as above.

Synthetic Wedge: I first saw this on a Microsoft test disc. The lines that make up the wedge should all be clean. If the lines are not stable or the entire image flickers, the cadence is not supported.

Motion Patters - Edge Adaptive

Jaggies - 45/20/10/All: Similar to those on the HQV test disc, so read the HQV docs for pass/fail grades. Basically the bar should be as straight as possible while rotating. The most difficult one is the 10 degree one.

Ropes/Ship/Hockey/Bridge: These are all demo clips to show how edge processing can affect real video. Again edges with small degree (near horizontal) are most difficult to deal with.

Motion Patterns - Mixed Mode

These clips test how snapped on text is processed when the background movie uses a different cadence than the text. I think for DVD players it's not that important.

Montage: A mixture of many clips, with bad edits at some transition of scenes. Watch carefully to see if you can catch a blip moment of combing.

Demo Loop: as the name implies.

About: credits by S&M - yeah, it is indeed a torture and abuse for DVD players and TVs.

How is the PQ of upscaled 1080p when compared to DV-981HD, if you forget macro-blocking etc.? Is it substantially better than PQ of DV-981HD to the naked eye? I currently have 981 and wondering if it's worth upgrading. Thanks!

Does 983H support HD Divx? What about ISO images of DVDs over USB?

No, neither. I actually haven't tested .iso, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

-Bill

How is the PQ of upscaled 1080p when compared to DV-981HD, if you forget macro-blocking etc.? Is it substantially better than PQ of DV-981HD to the naked eye? I currently have 981 and wondering if it's worth upgrading. Thanks!

Define "substantially" and "worth".

The 983 is better. The 981 looks soft by comparison, and perhaps more "green".

On a 37" LCD the difference is not essential for me. I am pleased with the 981 and would not replace it.

-Bill

I am pleased with the 981 and would not replace it.I am pleased with 981 too and I don't think the PQ of upscaled SD on my 46" 1080p LCD will be a lot better with 983. I just wanted general opinion of people who did side by side comparison of the two models :)

Do the e-mail signup. I hear they have very limited quantity left.

I did that last weekend and did not get an acknowledgement email. Should I have?

Thanks.

Just in case any units do become available, I'm preparing to hit the trigger fast. So, I' figuring out all my options. What are y'all doing about the extended warranty? I'm not normally into them, but I thought I'd consider it.

Also, if anyone wants to PM me with any thoughts on the Oppo HDMI switch or a link to threads, I'd appreciate it. I'm don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm in the midst of another third trimester migraine, and I just don't have it in me to search the forum right now.

Joy

I did that last weekend and did not get an acknowledgement email. Should I have?

OPPO's Response:
You will get an e-mail if we have stock. Right now we have just finished pre-orders and are doing an inventory assessment. We may release more players, or wait until we receive new stock to allow for more orders.

In either case, those who signed up to be notified will receive an e-mail once units are available for purchase

Also, if anyone wants to PM me with any thoughts on the Oppo HDMI switch or a link to threads, I'd appreciate it. I'm don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm in the midst of another third trimester migraine, and I just don't have it in me to search the forum right now. The OPPO HM-31 HDMI switch works really well, and I have tested it successfully with the 983.

Gary

HM-31 is great. Havn't had any issues with it in my test bed.

Also, if anyone wants to PM me with any thoughts on the Oppo HDMI switch or a link to threads, I'd appreciate it.
Joy

Amazon.com has a lot of user reviews for OPPO HDMI switch. The link is here http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B000UQCAKW******pd_bbs_sr_3_cm_cr_acr_txt?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Just in case any units do become available, I'm preparing to hit the trigger fast. So, I' figuring out all my options. What are y'all doing about the extended warranty? I'm not normally into them, but I thought I'd consider it.

Also, if anyone wants to PM me with any thoughts on the Oppo HDMI switch or a link to threads, I'd appreciate it. I'm don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm in the midst of another third trimester migraine, and I just don't have it in me to search the forum right now.

Joy

Joy,

My sympathies are with you regarding your migraines. A coworker of mine suffered from them and I learned a lot from her about them. No fun for sure.

CNET reviewed the OPPO HM-31 switch here http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/oppo-hm-31/4505-6487_7-32684278.html?tag=prod.txt.1. Also, you might want to check reader comments on Amazon which offers it.

Dana

I've also written up some thoughts on the HM-31 here (http://www.prillaman.net/oppo_hm31_review.html). It has worked well for me.

Jeff-wow- alot of work . Thanks from all of us.
1. i believe we would change the setting with this disk as we would with AVIA. Just on the surface my NEC50" xr5-a is matching up nicely. but i sure some tweaking will help.
2. Blade Runner- directors cut. on the L/R sides of the picture the is a slight boarder[i didn't see it at first] do not know what causes this. Mode: letter box[bars top/bottom], but i do not see these boarders on the other DVDs i tested. [irobot-nemo-rotk-tt,ice age] ??
*btw i have seen this Blade Runner DVD 10+ this is the best PQ i have seen with this 983H. I was always thought BR was a little too dark & grainy, this player really brings out the details. I have not Calibration to either TV/player yet- right out of the box.

Alright got the 983 installed and fired up. Can't really answer highly technical questions because I don't know what I'm talking about:) Anyway this is replacing a Oppo 970 on a Sony 50" SXRD. I tried some animations and films I've watched many times and know well. I paused it a lot on facial close ups and the like and I'll tell you it is definately a step up in performance from the 970. Perhaps not real high definition but for this j6p it's good enough for the forseeable future. Also I don't know what they did to the audio section but the cd's I tried sounded noticably better too. Just regular cd's over optical seemed like better separation in the front channels and a little bit clearer sound. I wasn't expecting it but what a nice bonus! Anyway that's the end of this highly technical review, bye y'all:D

I am in the same camp and the DVD audio is much better..


Perhaps not real high definition but for this j6p it's good enough for the forseeable future. Also I don't know what they did to the audio section but the cd's I tried sounded noticably better too. Just regular cd's over optical seemed like better separation in the front channels and a little bit clearer sound. I wasn't expecting it but what a nice bonus!

would a new 983 owner with a hd pj and 90"-110" (or whatever) screen please play parts of 'the abyss' (non anamorphic letter-boxed) and describe to us how 983 makes it look on the big screen.
thanks a lot!

would a new 983 owner with a hd pj and 90"-110" (or whatever) screen please play parts of 'the abyss' (non anamorphic letter-boxed) and describe to us how 983 makes it look on the big screen.
thanks a lot!

I did it about 2 months ago. From memory, I thought it looked good. No it certainly doesn't have the PQ of 5thE, but I remember it looking pretty good.
I have certainly seen plenty of other anamophic dvds that look much worse on the 983 than the non-anamorphic Abyss. At the time, I think I was projecting a 110" image.

I did it about 2 months ago. From memory, I thought it looked good. No it certainly doesn't have the PQ of 5thE, but I remember it looking pretty good.
I have certainly seen plenty of other anamophic dvds that look much worse on the 983 than the non-anamorphic Abyss. At the time, I think I was projecting a 110" image.

thanks for response!
its encouraging.

The Abyss looked very soft to me the last time I watched it (using an iScan Ultra to convert it to anamorphic). That being said, it will be one of the first movies I watch when I get the 983, and I will be excited to see the results.

Jeff-wow- alot of work . Thanks from all of us.
1. i believe we would change the setting with this disk as we would with AVIA. Just on the surface my NEC50" xr5-a is matching up nicely. but i sure some tweaking will help.
2. Blade Runner- directors cut. on the L/R sides of the picture the is a slight boarder[i didn't see it at first] do not know what causes this. Mode: letter box[bars top/bottom], but i do not see these boarders on the other DVDs i tested. [irobot-nemo-rotk-tt,ice age] ??
*btw i have seen this Blade Runner DVD 10+ this is the best PQ i have seen with this 983H. I was always thought BR was a little too dark & grainy, this player really brings out the details. I have not Calibration to either TV/player yet- right out of the box.

1. The Brightness/Contrast pattern can be used like AVIA for calibration. Other patterns are pretty much just evaluation/benchmark
2. Set the 983H's "border level" to 4 or 5, and then use the "zoom" button to get to "underscan" or "1/2" sizes. The borders added by the player will be grey. If you see the borders on the L/R sides still in black, those are most likely encoded on discs. 1.85:1 movies usually have borders encoded. I don't have this movie to check.

So does the 983 do a 4% speedup of pal titles...?

Edit: found this in the manual...

"Video 2 mode utilizes the Precision Video Scaling™ and RightRate™ video processing technologies from VRS™ by Anchor Bay (Video Reference Series) to perform PAL/NTSC conversion."

I still have no idea what this means...is this just a fancy way of saying that it does do the 4% speedup?

Edit: I'll answer my own question now. The player does do 4% speedup of pal titles.

2. Set the 983H's "border level" to 4 or 5, and then use the "zoom" button to get to "underscan" or "1/2" sizes. The borders added by the player will be grey. If you see the borders on the L/R sides still in black, those are most likely encoded on discs. 1.85:1 movies usually have borders encoded. I don't have this movie to check. A clever way to determine whether the black borders are introduced by the player or the DVD!

Nevertheless, DAB, I can pretty much guarantee that they are recorded that way on the disk. I have a few DVD's like this too.

Gary

Has anyone compared the 983, upsampling to 1080p, feeding a Pioneer 6010 KURO plasma with feeding a 480i signal to the Pioneer 6010 and letting it do the upscaling/interlacing???? Jim

Ok, I have caught up on the other 983 thread, but not yet here. So pardon if this has been asked an answered already ...

For those of you with a 983, and who have played a bunch of CDs on it, does it have the same ~1/2s missing audio problem as the 980 on the very 1st track? (Not all CDs do this, btw. Just those that have audio immediately at the beg of the 1st track.) Thanks !

Has anyone compared the 983, upsampling to 1080p, feeding a Pioneer 6010 KURO plasma with feeding a 480i signal to the Pioneer 6010 and letting it do the upscaling/interlacing???? Jim

The 983 does not support 480i over HDMI, so one would need to use component (preferred) or s-video. I would be especially interested in how 480p looks compared to 1080p over HDMI on the 6010. I'm still waiting on OPPO's waiting list or I would find out for myself.:(

Neuromancer,
Would you have the inside scoop on when Oppo will supply to international distributors?
The Aussie dist was taking pre-orders for a couple of weeks which I placed with him but so far he hasn't gotten an answer on when they will supply stock.
Thanks for your time

The 983 does not support 480i over HDMI, so one would need to use component (preferred) or s-video. I would be especially interested in how 480p looks compared to 1080p over HDMI on the 6010. I'm still waiting on OPPO's waiting list or I would find out for myself.:(

+1

I also have the 6010 and will A/B it against the Denon 2930. Assuming the 2930 loses, it will replace a crummy 7 year old Philips which is currently feeding a 4280.

hi my fellow AVSers, I am just in a state of awe how great this player sounds! I just have a couple of questions. Im sitting on the fence between blu-ray and upscaled DVD. Right now I have a 42" LCD tv that does 1080p60 and probably will have the set until the day it dies on me. Now the picture quality of the 983 to say a blu-ray player both at 1080p60 on a 42" LCD with a 7 feet viewing distance, How much different is the picture quality going to be? BD players and the 983 are comparable in price but the movies are $5-10 for DVD and 30 for BD, what should I do? I already have lots of DVDs like everyone else.

Just picked up my 983 at the Mountain View HQ. First initial test was using it to play parts of August Rush disc I'd viewed/listened to last night on my trusty 971. Right away the audio was what I'd hoped for. I'm feeding a Theta Casanova via coax digital. Using the Theta 5-way amp into a Hales front end with Sonus Faber rears. Very big improvement. That's why I got it (already have a Samsung BD-P1200 for Blu-Ray and it's Reon upscaling). But I don't believe the Samsung is a match for the 983's audio section, at least for AC3. I'll need to play other source material to validate all of this.

So you are getting a big improvement in sound just using the 983 as a transport!? I can't wait to hear the HDMI and analog outs if that's the case:D.

I just know alot of people on avs here can afford both blu-ray and this player but if you could only get one which route would you go 983 or a next gen?

I have bought into HD already. That said, if I had one choice, HD or 983, I pick the 983.

I just know alot of people on avs here can afford both blu-ray and this player but if you could only get one which route would you go 983 or a next gen?

Having an HD-XA2, Sammie p1400 and an oppo 980 (my 983 is in shipping now), and I had to settle for one player I would definitely go with the 983. Wait till the Blu-ray prices for players and disks become better and cheaper... my $.02

I havent heavily involved myself in HD yet have about 20 some bds i havent used that i got a good deal on but can always sell those since they are new. Dvds are just so darn cheap now most that i like are 5 bucks when you buy them in sets and 400 for a awsome player like the oppo isnt a biggie, i am guessing in my head it will take years for blu-ray to over take dvd sales if at all. I know alot of people and I'd say 5 percent have HDTV's so I think ill be safe for now with the 983, i love oppo.

I just know alot of people on avs here can afford both blu-ray and this player but if you could only get one which route would you go 983 or a next gen?
This is a cruel question. This is like asking me if I want to keep my left or right arm.;)

Seriously. Unless, you have a tendency to buy lots of movies I would get the 983 for now and get a Blu-ray player later. If you want to own a lot of movies it is time to go Blu-ray and stop buying more DVDs. The street prices differences in media price is not so bad if you shop online.

This is a cruel question. This is like asking me if I want to keep my left or right arm.;)

Seriously. Unless, you have a tendency to buy lots of movies I would get the 983 for now and get a Blu-ray player later. If you want to own a lot of movies it is time to go Blu-ray and stop buying more DVDs. The street prices differences in media price is not so bad if you shop online.

Of course there is always Netflix and Blockbuster too. Rent your movies and take the money saved from buying movies and invest that into buying a 983 AND a BR.;)

I received my 983 today and was playing around with some test patterns. I noticed that on the THX Optimizer "brightness" pattern (showing the THX logo with a drop shadow), the 983 would not show BTB when its brightness setting was set to "0". I had to change the 983 brightness setting to "1" in order to see the THX shadow (no matter what the brightness setting was on my display). The 983 is set for 1080i output. Has anyone else verified that the 983 will display below black with 1080i output and the brightness set to the default "0"?

Thanks,
Brian

I received my 983 today and was playing around with some test patterns. I noticed that on the THX Optimizer "brightness" pattern (showing the THX logo with a drop shadow), the 983 would not show BTB when its brightness setting was set to "0". I had to change the 983 brightness setting to "1" in order to see the THX shadow (no matter what the brightness setting was on my display). The 983 is set for 1080i output. Has anyone else verified that the 983 will display below black with 1080i output and the brightness set to the default "0"?

Thanks,
Brian

When brightness is set correctly you shouldnt see the drop shadow and when brightness is raised slightly you should start to see it. Sounds like it is set correctly at the zero setting.

Here is the THX description of the setting:
http://www.thx.com/home/dvd/optimizer/brightness.html

Bill.