I know there are many threads on this player, but I have to through in my 2 cents.

1. I have never seen a consumer product packaged so perfectly. Includes a custom flapped jacket for the player?

2. The video is different than I am used to. It is smoother and much more film-like than my Bravo D1.

3. CD sound is amazing.

I am still setting this up so there is more to explore.

Bottom line: Spend the extra budget bucks and get an Oppo!
Bought a factory refurb model at a reduced price also...

I agree completely. I replaced my old Philips DVP642 and the picture is so much better. The only problem I am having is in 4-3 material. There is a sharp black line along the sides of the picture. It's in between the picture and the blacked out pillarbox. So instead of the picture ending at the pillar, I get picture-sharp black line-pillar. Messed around with some settings but can't get it to go away. Other than that, it's great. I know Oppo recommends the 981HD for front projection but the 980H looks great to me.

How would you say this player compares to a DV971?
I am using it on a HLN617W - 720p DLP.

A Denon or Oppo that is the question?>

I agree completely. I replaced my old Philips DVP642 and the picture is so much better. The only problem I am having is in 4-3 material. There is a sharp black line along the sides of the picture. It's in between the picture and the blacked out pillarbox. So instead of the picture ending at the pillar, I get picture-sharp black line-pillar. Messed around with some settings but can't get it to go away. Other than that, it's great. I know Oppo recommends the 981HD for front projection but the 980H looks great to me.


Email oppo to diagnose this.

I agree completely. I replaced my old Philips DVP642 and the picture is so much better. The only problem I am having is in 4-3 material. There is a sharp black line along the sides of the picture. It's in between the picture and the blacked out pillarbox. So instead of the picture ending at the pillar, I get picture-sharp black line-pillar. Messed around with some settings but can't get it to go away. Other than that, it's great. I know Oppo recommends the 981HD for front projection but the 980H looks great to me.

Criterion puts a small border around all 4 sides of their 4:3 images. Are you seeing it w/ other DVDs, or just Criterion?

I've noticed a similar artifact on the Sunset Blvd DVD. It's not a black border, but a very thin, greyish border on the left and right sides of the image, but not the top. I didn't notice it on my previous player, so I don't know if it's an error on the disc, the way the Oppo is displaying, or maybe a conflict between the Oppo and the display. It's the only 4:3 DVD I've watched recently. When I get around to it, I'll check some more discs.

Doug

Criterion puts a small border around all 4 sides of their 4:3 images. Are you seeing it w/ other DVDs, or just Criterion?

I've noticed a similar artifact on the Sunset Blvd DVD. It's not a black border, but a very thin, greyish border on the left and right sides of the image, but not the top. I didn't notice it on my previous player, so I don't know if it's an error on the disc, the way the Oppo is displaying, or maybe a conflict between the Oppo and the display. It's the only 4:3 DVD I've watched recently. When I get around to it, I'll check some more discs.

Doug

I see right-side colored borders on many 4:3 letterboxed titles. I use a software player to confirm that it's on the disc. I don't know what causes this, but it's part of the mastering.

-Bill

I see right-side colored borders on many 4:3 letterboxed titles. I use a software player to confirm that it's on the disc. I don't know what causes this, but it's part of the mastering.

-Bill

I should have specified that it's a full-frame 4:3 disc, not letterbox. However, I expect your answer applies in either case.

Thanks,
Doug

I see right-side colored borders on many 4:3 letterboxed titles. I use a software player to confirm that it's on the disc. I don't know what causes this, but it's part of the mastering.

-Bill

Sounds like you're describing the "control track" that's present there. Some monitors and players will mask the edges to avoid seeing this. It's never seen on 4:3 monitors because of over-scan. It's the analog video control information, if memory serves me well. Particularly obvious on VHS.

Sounds like you're describing the "control track" that's present there. Some monitors and players will mask the edges to avoid seeing this. It's never seen on 4:3 monitors because of over-scan. It's the analog video control information, if memory serves me well. Particularly obvious on VHS.

Here is an example from Cutthroat Island. Note the white stripe on the right edge:

http://watershade.net/public/cutthroat.jpg

Purple Noon has a colored stripe in the same postion; hard to see unless you zoom in:

http://watershade.net/public/purple.jpg

The snapshots are from xine, which seems to squish the aspect ratio a bit.

-Bill

Just wondering is video noise/digital grain bother some on this player??

Just wondering is video noise/digital grain bother some on this player??

I'm going to say "no" since I don't recognize what you are talking about. Digital grain?

-Bill

Digital grain is like snow in solid colors, pretty bothersome.
Thought it was inherent to the meditek decoder since both sony and phillips had it. If I'm correct Oppo has a modified meditek.

If I'm correct Oppo has a modified meditek.

Yes.

-Bill

Digital grain is like snow in solid colors, pretty bothersome.
Thought it was inherent to the meditek decoder since both sony and phillips had it. If I'm correct Oppo has a modified meditek.

I have to say, I hadn't noticed it until this evening. During the final chapter of Star Trek III, there is a lot of smoke swirling in the background, and the digital grain was bothersome at times.

Doug

Okay, I fixed the border problem. The problem was with the AR setting on the Oppo. I had it set to widescreen-auto which is where it automatically formats 4:3 for a 16:9 display. I set it down to regular widescreen and the sharp black bar is gone. It's now a seemless transition from picture to pillarbox. The AR I will continue to selet on my Optoma H31's remote. Thanks for the input.

P.S. - I also used the 980H as a CD player for the first time lastnight. Simply amazing sound. It blows my Sony 5 disc carousel player out of the water. I thought some of the reviewers who touted the 980H as a premier CD player were nuts, but lo and behold! Be sure and try a CD soon.

Cipriano, are you using the analog for the audio out?

I am. When I bought the HDMI-to-DVI cable from Monoprice I also got a 6 foot premium RCA audio line. Much heftier than the standard red/white stereo cables that come with the Oppo. My receiver is an Onkyo 8511 two channel stereo.

The 980H is a very good audio player. I have a 983H now for video and my 980H is reserved for SACD/DVD-A use. It's one of the few players that can pass DSD over HDMI and for SACD multi channel - its unreal. Given it's price it is just amazing.

I am. When I bought the HDMI-to-DVI cable from Monoprice I also got a 6 foot premium RCA audio line. Much heftier than the standard red/white stereo cables that come with the Oppo. My receiver is an Onkyo 8511 two channel stereo.


I found the analog out to be subpar compared to any standalone cd player, or just a computer-based cd/dvd player on a realtek motherboard sound chip.

Perhaps you have an excellent equalizer.

Err which is better for audio out?

HDMI is out, so left; Analog, Coaxial or Optical for 980? Or should i ask are they the same....?

Err which is better for audio out?

HDMI is out, so left; Analog, Coaxial or Optical for 980? Or should i ask are they the same....?

to play dvd-a or sacd you'll need to use the HDMI or analog. If it's for anything else the optical or coax is fine.