I've been following several threads and there are varying opinions on this topic. Unfortunately, I can't test both players side by side.

Before I make my purchase, I was hoping to get more opinions on which is the best upscaling DVD player. It seems that for me, it comes down to the Toshiba XDE 500 vs. Oppo 980 . Which player would you guys choose? Thanks a lot

Are you buying just to view dvds, or to view dvds and to play audio cds?

I have the 980h and had the E500. Personally, E500 isn't even in the same league functionality and stability the oppo has. Picture quality is subjective, if you like how CSI miami looks and want that look on films go with the E500. If you want more natural detailed film like picture, Oppo is the way to go.

The XDE has generated quite a bit of heated discussion here at AVS and you won't find many objective opinions. The Oppo does much more than the XDE, playing SACD, DVD-A, and such, and it does have more options to adjust video. I've and many others love the XDE's ability to sharpen image and others hate it. Depends on you and your tastes.

Don't believe that you have to like shows like CSI Miami to like the XDE. The opposite view is that the Oppo 980's image is "softer." For 98% of the new owners of the XDE, IQ is excellent.

I'd suggest you go over to the Amazon site and read the reviews of actual owners. Not often does a new product generate the accolades this one has.

That said, it all depends on your HDTV, what you watch and your personal preferences in image quality. Me? I love the XDE but I'd also be quite happy with the Oppo 983.

arkiedan

I have the 980h and had the E500. Personally, E500 isn't even in the same league functionality and stability the oppo has. Picture quality is subjective, if you like how CSI miami looks and want that look on films go with the E500. If you want more natural detailed film like picture, Oppo is the way to go.

I fully agree with these comments. I decided to keep Oppo 980h and returned the xde-500.

I would be using it almost exclusively as a DVD player

You could pick up the Oppo, and then go into the settings, and pump up the Sharpness.

I would imagine if you set it to max, the picture will start to look like the XDE-500's.

And of course the Oppo would have more accurate scaling than the XDE-500 too.

just try them both out, they come with 30day returns. Its better to judge for yourself than hearsay.

buy the xde500 and see if it satisfies you. Relatively speaking, it's pretty cheap and you may be satisfied.

I think the Toshiba is different enough in how it upscales to give it a shot. My guess is that many people will like it.

In order to test both, I would have to get an Oppo, and I don't think they are available at my local stores like Bestbuy or Circuit city or Magnolia hifi. Where can I get an Oppo at a brick and mortar store? Or do I have to order it online?

to get an Oppo [...] do I have to order it online?

Yes.

-Bill

I have both players, and actually just bought the XDE 2 days ago at Circuit City. The XDE is absolutely fantastic. Yes, the Oppo is very nice as well, but save your money and get an XDE. Use the money you saved for something else. Picture quality is a little better on the XDE. One thing that is kind of strange is i set the XDE to output 1080p 24fps to my Pioneer 5080HD, which is only 720p, and it works. The picture looks beautiful.

I have both players, and actually just bought the XDE 2 days ago at Circuit City. The XDE is absolutely fantastic. Yes, the Oppo is very nice as well, but save your money and get an XDE. Use the money you saved for something else. Picture quality is a little better on the XDE. One thing that is kind of strange is i set the XDE to output 1080p 24fps to my Pioneer 5080HD, which is only 720p, and it works. The picture looks beautiful.

You give advise about saving money yet you buy a XDE when you already have a 980 which pretty much in the same area performance wise as the XDE.

One thing people seem not to mention is the support and superior firmware updates from the Oppo line.

You give advise about saving money yet you buy a XDE when you already have a 980 which pretty much in the same area performance wise as the XDE.

One thing people seem not to mention is the support and superior firmware updates from the Oppo line.

I read it as. 'I bought an Oppo 980, some time ago, I recently bought the XDE and based on my experience you are better off with the XDE,'. Seems reasonable to me. So, IF you had to buy one, the recommendation is that the Toshiba is the better value for money. How did you read it?

Yes. Oppo has great service. The XDE's primary advantage is 1080p/24fps for those with displays that support this. Also, the edge enhancement is something some may like. I like the effect. Many AV conservatives will say no sort of post processing is good. For them, the Oppo may be a better option since the Oppo has by all accounts an excellent de-interlacer.

One thing that is kind of strange is i set the XDE to output 1080p 24fps to my Pioneer 5080HD, which is only 720p, and it works. The picture looks beautiful.

I have a Pioneer 506XDE which, like yours, is 720p/1080i, but it accepts 1080p/24 signal from players that are able to send it. It, for example, passes through 1080/24 from my PS3.

artslinger has never heard of having more than 1 DVD player. Well it happens more than you think. How about this, I have another one too!

Playing with the xde I really like it. Highly recommended

If proper handling of 4:3 material is important to you then it is better to go with the Oppo. This is the main reason the XDE is not an option for me. I'd like to get the Oppo 983 but I can't justify the cost yet.

Take this for what it really is... just one person's opinion.

I've owned a 980 for quite some time now and recently did purchase an XDE. There are the obvious differences... the 980 does DVD-A and SACD while the XDE does 24pfs, enhances color or contrast. However if your only concern is picture sharpening quality then I feel I can safely say this much... If your viewing distance is more than 2.5X the width of your screen you will be much happier with the XDE as it is just plain sharper, there is no contest... however if your viewing distance is less than 1.5X the screen width then the XDE will drive you nutz ('cause of edge ringing in the details) and the Oppo is clearly the better choice, just remember to set the sharpness control to high. Now if your viewing distance is somewhere between 2.5x and 1.5x... uh, then you're on your own. It will boil down to tastes/ personal biases, display specifics such as the set's own sharpness tweaking abilities and type of artifacts created in the trade-off, the room lighting, etc. Hoped this helped a little...

Is the Toshiba region-free?

And my Google search states that it also plays DivX files though it's not indicated on the Toshiba website (http://www.toshibaxde.com/models.html)?

Is the Toshiba region-free?

The XD-E500 can be made region free with a remote control hack. It will play PAL discs, however it forcibly converts them to NTSC before scaling, and does a horrible job of it. PAL discs will be filled with jaggies and aliasing. The player is useless with PAL.

The XD-E500 can be made region free with a remote control hack. It will play PAL discs, however it forcibly converts them to NTSC before scaling, and does a horrible job of it. PAL discs will be filled with jaggies and aliasing. The player is useless with PAL.

All my stuff are NTSC, but of course it would be nice to have the PAL capability just in case.

Thanks for the info.