Will soon be purchasing a new 54v panasonic plasma when they are released.I want best upconverting player to view my many sd dvd concerts.I have no blu-ray discs in my collection yet.I already have an oppo 970 connected to my Pioneer 433cmx plasma with excellent results. Thanks for the help.

For a guy with Monster Cable affectations, my recommendation will be very unsatisfying because you won't be spending (wasting) any money. Use your Oppo.

The Panny will do a better job of scaling than any so-called upconverting player.

PowerSeller NYC has the Denon DVD-5910CI DVD Player for $2395 with free shipping. This is 41% off the $3999 MSRP.

thanks cavu.Since my 970 is used with my 433cmx in another room,which oppo should I purchase to go with the new panny?

which oppo should I purchase to go with the new panny?Th DV-970HD has excellent 480i via HDMI.

Dont think you can find a 970 on sale anymore.Should I go with 980 or 981?

Should I go with 980 or 981?I have no direct experience with that series ... perhaps someone else could comment.

Best SD upconverting DVD player currently is Oppo 983 but it's $400 (ABT for scaling and deinterlacin). There is a huge thread on this player. If you want BD player then Samsung 2500 does BD and has Reon for upconverting for $300-400 (the incoming Oppo BD player should also be very good at upconverting). If you want extinct players then Toshiba XA2 has Reon for upconverting and plays back HDDVD also. If you want BD, media server, and games then PS3 is your best bet for $300-400. If you want HTPC then build your own for more money.

I'm a believer in upconverting while some don't. If you're a believer then go with native resolution of the plasma (1080p). If you want 480i via HDMI there is a handful of players that will do that (search here).

I would go with either the OPPO 980 if you want to send the TV a 480i signal or the OPO DVD-983 if you are will to spend more for the best PQ.