2 questions please... does the latest firmware support the region free hack? Looks like it doesn't to me. Can anyone confirm? When I entered 90210 no secret menu popped up as described.

Also, is there anyway that the player can tell you what type of soundtrack you are playing? Meaning my old sony player I could view on screen if the soundtrack I selected was a DD 2.0, DD 5.1, DTS etc., is there any way to view on screen this information, I definetly miss that, since my pre-amp doesn't tell me either. Like the OPPO is does tells me it's DD or DTS, etc, but not it's a 5.1 or 2.0 soundtrack.

Thanks..

Thre are several different hacked firmwares posted. There is one specifically for the Oppo. I have tried it and it works with the new remote with no problem. It is a modified version of the 1022 firmware. With the tray open you must press stop for about 5 seconds to get the new remote to work. Do not use the BBK firmware it is different.

Is anyone actually in contact with these Russian folks? If they could add the ability to manually adjust subtitle position, I would seriously consider trying their firmware. As a 2.35:1 fixed height screen user, that is the #1 most desireable feature that I'm looking for in a DVD player. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be on Oppo's list of priorities.

Also, is there anyway that the player can tell you what type of soundtrack you are playing? Meaning my old sony player I could view on screen if the soundtrack I selected was a DD 2.0, DD 5.1, DTS etc., is there any way to view on screen this information, I definetly miss that, since my pre-amp doesn't tell me either. Like the OPPO is does tells me it's DD or DTS, etc, but not it's a 5.1 or 2.0 soundtrack.

Thanks..

I made a comment about this problem a couple of days ago. Glad to see someone else has seen it. Guess it needs to be added to the defect/wish list.

Steve.

Is anyone using the OPPO with a Samsung HLP 5063 DLP TV. If so, what are your experiences with picture quality, microblocking, audio sync, etc.

Is anyone using the OPPO with a Samsung HLP 5063 DLP TV. If so, what are your experiences with picture quality, microblocking, audio sync, etc.

Thanks!

There are one more fw on that site - oppo971.vC it is not based on 1022. As far as I understand it based on some other bbk player fw with nerodigital support but fully optimized for oppo remote. Works for me pretty well.

Hello.
At the narod.ru page, the heading is "firmware updates based on 1022", I tought both was based on 1022, do you have other info?

BTW:I havent tryed oppo971.v9 and cannont download it, very low speed and cut off after 5 min...do you know a other link?

Don't know about the samsumg but on my Z3 it looks very very good over DVI at 720P.

2 questions please... does the latest firmware support the region free hack? Looks like it doesn't to me. Can anyone confirm? When I entered 90210 no secret menu popped up as described.

Also, is there anyway that the player can tell you what type of soundtrack you are playing? Meaning my old sony player I could view on screen if the soundtrack I selected was a DD 2.0, DD 5.1, DTS etc., is there any way to view on screen this information, I definetly miss that, since my pre-amp doesn't tell me either. Like the OPPO is does tells me it's DD or DTS, etc, but not it's a 5.1 or 2.0 soundtrack.

Thanks..

Are you a big 90210 fan? :)
The code is 9210

I have my Oppo connected to a Samsung 50" HLP5063W...dvi-hdmi too- I turn off all enhancements on dvd player- CCS, Truelife, Noise Reduction etc...Sharpness, Brightness, Contrast, Saturation all at Off or "00" setting...better to tweak these settings on your tv using a calibration disc such as Digital Video Essentials....and make sure your Oppo has latest 1111b firmware installed to give correct brightness "studio" setting.
I also have Oppo set to "wide" and am using 720p mode on the Samsung as this is its native resolution and when Samsung picture setting is set to "expand" this results in exact 1:1 pixel matching- lovely picture.
I'd recommend setting your Sony to its native resolution. From what I've read, the Sony picture adjustments are very complex so I'd recommend using those rather than the ones on the Oppo to get the best possible picture.

I have the Samsung HLP 5063 as well. Are you experiencing any microblocking, lip sync issues with the OPPO? I am trying to decide between it and the Panasonic S77.

Thanks!

Just receiver my new Oppo with what I assume is the latest firmware.

Outstanding picture quality rendered from an HP 65 inch DLP. I watched a Superbit DVD last night, just excellent quality. Best I've ever seen from this class of DVD player, both audio and video.

I only recently heard of these Superbit DVDs. Has anyone run across a site online that sells them at the most reasonable price, or is it just a matter of waiting for sales at Best Buy and the like?

Thanks


BestBuy has all of their Superbit DVD's for $9.99 until December 31, 2005. Check their website. Here is the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=pcmcat71200050005

I picked up some for Christmas.

I have the Sammy 5063 and have owned a Panny S97 which I replaced w/ the Oppo so you can guess what I'm going to recommend.

First of all, as neuro pointed out, you will in fact see benefits from an upscaling player despite the fact that your Samsung has DCDi built in. The reason being you will be using an all digital connection which will bypass the Samsung's DCDi processing. The Samsung is not capable of accepting 480i over HDMI or DVI but the Oppo/Panny etc will pass 720p over DVI/HDMI to the Samsung so no processing/conversions are necessary. To utilize the DCDi in the Samsung you would need to pass 480i over component - in fact you will probably find that using regular prog scan dvd player connected via component, that the results are better w/ PS off.

I had the s97 for a while and liked it but found that there were a lot of noisy artifacts which really detracted from viewing. The Oppo is much better in this regard which a cleaner and more film like picture. On a well mastered DVD, the Oppo looks fantastic w/ the Sammy. While the s97 has a ton of options and features, I found this to be more of a pain than anything else. There were so many permutations of settings that I never knew for sure whether everything was set properly. Not to mention the hours and hours I spent testing lots of settings out to try to reduce the noise. The Oppo is simple and effective. Plus it is much more responsive to IR commands which always annoyed me on the S97.


Hi Eric,

BTW that is my name as well. Are you experiencing any microblocking, lip sync, etc., with the OPPO hooked up to your Samsung HLP 5063. I have the exact same model TV. I am looking to replace my current DVD player with either the OPPO or Panasonic.

Thanks!

I've attempted to try the Russian firmware hack but I 've been unsuccessful so far. I've been able to download it, but the file doesn't have an .iso extension, just a zip containing the .bin file. Can someone clue me in.

You burn the .bin file as an ISO 9660 format disc, and you should be good to go.

Deleted.

Hmm, tried that and got "unexpected file" error from Nero. None of the formats recognized the .bin extension. I set up Nero based on the ruskies web settings. Anything else I might have overlooked?

BestBuy has all of their Superbit DVD's for $9.99 until December 31, 2005. Check their website. Here is the link: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?type=category&id=pcmcat71200050005

I picked up some for Christmas.

Cool! Thanks for the heads up! I'd been thinking of buying the Fifth Element dvd anyways so I just finished ordering the superbit version.

Try to open Nero, and drop the bin file in. I had the same error before it worked.

Thre are several different hacked firmwares posted. There is one specifically for the Oppo. I have tried it and it works with the new remote with no problem. It is a modified version of the 1022 firmware. With the tray open you must press stop for about 5 seconds to get the new remote to work. Do not use the BBK firmware it is different.
The version C firmware, as well as the other ones, is for BBK and is based on Oppo 1022. Looks like this BBK model is exactly the same as Oppo; it just carries a different brand name. I guess it would be save to assume the full compatibility and go ahead and apply it. However, my second question about the filename support still remains unanswered.
Whoever has successfully used it, please try to play an mp3 disk and tell me if the filenames are readable.
Thanks!

Same here. No problems.
Works with the old (silver) and the latest new remote (pressing stop for about 5 sec). I've tried both.

When you say "press stop for 5 secs", do you mean press stop on the remote? or on the player?

Thanks in advance!

I just received the new remote control today after ordering it Monday. A nice improvement over the old one. Thanks, Oppo!

When you say "press stop for 5 secs", do you mean press stop on the remote? or on the player?

Thanks in advance!


Player

Placed an order for an Oppo player yesterday. It sort of feals like I'm part of some club. LOL. My anticipation for this player is high, thanks to all of the reviews I've read here. I plan on coupling this with a Sammy HLR5668. Will let everyone know how it turns out.

Thanks for all the good advice.

Owned mine for a week now. and so far, its been a great player. I think my only gripe is still the closed caption aspects of it. It's just finnicky in that area. i know there a couple other things that could/need to be fixed in the next firmware, but I hope that includes the randomness of the closed captions that keep popping up on screen at the most random moments. watching Toy Story 2 last night, it seemed the player would just suddenly caption one item, and not the next. then 20 minutes later, something else would be subtitled.

it just kept taking me out of the movie, because it was so unexpected. and of all things, it would come up in French??? what the fred? it must have done it 8 or 9 times during one film. even with all the captions turned off. i know there are probably more reasonable things to gripe about, but, call me picky, that was something that was just flat out annoying.

it seems even the cheapest dvd player can get that right. i guess in my experience its just something i've never seen before in a player, when captions are off, they are off. even the french ones! :D

Count me in as part of the Russian Firmware club (version C). Just finished the upgrade. Went faster than I remembered before, like 2 seconds after hitting the play button. Two minutes after I took out the disk, it rebooted. I like the new font, and there are new features for bass management. I also found PBC under the general setup. I forget what that means? Everything else seems to be the same. It works great for bypassing all the warnings and previews.

Count me in as part of the Russian Firmware club (version C). Just finished the upgrade. Went faster than I remembered before, like 2 seconds after hitting the play button. Two minutes after I took out the disk, it rebooted. I like the new font, and there are new features for bass management. I also found PBC under the general setup. I forget what that means? Everything else seems to be the same. It works great for bypassing all the warnings and previews.


Congratulations. I'm still striking out. Do you mind describing the procedure each step of the way? I've tried everything I can think of short of writing the damn binary myself. :)

GFletch,

The easy way would be to use a program that can burn ISO (Image) files. Such as the freeware program BurnAtOnce.

Second, you can extract the 935.BIN file from the ISO (use ISOEdit or Winrar). Once this is done, use a burning software that allows you to choose your CD options. Make sure you use ISO 9660. NOTE: you can't use Joliet, so ensure it is ISO 9660 ONLY.

cabbageheat,

Manually deselect subtitles through your DVD menu's audio setup system. Most films that are effected are ones distributed by Disney. OPPO is aware of the problem, but is perplexed as to why non-foreced subtitles are being forced, and forced subtitles are not being shown.

GFletch,

The easy way would be to use a program that can burn ISO (Image) files. Such as the freeware program BurnAtOnce.

Second, you can extract the 935.BIN file from the ISO (use ISOEdit or Winrar). Once this is done, use a burning software that allows you to choose your CD options. Make sure you use ISO 9660. NOTE: you can't use Joliet, so ensure it is ISO 9660 ONLY.

I also had to manually change the label name to D1022. It worked for me only after I had done it. Dunno if this is true for anyone else but just in a case I share this info.

I liked this firmware mainly because the file browser now supports 46 chars and has a correct directory structure, plus the skip button actually skips the mp3s.

I wonder why Oppo won't implement it.

Can someone tell me why 46 is a limit? Only because that's how much the browser can fit? In that case, I have an MTK based portable which scrolls the file names. Unfortunately, the original firmware is not available. It is a Shinco 1910 model.

I liked this firmware mainly because the file browser now supports 46 chars and has a correct directory structure, plus the skip button actually skips the mp3s.

I wonder why Oppo won't implement it. Its not that OPPO won't implement it, they just have FAR more important and difficult things to deal with. I'm sure they will implement it in due time.

Is anyone using the OPPO with a Samsung HLP 5063 DLP TV. If so, what are your experiences with picture quality, microblocking, audio sync, etc.
I've used the OPPO with two Samsung 720p DLP RPTV's similar to yours (HLN437W and HLP4674W). The picture is spectacular on both sets, but they both required proper calibration to suppress the macroblocking. The default settings on both sets were pretty bad. Fortunately, as far as Faroudja players go, the OPPO is one of the least offenders when it comes to macroblocking. Lip sync has only VERY occasionally been a problem, and in such cases, hitting stop and resuming play always fixed it... unless the problem was on the DVD.

I liked this firmware mainly because the file browser now supports 46 chars and has a correct directory structure, plus the skip button actually skips the mp3s.

I wonder why Oppo won't implement it.

Wait for the next firmware. Both of these things are being addressed. Plus ID3 tags. But I have already said too much. *zips mouth shut*

Album art would be cool too. If the Oppo can show the album art that are embedded into mp3s, that would be a definite plus.

Firmware blues

As previously posted I get a vertically compressed image with the new 1111B firmware.
Called Oppo and was told to install 1022 or wait until next week for a new firmware.

I installed 1022 and have the same problem. With my Mitsu HC3000 front projector I only get correct aspect ratio in 16:9. A 4:3 movie is unwatchable with either firmware.

I am changing the aspect on PJ. I tried "TV" options on Oppo with no difference.

BTW with my older firmware 2-3 generations ago I had none of these problems with same setup, DVI to HDMI cable, etc.

Any inputs appreciated.

I also had to manually change the label name to D1022. It worked for me only after I had done it. Dunno if this is true for anyone else but just in a case I share this info.

I liked this firmware mainly because the file browser now supports 46 chars and has a correct directory structure, plus the skip button actually skips the mp3s.

I wonder why Oppo won't implement it.

Can someone tell me why 46 is a limit? Only because that's how much the browser can fit? In that case, I have an MTK based portable which scrolls the file names. Unfortunatel, the original firmware is not available. It is a Shinco 1910 model.


Thanks for the help guys. Changing the label is the only thing I haven't attempted yet. In the process of trying to get this to work I discovered a neat little tool called bin2iso, plus I learned you can write your own corresponding cue file with notepad. Amazing what you can learn if you stop looking at naked women. :D
At least I learned something new.

Not sure what the deal is with the label changing. I never had to do that. I would guess most of the issues around upgrading the firmware are more related to the burner program, media, or settings than to the Oppo. I have flashed the firmware 3 times, using Nero and never had an issue. It is very important that you follow all the directions on the Oppo site (and mentioned here ad nauseum). Hopefully we will all be doing it again soon with the rumors on here. If anyone is still having problems getting this to work, feel free to drop me a PM.

Not sure what the deal is with the label changing. I never had to do that. I would guess most of the issues around upgrading the firmware are more related to the burner program, media, or settings than to the Oppo. I have flashed the firmware 3 times, using Nero and never had an issue. It is very important that you follow all the directions on the Oppo site (and mentioned here ad nauseum). Hopefully we will all be doing it again soon with the rumors on here. If anyone is still having problems getting this to work, feel free to drop me a PM.
I agree it is not Oppo; it is the Mediatek firmware in general. I have had experience with other MTK firmwares for different players, and I've seen that before when incorrectly labeled firmware disk would not flash.

Oppo/BBK has released a new firmware version for the OPDV971H-E.
This is the european version of the Oppo with scart socket and a different remote.
It will not work with the version sold in the US (with any of the remotes).
I would just like to post the new features here since, most likely we will see them in the next version released by Oppo USA.

The main improvements are:

-Some basic MP3 ID3 tag support.
-PAL support is improved (2:2 pull down is now running smooth)
-some scaling for 720P and 1080i is improved (less right shift on some TV's)
-Audio delay up to 120mSec

I repeat this version of the firmware will not work with the version sold in the US since it uses a different remote.

You can read about it here:

http://www.livingcinema.nl/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=30&sid=5e537041afbeedfff39162e3754ab741

Hi,

Bumped into a couple more things, one I think is well known, the other is a question:

1. My OPPO doesn't hold it's place even if the power is just cycled. That seems different from every dvd player I've ever owned. Ex) My 5 year old accidentally sat on the remote when we were watching "Sky High" the other day and turned the OPPO off. I turned it back on, and we had to wade through lots of previews/warnings, etc., (couldn't get direct play to work) which seemed like a lot of work just to get back to where we were.

2. I was listening to a DVD audio the other day, and the ff/rr controls function the same as the skip controls, eg there is no way to scan through a dvd audio track- it just skips to the next track. Anybody else comment on this?

I'm one firmware behind, as I have the original silver remote, so I'm not sure if any of these have been addressed since.

Thanks!


Wes

ps for those of us with original remotes, is it recommended that we order the newer remote? I use a universal remote. . .

1. My OPPO doesn't hold it's place even if the power is just cycled. Yes, you have to hit eject to save your place.

for those of us with original remotes, is it recommended that we order the newer remote? I use a universal remote. . . No need to order the newer remote if you use a universal.

As previously posted I get a vertically compressed image with the new 1111B firmware...

With my Mitsu HC3000 front projector I only get correct aspect ratio in 16:9. A 4:3 movie is unwatchable with either firmware.

I am changing the aspect on PJ. I tried "TV" options on Oppo with no difference. If you change the "TV Display" option in the OPPO setup menu to "Wide/SQZ", a 4:3 picture will absolutely be output in the correct aspect ratio. Maybe your projector is doing something strange.

Oppo/BBK has released a new firmware version for the OPDV971H-E.
This is the european version of the Oppo with scart socket and a different remote.
It will not work with the version sold in the US (with any of the remotes).
I would just like to post the new features here since, most likely we will see them in the next version released by Oppo USA.

The main improvements are:

-Some basic MP3 ID3 tag support.
-PAL support is improved (2:2 pull down is now running smooth)
-some scaling for 720P and 1080i is improved (less right shift on some TV's)
-Audio delay up to 120mSec

I repeat this version of the firmware will not work with the version sold in the US since it uses a different remote.

You can read about it here:

http://www.livingcinema.nl/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=30&sid=5e537041afbeedfff39162e3754ab741YAY for 120ms! I hope it works well.

Well I finally got the Russian firmware to flash. Turns out I also had to change the label to D1022 in order for my Oppo to accept it.

Well I finally got the Russian firmware to flash. Turns out I also had to change the label to D1022 in order for my Oppo to accept it.


You see???

That's what I said :-)

You see???

That's what I said :-)


I know, I know. I only burned one more coaster before I listened. :rolleyes: BTW I was curious and downloaded a trailer from Nero Digital and played it on the Oppo. Not very good. I was a bit surprised. I expected it to look very close to DVD. Bypassing the PUOP's was cool and this new font looks much more professional. It also now includes a choice between YCbCr and RGB. I'll keep it awhile and see how it works out. If you have one of the newer remotes, you need to do the stop button routine too. Happy New Year all!!

YAY for 120ms! I hope it works well.

I wouldn't use the European firmware for the 120ms delay, as at 120ms there is nothing but white noise. This is why OPPO hasn't released the US firmware yet.

I know, I know. I only burned one more coaster before I listened. :rolleyes: BTW I was curious and downloaded a trailer from Nero Digital and played it on the Oppo. Not very good. I was a bit surprised. I expected it to look very close to DVD. Bypassing the PUOP's was cool and this new font looks much more professional. It also now includes a choice between YCbCr and RGB. I'll keep it awhile and see how it works out. If you have one of the newer remotes, you need to do the stop button routine too. Happy New Year all!!
Have you ever heard of CDRW's? :-)

Anyway, in order to update properly, you always need to label it according to the version you currently have or use the label from the official version.

Let me explain.
D1022 - because that's the label of the official version the firmware is used on.
Now let's suppose that you want to apply a BBK's firmware. In that case, you d/l the BBK firmware which might have a label called BBK, as an example. You will need to rename the label from BBK to what you had before when you upgraded.

Finally, you realize that the BBK's firmware is not really compatible with your Oppo. You want to reverse back. Since you already have the BBK's firmware, you will have to change the Oppo's original f/w's (the one you want to put back) label to BBK (see above).

I'm sure this is answered somewhere in the previous 5500+ posts in this thread.

I am about to order the Oppo. I just want to make sure I can connect both my analog projector (JVC G11) and my HDMI TV (Sony KD-34XBR960) at the same time. I don't want to watch them at the same time, but I want to be able to select which I am using without changing cables.

The manual says (misspellings and all):

"If an HDMI or HDMI-DVI Cable is plugged in TV, the player output is HDMI/DVI Out automatically, and then you cannot change Viedo Out. If the HDMI or the HDMI-DVI Cable is unplugged in TV, Video Output can be changed."

So the big question is: if the TV is turned off, does the player "know" that the DVI/HDMI cable is plugged in?

- Chris

Chris Satterlee,

All the connections on the OPDV971H are live at the same time. You can use the digital and the analog connections are the same time.

Anyone using an Infocus SP7200 proj with the 971H? Looking to purchase my first upconverting DVD player; haven't even tested out the 7200 with its DVI input yet. Any macroblocking issues with the 7200? Syncing issues? Didn't find any search matches in this thread for this projector.

While I'm at it, a couple of more questions in parallel with trying to make a dent reading this thread:

- Just how bad is component out with this player? I might be inclined to use component out for a short time, as I will need to set up another location in my room for this player and the DVI cabling. The 7200 handles 480i fairly well, so if it's only 480p with which the 971H has a problem, maybe I can get by for the short time I'll need it.

- Will likely be using a 10m cable run. Any issues with such a length (thinking Blue Jeans Cables).

- More of a general question, not player specific (I hope), any issues with a long run for the digital audio output? Does the player fare better with its optical or coax output (for a long run)? In order to get the player close enough to the projector for the DVI connection (if you consider 10m close), it will need to be a comparable distance away from my controller.

Note that I am not very sensitive to video quality, even with a big screen. I value usability as much if not more, such as a decent UI, discs play without crapping out, display time remaining (lived through the RP-91 in the past :rolleyes: ), etc. Thus, I'm open to suggestions for other upconverting players if there are any such usability issues with the 971H, at the expense of lower video quality.

Thanks.

Doug

Chris Satterlee,

All the connections on the OPDV971H are live at the same time. You can use the digital and the analog connections are the same time.

Thanks for the quick reply, Neuromancer. I am going to continue to use an external scaler for the projector, so I want the analog video output to be 480i. So if I select Setup->Display Setup->Video Output->Component(I-Scan) before connecting the HDMI, I would expect the analog output to stay at this setting after I connect the HDMI to the TV. Correct?

- Chris

Attempt at creating an updated, concise DV-971H settings guide located here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6826459&&#post6826459

Also located in first post of FAQ thread.

Enjoy!

Paul

Waaay back when we had this discussion... (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6424920&&#post6424920)

Yeah, I've been in touch with Oppo support during this. I'm sending them one of the Brick discs to do testing on.

I just got the Brick for Channukah, and, what do you know, it totally barfs on the Oppo. Perfect playback on my trusty '82 that I had to re-hook up for DVD-A support, so I'm not screwed (wasn't really counting on the Oppo working after these fine posts, but I kinda hoped that recent firmware might have addressed the issue...)

Ted, if you're around, any resolution from Oppo on this matter? Anybody collecting a list of affected DVD-As?

Was playing The Who's "Tommy" DVD-A today (1111b firmware). No problems.

Paul

I don't know if this already has been mentioned but does anyone know when oppo will release an updated dvd player with HDMI output instead of the current DVI?

Was playing The Who's "Tommy" DVD-A today (1111b firmware). No problems.

Paul

I'll remind Paul and others that there are a couple discs (Greendale, The DualDiscs from the Talking Heads Brick set I'm referring to, etc.) that do not play on a wide variety of "loosely compatible" (ie., not strict) implementations of the DVD-A spec, including many Pioneer players, and, alas, our poor Oppo.

This doesn't affect the majority of DVD-A discs, of course, but in this case it renders the discs unplayable on the Oppo, both in DVD-A and DVD-Video mode.

Glad you're enjoying Tommy, but it's a bit off topic... :)

I have the same configuration (SP7200) and have no syncing problems.

The component isnt great but is as good as some of the older Pioneers.

I am using a 10m cable from Better Cables and it works well. No issues. I also picked up a Gefen Switcher as I have 2 DVI Components

I used the Infocus 10 meter cable works great with the Oppo. Got mine at buy dot com

Thanks for the quick reply, Neuromancer. I am going to continue to use an external scaler for the projector, so I want the analog video output to be 480i. So if I select Setup->Display Setup->Video Output->Component(I-Scan) before connecting the HDMI, I would expect the analog output to stay at this setting after I connect the HDMI to the TV. Correct?

- Chris

That is correct.

I saw just on an other forum a link to a firmware update.
I have now information what this is but the firmware names is: OPDV971H(BES) -2-1226(new rc).bin and OPDV971H(BES) -2-1226(old rc).bin.
The site is from a European country, Finland.

Here is the URL:
http://www.mareks.fi/oppofirmware/

BTW: I havent tryed it myself.

I have the same configuration (SP7200) and have no syncing problems.

The component isnt great but is as good as some of the older Pioneers.

I am using a 10m cable from Better Cables and it works well. No issues. I also picked up a Gefen Switcher as I have 2 DVI Components

I used the Infocus 10 meter cable works great with the Oppo. Got mine at buy dot com

Thanks for the feedback, folks. Guess since you didn't mention any problems with the 7200 and macroblocking, it appears that's a non-issue (or one that can be dealt with via calibration).

I'm using a 47Ai now, so it sounds like any initial component usage will be similar to what I'm used to. Like to offload DVD-V from the 47Ai as I have had it modded for audio (just had the laser assembly replaced - I've learned my lesson).

I'll eventually also move my cable box to the same location as the new DVD player to make use of DVI, so a switcher is in my future plans; thanks for that free extra info :) .

Doug

I saw just on an other forum a link to a firmware update.
I have now information what this is but the firmware names is: OPDV971H(BES) -2-1226(new rc).bin and OPDV971H(BES) -2-1226(old rc).bin.
The site is from a European country, Finland.

Here is the URL:
http://www.mareks.fi/oppofirmware/

BTW: I havent tryed it myself.

This firmware will not work correctly on the OPDV971H as the European remote and the US remotes are different.

EDIT: Gave it a whirl. Seems that someone has hacked this 1226 firmware to include the new OPPO remote (previously they were using a rebagged BBK remote) for European models. The one available at LivingCinema.nl still uses the "BBK" remote. Or, LivingCinema.nl has received an older version of the firmware, and BBK has been sending other retailers updated European firmware.

I saw just on an other forum a link to a firmware update
I downloaded the file just to take a look. Haven't installed it.

The file contains two versions of the firmware relating to two different remotes (old rc and new rc). It also contains pictures of the remotes. The picture of the so called new rc looks exactly like the new (latest) remote oppo is shipping.
There is also a short word doc but it seems to be written in Russian so :confused:

In theory the firmware related to the new rc should work with the oppo w/ the latest remote but I guess I'll be waiting for the official firmware. It would be very nice though if Oppo could include the skip UOPs feature of the hacked firmware. :)

I downloaded the file just to take a look. Haven't installed it.

The file contains two versions of the firmware relating to two different remotes (old rc and new rc). It also contains pictures of the remotes. The picture of the so called new rc looks exactly like the new (latest) remote oppo is shipping.
There is also a short word doc but it seems to be written in Russian so :confused:

The file is written in Chinese. Here are basically the changes:

1. Added ID3 tags for MP3 files.
2、Improved explorer support: 20 supported characters.
3、Added text scrolling (14 shown; 6 scroll)
4、Audio Delay up to 120ms.
4、DVI syncronization error fixed. Image no longer shifts at 720p/1080i.
5、PAL settings are now remembered.

It would be very nice though if Oppo could include the skip UOPs feature of the hacked firmware. :)

I would not hold my breath on UOP skipping, as that will put OPPO is some legal hot water.

any talk or chance of adding soundtrack information? So that it displays a 2.0 DD, or 5.1 DD, or DTS soundtrack?

any talk or chance of adding soundtrack information? So that it displays a 2.0 DD, or 5.1 DD, or DTS soundtrack?

I have heard no whispers of such features being implimented in the OPDV971H.

GSB,

Thanks for the tip re "wide/SQZ" in the "TV Display" menu. I now get 4:3 as I should.

Guess that function needed resetting after the firmware flash.

GSB,

Thanks for the tip re "wide/SQZ" in the "TV Display" menu. I now get 4:3 as I should.

Guess that function needed resetting after the firmware flash.

Sometimes the OPDV971H will reset many of its functions after a firmware upgrade. There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason as to when it does it, either. I have gone 20~30 firmware cycles without a single problem, only to change the firmware one more time and lost all my presets to default.

I don't know if this already has been mentioned but does anyone know when oppo will release an updated dvd player with HDMI output instead of the current DVI?
Does anyone have any info on this, I don't want to make a separate topic on it?

The file is written in Chinese. Here are basically the changes:

1. Added ID3 tags for MP3 files.
2、Improved explorer support: 20 supported characters.
3、Added text scrolling (14 shown; 6 scroll)
4、Audio Delay up to 120ms.
4、DVI syncronization error fixed. Image no longer shifts at 720p/1080i.
5、PAL settings are now remembered.


Number 4 is particularly interesting as it's the #1 concern on the list of defects. Think it's actually fixed? If so, that's huge.

"I have heard no whispers of such features being implimented in the OPDV971H."

Too bad.. but I can live with it.. I just finished watching the ISLAND.. Man it looks so good from the OPPO to my Z3.. absolutley stunning image.. by the way anyone that has not seen THE ISLAND.. see it .. great GREAT FLICK..

Number 4 is particularly interesting as it's the #1 concern on the list of defects. Think it's actually fixed? If so, that's huge.

It has, but the current firmware is very limited. First, the steps are at 20 ms intervals (which is good for PAL, but bad for NTSC). Secondly, at 120ms, all you get is static audio.

OPPO is making sure they fix these two problems before they release the new firmware.

Does anyone have any info on this, I don't want to make a separate topic on it?Only rumours of "later this year".

The file is written in Chinese. Here are basically the changes:

1. Added ID3 tags for MP3 files.
2、Improved explorer support: 20 supported characters.
3、Added text scrolling (14 shown; 6 scroll)
4、Audio Delay up to 120ms.
4、DVI syncronization error fixed. Image no longer shifts at 720p/1080i.
5、PAL settings are now remembered.



I would not hold my breath on UOP skipping, as that will put OPPO is some legal hot water.

They could've done it with 46 chars as in the hacked f/w (this AND the scrolling would be my dream coming true). I guess they didn't bother to get rid of this annoying browser splitter (don't know how exactly it is called but you know what I mean).

But why they can't make it 128 chars, for example? Such a piece of trash as a Kiss player has it.

Neuromancer,

Thanks for the chinese file translation. :)

Has there been any change in firmware regarding the Pal timings for 720p?
My Pana HD8 plasma doesn't work with firmware v.1022 @720p Pal.
In NTSC everything is fine. If I use the video 2 mode, every time I put a Pal disk in, I must remember to change the resolution back to 480/575p otherwise I will have a blank screen. The picture is very good with 480/576p and doesn't improve a great deal to 720p but it would be nice to have Pal working @720p on Pana plasmas.

This firmware will not work correctly on the OPDV971H as the European remote and the US remotes are different.

EDIT: Gave it a whirl. Seems that someone has hacked this 1226 firmware to include the new OPPO remote (previously they were using a rebagged BBK remote) for European models. The one available at LivingCinema.nl still uses the "BBK" remote. Or, LivingCinema.nl has received an older version of the firmware, and BBK has been sending other retailers updated European firmware.

So, is this just a hacked beta? And anyway, how do you open rar files?

Dave

So, is this just a hacked beta? And anyway, how do you open rar files?

Dave

Use WinRAR. It's shareware with a 40 day trial.

http://www.rarlab.com/

PedroV,

PAL syncing is something OPPO is taking seriously, but their original assumptions proved to be just the tip of the iceburg. But I am very positive that they will come to a fix sooner, rather than later.

dgkp,

As far as I can tell, it is just a hacked European firmware to use the new OPPO remote (which is now being used in Europe as well). I have not seen an official release with the new remote included, then again, I have not looked very hard.

ok, just a question here, since I'm still in my 30 day grace period with my Oppo.

Did we all just waste our money? Arn't the new DVD players (HD-DVD and Blue-Ray) coming out this year with all the new snazzy video/audio?

How will they compare to the Oppo we all currently own? Won't these new players and the new dvd's already have a better picture, which makes the idea of an "upconverter" pretty useless?

any thoughts? I probably have all my "specs" wrong, no, I'm not a tech-guru, but on the general level, i thought these new players and dvd's are going to be better, right out of the box, so won't this make upscaleres obsolete? :confused:

how will the new players compare to the oppo?

I have seen several people in the Poll thread claiming that the Oppo does a horrible job on plasma displays...is there any truth to that? i never thought about it until i saw that, but i don't see very many people using the oppo on a plasma. Most of those people said it was due to macroblocking issues, which can normally be diminished with proper calibration i assume, but should i look into another player for my Toshiba 42HP95?

Did we all just waste our money? Arn't the new DVD players (HD-DVD and Blue-Ray) coming out this year with all the new snazzy video/audio?

How will they compare to the Oppo we all currently own? Won't these new players and the new dvd's already have a better picture, which makes the idea of an "upconverter" pretty useless?

Let me ask you, do you plan to throw out all of your existing DVDs the minute that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are released, even those titles that may not be released on the new format for years if ever?

The new players will be backwards compatible with existing DVDs, but largely as an afterthought, the same way that XBox360 is "compatible" with old XBox games, but only a selected list and not very well at all. The best way to watch a standard DVD will almost certainly be with a quality DVD player. If you plan to never watch another DVD again as soon as you buy a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD player, that's your prerogative, but a lot of us foresee the need for a good DVD player for years to come.

ok, just a question here, since I'm still in my 30 day grace period with my Oppo.

Did we all just waste our money? Arn't the new DVD players (HD-DVD and Blue-Ray) coming out this year with all the new snazzy video/audio?

How will they compare to the Oppo we all currently own? Won't these new players and the new dvd's already have a better picture, which makes the idea of an "upconverter" pretty useless?

any thoughts? I probably have all my "specs" wrong, no, I'm not a tech-guru, but on the general level, i thought these new players and dvd's are going to be better, right out of the box, so won't this make upscaleres obsolete? :confused:

how will the new players compare to the oppo?

The problem becomes: will the new DVD players also upconvert? If they have the ability to upconvert current DVDs, then the question becomes: How well?

Even though we will be getting brand spanking new technology later this year, you still need the software to support it. Blu-ray and HD-DVD will take years before it reaches the title saturation that we currently have with DVD. Your current DVD collection will not become "obsolete" until several more years down the road, as studios will take their time releasing their titles. Having an excellent "legacy" DVD player will make this interim period (from standard definition to high definition) much easier to live through.

ok, just a question here, since I'm still in my 30 day grace period with my Oppo.

Did we all just waste our money? Arn't the new DVD players (HD-DVD and Blue-Ray) coming out this year with all the new snazzy video/audio?

How will they compare to the Oppo we all currently own? Won't these new players and the new dvd's already have a better picture, which makes the idea of an "upconverter" pretty useless?

any thoughts? I probably have all my "specs" wrong, no, I'm not a tech-guru, but on the general level, i thought these new players and dvd's are going to be better, right out of the box, so won't this make upscaleres obsolete? :confused:

how will the new players compare to the oppo?

LOL...this whole post makes me lmao......Even if bd/hd dvd were here now, how better will pq be??some people will stay with dvd because, to them, the difference in PQ will not be enough to to fully change formats. And what about the first gen players?? If you take a first gen dvd player and put it against todays players the PQ isnt even close.What im saying is that it will take some time before these new hi def players come into thier own as far as hardware and then you have the software which will take time and people to have monitors to display all this on......if i were you i would stock up on enough OPPO's to last another ten years!!!

thanks for the quick replies.

didn't mean to "ruffle" feathers, just asking a quick question, about the validity of these upconverters in light of new players coming out. :D

Let me ask you, do you plan to throw out all of your existing DVDs the minute that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are released, even those titles that may not be released on the new format for years if ever?

i personally have no desire to throw out all my dvd's because something new is around the corner, i'm not even sure I want to "support' any of these new players, since my own personal DVD collection is fairly large now, way beyond anything i had on VHS. that was easy to replace and expand on (more then 90% of the titles we own or are out there, were never available on VHS). It was just a random thought, wondering if I put the cart before the horse, so to speak. I was curious if "upconverters" even have a long life ahead of them with new players around the bend (where ever that "bend" might be at this point).

Hey guys...just received CS mail from Oppo. BBK-owners(me) with silver remotes have a 2 week delay ahead of them for the new firmware/1226/....BUMMER! I burstin´ to get my "shift" corrected.....I am gonna have to buy a "real" Oppo...........

"BBK is VERY reluctant to release new firmware for the silver remote". Oppo is preasuring them! Cool or what!

Two issues with the new HD players:

1) The fragmentation into two different formats is going to massively slow adoption rates compared to DVD.
2) The number of HD displays is still quite small, and so, very few people will have any reason to upgrade.

For those of us with quality HD displays, I would expect that even first gen HD discs (bluray or HDDVD) are going to be a major step up. Upcoverting is nice, but it ain't magic.

Let me ask you, do you plan to throw out all of your existing DVDs the minute that HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are released, even those titles that may not be released on the new format for years if ever?

I don't plan to. Just as we saw in the early days of standard DVD's it's going to take a long time for the existing expansive library to be replaced. And as we all saw with those early DVD's, improved picture quality over other formats such as LaserDisc was spotty at best. I think the supplemental materials (the extras), 5.1 audio, and convenient size is what attracted early buyers to DVD, but we already have that now. I've read reviews comparing standard DVD's to current HD formats like D-VHS and in a lot of cases the picure and audio quality is only marginally better (enjoyed primarily by those with higher end equipment). Yes, I'm sure they'll rush out titles like SW EPIII to "show off" the superior format, which it will be. But for every EP III you'll have 10 "Ring 2's" with average picture and sound until they learn to perfect the new process or bother to remaster titles in true HD. And again you're dealing with mostly 35 millimeter film, eventually you'll reach the resolution of the original stock at home. And then there's the format war! That's entirely other ball of wax.

Remember that most recent digital transfers for DVD's have been made from an HD master. Coupled with the fact that the new HD movies will be using very familar compression tools (the same MPEG-2 tools used for HDTV and DVHS) the situation is very different from when standard-def DVD's started hitting shelves a few years back. For the few titles that are released, the quality out of the gate should be very good.

joe12south

Yep, and this makes perfect sense now. I was just watching a movie called Vertical Limit the other night (cheesey, but beautiful scenery), broadcast in high def on my HD TV. The picture was as good as any HD I've seen. Letterman, Jay Leno, football etc.

I wondered how this movie, several years old, could be presented by the TV station in high def. Clearly they use some HD master or certainly something other than just plopping in a DVD into a machine to rebroadcast.

This make sense to me now, and if this movie of a few years has been mastered in HD, I'm sure most of them have been.

There may even be a very quick attempt to sell everybody their old 480i DVDs at HD quality level. If there's money in it, you know they will.

Why are we even talking about this?

The Oppo is @ $200.

Any "Blu-ray" DVD player will be at least 2-3 (more?) times that cost upon introduction.

The oppo is a great way to upconvert DVDs affordably and get a videophile-quality (HTPC quality) result right now. Besides, any regular-market Blu-ray player will most likey adhere to rules of HDMI which may not allow upscaling from many copyrighted DVDs. That oppo may stay in your rack even after your Blu-ray player arrives.


Ok...more relevant to the issue...

does anyone know if the OPPO guys are planning on releasing a 1080 *progressive* upgrade? Can this be done? With 1080P projectors like the Ruby coming out (and many 1080P plasmas and LCD TVs coming soon) it would be a great addition to the player.

does anyone know if the OPPO guys are planning on releasing a 1080 *progressive* upgrade? Can this be done? With 1080P projectors like the Ruby coming out (and many 1080P plasmas and LCD TVs coming soon) it would be a great addition to the player. David, glad you're still with us. Its been a while...

1080p may be possible. The Faroudja chip claims 1080p, but nobody, to my knowledge, has successfully implemented it yet. OPPO is looking into it. The next question is... does the DVI standard support it, or do we have to wait for the HDMI player?

Gary

Yes, for a few years now film transfers have been done as HD masters then downsampled for DVD distribution, so there is a large librray of HD masters to work from. And the technology for doing so is very mature. We'll have some very good HD discs right out of the gate.

David, glad you're still with us. Its been a while...

1080p may be possible. The Faroudja chip claims 1080p, but nobody, to my knowledge, has successfully implemented it yet. OPPO is looking into it. The next question is... does the DVI standard support it, or do we have to wait for the HDMI player?

Gary
Anyone with a 23" or 24" LCD monitor on their PC is running 1080p over DVI. It's been available for several years now. The Apple 30" does 1600p using dual-link DVI.

--
Steve

Anyone with a 23" or 24" LCD monitor on their PC is running 1080p over DVI. It's been available for several years now. The Apple 30" does 1600p using dual-link DVI. Of course, Steve... you are correct. So the only remaining question is whether OPPO Digital can actually implement 1080p in this player.

Of course, Steve... you are correct. So the only remaining question is whether OPPO Digital can actually implement 1080p in this player.

Oppo Digital actually thinks it's possible and will give a serious look at implementing 1080p and may activate it with the future firmware update. At least, the tech support person I spoke with said that they have plans to look into activating 1080p. Oppo never said it was a 1080p player, so I wouldn't complain if it never happens, but it definately is refreshing what the future firmware update may do for this DVD player.

All i can say is the OPPO is the best purchase i have made since the momitsu.....and i would even say better because of the customer/tech support that you can never say enough good things about.

Thank You OPPO

I have seen several people in the Poll thread claiming that the Oppo does a horrible job on plasma displays...is there any truth to that? i never thought about it until i saw that, but i don't see very many people using the oppo on a plasma. Most of those people said it was due to macroblocking issues, which can normally be diminished with proper calibration i assume, but should i look into another player for my Toshiba 42HP95?

I think the Oppo looks great on a Hitachi 32HDT55 plasma. Beautiful picture, little macroblock enhance -- might even be less than what I see on the Panasonic TC-22LH1.

Paul

Yes, for a few years now film transfers have been done as HD masters then downsampled for DVD distribution, so there is a large librray of HD masters to work from. And the technology for doing so is very mature. We'll have some very good HD discs right out of the gate.

Well....sortof. They've been putting out HD masters that have been using out-dated telecine equipment and then vertical-pass filtering for 1080 interlaced...

The notion of trying to make a "transparent" 4K master that one dithers down to 1080P for distribution is a new concept...and hopefully one that will catch on and become the norm.

However, I expect we'll see HD transfers improve over time just as with DVD. It's true that HD has been going on for a while...but many (most?) of those transfers/masters are less-than-reference setting thus far.

I And again you're dealing with mostly 35 millimeter film, eventually you'll reach the resolution of the original stock at home.


We are a fair way away from that. 35mm is equivalent to 4300p (ish). Maybe 2015, when we all have one wall of the living room as as screen?

Dave

Oh, and then there are 70mm films....

It's true that HD has been going on for a while...but many (most?) of those transfers/masters are less-than-reference setting thus far.

I've captured a few 1080i films off HDNet and InHD and they are definitely sub-optimal in most cases...Not even the OAR is always correct as they tend to try to fit it to the 16:9 display. A new format does not guarantee a better image in many cases. I started collecting LDs in 1984 and when the first DVDs were released, many of them were not as good in image quality as their LD counterparts...witness the original DVD releases of "Highlander" and "Bladerunner."

Then there is the issue of what is aesthetically pleasing and what is not. Speaking just for myself, when displayed on a properly tuned system, a film well mastered in 1080i looks like video during broadcast. The same film played from a well mastered DVD at 720p looks like film.

If I make the transition from DVD to HD-DVD or BluRay, it will likely be somewhere around 4 to 5 years from now before I give serious consideration to abandoning standard DVD altogether. There may also be other considerations such as price-points and copyright protection schemes that bind the disc to a specific player...yes as ridiculous as that sounds, it is actually being discussed as a possibility... :mad:

-Toonces

If I make the transition from DVD to HD-DVD or BluRay, it will likely be somewhere around 4 to 5 years from now before I give serious consideration to abandoning standard DVD altogether.

Toonces,

that *is* rediculous...and I'm the one agreeing with you that HD will still have a learning curve!

;)

Keep in mind that at the very least, Blu-ray movies will look BETTER than your DVDs...since your DVDs are actually compressed from the same HD master that's been downresed.

Now...as time goes by...HD media will get *even better* but it's not to say that your 1080P lord of the rings and 5th element won't utterly smoke your SD-DVD versions right at the format's launch...because they will!

If I make the transition from DVD to HD-DVD or BluRay, it will likely be somewhere around 4 to 5 years from now before I give serious consideration to abandoning standard DVD altogether.

I agree with Toonces. In theory the HD DVD formats should be superior in every way to standard DVD but we as consumers never get to enjoy the full potential of new technology. For example, look at the sonic limits placed on CD's and DVD-Audio via digital connections because of copyright laws. I also don't trust Hollywood studios and their "double dipping" marketing. With the dawn of the new HD DVD formats at hand I'm sure the studios will release some astoninshing titles (SW EPII, EPIII; LOTR triliogy; etc) while at the same time flooding the new HD catalogue with sub par rereleases of current masters. I suppose material produced specifically for HDTV will blow away any standard DVD, but honestly for a lot of films do we really need to see the "film grain" with even better "glasses?" Besides I don't think issues like MB and video noise will go away. I see it now with HD broadcasts. Complete resolution of these issues would be more of motivation for me to switch.

This discussion tends to be circular...and there are other threads for it, I guess.

Dave

In theory the HD DVD formats should be superior in every way to standard DVD but we as consumers never get to enjoy the full potential of new technology.

It will be.

When we say that HD will improve over time, it means that *future* HD will look *even better* than early HD releases...but *early* HD releases will still look vastly superior to SD-DVD.

At the bit-rates alocated on Blu-ray, even MPEG-2 1080P will be virtually artifact-free. There may be issues with electronic muddling like ringing from EE, DNR artifacts, and over-filtering...but if D-VHS is a sign of things to come relax and rest assured that Blu-ray will look better than DVD no questions asked.

...ah, this old chesnut. Fun!

Anyhoo... back to the discussion of DVD-Audio compatiblity with this player - seems that Oppo never received their copy of the Talking Heads' Brick disc. I'm here up North, so it's a bit dicey for me to send a disc to their California offices over the border. Anybody a) own this title (or another that similarly barfs on the oppo), b) lives near their offices, and c) is willing to send it in for their techs to look at?

For the good of the player, I'm almost willing just to buy Greendale on Amazon and send it to them... ALMOST...heh.

Hi guys,

Does the new remote control has backlight? I got my Oppo DVD player from Amazon.com on the New Year's eve and, sadly, it came with the older remote. I have been having difficulties operating the remote in the dark. Thanks.

Hi guys,

Does the new remote control has backlight? I got my Oppo DVD player from Amazon.com on the New Year's eve and, sadly, it came with the older remote. I have been having difficulties operating the remote in the dark. Thanks.
Unfortunately, no. It's glow-in-the-dark, though, which does help some. And even when the buttons aren't glowing, it's a lot easier to find your way around in the dark than the old black remote was.

arikevin-
The new remote has glow-in-the-dark buttons, not backlight.
The mostly-cryptic symbols and numbers are painted on top of the button,
and, for my eyes, not very legible.

The remote still needs major work.

I've used the OPPO with two Samsung 720p DLP RPTV's similar to yours (HLN437W and HLP4674W). The picture is spectacular on both sets, but they both required proper calibration to suppress the macroblocking. The default settings on both sets were pretty bad. Fortunately, as far as Faroudja players go, the OPPO is one of the least offenders when it comes to macroblocking. Lip sync has only VERY occasionally been a problem, and in such cases, hitting stop and resuming play always fixed it... unless the problem was on the DVD.


GSB, thanks for responding. When you say proper calibration is this professional or something I can do myself. Keep in mind, I am not tech savy.

GSB, thanks for responding. When you say proper calibration is this professional or something I can do myself. Keep in mind, I am not tech savy.

Professional (ISF) or done by yourself (AVIA or DVE calibration discs). I would personally recommend purchasing AVIA and spending a good couple of hours watching the introduction and messing around with the test patterns.

I just bought the Oppo. I will be using this with a Toshiba MT-800, via the DVI, I hope the PQ it better than my Denon 1600? any thoughts.

The Denon has served me well over the past 4 years and will miss it, It was a great player. I borrowed a Denon 2910 to try but did not see much difference in PQ and it was pricey. I can handle the price of the Oppo.

I feel like I just joined a club
Mike

I just bought the Oppo. I will be using this with a Toshiba MT-800, via the DVI, I hope the PQ it better than my Denon 1600? any thoughts.

The Denon has served me well over the past 4 years and will miss it, It was a great player. I borrowed a Denon 2910 to try but did not see much difference in PQ and it was pricey. I can handle the price of the Oppo.

I feel like I just joined a club
Mike


Welcome Mike. We have certainly enjoyed ours. Coming from such a nice player as the 1600, you might not find a large difference, but you shouldn't be disappointed either. And the price is a big reason so many have joined the club.

GSB, thanks for responding. When you say proper calibration is this professional or something I can do myself. Keep in mind, I am not tech savy.Check this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6722751&&#post6722751), particularly point #4. You can do the basics yourself.

A decent grayscale calibration gives the best results. If you are not very tech savy, though, it is best to leave it to an ISF professional... it's pretty hard to learn the ropes, it requires equipment, it requires entering the display's service menu, and it is VERY time consuming.

I feel like I just joined a club Well then... welcome to the club!

Looking for some opinions/info.

I tried out the Oppo a few months ago and returned it for a few reasons: some macroblocking on certain DVDs, the subtitle issue (on the usual suspects, i.e., Ronin, Spy Game, XXX, etc.), the (perceived) flimsy tray, poor remote layout and "pulsing" on main titles being the chief reasons. Since then there have been at least 2 firmware revs and I'm not sure if some or all of these issues have been resolved. I used DVI->HDMI connection at 1080i (don't remember if I used Video 1 or 2).

Here's what I'm using for equipment: Toshiba 46H84 CRT RP, Pioneer 578a (for R1) and JVC 500BK (for multiregion). What I'm trying to do is consolidate the DVD players into one (preferably HDMI connection), so I need a good PAL to NTSC conversion (the JVC's is very good, the Pioneer does R0 PAL very well with the MediaTek chip that the Oppo uses). I watch a lot of non-R1 and PAL so this is important. From following this thread from the start, I'm convinced that the tray is a non-issue, so I can live with that.

What I'd like to know:

1. How does the PAL to NTSC conversion on the Oppo 971 rate with other top multiregion players?
2. Has the newer firmware corrected any of the issues I mentioned (particularly the non-disappearing subtitles)?
3. Would it be wiser for me to wait for the new non-Faroudja HDMI model rumored due in Q1 of 2006 since my set has HDMI (and 1080i native resolution)?

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I really want to like the Oppo, because I saw much good about it and would like to give it another shot.

Thanks in advance,
Ted

Looking for some opinions/info.

I tried out the Oppo a few months ago and returned it for a few reasons: some macroblocking on certain DVDs, the subtitle issue (on the usual suspects, i.e., Ronin, Spy Game, XXX, etc.), the (perceived) flimsy tray, poor remote layout and "pulsing" on main titles being the chief reasons. Since then there have been at least 2 firmware revs and I'm not sure if some or all of these issues have been resolved. I used DVI->HDMI connection at 1080i (don't remember if I used Video 1 or 2).

Here's what I'm using for equipment: Toshiba 46H84 CRT RP, Pioneer 578a (for R1) and JVC 500BK (for multiregion). What I'm trying to do is consolidate the DVD players into one (preferably HDMI connection), so I need a good PAL to NTSC conversion (the JVC's is very good, the Pioneer does R0 PAL very well with the MediaTek chip that the Oppo uses). I watch a lot of non-R1 and PAL so this is important. From following this thread from the start, I'm convinced that the tray is a non-issue, so I can live with that.

What I'd like to know:

1. How does the PAL to NTSC conversion on the Oppo 971 rate with other top multiregion players?
2. Has the newer firmware corrected any of the issues I mentioned (particularly the non-disappearing subtitles)?
3. Would it be wiser for me to wait for the new non-Faroudja HDMI model rumored due in Q1 of 2006 since my set has HDMI (and 1080i native resolution)?

Sorry to be so long-winded, but I really want to like the Oppo, because I saw much good about it and would like to give it another shot.

Thanks in advance,
Ted


A couple of things:

Do you need PAL to NTSC conversion or just a machine that plays both? There are certainly PAL issues with the oppo, but it plays PAL discs (unconverted) very well indeed (well, indentical in quality to NTSC--I live in PAL land so this is important). You'd only need conversion if your display can't handle PAL, which would be pretty rare these days.

The Pal issues are a failure to synch with some systems, espeically Sony and Panasonic, and the it forgets some of its settings. Hopefully there's a firmware pretty damn immanent for these things!

Video 2 and Video 1 are new. Video 2 gives the most flexible options over DVI as it plays PAL at proper cadence (2:2)--it doesn, however, disable the component outs.

The subtitle problem has yet to be fixed. If you want player generated subtitles on to appear in movies like Star Wars, Kill Bill you have to select 'none' in the subtitle menu.

I don't know about your third question.

Dave

Thanks, Dave.

I believe I need PAL to NTSC conversion, as I don't believe my Toshiba can handle PAL natively (I didn't think that PAL capability was that common in the US outside of projectors). Perhaps other Tosh 46H84 owners can confirm?

The subtitle issue is not the Star Wars issue (I got that to work), but when subtitles are used intermittently during a film and stay on until you turn them off. The examples I quoted exhibit this on some machines (my JVC, for example).

Ted

The subtitle issue is not the Star Wars issue (I got that to work), but when subtitles are used intermittently during a film and stay on until you turn them off. The examples I quoted exhibit this on some machines (my JVC, for example).

There's still a glitch in the Oppo for this, but the workaround is to go into the DVD's menu (not the player menu) before you watch the movie and select "None" in the subtitle options. If the movie is entirely in English, no subtitles will appear. If the movie is mainly in English with sporadic scenes in another language (Kill Bill, Ronin, etc.), it will play properly with no subtitles during most scenes but English subtitles appearing when needed.

Choosing "None" in the DVD menu overrides the player's defaults, and on Region 1 discs the "None" subtitle track actually means "No subtitles for English, but English subtitles for anything else".

Thank You, Joshua

I was hoping that was the case. Now, the PAL/NTSC issue remains. Do you (or anyone else) have any opinion/info on the quality of conversion?

Ted

"I have heard no whispers of such features being implimented in the OPDV971H."

Too bad.. but I can live with it.. I just finished watching the ISLAND.. Man it looks so good from the OPPO to my Z3.. absolutley stunning image.. by the way anyone that has not seen THE ISLAND.. see it .. great GREAT FLICK..

yep...and it looked good on my 4 year old toshiba player outputting at 480i via component to my vizio p50 plasma ....which has faroudja dcdi in it, and a genesis video chip...so no need to spend more money on an upconverting player like an oppo.

yep...and it looked good on my 4 year old toshiba player outputting at 480i via component to my vizio p50 plasma ....which has faroudja dcdi in it, and a genesis video chip...so no need to spend more money on an upconverting player like an oppo.

I have the westinghouse ltv-32w1. The tv has DCDi by Faroudja®, TrueLife™ Video Enhancement, but no idea on the genesis chip. Was purchasing the oppo a poor investment? I assume that the oppo upscaling will look better than the upscaling my tv tries to do. Am I wrong? I am home for break so I have yet to hook the oppo up to my tv which is back at school.

yep...and it looked good on my 4 year old toshiba player outputting at 480i via component to my vizio p50 plasma ....which has faroudja dcdi in it, and a genesis video chip...so no need to spend more money on an upconverting player like an oppo. Uhuh...

And you posted that on the OPPO thread because... ?

The excellent Faroudja DCDi deinterlacing and scaling may be identical in your plasma and in the OPPO, but... you obviously have not seen the detrimental effects of the analog component connection!

I have a DLPTV with DCDi too. When I compare the image from a 480i component connection to the OPPO's 720p digital connection, the difference is VERY obvious.

The component connection introduces noise, banding and other artifacts as a result of the digital-to-analog conversion in the player, the analog cables/connectors/circuitry, and the analog-to-digital conversion in the display.

On the other hand, the DVI connection keeps the signal purely digital (and perfectly clean) all the way from the DVD to the DLP mirrors in my display.

I have the westinghouse ltv-32w1. The tv has DCDi by Faroudja®, TrueLife™ Video Enhancement, but no idea on the genesis chip. Was purchasing the oppo a poor investment? See above.

I just finished watching the ISLAND.. Man it looks so good from the OPPO to my Z3.. absolutley stunning image.. by the way anyone that has not seen THE ISLAND.. see it .. great GREAT FLICK... I enjoyed "The Island" too. The picture was spectacular.

Another two DVD's with superb picture quality were: "Into the Blue" and "Madagascar".

Thank You, Joshua

I was hoping that was the case. Now, the PAL/NTSC issue remains. Do you (or anyone else) have any opinion/info on the quality of conversion?

My projector accepts both native NTSC and PAL, so that's how I output them. When I wrote my review of the Oppo last year I did some testing of the PAL-to-NTSC conversion and it looked fine to me, but I did not test this extensively.

There's still a glitch in the Oppo for this, but the workaround is to go into the DVD's menu (not the player menu) before you watch the movie and select "None" in the subtitle options. If the movie is entirely in English, no subtitles will appear. If the movie is mainly in English with sporadic scenes in another language (Kill Bill, Ronin, etc.), it will play properly with no subtitles during most scenes but English subtitles appearing when needed.

Choosing "None" in the DVD menu overrides the player's defaults, and on Region 1 discs the "None" subtitle track actually means "No subtitles for English, but English subtitles for anything else".

Can you clarify this?

What should the Oppo be set to in this scenario (ie Off, English, Auto) or does it matter?

And is there a reference for the values to be entered when "Other" is selected for subtitles? Is there a value that corresponds to your "No subtitles for English, but English subtitles for anything else" ?

Can you clarify this?

What should the Oppo be set to in this scenario (ie Off, English, Auto) or does it matter?

The Oppo should be set for Off.

And is there a reference for the values to be entered when "Other" is selected for subtitles? Is there a value that corresponds to your "No subtitles for English, but English subtitles for anything else" ?

At this time, no. The "Other" option just means that it will default to any subtitle option on the disc that is not among the presets that Oppo offers. For example, if some DVD came out with an optional Klingon subtitle track and the Oppo was set for "Other", you'd get Klingon subtitles automatically.

The "Other" option just means that it will default to any subtitle option on the disc that is not among the presets that Oppo offers. For example, if some DVD came out with an optional Klingon subtitle track and the Oppo was set for "Other", you'd get Klingon subtitles automatically.

Uh, are we talking about the same thing? On my Oppo (1111B firmware) when I go to the Preferences page, Subtitle option, one of the choices is "Others".

Selecting this brings up a form where it asks for a language code. Pressing various number keys produces 'X's in the input field, until four entries have been made. At that point the 'OK' button is highlighted, and you can exit the form.

I assume there is a list of four digit language codes somewhere...

Hi Eric,

BTW that is my name as well. Are you experiencing any microblocking, lip sync, etc., with the OPPO hooked up to your Samsung HLP 5063. I have the exact same model TV. I am looking to replace my current DVD player with either the OPPO or Panasonic.

Thanks!

Sorry for the delay in responding (have been away and haven't checked this board in almost 2 weeks).

I would go w/ the Oppo. I had the S97 for months before getting my Samsung professionally (ISF) calibrated. The calibrator pointed out that the S97 introduces a ton of noise into the picture and recommended that I purchase the Oppo. I did and really have been pleased w/ the results. It's much simpler to set up (the S97 has tons of options but it is unclear how many of them interact with one another) and the day-to-day use of the player is better - quicker response, etc. Plus Oppo's customer support and continual firmware upgrades give you confidence that the player will continue to improve.

I have rarely if ever experienced lip sych issues and the one or two times I have, you simply hit stop for a second and they go away. MB (and other video artifacting) really is better on the Oppo than the Panny.

I agree w/ the other posters - get Avia or DVE and spend some time trying to set the brightness and contrast properly on your Samsung - it will greatly improve viewing on all sources. If you want to spring for it, an ISF calibration is really worthwhile on the Samsung DLPs - they have controls in the service menu which allow a professional to perfectly calibrate your TV's grayscale.

Plain and simple,

the OPPO produces THE BEST image via DVI/HDMI I have ever seen from a DVD source via a sub-$500.00 consumer source.

It also produces an image BETTER than just about any HTPC set-up I've seen.

better-than-htpc-image quality in a $200 stand-alone chassis? Good Show Oppo.

I assume there is a list of four digit language codes somewhere...

Page 29 of the manual, right in the middle where the staples are!

Paul

I just upgraded to the OPDV971H player from my V-inc Bravo D1 dvd
player. The Bravo was connected via DVI to my Marantz 8500 reciever,
which has a DVI switch. The Marantz is then connected via 40 foot DVI
cable to my Benq 8700+ projector. This worked great.

Last night I connected my new Oppo player and began testing it out.
The scaler is much better than the Bravo, doing a better job at
upconverting the picture. I have the Oppo set to 720p, which matches
my projector. In one area of the screen, I am getting some pixel noise
or sparkles. I tried two different DVI cables that go to the
Marantz, with one being the one that comes with the Oppo player. If I
go straight from the Oppo to the projector, the noise is eliminated
entirely. I just performed a firmware upgrade to 1111b, it made no
difference.

Here's some visual information. The area does not change from DVD to
DVD, it is always in the same place on screen. Is is very visible from
the seating area, and quite distracting. Again, my Bravo does not
exhibit this noise. Running direct to the projector, the noise is
completely absent.

First: Close-up static picture of the interference. C3PO's left side
of his face.

http://basement.bitrealm.com/oppo/c3po-close.jpg

Second: Entire screen with area affected "circled" in red.

http://basement.bitrealm.com/oppo/whole-screen.jpg

Lastly, avi taken showing the severity.

http://basement.bitrealm.com/oppo/noise.avi

I tried turning on/off the True-Life, CSS, and noise reduction with no
obvious change in the noise. Sparkles seem to be either from macroblocking, or perhaps interference in the cable. The normal cable I use is one from Dell for their LCD monitors, which seem to be of high quality. Something being introduced from the Marantz reciever?

Found another oops. When loading The Incredibles and just hitting play, the Oppo is doing subtitles, I believe it's french, but only for the words of the charachters in the intro, not for everything they're saying. Wierd.

What's up with this?

http://basement.bitrealm.com/oppo/subtitle.jpg

If I go into The Incredibles root menu and deliberately select subtitles OFF, then it appears to not display them. For the intro, it showed for only Mr Incredible and Frozone, but not for Elastigirl.

In the setup menu for the Oppo, I have English selected and subtitles OFF. All defaults.

Page 29 of the manual, right in the middle where the staples are!

Paul

duh... read the fine manual, as they say :o

interesting... the 'four digit' codes represent 'two character' codes
i.e. each pair of digits are the decimal value of an uppercase ascii character
65=64+1=A, 66=64+2=B, ..., 90=64+26=Z

English = 6978 = EN
Esperanto = 6979 = EO
Interlingua = 7365 = IA

When loading The Incredibles and just hitting play, the Oppo is doing subtitles, I believe it's french, but only for the words of the charachters in the intro, not for everything they're saying. This is a known issue (see the defect list in the first post of the FAQ thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=4924650&&#post4924650)). OPPO will eventually fix this with firmware. As a workaround for now, enter the DVD menu (not the player menu) for each disk you insert, and select "NONE" for subtitles.

Gary

The Bravo was connected via DVI to my Marantz 8500 reciever,
which has a DVI switch. The Marantz is then connected via 40 foot DVI
cable to my Benq 8700+ projector. This worked great.

Last night I connected my new Oppo player and began testing it out.
The scaler is much better than the Bravo, doing a better job at
upconverting the picture. I have the Oppo set to 720p, which matches
my projector. In one area of the screen, I am getting some pixel noise
or sparkles. I tried two different DVI cables that go to the
Marantz, with one being the one that comes with the Oppo player. If I
go straight from the Oppo to the projector, the noise is eliminated
entirely. I just performed a firmware upgrade to 1111b, it made no
difference. This is cable interference. The OPPO's signal may be just too weak to drive that length of cable through a receiver as well. Pity. Your options are:
Reinsert all the connectors in the chain. Make sure they are properly seated, but retaining screws not overly tightened.
Try rerouting or repositioning the cable, if that is a possibility. It may be picking up interference from other cables or the house wiring. Also watch out for staples or kinks that could be distorting the cable.
Eliminate the receiver from the chain.
Buy a better quality cable. Others have successfully used up to 50ft of cable (without the receiver in the chain, though). Do a search to find what brand of cable they used. Could have been Monoprice.com or Blue Jeans Cable. You might want to start with the OPPO cable first. Its quality is fine for the short run, but may not be capable enough to drive another 40ft through a receiver.
Gary

Plain and simple,

the OPPO produces THE BEST image via DVI/HDMI I have ever seen from a DVD source via a sub-$500.00 consumer source.

It also produces an image BETTER than just about any HTPC set-up I've seen.

better-than-htpc-image quality in a $200 stand-alone chassis? Good Show Oppo.I'll second that!

Gary

Plain and simple,

the OPPO produces THE BEST image via DVI/HDMI I have ever seen from a DVD source via a sub-$500.00 consumer source.

It also produces an image BETTER than just about any HTPC set-up I've seen.

better-than-htpc-image quality in a $200 stand-alone chassis? Good Show Oppo.

David,

What display are you using with the OPPO?

Wes

I may try to snag a "higher quality" short cable (as short as possible) for DVI and run it through the dvi switch. I am now running direct to the projector and have a 100% clean image. Do all firmware versions of the Oppo exhibit this subtitle bug, or just 1111b? Let me guess, the firmware update is due out "any day now," correct?

The Bravo player works just fine and dandy going through the reciever, so SOMETHING is amiss in Oppo land.

I may try to snag a "higher quality" short cable (as short as possible) for DVI and run it through the dvi switch. I am now running direct to the projector and have a 100% clean image. Do all firmware versions of the Oppo exhibit this subtitle bug, or just 1111b? Let me guess, the firmware update is due out "any day now," correct?

The Bravo player works just fine and dandy going through the reciever, so SOMETHING is amiss in Oppo land.

It's not a firmware issue. It's simply that the DVI output on the OPPO is not as strong as the DVI output on the Bravo. It's only an issue with long cable runs, and makes having a quality cable a bigger deal. I have a 35 foot DVI run with my OPPO to my pj, and it's fine. . .

Wes

What I was trying to ask was: Is the subtitle bug only in 1111b? Can I run an older version and eliminate the subtitle bug until they come out with the proper fix for it, or does the subtitle bug exist in all versions?

For the DVI noise issue, I find it hard to believe that it works fine at 40 feet going directly to my projector (which it does), and adding 5 feet causes problems for only the Oppo?

Again, I will attempt to locate a high quality 1 meter DVI cable to see if it makes a difference. I have also seen mention of the future ability to turn off HDCP on the DVI interface (not official, but via some back door, like the region-free deal). I wonder if this is causing some problems in the Marantz switch. If it is just interference, it should appear on my Bravo player, which it does not.

Finally, I sent an email to Oppo tech support listed on their website, service@oppodigital.com. The message bounced back indicating there is no such mailbox.

What I was trying to ask was: Is the subtitle bug only in 1111b? Can I run an older version and eliminate the subtitle bug until they come out with the proper fix for it, or does the subtitle bug exist in all versions?


The subtitle bug is with all firmwares.

It's not a firmware issue. It's simply that the DVI output on the OPPO is not as strong as the DVI output on the Bravo. It's only an issue with long cable runs, and makes having a quality cable a bigger deal. I have a 35 foot DVI run with my OPPO to my pj, and it's fine. . .

Wes

As I plan to purchase the Oppo, the potential quality issues of the signal with a long run and a switch in the path has me concerned. I probably will have a 30' run, and I will eventually use a switch to also support my cable box. Seems like it may be prudent to get the switch earlier than I planned so I can test out the quality of this long term configuration. Thinking that down the road I'll have a HD DVD-P and the possibility that I will still be using the Oppo for some subset of DVDs, maybe I should opt for a 4-input switch from the get-go. Hmm, the $200 Oppo seems to be getting more and more expensive each day :rolleyes:

Doug

For the DVI noise issue, I find it hard to believe that it works fine at 40 feet going directly to my projector (which it does), and adding 5 feet causes problems for only the Oppo? You ever heard of the last straw that broke the camel's back?

You're not just adding 5 feet. Every cable, every connector, every switch, that you add to the chain, degrades the signal by adding resistance, and the potential for critical impedance-mismatching. At the high bit-rates of HD signals, even one inch of bad cable (due to damage or poor electrical/dielectric properties) can break the signal.

ANY player has a maximum length of cable that it can drive before signal corruption starts to occur. Some players have a slightly stronger output than others. But that length is also highly dependant on the quality of ALL the cables and components in the chain. Obviously you are operating at the very limit of what the OPPO is capable of. The 5ft cable that OPPO supplies is perfectly adequate for driving a display directly, but it may not be good enough to drive another 40ft of cable, plus extra connectors, plus receiver switches. The 40ft cable probably degrades the signal most (just because of its length), the receiver would be a close second, and the OPPO cable third. You will improve the situation by eliminating, or upgrading the quality, of any of those components.

Gary

As the cable I need to go the projector would be 32 feet, all I could find at the time was a 40 footer. Same thing for the component video. For the component, I just whacked the heads off and soldered on new ones so those cables are the perfect length. Does anyone know if it's possible to put your own head on a DVI cable? If it's not worth it, then that's fine.

The 40' cable I'm using was purched at RAM, with gold connectors at either end. I tested that at 480p, I get no sparkles. Anything above that and the sparkles come shining through.

I'm going to try a high quality 1m cable and see if it helps. I'm also going to see if I can find a dvi-dvi (female-female) so I can remove the reciever and add the 5 feet of cable to see if in fact this is the afore-mentioned straw that is causing the problem.

As the cable I need to go the projector would be 32 feet, all I could find at the time was a 40 footer. Same thing for the component video. For the component, I just whacked the heads off and soldered on new ones so those cables are the perfect length. Does anyone know if it's possible to put your own head on a DVI cable? If it's not worth it, then that's fine.

The 40' cable I'm using was purched at RAM, with gold connectors at either end. I tested that at 480p, I get no sparkles. Anything above that and the sparkles come shining through.

I'm going to try a high quality 1m cable and see if it helps. I'm also going to see if I can find a dvi-dvi (female-female) so I can remove the reciever and add the 5 feet of cable to see if in fact this is the afore-mentioned straw that is causing the problem.

You lost me. If your DVI cable is too long by 8 feet, why are you running it through the receiver at all? Why not straight out of the OPPO and into your PJ? I aplogize if I'm missing something obvious, which is quite likely. . . . I avoid going through switchers whenever possible. Do you have another DVI source that you need the receiver to switch between them?

Wes

Because I have two DVI sources: dvd player and comcast DVR. I need to switch them somehow, so I go through the receiver.

Straight from the Oppo to the projector over the 40 foot cable is perfect, no sparkles at 720p. Oppo + Marantz + Projector = Sparkles, unless I run 480p.

What I mean to try is to couple the 40 foot cable with the 5 footer that Oppo supplies and NOT go through the reciever and see if I still see sparkles. If not, then it's not a cable/connector issue, but something about going through the Marantz, something the Bravo apparently has no difficulty doing.

Because I have two DVI sources: dvd player and comcast DVR. I need to switch them somehow, so I go through the receiver.

Straight from the Oppo to the projector over the 40 foot cable is perfect, no sparkles at 720p. Oppo + Marantz + Projector = Sparkles, unless I run 480p.

What I mean to try is to couple the 40 foot cable with the 5 footer that Oppo supplies and NOT go through the reciever and see if I still see sparkles. If not, then it's not a cable/connector issue, but something about going through the Marantz, something the Bravo apparently has no difficulty doing.

OK, I see now, thanks.

Sounds like a plan- let us know what you find out.

I would like to join the "OPPO Club"

With out reading the thousand or so posts on this. Where do I buy one at with the lowest price?

After reading many of the posts on this product, I can wait to get one. Wow!

I bought mine direct. You get the latest firmware and remote.

Love the OPPO. Good buy no matter where you get it.

As the cable I need to go the projector would be 32 feet, all I could find at the time was a 40 footer. Same thing for the component video. For the component, I just whacked the heads off and soldered on new ones so those cables are the perfect length. Does anyone know if it's possible to put your own head on a DVI cable? If it's not worth it, then that's fine.

The 40' cable I'm using was purched at RAM, with gold connectors at either end. I tested that at 480p, I get no sparkles. Anything above that and the sparkles come shining through.

I'm going to try a high quality 1m cable and see if it helps. I'm also going to see if I can find a dvi-dvi (female-female) so I can remove the reciever and add the 5 feet of cable to see if in fact this is the afore-mentioned straw that is causing the problem.So it is definitely a signal degradation issue at the higher bandwith (signal speed). Don't try the cable mod. It will ruin the cable.

I think you have the right idea about what to try. Just note that length is not the only issue (the OPPO will drive 50 feet). It's also the number (and quality) of the pieces in the chain.

Gary

I would like to join the "OPPO Club"

With out reading the thousand or so posts on this. Where do I buy one at with the lowest price?

After reading many of the posts on this product, I can wait to get one. Wow!

Direct from [url]www.oppodigital.com[/url You can also specifiy if you want the DVI to DVI cable or DVI to HDMI cable.

Direct from [url]www.oppodigital.com[/url You can also specifiy if you want the DVI to DVI cable or DVI to HDMI cable.Nowadays you get both cables - from any supplier.

I would like to join the "OPPO Club"

With out reading the thousand or so posts on this. Where do I buy one at with the lowest price?

After reading many of the posts on this product, I can wait to get one. Wow!Welcome. Same price everywhere. Check shipping.

I am sorry if the questin has been posted and answered before. After the firmware 1111b, all settings seemed to be back at zeros. What is the preferred settings after 1111b?

Regards....

I am sorry if this questin has been posted and answered before. After the firmware 1111b, all settings seemed to be back at zeros. What is the preferred settings after 1111b?

Regards....

I am sorry if this questin has been posted and answered before. After the firmware 1111b, all settings seemed to be back at zeros. What is the preferred settings after 1111b?

Regards....

Zero. With Sharpness,Truelife,CCS and NR turned OFF.

All zeroes, ideally.

A guide to the DV-971H settings can be found in the TIPS/FAQ/Manual section of the FAQ thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=491306

Paul

Hi

we all know and experienced the amazing picture quality of the Oppo.
For two weeks, I now have the new DENON 4306 AV-receiver sitting at home. It also has a built-in Faroudja-chip that is capable of upscaling to 720p/1080i.
So I thought, it might be an interesting thing to check out, what happens, if I run my Pioneer 565A DVD-player via YUV progressive into the DENON and let it do the upscaling to HDMI/720p.

Using my Sanyo Z4 over HDMI, the Oppo again is a clear winner: superdetailed, sharp, clear, elaborate picture quality....
I know, that the Pioneer 565A is not the best model of their range, but
a.) it is comparable in the price (at least, has been...)
b.) it has been tested with very high picture quality results in different magazines

Just thought, this might be of interest....

Because I have two DVI sources: dvd player and comcast DVR. I need to switch them somehow, so I go through the receiver.

Straight from the Oppo to the projector over the 40 foot cable is perfect, no sparkles at 720p. Oppo + Marantz + Projector = Sparkles, unless I run 480p.

What I mean to try is to couple the 40 foot cable with the 5 footer that Oppo supplies and NOT go through the reciever and see if I still see sparkles. If not, then it's not a cable/connector issue, but something about going through the Marantz, something the Bravo apparently has no difficulty doing.
I know I'm getting into this late, but have you considered running component cables from the Comcast DVR to your tv? That's how I've solved the same problem with my set-up. And, actually, I get better PQ from the DVR via component cables than I do with DVI/HDMI.

For now, that's what I've done. I'd still like the ability to have another DVI source. Maybe the xbox360 will ship a dvi cable for it, for now I'm using component since that's all there is. I also plan on ditching the comcast PVR and get a HTPC once MCE will do cablecard digital tuning so MCE can record the HD. At that point, I'd really like to have two DVI ports. I suppose the HD DVD format war will be over and one format will win, and hopefully THAT player won't have an issue going through the Marantz.

I went to some a/v places last night, it's a Monster conspiracy out there. Every place I went to (even Radio Shack) only sold Monster. They want $75 for a 1m cable! I'm going to order one online, should have it this week. I have a friend who just got the Samsung upconverting DVD player, so he's going to drop by and we're going to try that player out with the same config, although I'll need a HDMI/DVI adapter since his is HDMI.

I'll post results when I have them. Anything else to try? I've tried moving power cords and DVI cables during the sparkles and can't get them to change their position or reduct their severity.

I tried the Samsung DVD-HD850 and had to return it. It crushed blacks badly (no detail in dark areas) and no matter what I did I could not make the PQ acceptable. I hope your friend has better results.

Hi

we all know and experienced the amazing picture quality of the Oppo.
For two weeks, I now have the new DENON 4306 AV-receiver sitting at home. It also has a built-in Faroudja-chip that is capable of upscaling to 720p/1080i.
So I thought, it might be an interesting thing to check out, what happens, if I run my Pioneer 565A DVD-player via YUV progressive into the DENON and let it do the upscaling to HDMI/720p.

Using my Sanyo Z4 over HDMI, the Oppo again is a clear winner: superdetailed, sharp, clear, elaborate picture quality....
I know, that the Pioneer 565A is not the best model of their range, but
a.) it is comparable in the price (at least, has been...)
b.) it has been tested with very high picture quality results in different magazines

Just thought, this might be of interest....

Faroudja is good for deinterlacing AND scaling. If you run your pioneer via progressive component into the denon, the pioneer will do the deinterlacing with the denon's faroudja doing the scaling. If, on the other hand, you feed 480i interlaced from your pioneer, then the denon's Faroudja will deinterlace and scale.

Got mine last thursday...

Likes:

Looks good.
Great picture.
I actually like the tray.
A lot faster than my Zenith 318 was.

Dislikes:

I think the remote (even the new one it came with) is horrible, but I can fix that.
The manual doesn't tell you anything.
720P (the native resolution of my TV, which is a Samsung HLP-5085). It's squished. Had to use 1080i and let the TV scale it. Seems counterproductive.

-Larry

Larry -

Any chance you'll post an A/B of the Oppo versus the 318? Is the MB any better with the Oppo?

I have a 318 and watched Rush's R30 two weeks ago and the MB was pretty annoying with the 318.

Thanks!

Unfortunately I can't. The 318 died...

-Larry

Larry -

Any chance you'll post an A/B of the Oppo versus the 318? Is the MB any better with the Oppo?

I have a 318 and watched Rush's R30 two weeks ago and the MB was pretty annoying with the 318.

Thanks!

Got mine last thursday...

Likes:

Looks good.
Great picture.
I actually like the tray.
A lot faster than my Zenith 318 was.

Dislikes:

I think the remote (even the new one it came with) is horrible, but I can fix that.
The manual doesn't tell you anything.
720P (the native resolution of my TV, which is a Samsung HLP-5085). It's squished. Had to use 1080i and let the TV scale it. Seems counterproductive.

-Larry

If your picture at 720p is squished it might be worth rolling back to the 1022b firmware (Advice about this is contained in the first post on the braindump site) and giving it a whirl--it might work.

Dave

If your picture at 720p is squished it might be worth rolling back to the 1022b firmware (Advice about this is contained in the first post on the braindump site) and giving it a whirl--it might work.

Dave
Are they ever going to fix the firmware compatability issue?
It seems to be more common than I originally thought. Or, have they just decided not to bother so some of their customers can never upgrade their firmware?
J

720P (the native resolution of my TV, which is a Samsung HLP-5085). It's squished. Had to use 1080i and let the TV scale it. No other Samsung owners have experienced this problem, so it may be a setup issue. I have used two different Samsung DLP's with my OPPO player, and have never experienced such a problem. My current model is HLP-4674W. What "Picture Size" is your TV set to? First set the OPPO to Wide/SQZ" mode and 720p output. Then make sure you have selected "Expand" mode on the TV to give you 1:1 pixel mapping.

Gary

Are they ever going to fix the firmware compatability issue?
It seems to be more common than I originally thought. Or, have they just decided not to bother so some of their customers can never upgrade their firmware?
J

They are awaiting for a new Major Firmware.

They have a 1128 firmware which fixes the issue, but they did not want to release it (Chock it up to DivX being a little slow implimenting VOD registration - ie. They still haven't). You can actually request the firmware directly from OPPO if you desire it.

hey,

Real quick. Does anyone know the difference between Video 1 settings and Video 2 on the Oppo. THe manuel is just horrible, there are no words to describe it. It doesn't go into enough details, and reads like blueprints.

Should the oppo be on video 1 or video 2 or does it really make a difference.

thanks in advance! :D

hey,

Real quick. Does anyone know the difference between Video 1 settings and Video 2 on the Oppo. THe manuel is just horrible, there are no words to describe it. It doesn't go into enough details, and reads like blueprints.

Should the oppo be on video 1 or video 2 or does it really make a difference.

thanks in advance! :D

As this has been discussed several times, I will just directly link you to the support site (instead of copying and pasting).
Please read bullet One (1) of the Firmware Release Notes (http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h_firmware_1022_release_note.html)

Real quick. Does anyone know the difference between Video 1 settings and Video 2 on the Oppo. THe manuel is just horrible, there are no words to describe it. It doesn't go into enough details, and reads like blueprints.

Should the oppo be on video 1 or video 2 or does it really make a difference. If you are using the DVI output, select Video 2. Read the first post of the OPPO FAQ thread.

alright, that helped.

sorry to ask a repeated question, but after about a 190 posts, info sometimes gets bogged down and hard to find. and monotonous to go through.

thanks!

OPPO audio question. I have had my OPPO for 5 months and really like it. I recently ordered a new subwoofer that tunes below 20Hz and was looking at the OPPO specs today and saw audio 20-20k. Does this mean the OPPO won't do LFE below 20Hz even over the digital outputs? Many DVD/CD list as low as 2 or 4HZ.

Does anyone use a low tuned sub with their OPPO and have they noticed and drop off of the low bass DD or DTS?

Question for GWIII owners using the Oppo via DVI. What settings on the Oppo do you think work best for the GWIII? And are you using the 1111B FW or the 1022 FW? Does the 1111B FW really cause an image shift on the GWIII?

I just picked up my Oppo this afternoon from their office and will try to hook it up tomorrow. They also gave me a demo DVD to compare DCDi players against other chipsets. I want to share this with the forum but I have no access to an FTTP server. I'd be willing to make a copy and mail to anyone who could put it on a server for download.

Any info on the settings would be greatly appreciated! :)

OPPO audio question. I have had my OPPO for 5 months and really like it. I recently ordered a new subwoofer that tunes below 20Hz and was looking at the OPPO specs today and saw audio 20-20k. Does this mean the OPPO won't do LFE below 20Hz even over the digital outputs? Many DVD/CD list as low as 2 or 4HZ.

Does anyone use a low tuned sub with their OPPO and have they noticed and drop off of the low bass DD or DTS?20-20kHz applies to analog outputs only, and it only means that the frequency response slowly rolls off above and below that range. You know, of course, that you cannot hear below 20Hz - you might only be able to "feel" the vibration.

Question for GWIII owners using the Oppo via DVI. What settings on the Oppo do you think work best for the GWIII? And are you using the 1111B FW or the 1022 FW? Does the 1111B FW really cause an image shift on the GWIII?

I just picked up my Oppo this afternoon from their office and will try to hook it up tomorrow. They also gave me a demo DVD to compare DCDi players against other chipsets. I want to share this with the forum but I have no access to an FTTP server. I'd be willing to make a copy and mail to anyone who could put it on a server for download.

Any info on the settings would be greatly appreciated! :)

Hi bigthys. I leave everything set at '0' or 'off' in the Oppo setup menu. The 1111b firmware does cause an image shift on our displays. Since I've already adjusted screen position/geometry/overscan in my display's service menu based on this firmware version, I've just decided to wait until the next firmware version is released before I make any screen position/geometry adjustments again. That way I won't have to do it twice. For the time being, 720p upconverted material from other sources (OTA and cable) is shifted. As far as the settings in the GWIII goes, I've applied umr's service menu tweaks plus made some of my own adjustments to achieve 0% on the Avia color decoder check on all colors. I've also slightly altered the drives and cuts to improve grayscale. I've calibrated the display to the Avia dvd and ended up with 'Picture' at or just below 100%, brightness is a few steps above mid-scale, tint and hue are mid-scale, sharpness is at '0'. If you decide you don't want to temporarily deal with the image shift, use the 1022 firmware version which is still available. Then you will want to set brightness at -3 in the Oppo menu. Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.

20-20kHz applies to analog outputs only, and it only means that the frequency response slowly rolls off above and below that range. You know, of course, that you cannot hear below 20Hz - you might only be able to "feel" the vibration.

I thought the same that this could not effect the digital and LFE but when I posed the question to OPPO the other day this was there response.

Jeff,

The OPDV971H has a theoretical limit of 20Hz for the low end. Anything
below this frequency will be cut. This applies to the analog and
digital audio outputs.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.

Two things there one it is a theoretical limit whatever that means and two that it affects the digital audio out.

Hi bigthys. I leave everything set at '0' or 'off' in the Oppo setup menu. The 1111b firmware does cause an image shift on our displays. Since I've already adjusted screen position/geometry/overscan in my display's service menu based on this firmware version, I've just decided to wait until the next firmware version is released before I make any screen position/geometry adjustments again. That way I won't have to do it twice. For the time being, 720p upconverted material from other sources (OTA and cable) is shifted. As far as the settings in the GWIII goes, I've applied umr's service menu tweaks plus made some of my own adjustments to achieve 0% on the Avia color decoder check on all colors. I've also slightly altered the drives and cuts to improve grayscale. I've calibrated the display to the Avia dvd and ended up with 'Picture' at or just below 100%, brightness is a few steps above mid-scale, tint and hue are mid-scale, sharpness is at '0'. If you decide you don't want to temporarily deal with the image shift, use the 1022 firmware version which is still available. Then you will want to set brightness at -3 in the Oppo menu. Let me know if there's anything else I can help you with.


Thanks again, Scott. By the way, do you have your audio from the Oppo directly to your GWIII or through a receiver (Digital or analog)? And are you experiencing any video/audio delays that I've reading a lot about in other threads. The tech guy I was talking to yesterday when I picked up my Oppo said that the video/audio sync problem only occurs when the Oppo is plugged in directly to the TV via the analog audio connection.

I thought the same that this could not effect the digital and LFE but when I posed the question to OPPO the other day this was there response.

Jeff,

The OPDV971H has a theoretical limit of 20Hz for the low end. Anything
below this frequency will be cut. This applies to the analog and
digital audio outputs.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.

Two things there one it is a theoretical limit whatever that means and two that it affects the digital audio out.

That's quite, quite bizarre. Especially in RAW S/PDIF mode, the player should be doing nothing except passing along the bitstream from the disc, and it's not even really being treated as sound at that point -- just a stream of digital bits. If there's a 5Hz tone in those bits, the digital output should neither know nor care.

Thanks again, Scott. By the way, do you have your audio from the Oppo directly to your GWIII or through a receiver (Digital or analog)? And are you experiencing any video/audio delays that I've reading a lot about in other threads. The tech guy I was talking to yesterday when I picked up my Oppo said that the video/audio sync problem only occurs when the Oppo is plugged in directly to the TV via the analog audio connection.

I don't have any audio cables going to my GWIII. I use the display to switch video and my Denon receiver to switch audio. I'm not using the analog outputs on the Oppo currently as I have a universal player for SACD's and DVD-A's. Audio is sent to the receiver through a coaxial digital cable. I get audio/video synch problems on only a few of my dvd's. I've tried optical and coaxial - same result - no difference. The tech guy misinformed you.

Just posing a quick question to all you Oppo owners out there. Has anyone noticed a slight difference in picture quality between the 1111b FW and the 1022 FW? I recently reflashed back to the 1022 FW from the 1111b because of the image shift issue. I also had been noticing a slight difference in picture quality. Using 1111b for about a month I seemed to be getting a little more picture noise and a slight bit of green depression that I noticed. Almost like if contrast were set too low on your monitor. The muted colors were more noticeable with TrueLife set to on. With TrueLife off I noticed a little better color however the trade off was a softer picture. Going back to the 1022 FW the picture noise and color are much better with TrueLife on or off. Resulting picture with TrueLife off is also much better on the 1022 FW. FYI: I have all settings at 0 on the 1111b FW and brightness set at -3 on the 1022 FW.

I thought the same that this could not effect the digital and LFE but when I posed the question to OPPO the other day this was there response.

Jeff,

The OPDV971H has a theoretical limit of 20Hz for the low end. Anything
below this frequency will be cut. This applies to the analog and
digital audio outputs. Okay... that's interesting! I don't know how common this approach is. I'll try to find out.

That's quite, quite bizarre. Especially in RAW S/PDIF mode, the player should be doing nothing except passing along the bitstream from the disc, and it's not even really being treated as sound at that point -- just a stream of digital bits. If there's a 5Hz tone in those bits, the digital output should neither know nor care.Yes.

Has anyone noticed a slight difference in picture quality between the 1111b FW and the 1022 FW? I recently reflashed back to the 1022 FW from the 1111b because of the image shift issue. I also had been noticing a slight difference in picture quality. Using 1111b for about a month I seemed to be getting a little more picture noise and a slight bit of green depression that I noticed. Almost like if contrast were set too low on your monitor. The muted colors were more noticeable with TrueLife set to on. With TrueLife off I noticed a little better color however the trade off was a softer picture. Going back to the 1022 FW the picture noise and color are much better with TrueLife on or off. Resulting picture with TrueLife off is also much better on the 1022 FW. FYI: I have all settings at 0 on the 1111b FW and brightness set at -3 on the 1022 FW.brinyhenry, I have not noticed any change in picture quality between the two firmware revisions. There may well be slight differences, in that the number of digital steps in the contrast range was adjusted to accommodate the brightness fix, but nothing that would cause picture noise, green depression, or muted colors. Sounds like something went wrong with the TV's calibration. I assume you remembered to switch back to your 720p/1080i setting. The player defaults to 480p after reflashing firmware.

After the 1111B update, I recalibrated my set for macroblock suppression again, and results were just as good.

Thanks again, Scott. By the way, do you have your audio from the Oppo directly to your GWIII or through a receiver (Digital or analog)? And are you experiencing any video/audio delays that I've reading a lot about in other threads. The tech guy I was talking to yesterday when I picked up my Oppo said that the video/audio sync problem only occurs when the Oppo is plugged in directly to the TV via the analog audio connection.


You were mis advised. I have my OPPO connected via a digital coax to a SONY reciever. I experience audio sync problems occasionally.

Rick

GSB,

Congrats on the one thousand posts.

brinyhenry,

For the most part, audio sync errors are mostly inherent to users who are just using their TV for sound replication because they are not allowed to add an additional audio delay through their television unit if the OPDV971H's Delay settings are not enough. Most modern receivers have Channel Delay functionalities, which will help curb most syncing errors.

OT: Anyone win the OPPO X11 MP3 player at the AVS Party?

"Faroudja's intermittent VIDEO delay (lip-sync) problem. Only occurs on the DVI output. Video begins to lag the audio (badly) at an arbitrary point during DVD playback. Sync will be temporarily restored if you rewind or stop the DVD and resume play. Some DVD’s seem more likely to cause it than others, but the problem is entirely random, and usually cannot be repeated by rewinding the scene that triggered it. Entering the setup menu while the DVD is playing, will definitely trigger the problem."

I have noticed this tonight when I setup my new Oppo. I was watching The Cable Guy on dvd and the audio was off by about 1 second. I am using the DVI->HDMI cable and running it into my Vizio 50" plasma.

Now I have 2 questions:

1) Does Oppo plan on addressing the issue with the audio delay in a future firmware?

3) Can I use component on the Oppo and will it still upconvert and maintain the same quality?

"Faroudja's intermittent VIDEO delay (lip-sync) problem. Only occurs on the DVI output. Video begins to lag the audio (badly) at an arbitrary point during DVD playback. Sync will be temporarily restored if you rewind or stop the DVD and resume play. Some DVD’s seem more likely to cause it than others, but the problem is entirely random, and usually cannot be repeated by rewinding the scene that triggered it. Entering the setup menu while the DVD is playing, will definitely trigger the problem."

I have noticed this tonight when I setup my new Oppo. I was watching The Cable Guy on dvd and the audio was off by about 1 second. I am using the DVI->HDMI cable and running it into my Vizio 50" plasma.

Now I have 2 questions:

1) Does Oppo plan on addressing the issue with the audio delay in a future firmware?

3) Can I use component on the Oppo and will it still upconvert and maintain the same quality?Scott, no need to post on both threads. My reply is here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6895881&&#post6895881).

GSB,

Congrats on the one thousand posts.Thanks Neuromancer. It seems hard to believe! But some people here have over 7000 posts!

I thought the same that this could not effect the digital and LFE but when I posed the question to OPPO the other day this was there response.

Jeff,

The OPDV971H has a theoretical limit of 20Hz for the low end. Anything
below this frequency will be cut. This applies to the analog and
digital audio outputs.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.

Two things there one it is a theoretical limit whatever that means and two that it affects the digital audio out.

That may be in their design specs, but there is definitely sub 20hz material coming out of my OPPO. I have an Infinite Baffle sub that goes down easily to 10hz or lower, and a test disc that starts at 10hz. There is signal.

If I got a chance I could compare my Zenith 318 to the OPPO and see if there is any difference, but I doubt it. I have never noticed a lack of infrasonic frequencies on my OPPO setup.

Wes

Thanks Neuromancer. It seems hard to believe! But some people here have over 7000 posts!


Padder!

:p

Congrats and thanks for your continued contribution.

I can't wait to reach the 3k club and receive the deep AVS discounts promised in the membership FAQ.

I read a few posts back that you now get BOTH connectors from OPPO, regardless of where you order. Can anyone who has ordered from Amazon confirm this? I would like to order from Amazon if at all possible, but definitely need the HDMI to DVI connection.

Thanks!

Can some please explain image shift to me?

I finally got around to doing the firmware updates and wonder how wise that was. 190 pages and a search function and I still can't find out what the concern is about.

Regards,
jc

I read a few posts back that you now get BOTH connectors from OPPO, regardless of where you order. Can anyone who has ordered from Amazon confirm this? I would like to order from Amazon if at all possible, but definitely need the HDMI to DVI connection.

Thanks!

I ordered from Amazon 2 weeks ago. I got both cables (and the old remote (silver I think)).

Mike

I read a few posts back that you now get BOTH connectors from OPPO, regardless of where you order. Can anyone who has ordered from Amazon confirm this? I would like to order from Amazon if at all possible, but definitely need the HDMI to DVI connection.

Thanks!

Most reports are very hit or miss when it comes to the DVD players ordered through Amazon.com.

One thing you also need to consider is that all units, irregardless of the DVI-HDMI cable, will be older stock with old firmware and remote controls. I have heard some reports that even the first generation players are still being shifted through Amazon.com, as Amazon.com does not send back old stock to OPPO.

Can some please explain image shift to me?

I finally got around to doing the firmware updates and wonder how wise that was. 190 pages and a search function and I still can't find out what the concern is about.

Regards,
jc
If you've got a display that's affected by the image shift in 1111B, it should be pretty obvious. In my case (Sony SXRD), the picture went from perfectly centered to having a half-inch black bar down the right side of the screen, with a corresponding amount being cut off on the left. It only seems to affect certain displays, though, so if you don't see something like that, I wouldn't worry too much. (If you're really worried, though, and you have a calibration DVD like DVE, put up a test pattern that measures overscan, and compare the results between 1026 and 1111B.)

I've noticed the lip synch issue as well. I don't understand claims that it is rare -- it happens on at least half of the DVDs that I play in it. It's kind of a deal breaker for me -- the lip synch issue totally wrecks the experience and absolutely obviates the (rather small) PQ improvement that the Oppo has over my Sony DVP-NC80V/B. I've had the Oppo since Christmas Eve, and at this point I never use it for Region 1 DVD's at all any more. The only reason I am keeping the Oppo because it's region free and can play divx, and in the hope that they will eventually fix it with a firmware upgrade.

The only other DVD player I've ever owned with a lip synch problem is my old Pioneer DV-414 from 1998. Even that player, which was almost infamous for this issue, doesn't get this as frequently or as severely as the 971H.

If nothing else, I'll consider it a good lesson learned -- the "secrets" review was, as typical of these A/V things, so myopically focused on PQ issues that nobody will ever actually notice, that it failed to even consider the lip synch which is glaringly obvious to even "non critical" viewers.

That may be in their design specs, but there is definitely sub 20hz material coming out of my OPPO. I have an Infinite Baffle sub that goes down easily to 10hz or lower, and a test disc that starts at 10hz. There is signal.

If I got a chance I could compare my Zenith 318 to the OPPO and see if there is any difference, but I doubt it. I have never noticed a lack of infrasonic frequencies on my OPPO setup. Thanks Wes... That's a relief! OPPO's customer support must have made a mistake on that one. Did you use the digital or analog audio outputs to test this?

WOW on your infinite baffle sub! I have been seriously considering building one too. What drivers did you pick?

Thanks Wes... That's a relief! OPPO's customer support must have made a mistake on that one. Did you use the digital or analog audio outputs to test this?

WOW on your infinite baffle sub! I have been seriously considering building one too. What drivers did you pick?

That was with the digital out, I could test the analog out as well- I'll go down and do that now a sec. . .

My IB uses 4 of the Dayton 15" IB drivers from Parts Express. It's basically a good bang for the buck long throw 15" sub driver. Keep in mind my room is only around 20x15 or so with only 6'4" ceilings. The sub array is powered with a NADY 900 proamp that is sending 350 WPC to each pair of subs. Plenty of headroom.

Even when the sub is cranking, the drivers are barely moving! Sounds unbelievable on music or movies. . .

For more info, feel free to PM, or go check out the Cult of the Infinitely Baffled. . .

Back to your regularly scheduled program!

Wes

That was with the digital out, I could test the analog out as well- I'll go down and do that now a sec. . .

My IB uses 4 of the Dayton 15" IB drivers from Parts Express. It's basically a good bang for the buck long throw 15" sub driver. Keep in mind my room is only around 20x15 or so with only 6'4" ceilings. The sub array is powered with a NADY 900 proamp that is sending 350 WPC to each pair of subs. Plenty of headroom. AWESOME! The nails must be working their way out of the woodwork in your house! I have lurked the "Cult of the Infinitely Baffled" site for about a year now.

I'm glad to hear that the digital output appears to preserve the full spectrum of the audio signal on the DVD!

I can't wait to reach the 3k club and receive the deep AVS discounts promised in the membership FAQ. Man.. not far to go! We appreciate your input here too.

AWESOME! The nails must be working their way out of the woodwork in your house! I have lurked the "Cult of the Infinitely Baffled" site for about a year now.

I'm glad to hear that the digital output appears to preserve the full spectrum of the audio signal on the DVD!

Yeah, you have no idea! I need to get a heavier door for the rear of my home theater room, because it shakes so bad when things get going. Also most of the sound leakage out of that room goes right out that door (when it's closed!).

OK, I just ran a quick sweep with the OPPO downstairs. Using a Stryke BassZone test cd with calibrated sine tone tracks, and a Radio Shack analog SPL meter, I measured identical output from both the digital and analog outs. I set my level at 20hz and used that as a reference:

28hz..............................+3db (83db)

25hz..............................+2db (82db)

22hz...............................-3db (77db)

20hz...............................0 (80db)

17.5hz...........................-1db (79db)

15hz..............................-2db (78db)

12.5hz...........................-5db (75db)

10hz..............................-9db (71db)

Actual db readings are in parenthesis. Keep in mind that below 20hz the RS SPL meter needs more and more correction, so in reality the response is more or less flat down to 10hz, real world measurements. I do have a digital eq in the loop to flatten out the bass response in the room, but it's lower limit is 20hz, so it isn't really affecting things in these measurements. I made sure to start a little above 20hz to make sure there wasn't any big shift right around there.


So, rest assured the OPPO has no lower limit or cutoff that I can measure with my sub, so I doubt there is any problem there, probably just some weird specs from the manufacturer. . .

Have fun!

Wes

Thanks Wes,

I just preordered th HSU VTF-3HO and it tunes at 16HZ in extended mode, but unlike you I have a large family room with permanent openings to other parts of the house so I am glad to hear the OPPO will not fight against me.

If you've got a display that's affected by the image shift in 1111B, it should be pretty obvious. In my case (Sony SXRD), the picture went from perfectly centered to having a half-inch black bar down the right side of the screen, with a corresponding amount being cut off on the left. It only seems to affect certain displays, though, so if you don't see something like that, I wouldn't worry too much. (If you're really worried, though, and you have a calibration DVD like DVE, put up a test pattern that measures overscan, and compare the results between 1026 and 1111B.)

Thanks, asked because I wasn't sure that the image was centered top to bottom. It didn't really look centered, and of course I started to worry. Imagination can be a dangerous thing! Thanks for the information. I'll go check it out again when I get the chance.

*as it turns out, I seem to be in good shape* I've had the Oppo since June and have never even bothered to jack with the firmware updates until today. The only neg I've encountered is the occasional lip synch issue which is corrected easily enough with a stop/restart. Great little piece of gear for me.

jc

I've noticed the lip synch issue as well. I don't understand claims that it is rare -- it happens on at least half of the DVDs that I play in it.

If you bring up the player's set-up menu while a disc is playing, this will throw you out of sync every time. Do not try to fiddle with your settings mid-movie. Pause the disc before bringing up the menu.

Also, I found that sync on PAL discs is slightly improved with the Video2 setting, which you should be using anyway.

If you bring up the player's set-up menu while a disc is playing, this will throw you out of sync every time. Do not try to fiddle with your settings mid-movie. Pause the disc before bringing up the menu.

Also, I found that sync on PAL discs is slightly improved with the Video2 setting, which you should be using anyway.

I am not in the habit of "fiddling with my settings mid-movie". I got the player set up the way I wanted it during the first two days that I had it, and haven't entered the setup menu since. The only setting change I have done on any regular basis is changing the output resolution, and you have to completely stop the disc to do that. The lip synch problem occurs at least half of the time when I watch any DVD regardless.

I set the player to Video 2 mode when I first set it up, since I use DVI -> HDMI and therefore there is no reason to use Video 1. Nevertheless, PAL exhibits lip synch problems also.

Actual db readings are in parenthesis. Keep in mind that below 20hz the RS SPL meter needs more and more correction, so in reality the response is more or less flat down to 10hz, real world measurements. I do have a digital eq in the loop to flatten out the bass response in the room, but it's lower limit is 20hz, so it isn't really affecting things in these measurements. I made sure to start a little above 20hz to make sure there wasn't any big shift right around there.

So, rest assured the OPPO has no lower limit or cutoff that I can measure with my sub, so I doubt there is any problem there, probably just some weird specs from the manufacturer. . . Almost flat to 10Hz? WOAH!! That's the kind of sound that fills my dreams! I have GOT to build my own Infinite Baffle!

Good job Wes! Thanks for clearing that up.

Almost flat to 10Hz? WOAH!! That's the kind of sound that fills my dreams! I have GOT to build my own Infinite Baffle!

Good job Wes! Thanks for clearing that up.

With that much infrasonic information being reproduced, it is a different sound than most people are used to. It's much more spacious and less "slam". A lot of subs' slam includes a lot of harmonic distortion, so if the sub is trying to reproduce a loud 20hz sound, it outputs a lot of distortion at higher frequencies. Of course I can add some boost at 50hz or so to create more slam for movies if I want. . .

When this sub is playing anything from 20hz on down, you can't hear any pitch at all, you can just feel the vibrations and the energy in the room. It's pretty cool.

The sub is one reason I was pleased that OPPO added dvd-a capability, as they sound totally amazing. I would still like to see the bass management improved so we can run our mains large and still have the sub kick in.

IB's are pretty cheap- I've got $400 in drivers, $179 in the amp and $40 or so in the enclosure, and it will stomp anything up into the multiple thousands of dollars.

Wes

With that much infrasonic information being reproduced, it is a different sound than most people are used to. It's much more spacious and less "slam".

IB's are pretty cheap- I've got $400 in drivers, $179 in the amp and $40 or so in the enclosure, and it will stomp anything up into the multiple thousands of dollars. That's exactly what I'm after. I know they can kill the competition - both in price and pure sonic fidelity. Well, back to OPPO...

I am not in the habit of "fiddling with my settings mid-movie". I got the player set up the way I wanted it during the first two days that I had it, and haven't entered the setup menu since. The only setting change I have done on any regular basis is changing the output resolution, and you have to completely stop the disc to do that. The lip synch problem occurs at least half of the time when I watch any DVD regardless. Something else is wrong, then. Do you have any specific DVD's that reliably trigger the problem? Does a stop and play fix it?

I have the Superbit version of "Men in Black" and "Mask of Zorro". Both have fairly severe sync problems on the DTS track, but not the DD track. BUT... this sync problem is not a gradual or sudden shift that can be fixed with the usual "stop and resume" of playback - it is a PERMANENT lag, indicating a problem with sync on the DVD itself.

Make absolutely sure the lag is not in the source - it is more common than you may think. For example, I saw horrible lag on "Phantom of the Opera" and thought the OPPO was to blame. But I see the same amount of lag with this DVD on other players, and others have confirmed it.

Also see this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5576842&&#post5576842).

Anyone have any idea when the new hdmi output oppo is coming out?

Anyone have any idea when the new hdmi output oppo is coming out?

Tentatively slated for March.

So, as I understand it, the Oppo is pretty much only a good player if:

a. You're using DVI, and
b. you have a fancy receiver that can compensate for bad sound sync.

Can anyone recommend a good DVD player with the following features?:
1. PAL -> NTSC conversion
2. 2:2 PAL cadence detection
3. Both of the above over a 480p component connection
4. No widespread sound-sync issues

It would also be really nice if it had:
1. Pillar-boxing for 4:3
2. Decent motion-adaptive de-interlacing from video sources, both PAL and NTSC.
3. Again, both features over 480p component.

Can anyone here think of a player that would fit that bill?

Tentatively slated for March.

Is that a whole new hardware design? Or is it just the same 971 with an HDMI jack instead of DVI?

Something else is wrong, then. Do you have any specific DVD's that reliably trigger the problem? Does a stop and play fix it?

I have the Superbit version of "Men in Black" and "Mask of Zorro". Both have fairly severe sync problems on the DTS track, but not the DD track. BUT... this sync problem is not a gradual or sudden shift that can be fixed with the usual "stop and resume" of playback - it is a PERMANENT lag, indicating a problem with sync on the DVD itself.

Make absolutely sure the lag is not in the source - it is more common than you may think. For example, I saw horrible lag on "Phantom of the Opera" and thought the OPPO was to blame. But I see the same amount of lag with this DVD on other players, and others have confirmed it.

Also see this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5576842&&#post5576842).
No, this problem is specific to the Oppo. I have the Oppo connected via DVI->HDMI and my Sony DVP-NC80V/B connected via component to my Panasonic TH-42PX50U. Both players' digital audio out are connected to my Sony receiver. The receiver can decode DTS, so both players are configured to pass the audio digital stream raw to the receiver with no processing. The exact same disc, set up the exact same way, will play perfectly on the Sony but exhibit lip-synch issues on the Oppo.

If a delay in the TV were to blame, then at least the Oppo would consistently exhibit this issue, and it wouldn't just wander in and out the way it does. If the discs were to blame, then the other player would act the same as the Oppo. Neither is the case.

The last disc in particular that I saw this on was the Superbit edition of Desperado with the DTS soundtrack. About an hour into it, the lip synch was noticeably off, and got progressively worse, to the point where it looked as though when one actor was speaking someone else was talking. I was pretty annoyed at this, and later on I put the disc in the Sony and let it play from the beginning to the point where the issue became noticeable on the Oppo (in other words, I didn't just skip to that scene) and it never exhibited any lip synch problem.

I also noticed this lag on a couple of PAL discs -- the Region 2 version of They Live started exhibiting it within the first 10 minutes of play -- and tried the same disc in my $39 Cyberhome CH-300 hooked up to a 20" Phillips LCD in the kitchen. The Cyberhome didn't have a problem there either.

Regarding the post you linked... The "fix" in the current firmware really isn't a fix at all, because the problem doesn't happen consistently. Introducing a constant delay when the video lag is not constant would just make it wrong all the time. In any case, my receiver has an adjustable audio delay feature as well, but I've never needed to do that with my other DVD player.

I don't really care if stopping or pausing the movie will temporarily cure it. My old Pioneer DV-414 from 1998 had this problem, and that's what everyone always said to do there as well; sometimes that worked, sometimes that didn't. But seven years later this isn't something I should have to deal with any more.

No, this problem is specific to the Oppo. I have the Oppo connected via DVI->HDMI and my Sony DVP-NC80V/B connected via component to my Panasonic TH-42PX50U. Both players' digital audio out are connected to my Sony receiver. The receiver can decode DTS, so both players are configured to pass the audio digital stream raw to the receiver with no processing. The exact same disc, set up the exact same way, will play perfectly on the Sony but exhibit lip-synch issues on the Oppo.

If a delay in the TV were to blame, then at least the Oppo would consistently exhibit this issue, and it wouldn't just wander in and out the way it does. If the discs were to blame, then the other player would act the same as the Oppo. Neither is the case.

The last disc in particular that I saw this on was the Superbit edition of Desperado with the DTS soundtrack. About an hour into it, the lip synch was noticeably off, and got progressively worse, to the point where it looked as though when one actor was speaking someone else was talking. I was pretty annoyed at this, and later on I put the disc in the Sony and let it play from the beginning to the point where the issue became noticeable on the Oppo (in other words, I didn't just skip to that scene) and it never exhibited any lip synch problem.

I also noticed this lag on a couple of PAL discs -- the Region 2 version of They Live started exhibiting it within the first 10 minutes of play -- and tried the same disc in my $39 Cyberhome CH-300 hooked up to a 20" Phillips LCD in the kitchen. The Cyberhome didn't have a problem there either.

Regarding the post you linked... The "fix" in the current firmware really isn't a fix at all, because the problem doesn't happen consistently. Introducing a constant delay when the video lag is not constant would just make it wrong all the time. In any case, my receiver has an adjustable audio delay feature as well, but I've never needed to do that with my other DVD player.

I don't really care if stopping or pausing the movie will temporarily cure it. My old Pioneer DV-414 from 1998 had this problem, and that's what everyone always said to do there as well; sometimes that worked, sometimes that didn't. But seven years later this isn't something I should have to deal with any more.


This does seem like a problem. At what level is the oppo's audio lag set (if you said above, sorry, I missed it)? Most find that 30-50ms minimum is needed, some, like me, add to that with the reciever. All told my delay is about 120ms, that seems to work pretty much all the time for me. I know you'll say that this won't effect gradual lag, but it might because it kind of even things out. Most dialogue is recorded by dubbing, and it's often a bit out anyway. I've experienced gradual lag maybe twice in about 500hrs of oppo viewing--R1, R2, NTSC and PAL.

As to your last point: lip-synch is, perhaps, the most well known fault of the oppo. You shouldn't have purchased unless you were prepared for it: can you return yours?. It may be crappy, but there are a lot of very happy users here who seem to cope fine.

Dave

Can anyone recommend a good DVD player with the following features?:
1. PAL -> NTSC conversion
2. 2:2 PAL cadence detection
3. Both of the above over a 480p component connection
4. No widespread sound-sync issues

It would also be really nice if it had:
1. Pillar-boxing for 4:3
2. Decent motion-adaptive de-interlacing from video sources, both PAL and NTSC.
3. Again, both features over 480p component.

Can anyone here think of a player that would fit that bill?

Sure, get the Oppo with a DVDO video processor (HD+ or VP30). That's about the only way you'll get what you want with a component connection; the DVDO products do a great job of converting DVI output from the Oppo to component to your display. A used HD+ should be available on ebay for a reasonable price.

No, this problem is specific to the Oppo. I have the Oppo connected via DVI->HDMI and my Sony DVP-NC80V/B connected via component to my Panasonic TH-42PX50U. Both players' digital audio out are connected to my Sony receiver. The receiver can decode DTS, so both players are configured to pass the audio digital stream raw to the receiver with no processing. The exact same disc, set up the exact same way, will play perfectly on the Sony but exhibit lip-synch issues on the Oppo.

Just curious...
Do you have the same problem with the DD (vs the DTS) soundtrack?

So, as I understand it, the Oppo is pretty much only a good player if:

a. You're using DVI, and
b. you have a fancy receiver that can compensate for bad sound sync.

Can anyone recommend a good DVD player with the following features?:
1. PAL -> NTSC conversion
2. 2:2 PAL cadence detection
3. Both of the above over a 480p component connection
4. No widespread sound-sync issues

It would also be really nice if it had:
1. Pillar-boxing for 4:3
2. Decent motion-adaptive de-interlacing from video sources, both PAL and NTSC.
3. Again, both features over 480p component.

Can anyone here think of a player that would fit that bill?

The new Oppo 970 should be able to do that when it comes out. I'm hearing march for its release. It uses the mediatek and uses hdmi and does component 480p.

Make absolutely sure the lag is not in the source - it is more common than you may think. For example, I saw horrible lag on "Phantom of the Opera" and thought the OPPO was to blame. But I see the same amount of lag with this DVD on other players, and others have confirmed it.

The DTS tracks on Moulin Rouge! and Die Another Day are also known to be mastered out of proper sync.

In addition to paying fees, licensees agree to limit the capabilities of their products. High-definition digital video content is restricted to DVD quality on non-HDCP video outputs. My TV manufacturer is "Samsung" and they're a "HDCP Licensee".

I pulled this statement from this website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDCP

From this statement it would seem that the OPPO (non-HDCP video output) into my Sammy TXP3064W (HDCP compliant crt hdtv display) would infact be limited to only displaying DVD/480p video. Tell me this isnt so?!?!?

It isn't so. You've misread the purpose of that clause. Video resolution is limited on the source end, not the display end. An HDCP-compliant DVD player (or HD-DVD, or Blu-Ray, or many HDTV receivers and cable boxes) can only output 720p or 1080i via the HCDP-compliant output (i.e. DVI or HDMI, but not analog component) to an HDCP-compliant display input. This really has nothing to do with the Oppo, which is not an HDCP device and doesn't upscale over component for other reasons.

The DVI output on the Oppo does not have to be HDCP compliant to work with the HDCP-compliant input on your TV. However, if the source has HDCP, then the receiving end (the TV) must also.

A non-HDCP output will work with an HDCP input, but an HDCP output will not work with a non-HDCP input.

It isn't so. You've misread the purpose of that clause. Video resolution is limited on the source end, not the display end. An HDCP-compliant DVD player (or HD-DVD, or Blu-Ray, or many HDTV receivers and cable boxes) can only output 720p or 1080i via the HCDP-compliant output (i.e. DVI or HDMI, but not analog component) to an HDCP-compliant display input. This really has nothing to do with the Oppo, which is not an HDCP device and doesn't upscale over component for other reasons.

The DVI output on the Oppo does not have to be HDCP compliant to work with the HDCP-compliant input on your TV. However, if the source has HDCP, then the receiving end (the TV) must also.

A non-HDCP output will work with an HDCP input, but an HDCP output will not work with a non-HDCP input.

I realized all of this and deleted the post, u must of responded just b4 I pulled the plug. I was just paranoid again, thinking that my Oppo over DVI to my sammy was being restricted to a 480p signal, thus defeating the purpose of the upscaler. But after further review I realized by default the OPPO isnt a HD Source, like that of my MOXI Motorola BMC9012 or what the new blu-ray or HD-DVD will be.

TY for your prompt response..........

No, this problem is specific to the Oppo. I have the Oppo connected via DVI->HDMI and my Sony DVP-NC80V/B connected via component to my Panasonic TH-42PX50U. Both players' digital audio out are connected to my Sony receiver. The receiver can decode DTS, so both players are configured to pass the audio digital stream raw to the receiver with no processing. The exact same disc, set up the exact same way, will play perfectly on the Sony but exhibit lip-synch issues on the Oppo.

If a delay in the TV were to blame, then at least the Oppo would consistently exhibit this issue, and it wouldn't just wander in and out the way it does. If the discs were to blame, then the other player would act the same as the Oppo. Neither is the case.

The last disc in particular that I saw this on was the Superbit edition of Desperado with the DTS soundtrack. It sounds as though you have conducted a logical test. This intermittent delay is a known issue with the OPPO, but I am surprised that it occurs as often as you say it does. However, if you are watching Superbit titles with DTS soundtracks, that may be a red flag. I'll look into those a little more closely.

Regarding the post you linked... The "fix" in the current firmware really isn't a fix at all, because the problem doesn't happen consistently. Introducing a constant delay when the video lag is not constant would just make it wrong all the time. In any case, my receiver has an adjustable audio delay feature as well, but I've never needed to do that with my other DVD player. You are right... the "fix" cannot address intermittent delays. It may only compensate for constant delays in your system.

I don't really care if stopping or pausing the movie will temporarily cure it. My old Pioneer DV-414 from 1998 had this problem, and that's what everyone always said to do there as well; sometimes that worked, sometimes that didn't. But seven years later this isn't something I should have to deal with any more. I also have the Pioneer DV-414 DVD player. I bought it in 1997 and used it for years with a CRT TV and NEVER had a sync problem (unless the disk was recorded that way). Then I bought a Samsung DLP TV with Faroudja processing, and immediately, the intermittent sync issues began! Samsung has mostly fixed this issue now. The fix involved a small, constant delay that can be compensated for. Let's hope OPPO will be able to do the same.

By the way, you will find lip-sync complaints on nearly every single DVD player thread, but especially the Faroudja players. The OPPO certainly does have a problem, but the broadcast and DVD industry as a whole, is riddled with lip-sync issues. See this site (http://lipfix.com/technical_details.html), which details some of the reasons why. It has a link to an excellent Pixel Instruments white paper (http://www.pixelinstruments.tv/5ProfesArticles/Lip%20Sync%20Errors%20-%20A%20Short%20Tutorial.pdf) on the causes of lip-sync error within the broadcast system. Be sure to read that paper... the problem is far more complex than you would imagine! Our only hope is that HiDef DVD will address this issue, but judging by current HDTV broadcast content, it may continue to be a problem for a long time to come.

Gary

What does the Unposted 1128 firmware fix if we request it from OPPO?

Since its unposted is there something major stopping them from posting it.

What does the Unposted 1128 firmware fix if we request it from OPPO?

Since its unposted is there something major stopping them from posting it.Its still not 100%. See this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6908264&&#post6908264).

Its still not 100%. See this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6908264&&#post6908264).

That doesn't have a fix list though?

Just what one person viewed on there display, about 1 item.

That doesn't have a fix list though?

Just what one person viewed on there display, about 1 item.

OPPO does not want to release another crippled firmware. The 1128 was supposed to fix the shifting issue, but it is still broken on some displays.

More importantly, OPPO was hoping to release a new Major Release, which would take over the current 1111B Minor Release.

Can you guys please post what LPCM you have your Oppo set to? Please help me this is the last thing that is making me crazy with the Oppo. For watching dvds with DD and DTS should I just set it to 48k and let my receiver do the work. Please help Im am very lost about the LPCM thing. I dont even know what it is.

Jerm357,

You will want to use the highest LPCM setting supported by your receiver. Change the LPCM Out to 192Khz. If you hear no audio, drop it down to 96Khz. If you hear audio, you are good.

And set it to "raw".

Jerm357,

You will want to use the highest LPCM setting supported by your receiver. Change the LPCM Out to 192Khz. If you hear no audio, drop it down to 96Khz. If you hear audio, you are good.

What type of programming would utilize 192KHZ? I have my player set at 192 however my receiver displays CD's as 44.1 and DVD PCM audio at 48. My Onkyo receiver's manual also states that it goes up to 96Khz, yet I get audio with my Oppo set at 192. If I'm guessing right, if I played programming with PCM above 96Khz (which my receiver accepts) than I would get no audio?

Setting the DVD player to 192 is only necessary if your receiver has the capability to decode it.
Of course, it may never be needed for any media you play on the Oppo. Setting it too low, will only limit the POTENTIAL of what the receiver can process. And whether you can hear the difference in the quality of resulting audio reproduction is another topic entirely.

I guess a better question is what are dvds presented in 48, 96 or 192? I can hear a differance but its hard to explain 192 sounds wide and open and 48 sounds more thick and seems to be a better seperation of channels. I might be just used to my old dvd player that I think played every thing at 48K and thats the sound I am used to, so I emailed Onkyo and they said to set it at 192. But I still would like to know what are dvd presented in.

It sounds as though you have conducted a logical test. This intermittent delay is a known issue with the OPPO, but I am surprised that it occurs as often as you say it does. However, if you are watching Superbit titles with DTS soundtracks, that may be a red flag. I'll look into those a little more closely.

Well, I've noticed the problem on non-superbit titles, but based on other people's posts it seems particularly common on superbit ones. I suspect though that this is simply because people want to watch superbit movies more with upscaling players, because they are less compressed and therefore should scale better. I could speculate that the increased amount of data in the image, once uncompressed for scaling, could lead to more delay, but that would require me actually knowing a lot about Faroudja scalers, which I don't.

I also have the Pioneer DV-414 DVD player. I bought it in 1997 and used it for years with a CRT TV and NEVER had a sync problem (unless the disk was recorded that way). Then I bought a Samsung DLP TV with Faroudja processing, and immediately, the intermittent sync issues began! Samsung has mostly fixed this issue now. The fix involved a small, constant delay that can be compensated for. Let's hope OPPO will be able to do the same.

Well, I still use my DV-414 on yet a third TV, and mostly it's fine. The problem seemed tied to specific dvd's (as I recall, Austin Powers was a big culprit) and the problem really manifested itself much more predictably than it does on the Oppo.

I agree with the constant delay idea. The problem has been described as a buffering issue, and it strikes me that the way to fix it is to delay both the picture and the video by some controllable amount to ensure that they are always as synchronized as the source material on disc allows. The question is whether it is even possible to implement this with the existing 971H hardware.

One thing that I want to try, is to see whether this problem occurs, or is as pronounced, if the player is set to 480p output over the DVI. It makes sense to me that less processing would lead to less delay. I am more interested in the ability to play over DVI to eliminate A/D conversions (which you would think would help decrease picture lag relative to a component connection) and the player's other features such as excellent PAL conversion, DivX, and being region-free, than upscaling. I am really skeptical of any benefit from upscaling on the particular TV I have, and the few times I have tried 480p with this player, the PQ seemed excellent.

(The reason I am skeptical of upscaling in my case, is that the TH-42PX50U plasma is a native 1024x768. Any 1280x720 image has to be scaled down horizontally to fit the pixels, and any 1920x1080 image has to be scaled down in both axes. If the material being sent to the TV is in a native HD resolution, then yes, 1080 is definitely going to look the best. But a 720x480 image being scaled up by the player, and then down again by the TV, doesn't strike me as optimal).

So we'll see.

I agree with the constant delay idea. The problem has been described as a buffering issue, and it strikes me that the way to fix it is to delay both the picture and the video by some controllable amount to ensure that they are always as synchronized as the source material on disc allows. The question is whether it is even possible to implement this with the existing 971H hardware.

One thing that I want to try, is to see whether this problem occurs, or is as pronounced, if the player is set to 480p output over the DVI. It makes sense to me that less processing would lead to less delay. To delay the picture and the video "by some controllable amount" is exactly the problem. A circular buffer can be used to accomplish that for the audio stream, but it is not easy to "control" what the Faroudja chip is doing with the video. And as far as I know, when audio and video go put of sync, there are no "timing flags" in the audio or video streams to allow for easy resync.

The problem seems no different at 480p. The majority of the Faroudja's processing and buffering is in the motion-adaptive deinterlacing. Scaling an image takes relatively little processing or buffering in comparison.

I have a VOB playback question. The OPPO seems to handle DVD-R discs that contain .vob files, recognizing them in the viewer and allowing you to play them.

What I'm discovering though is that it won't play the entire file, and usually stops about half way though of most things I've tried to play.

Anyone else have similar issues?

So you do not have a proper DVD-Video disk structure with IFO files, etc? I've never tried this, and I'm really surprised they play at all.

I have a VOB playback question. The OPPO seems to handle DVD-R discs that contain .vob files, recognizing them in the viewer and allowing you to play them.

What I'm discovering though is that it won't play the entire file, and usually stops about half way though of most things I've tried to play.

Anyone else have similar issues?

The OPDV971H has some serious problems playing back discs that are not structured a certain way. It can read the straight VOB information, but will usually stop playing them halfway through (this is the same with UDF encoded DivX CD/DVDs).

Using a proper disc structure (Video DVD) will not have this problem.

And if you want to make the Vob files play properly, open the freeware IFOEdit and hit "Create IFOs". It'll create a proper DVD structure for you. Then burn to DVDR.

I recently purchased a Sony KV32HS420 and connected the Oppo player via the HDMI connector. The problem I am having is that if I play any of my kids 4:3 movies they are vertically squished... I have tried setting the player in both 16:9 and 4:3 LB but neither help.

I then looked in the Sony menu and the setting for 16:9 Enhanced was on Auto and was grayed out. It seems that the TV is not able to correctly read the 4:3 signals when the player is set to anything above 480p so it then applies the vertical compression. Does anyone have a clue as to what I can do about this?

I also am havin the problem with the picture jumping around in both 480P (lots of jumping) and 1080i (more like twitching).

Put the Oppo on wide sqz and your tv on full. You will still have black bars on the side but at lest its watchable. I too have the jumping problem with my Sony on both 480p and 1080i so do others with this combo, Ive heard its a Sony Issue. Just use 720p and it will look fine.

Put the Oppo on wide sqz and your tv on full. You will still have black bars on the side but at lest its watchable. I too have the jumping problem with my Sony on both 480p and 1080i so do others with this combo, Ive heard its a Sony Issue. Just use 720p and it will look fine.


I dont have the option for Full due to not being a WS television. I get Normal and Zoom but the zoom feature cuts the sides off and I lose alot of resolution. I wonder if sony will fix this problem...

I dont have the option for Full due to not being a WS television. I get Normal and Zoom but the zoom feature cuts the sides off and I lose alot of resolution. I wonder if sony will fix this problem...Since you have a 4:3 TV, have you tried ALL of the OPPO's various "TV Display" options, like "NORMAL/PS" and "NORMAL/LB"? If none of those options help, then ask your questions on the Sony threads. Maybe someone else has found a way to make the Sony behave.

Since you have a 4:3 TV, have you tried ALL of the OPPO's various "TV Display" options, like "NORMAL/PS" and "NORMAL/LB"? If none of those options help, then ask your questions on the Sony threads. Maybe someone else has found a way to make the Sony behave.


I have tried all of them but it seems as though the TV will do verticle compression no matter what when it sees any signal above 480P. The fix seems to be having the ability to disable the 16:9 enhanced mode but the TV only gives Auto and On as options. Also when the TV sees a HD signal it will gray out the Enhanced 16:9 menu option.

Update:

When the TV detects the "anamorphic" flag that should be sent by th DVD player, the picture automatically collapses to 16:9 vertically-compressed 960i, sacrificing no scan lines to letterboxing on the 36" 4:3 and displaying full-width.

If DVDs display at 4:3, the player is not set up right, won't pass the anamorphic flag, or the DVD is not anamorphic "enhanced" for widescreen.

Could the player not be passing the correct flag or is this incorrect (has it ever been tested?)? The TV seems to think that everything coming out of the Oppo is anamorphic so it does the verticle compression unless the Oppo is set to 480P. ( Display options in the Oppo have no effect)

And if you want to make the Vob files play properly, open the freeware IFOEdit and hit "Create IFOs". It'll create a proper DVD structure for you. Then burn to DVDR.
Thanks for your help with this folks, my question has been answered. IFOEdit looks great, but alas it's for Windows. Does anyone know of a similar Mac solution?

Can you guys please post what LPCM you have your Oppo set to? Please help me this is the last thing that is making me crazy with the Oppo. For watching dvds with DD and DTS should I just set it to 48k and let my receiver do the work. Please help Im am very lost about the LPCM thing. I dont even know what it is.

There is "Quick Settings Guide" for the Oppo in the first post of the Oppo FAQ thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=491306

Paul

I have seen several people in the Poll thread claiming that the Oppo does a horrible job on plasma displays...is there any truth to that? i never thought about it until i saw that, but i don't see very many people using the oppo on a plasma. Most of those people said it was due to macroblocking issues, which can normally be diminished with proper calibration i assume, but should i look into another player for my Toshiba 42HP95?

Macroblocking seems to be somewhat display dependant. In any case, you will get the best result upscaling on DVI if your display resolution matches the OPPO output. AFAIK, on DVI the OPPO outputs only 480p, 576p, 540p, 720p and 1080i. Most plasma and direct view LCDs seem to be 1024x768 or 1366x768, and not the HD standard resolutions of 1280x720 or 1920x1080. The TV will scale the picture again, with varying results.

Why plasma and LCD TVs are still made in non-HD resolutions, I don't know...

Hi

Oppo 971H is reviewed in German audio-magazine STEREOPLAY (latest issue 2/06). :)
They state, that the player delivers a "superb picture" on its DVI-output and that multichannel DVD-audio is beautifully transparent. What they did not like is the analog stereo output's sound over the 5.1 outputs and - of course - composite out. But they mention, that the player was not developed for analog picture quality ("developed for perfect DVI-picture")....
:D

After almost a week of using the Oppo I can honestly say that this player rocks! The superbit version of Spiderman never looked so good, it's almost 3D-ish. I did, however, see some ghosting (or trailing) in the scene immediately after he got bit by the spider. But turning Truelife on totally eliminated this problem (I now have the settings at 0 and Off on all except Brightness at -03 and Truelife is on). I also saw the most-talked-about audio sync problem, but probably only because I was paying too much attention to the lip movements instead of just watching the movie. When not concentrating on the lip movements I could not perceive any audio/video sync problems at all. However, I did the quick stop/play on the remote and went back to focusing on the lip movements and I did not see any sync problem through the rest of the movie.

Do any 50" GWIII owners out there know what the native resolution is for this set. I've looked everywhere on the manual and could not find it. Right now, I have the Oppo set at 720P. But maybe the 1080i would work better in that the TV does not have to do any re-scaling, thus helping minimize the audio sync issue.

Other than the almost negligible sync problem I am very pleased with this player and would highly recommend it