Hi-

One thing that surprised me is that, after all is said and done, the Oppo is really just another cheap Chinese DVD player, folllowing in the footsteps of Apex, Cyberhome, Sampo, etc.

Forgive me, but that's sheer nonsense. Sure, it's made in China, but don't mention it in the same breath as those crap players. Aren't quite a few respected brand name players also made in China and just rebadged? As long as you're using the DVI connection, the Oppo is miles ahead of the others you mentioned.

Yes, you may as well not bother with this player over component.

I hooked mine up via component last night and the picture was absolutely horrendous.

Via DVI, it looks great, with only the already noted issues from time-to-time (shimmer, audio sync).

Also, I noticed that on my JVC DLA-HX1, with DILA (LCOS) technology, this player puts out blacker blacks and better contrast than did my Bravo D2 that was recently retired. Passing blacker-than-black via DVI is great.

Is anyone here using a LONG DVI to HDMI cable to their AE700? If I don't rearrange my equipment setup, I would need to run about a 40' cable. Right now I'm using component and notice no sync delay's or signal degradation but am concerned about the length of the new cable.

Would love to hear others that are using one as long or longer than the above mentioned length.

TIA

I am using a 25' cable with the oppo and the AE700 with no problem.

Is anyone here using a LONG DVI to HDMI cable to their AE700? TIA
Hi, not exactly waht you asked for but... I'm using a 10m/33f dvi-dvi cable ($50) to a Lumagen HDP Scaler.. no problems at all :)

Hi Steven,
That was me that posted over at the Spot. Either I've gotten used to the wider tray or the 4/30 firmware fixed the problem (or both). The gear teeth are on the sides of the tray, so you can't grab the disc by its edges like I'm used to. The tray does come fully out and the disc drops right in, and I've not had any more problems as described. I'm very happy with the player and the next firmware release should get it even better.

Thanks, Kevin! Good news indeed!

That's a review of an older version of TheaterTek. TheaterTek has since gone to 2.0+ and seems to be much much better, now that it is motion adaptive deinterlacing. I'd like to see how the new version of TheaterTek would hold up against players like the Oppo.

Personally, I don't think I have the time to set up an HTPC and tweak it right (if ever).

Well I can't wait to hook it up via DVI and see the difference.

For those of you with long cable runs and projectors, it took me years to finally realize what the best and most obvious solution was: move the DVD player under the projector!

My equipment (amps, tuner, VCR, etc) are in another part of the room, and like many people I had to run a looong set of cables to get video from the DVD player to the projector. I knew the 35 foot cable run was probably degrading the signal, but what can you do?

Then I realized, if I move the DVD player right under the projector, the video cables can be really short and all you have to do it run a single RCA cable to get digital audio back to the amps. Sure a lot better than 3 component cables, or a very expensive long DVI.

The picture got MUCH better.

Hi-

TheaterTek has since gone to 2.0+ and seems to be much much better, now that it has motion adaptive deinterlacing.

OK, thanks for the clarification, Ja Phule. Since I don't run an HTPC, I don't know much about TheaterTek. However, I expect it's still just a straight flag reading player, and for the other problems mentioned, cadence reading, such as that provided by the Faroudja chipset, is a must. In addition, there are different degrees of quality in the implementation of Motion Adaptive deinterlacing, and I believe that Faroudja's, together with its DCDi, is considered to be the best in the business.

Hi-

One thing that surprised me is that, after all is said and done, the Oppo is really just another cheap Chinese DVD player, folllowing in the footsteps of Apex, Cyberhome, Sampo, etc.

Forgive me, but that's sheer nonsense. Sure, it's made in China, but don't mention it in the same breath as those crap players. Aren't quite a few respected brand name players also made in China and just rebadged? As long as you're using the DVI connection, the Oppo is miles ahead of the others you mentioned.

What's also amazing is after all this time folks don't realize you can set up a first class manufacturing plant anywhere in the world, including China. Within reason, geography is not a criteria for quality control. What is: Good requirements and proper management.

Good point.

Hello,

Has anyone else noticed this problem:

There appers to be a problem with subtitles with 4:3 DVD material. About half the time, the subtitles become distorted and unreadable. I have the 4-30 hotfix, using 1080i output. This problem was occuring before the 4-30 hotfix.

For the recreate I used the Warner Brothers "Singin' In The Rain" 2-disc deluxe version (although I have seen the problem with other 4:3 DVDs as well).

To recreate:

1. Use a DVD that is 4:3 that includes includes subtitles
2. Configure the DV971H for TV Display: Wide/SQZ
3. Begin play of DVD.
4. Turn subtitles on.
5. Note that about half the time the subtitles are distorted. Sometimes the subtitles are OK, sometimes the first line is distorted, sometimes the bottom line is distorted, sometimes all lines are distorted.
6. Pause the DV971H when the subtitles are distorted.
7. Configure the DV971H for TV Display: Wide
8. Note that the subtitles are now not distorted. I have not noticed distorted subtitles in "Wide" mode.
9. Configure the DV971H for TV Display: Wide/SQZ
10. Note that the subtitles are distorted again.

The distortion happens in all languages.

Paul

Paul, I need to go back and verify, but "House of the Flying Dragons" WS version with English subtitles had messed up subtitles. It did not happen all the time, but occassionally there was garbled lettering. Next time I fire up the projector I will double check. It probably happened about a dozen times during the movie.

Edit: I keep the player set to Wide/SQZ all the time.

I've had mangled subtitles on 16:9 DVDs as well. I do not use the Wide/SQZ function, just straight 16:9.

This occurs very randomly.

One note - the only disc I watched last night was PAL. Keep in mind the 5700 is a native PAL unit, and I set the Oppo to output PAL (which I knew it was doing since the 5700 recallibrated itself and reported it was displaying 576).

One thing I've noticed is that although the Oppo does a good job of converting PAL to NTSC, it isn't so good at converting NTSC to PAL.

I haven't had any problems with native PAL discs using the Oppo's "auto" passthrough mode, however.

I probably should get the manual out again and figure out just what all those screen size options really mean. I set it up when I first got it, and haven't gone back into the settings to try other parameters. All I watch on the player are wide screen (either 16:9 or 2:35). I think Wide/SQZ is the right setting for my AE700, but if there is a better setting I would gladly try it.

Hi-

Has anyone else noticed this problem

Yes, I have it sometimes, but not nearly as often as you seem to. This is using 720p to a Samsung DLP. Only on 4:3 DVDs so far, and maybe just with several lines of subs per DVD.

OK. Thanks for the reports! I've already reported the issue to Oppo Digitial just wanted to confirm that it isn't just my player alone with corrupted subtitles.

Paul

I've seen the garbled subtitle problem reported elsewhere, too. Hopefully that can be addressed in the next firmware fix.

Josh: haven't tried converting NTSC to PAL... I live in the US but my projector (Infocus 5700) has native PAL resolution so PAL discs give me an extra 100 lines of rez... so when I play PAL I set the Oppo to output PAL, no conversion.

Even so, the picture isn't as good as it was with my previous Sampo player. I'm hoping it's because I'm running component right now, which everyone says isn't so great on this player.

My Infocus M1-DVI converter should be here today... I'll report back then.

I REALLY hope the picture improves, I want to love this player!

Mojo,
Have you tried playing any NTSC DVDs yet?

I have been following this thread and it appears that there is a cropping issue with the Oppo and the Benq 8700+. I am very interested in this player IF this were not the case. Can anyone confirm whether this is a problem or not?

All I watch on the player are wide screen (either 16:9 or 2:35). I think Wide/SQZ is the right setting for my AE700, but if there is a better setting I would gladly try it.

"Wide" is a straightforward 16:9 mode like every DVD player has. "Wide/SQZ" passes anamorphic discs in 16:9 but pillarboxes non-anamorphic or 4:3 content in the center of the screen (assuming they are flagged correctly). This is useful for those displays that automatically lock into 16:9 stretch on all progressive scan signals regardless of whether the content is anamorphic or not, but isn't really necessary if your diplay doesn't do that. The Oppo's pillarboxing noticeably degrades picture quality, so letting your display do the work is a better idea if possible.

Josh: haven't tried converting NTSC to PAL... I live in the US but my projector (Infocus 5700) has native PAL resolution so PAL discs give me an extra 100 lines of rez... so when I play PAL I set the Oppo to output PAL, no conversion.

The Oppo also has an "auto" mode that automatically passes discs in their native format: NTSC discs as NTSC and PAL as PAL. So you don't have to manually set the output each time.

I have been following this thread and it appears that there is a cropping issue with the Oppo and the Benq 8700+. I am very interested in this player IF this were not the case. Can anyone confirm whether this is a problem or not?

Don't have the 8700 projector but the DV971H via DVI @ 720p with the Oppo 4-30 firmware there is no cropping. Has it been reported whether or not the Benq has any overscan? If not, perhaps there is some odd compatibility/configuration issue.

Paul

Paul, on my Hitachi 42HDT50, if I output the Oppo to 1080i, should I just set the Oppo to "Wide" (not Wide/SQZ) and let the Hitachi adjust it (assuming it will) for when I'm watching non-anamorphic or 4:3 DVDs? Would I do the same if I decided to go with the Oppo output as 720p? As you can see, I have trouble comprehending all the output/input combos. :)

Jim

I've only had the Oppo for 2 days and have played a few NTSC discs but only for a few minutes... most of what I have been watching is PAL.

In any case, I got my cables today, so tonight I will replace the component and see what difference there is with DVI.

I'll see about taking some before/after screen shots with test patterns to see the difference.

I have been following this thread and it appears that there is a cropping issue with the Oppo and the Benq 8700+. I am very interested in this player IF this were not the case. Can anyone confirm whether this is a problem or not?

I've used it with a Runco 710 which some say is a rebadged 8700. It's not, and those claiming it is have never listed what the shared components are supposed to be. I have had no cropping issues with the Oppo/710 over DVI. I'll leave it to you to decide how similar my pj is to yours.

Jim,

The Hitachi will not unstretch the "Wide" 4:3 material with 1080i or 720p -- there isn't the same scaling options that are available with the Hitachi at 480i/p . If you want the correct 4:3 ratio the Oppo will have to be set for Wide/SQZ.

Paul

Thanks for the explanation, Paul. :)

Jim

The Oppo is made by Winbase Electronics out of China. You can go to their website and see the Oppo player. Even the model number is the same. They just rebadge it for Oppo.
They also have a few players that have more features then this player. These OEM companies are responsible for most of the DVD players that are sold around the world. Unfortunately you cannot buy direct from them unless you travel to China and buy one at a local store. I too am looking at this player and am waiting for the next firmware fix. I am puzzled on why all of these companies when developing a prototype do not test them enough. I say give these prototypes to AVS Forum members and let us do a 3 month test and then they can fix all of these bugs before selling them to the general public. Just a though.

Testing can be an endless cycle. At some point, the decision has to be made to "get it out the door". The Oppo was a bit rough at first, but with the latest update and hotfix, I think the player has settled down enough to be a serious contender (as shown by the "Secrets" score). Oppo is very receptive to error reports and feature suggestions.

I think, from early on, the concensus of the forum was: "If we only had the chance to have a manufacturer listen to forum members and act on those suggestions we could make the best player ever". Well, here's our oppo-rtunity!

Paul

Greetings Paul,

"Well, here's our oppo-rtunity!"

Apparently you are not only adept at the technical end, but your ability to turn a potential advertising phrase is pretty impressive as well.
b.

"Well, here's our oppo-rtunity!"

Apparently you are not only adept at the technical end, but your ability to turn a potential advertising phrase is pretty impressive as well.
b.

I was thinking the opposite. Yeesh. :D

Paul/Nothru22,
I don't really expect to see that particular phrase printed on the outside of future Oppo cartons anytime soon...
b.

I started a new thread with my screenshots of the Oppo in various modes. Sorry for not posting it in here, but I wanted to be sure everyone saw it.

Sadly, I was not impressed. The difference between component/DVI 480/DVI 720 is practically non-existant.

The PAL output did not improve - it was just as poor as it was under component.

Another weird thing - when I played with the LG upscaling player last week (which upscales under component, I didn't have the digital connector), my Screenplay 5700 gave me MORE image control options (like horiztontal and vertical positioning). I figured these were unlocked when an HD signal was detected.

Under DVI upscale with the Oppo, those options did not appear and the color adjustment (saturation) was gone. Do HD display devices not allow color adjustment?!

Anyway, feel free to reply in the other thread or here. As I said, I want to love this player, so if I'm doing something wrong please point me in the right direction!

With DVI some displays do not offer color or tint control, some do. The Oppo does offer saturation (color) control in its menus.

I put a response in the new thread.

Upconversion isn't always needed or a guarantee of improved picture quality. How well the display scales plays a major part in the perceived benefits.

Paul

But isn't the scaling of my display (in this case the 5700) irrelevant, since the Oppo is doing the upscaling?

Honestly, I would be happy with the Oppo if the PAL output matched the NTSC for clarity. Is there a reason why this should not be so? The Oppo is supposedly outputting a native PAL signal.

Viewing good PAL on the 5700 is a real treat - the extra 20% resolution and lack of 2:3 pulldown makes for a startlingly smooth image.

I have to assume I can find a player to replace my Sampo that can output a good PAL signal!

I want it to be the Oppo :-(

Since the 5700 is (apparently) native 1024 x 576, the display is taking all of the signals and scaling them to 1024x576, so the InFocus is doing conversion with every one of those (480i, 480p, 720p) signals. That may account for why the picture looks mostly the same for that pattern in all three instances.

Paul

Since the 5700 is (apparently) native 1024 x 576, the display is taking all of the signals and scaling them to 1024x576, so the InFocus is doing conversion with every one of those (480i, 480p, 720p) signals. That may account for why the picture looks mostly the same for that pattern in all three instances.

Yes, upscaling is only useful if you are able to scale directly to the native resolution of your display. If you use the Oppo to upscale to 720p or 1080i, the projector is just going to scale it again anyway. Scaling should really only be done once, all in the same chip. If anything, scaling twice just runs the risk of introducing mathematical errors and may produce an inferior picture. This isn't the DVD player's fault; it's just the nature of scaling.

Thanks for the replies, guys... I understand better now. I suppose an upscaling DVD player wasn't necessary for me!

On the other hand, I was mostly interested in the other features (DVI, divx, SVCD, PAL, etc) but since the PAL output may not be up to snuff, yet another player may be in my future...

well, well, well... another Paul thread...:)

followed the S97 almost to the point of purchase, but there remained a few niggling bits (price, for one).

After all the hooplah about this unit, I finally caved and bought one. Impressions are initial, but may be of use.

My setup is comparing an RP-82 running through component (monster cable through the HK7200 to the TV), vs. the stock DVI cable that came with the Oppo (will need to replace, for length if nothing else).

TV is a Sony 57WV700 CRT RPTV, calibrated using AVIA and DVE with the '82.

Now, with my (fine) CRT TV, I wasn't expecting a "oh my god it's HD" experience. In fact, I've been pretty sceptical about the whole scaling thing in general. What I initially wanted was something that did -everything- my RP-82 did, with the happy advantage of also connecting via DVI.

The Oppo ain't that machine.

I haven't even bothered hooking up the component cables, and I'm unlikely to. I think this player will likely fit in nicely as a sometimes player, for digital-sourced material that would be well served to look a bit more snazzy. For films like Kane or Seven Samurai, I'm unlikely to use the Oppo. Still, that's an early assement, and it certainly might change over time.

Going through the obvious culprits (Incredibles, AOTC) did indeed demonstrate a slight increase in what may be described as "clarity". Switching back and forth from 480p to 1080i, while not instantaneous, allowed my self at any rate to prefer the HD image.

The bonus film on Incredibles, Boundin', looked a bit snazzier, with a bit more punch in the image. I'm trying to avoid words like "sharper", as it has a whole 'nother connotation, but, caveat in place, that might serve as a better description.

My unit is version 2.20, with the April firmware factory installed. When I first looked at the AVIA tests, several of the vertical line tests showed lots of "flashing" and strobing in 1080i, but not for some reason at 480 or 720. I bit the bullet and upgraded the firmware to the latest (it specifically mentioned both Sony and the image stabilization issue), and that element cleared right up.

There remains, however, a pretty critical image flaw - no, not macroblocking (unless this is a weird example of it...I'm used to seeing the total blowout on the MGM Ben Hur logo exhibited by the S97, I've seen none of that). On the DVE test reel at the end of the patterns (with the tall buldings following the CGI plant thing, title 11:2, time 00:45) there is some "swimming" of pixels in the middle of the screen, basically mid-level at the tall brown building. It gets worse in a sec, the building that creeps in at 00:59 has lots of this noise. It looks like moiree paterning, but a little more localized. Tested at all resolutions over DVI, checked to make sure that all settings on the TV weren't adding edge enhancement or some such, sharpness is set to Low, etc., etc.

I'm looking at it now via the RP-82 signal and it looks, well, perfect.

The same issue can be seen with the flag on the Vehicle Assembly building at the beginning of the shuttle clip, the stripes looking a bit "swimmy" as the image moves. If this is the shimmering as mentioned in passing in several threads below, then my CRT RPTV seems to suffer from this condition. If it's something else, or if there's a setting I may have missed, I'd be happy to take some advice.

I actually have two copies of AOTC (don't ask...), so have spent a bit of time a/b'ing as quickly as my tv will switch over. There's no doubt a heck of a lot of tweaking to do with the DVI input, but, well, the DVI -does- look better, more defined and clearer. One very odd thing (and likely the cause of some consternation) - the auxilliary subtitles do not display. Check the scene in Plapy's office at 05:11 when the Rodian gives his speech - no titles to translate. Meh.

(in the preferences setup for the player, subtitles set to default "none". Setting to English forces subs for all dialogue)

Two other issues I hoped would be helped with were also examined. For one, on my RP-82, for some reason the DTS-produced DVD-Audio versions of Queen's Night and the Opera and The Game put artificial pauses between tracks when playing back the MLP layer (as tested on several other units, including the low-end Pioneers, the disc plays as desired on other platforms). While reduced from the pause with the Panny, there is still a slight gap between the first and second track on NATO.

Another issue I hoped would be (magically) fixed was my Moulin Rouge DTS synch issue. I've not tested this on other machines, but on my '82 there's a several millisecond synch issue on the DTS track only (both analogue and coax/toslink connections exhibit this issue). I hoped it was an idiosyncracy of the '82, but, alas, it was indentically out of synch on the Oppo. Dolby Digital was, as always, perfectly fine.

I bought this machine because I'm extremely pleased with the frequency of firmware updates, and the obvious connection they have with the (unpaid!) trouble shooters at fora such as this one. PAL discs seem to work great, and I'm pretty excited about the magical world of buying out-of-region editions of great discs (Eyes Wide Shut anyone?)

I know that this machine can get better, and I'm confident my purchase was a good one. However, I put this out there to add to the discourse in the hopes that it helps someone else make their own decision about the unit.

Thanks for the review sharkshark!

The "shimmering" has been reported as well as subtitle issues and sound sync to Oppo Digital. It is hoped that with a combination of tweaking of the Vertical Edge Enhancement, Cross Color Suppression, and True Life Enhancement, the shimmering can be reduced/eliminated.

I have ANATO on DTS so will check it out.

Paul

Very nice review, shark. I also have the shimmering, but I have not noticed the lip-synch issue yet. I am hopeful this will be resolved, as I am now past my 30 day trial period. I remain impressed for the price/performance of this unit.

ah, so that's the shimmering? cool.. :)

Yeah, it's quite noticeable on those bad areas. It's pretty cool that those crazy guys at DVE know what to put on to make things bring out problems with real-world imagery (rather than good ol' snell and wilcox screens).

I've been spoiled for so long with my RP-82 that I never really saw any issues with any of those test elements on my TV. I was hooking up one of the new Panny low-end units to a friend who bought a Benq LCD, and the test material looked like CRAP. I mean, really bad. I felt awful, thinking that I'd convinced him to buy a lemon. Then I discovered the silly way the new pannys turn on progressive scan (it's in two places now, not quite as handy as the front button on the '82)... then, voila! Smooth pic. The Benq scaler is so crap, but with a progressive signal it did quite well actually given the price.

All this, of course, is off topic... :)

As for synch issue, I've only -ever- noticed it on my Moulin Rouge. There was talk forever ago about this being common with this disc (I even replaced my copy to no avail), it's only on the DTS version, and any other disc I flipped in played fine. You guys know how it is, you just want all those niggling "software" issues to go away with your new baby!

I do fear that as this thing gets more and more popular there may be pressure in future firmware updates to do things like, oh, lock in region settings, or turn on HDCP (my dvi's compliant so for me it's not a big deal...) The popularity of the unit might cause the ire of whoever actually polices these things. For now though, I'm just pleased it's all so simple.

An added two cents for those that read this far down, firmware updating is as painless as they say, but you do have that fun not in your stomach I always get as the player just sits there, tray (tounge?) open, status screen unchanging... sitting... sitting.... :)

Now I've got to find a dvi/dvi cable... I had bought for the hell of it an HDMI-DVI cable from Tigerdirect just to fool around with my HD box.... might just get another from them. Then again, there -are- some nice ones out there... heh.

Shark, I have MR that I can throw in my Oppo tonight and try the DTS lip synch test. Can you tell me more about where you saw the problem? Does it start to show up right away, progress over time, or only occur at certain scenes? I will trade you a dvi/dvi for your dvi/hdmi ;-). Until I buy a new cable, I am stuck with the adapter. Any suggestions on a good 5 foot cable at a decent price?

The DTS track on the Moulin Rouge DVD is out of sync with the video. This is a disc mastering issue, not a DVD player issue.

Josh, thanks for clearing that up. I think I will check it out anyway, just to see what it looks like. I watched this dvd before in DTS on my old Sony and didn't notice it. I will have to pay more attention to detail this time, since I already know how the story ends ;-)

I've had major synch issues with the Oppo. I'm up to 110 ms delay using my Casablanca II and I'm still not there. I also have a PaniXP-30 and an Esoteric DV-50s. I don't see the synch thing going on in either of these players. Not sure what the issue is but it sure would nice if Oppo could work this issue out.
Javry

It's being worked on. Hang in there! ;)

Paul

k, here's a fun question...

I've calibrated my TV (57wv700, you'll recall) for my RP-82. The Oppo image is -much- darker.

Obviously in an ideal world I'd be calibrating the TV to a NTSC signal generator, but that's not happening anytime soon.

I also have no happy way of calibrating HD, so I make the DVD look great (via avia/DVE) and kinda hope it all works out in the wash.

Sooo... any thoughts about either adjusting the player, or adjusting the set? I've heard some here claim that the image response from the Oppo is "flat" - does this mean my '82 was out of whack? Or should I be tweaking the Oppo, and not touching my Sony settings (heck, I even went and played with red push fun in the service manual to get the '82 perfect... hardcore!) hehe

thoughts?

Maybe I am seeing things because of other reports, but I swear I have also seen sync issues. Sometimes I have noticed it, other times not. I don't have DTS, is it only a DTS issue?

I don't know, everyone loves this player but boy it sure has a lot of kinks to be worked out. It would be nice if they'd give a definitive date for the next firmware and WHAT is going to be addressed.

I'm still troubleshooting whether my jagged PAL output is the player or my projector.

Another similar question was asked this morning. It's either the chicken or the egg.

For the home user, there's not a real clear cut answer, some of the possibilities:

1. One can calibrate the display to a laboratory standard via the service menus, and tweak the display's consumer controls for the final calibration.

2. One can calibrate the display to a labratory standard then tweak the sources for the final calibration.

3. One can achieve a calibration by tweaking both, with no standard.

4. One can keep the original factory calibration and tweak the components.

I like #1 the best.

Paul

I just got the Oppo this morning and I'm putting it through its paces on my (also) new JVC HD-ILA. I'm still tweaking with the calibration and trying to get the black levels correct.

The Oppo doesn't seem to like DVD+R DL. I've only burned two dual layer DVDs but neither is recognized by the Oppo. I burned with Nero. Has anybody had any luck with a dual layer DVD? If not, I'll have to rethink putting the last few episodes of Lost on one DL DVD+R. Happily the Oppo doesn't seem to have a problem with DVD-R.

In calibrating I also noticed on the color bars both blue and red were perfect, but green was a little off. Can anybody suggest a search string that might help me narrow down on any issues with the Oppo's DVI out and green levels? My searches suck and I always end up with either every post that has ever mentioned green or DVI, or I get nothing.

Thanks for the help. And as for the Oppo, I'm pretty impressed with the packaging of this $199.00 player.

And as for the Oppo, I'm pretty impressed with the packaging of this $199.00 player.

Is that a backhanded compliment? :D

Backhanded, front-handed. However. :)

I'm impressed. It is more than I expected.

The Oppo doesn't seem to like DVD+R DL. I've only burned two dual layer DVDs but neither is recognized by the Oppo. I burned with Nero. Has anybody had any luck with a dual layer DVD? If not, I'll have to rethink putting the last few episodes of Lost on one DL DVD+R. Happily the Oppo doesn't seem to have a problem with DVD-R.
I have used Dual Layer (DVD+R DL) discs burned with Roxio Popcorn (a Mac program) fine on my Oppo. I wonder if you burned it at too high a rate? Dunno...

In calibrating I also noticed on the color bars both blue and red were perfect, but green was a little off. Can anybody suggest a search string that might help me narrow down on any issues with the Oppo's DVI out and green levels? My searches suck and I always end up with either every post that has ever mentioned green or DVI, or I get nothing.
I noticed the same thing. The green level is a litte bit different than red and blue.

-Terry

FWIW, I have burned 5 dual layer verbatim discs using Nero 6 ( the very latest version from their website) on a pioneer 108 burner. I have had no problems reading any of them on my Oppo. I have also used the single layer discs and disc shrink shareware and no problems with those either.

Can you play the discs you made on a pc? Perhaps it is the software you are using or bad media?

Terry, Stacy,

Ensure the Oppo's "Contrast" is set at "0". I notice some color-shifting when the Oppo's contrast control is utilized.

Is the Avia color decoder pattern being used to make the determination?

Paul

Terry, Stacy,

Ensure the Oppo's "Contrast" is set at "0". I notice some color-shifting when the Oppo's contrast control is utilized.

Is the Avia color decoder pattern being used to make the determination?

Paul
Adjusting the contrast control on the Oppo does seem to shift color, but it doesn't alter the "balance" between red/blue/green. I have Contrast (and have had it) set to "0", but the green is about 5% higher than red and blue levels.

(Yep, using Avia color decoder pattern.)

-Terry

Thanks Terry,

I'll look again, but my colors have been correct in the past (Panasonic direct view LCD) with the player -- via DVI->HDMI.

Given that many electrical components in consumer gear are rated at +/- 5/10% tolerance it might be that there is some sample to sample variation (including the display).

Just to be sure, is your display set at the least "intrusive" video setting to begin calibration?

For example, on my Panasonic LCD, "Cinema" is the least instrusive and my calibration begins there and has worked out quite well. The "Standard" setting, oddly enough, introduces some light black crushing and some slight color imbalances that can't be dialed/configured out.

Paul

Thanks for the information guys.

I've only burned two DL discs, both Verbatim, and I used the latest version of Nero. They both work on my computer and my Pioneer DV-45. The Oppo doesn't recognize them at all. It doesn't seem to have a problem with my single layer DVD-R discs.

As for the green level, I was using DVE and have not looked at Avia yet. I'm still able to get the colors far closer than I ever did with my Toshiba CRT RPTV, but via component into the JVC the DVE color bars were perfect. Still, not a big deal for me, but I could not adjust the green to get it any better at all. All I could do was mess up red and blue. I don't know if the green is higher or lower, but I'll try to use Avia to find out.

I have the Oppo's contrast at 0 but I did have to raise the Oppo's brightness in order to see the blacker than black bar on DVE. Is that normal to need to change the player settings in order to see a test pattern on the TV? I've never used the player settings for calibration in the past.

I think I've also seen macroblocking on DVE, but none really on the one movie I've watched (The Incredibles). I've read lots about macroblocking and seen the descriptions, and even a few pictures, but I wasn't exactly sure what it would look like. What I saw on DVE, not on the test patterns but on the little scenes with the explanations for the calibrations, particularly in things like the speakers that flanked the example TV, or the ceiling in the room with the projector, were patches that looked like low bit-rate Windows media files on the computer. Imagine watching the Batman trailer on your computer, with those dark clouds swirling in the sky. That kind of pixelated look is what I saw. Is that macroblocking? If so, that's what I imagined it would look like. Thankfully I have not seen it in the movie and scenes I've watched from regular DVDs.

I also had a moment when I thought I was experiencing some lip sync errors during The Incredibles, but since the characters are computer generated it was hard to tell if there was a sync problem or if their mouths just didn't really match the words. It was only briefly, and then there was nothing to disturb my enjoyment of the film, so I'm hoping I was just wrong. I think that I can live with the occasional macroblocking, but lip sync problems are not something I can overlook.

On the positive side, I love the speed of the Oppo, and saw no layer change on The Incredibles. I have a Denon 2900 on my Toshiba CRT RPTV and got used to not having a layer change. That's not something I want to give up.

Stacy,

Good report. You may have seen macroblock enhance. It may also be the macroblocks are present in the material. Otherwise some displays tend not to not show it, which is entirely possible and maybe why you don't see it very much.

The sound sync is being worked on by Oppo Digitial. Keep an eye on the Oppo Digital "Support" firmware page.

Paul

I never noticed any problem of picture/sound synchronization at the time of a film viewing but like it was already mentioned here, the THX loudspeakers test is completely desynchronized.

I tested it on "The incredible" DVD and on the three Star wars (IV-V-VI) and I have the same result.

If you seek a good example of this problem for Oppo, the THX test is perfect.

I have already made on many other DVD player without any problem.

Tonight I ran through the new SiliconOptix HQV 1.4 test disc and scored the Oppo and the S97 (with 85E540 firmware). I made a lot of notes and will run through the same tests with my RP82 with latest firmware as well. I'll post all of this relatively soon with the scores each received. This test disc has a defined scoring method and is short and very much to-the-point with some very difficult video content.

Thanks Terry,

I'll look again, but my colors have been correct in the past (Panasonic direct view LCD) with the player -- via DVI->HDMI.

Given that many electrical components in consumer gear are rated at +/- 5/10% tolerance it might be that there is some sample to sample variation (including the display).

Just to be sure, is your display set at the least "intrusive" video setting to begin calibration?

For example, on my Panasonic LCD, "Cinema" is the least instrusive and my calibration begins there and has worked out quite well. The "Standard" setting, oddly enough, introduces some light black crushing and some slight color imbalances that can't be dialed/configured out.

Paul
Yes, I am using "Pro" mode (with all "enhancements" off) on my Sony 55XS955. It was also ISF calibrated, and (somewhat) re-calibrated by me. My Pioneer 588a has no color decoder variation.

If I knew how to accurately adjust the color decoder settings (without messing things up), I would!

-Terry

I never noticed any problem of picture/sound synchronization at the time of a film viewing but like it was already mentioned here, the THX loudspeakers test is completely desynchronized.

I tested it on "The incredible" DVD and on the three Star wars (IV-V-VI) and I have the same result. .

Does it mean the sound DURING the movie won't come from the "correct-intended" speakers ?!?!?!? :confused:

Does it mean the sound DURING the movie won't come from the "correct-intended" speakers ?!?!?!? :confused: :) No, the movie will come from the "correct-intended" speakers. I'm not technically oriented so please forgive my non-technical jargon. The following is in reference to The Incredibles disc.

When I saw the problem with the THX test, I noticed that the problem seemed to be that the player started with the graphic of the center channel, while the noise came from the left front speaker, and the two (video and audio) were "out of sync" as the test proceeded around the surround system.

When the graphic reached the subwoofer, I was getting the noise from my left surround, but when the noise moved to the subwoofer the graphic remained on the subwoofer. Then, when the cycle started over again, both the noise AND the graphic changed to the left speaker, but the graphic couldn't "lock on" the left front speaker for more than a fraction of a second before jumping to the graphic of the center channel. The noise remained coming from the left front speaker, and the out of sync cycle started again.

Allow the cycle continue all the way around and pay attention when the graphic reaches the subwoofer. See if the above doesn't occur with your disc.

I don't know if this is related (I suspect it is), but when I start the disc, after the usual FBI Warning, the disc goes to the "Coming Soon To Theaters" screen. When running the disc on my other players, the "Coming Soon..." video appears, and the audio begins with a musical chord followed by the announcer saying "Coming soon to theaters." On the OPPO the video appears, but I don't hear the opening chord of music at all, and the first audio I hear is "ming soon to theaters." The chord and first syllable of the word "coming" are up-cut.

The OPPO seems to have trouble locking on to the first audio and/or video it "sees."

Again, I apologize for my lack of technical expertise.

I don't know if its the DVD or not, but When I was playing the Pulp Fiction SE DVD, it seemed that the audio and whatever is going on in the menus were out of sync.

Anyone else want to test this?

Rijax,

Is DTS or DD being utilized?

Paul

I don't know if this is related (I suspect it is), but when I start the disc, after the usual FBI Warning, the disc goes to the "Coming Soon To Theaters" screen. When running the disc on my other players, the "Coming Soon..." video appears, and the audio begins with a musical chord followed by the announcer saying "Coming soon to theaters." On the OPPO the video appears, but I don't hear the opening chord of music at all, and the first audio I hear is "ming soon to theaters." The chord and first syllable of the word "coming" are up-cut.

The OPPO seems to have trouble locking on to the first audio and/or video it "sees."
I get the same thing... it takes a second for the audio to get fully sent to my receiver. If I chapter skip ahead... but even if I don't and it naturally goes to the next chapter of a disc... the sound dropout is longer than it is on other DVD players. On Star Wars EP II dvd, for example, you won't hear the first seconds or so of drum sounds under the Fox logo. (If you're a Star Wars fan at all, that is as much a part of any Star Wars movie as the actual movie itself!)

One would think they could fix this.

-Terry

I get that too. But since I usually bypass the trailers, I haven't worried about it much. In fact, I also get occasional skips in the middle of movies. But again,at the time it seems to be so incidental, I haven't given it a whole lot of thought.
Javry

As I've mentioned before, the weirdest thing I've encountered is that when I use the TXH Optimizer per the Incredibles, the display leads the sound by a whole speaker. In other words, when the sound steering is coming through the left front speaker, the dispay shows the center channel. It goes through the entire optimizer like that.......and probably into the movie. When I load my other 2 players with the same movie, the optimizer is spot on. I can't figure this one out for the life of me.

Also, as mentioned earlier, I have my Casablanca II cranked all the way up to full mast on sound delay [110ms] and I'm still not there. Whatever is causing this, it's pretty consistent through all movies.
Javry

Rijax,

Is DTS or DD being utilized?
Paul Regarding the up-cut of the audio on the "Coming Soon" screen, my receiver says "Dolby PLII Movie" while on the FBI Warning, but switches to "Dolby Digital" when the "Coming Soon" screen appears. When I play the movie on my 2910, or Onkyo 701, the same PLII to DD transition takes place, but no up-cut of the audio occurs.

The OPPO does NOT up-cut the same on Monster's Inc. The disc goes to DD when the FBI warning appears, so it's already on DD when the "Coming Soon" screen appears.

The THX Optimizer is out of sync when playing Monsters, Inc. on the OPPO, but it's not on the 2910 or Onkyo.

Ho-hum.

I really want this players problems to be worked out. Guess I'll just have to hold off buying and check back to this forum occasionally.

Rats.

Sooke

These issues are being reported and worked on.

By all means, voice your concerns to Oppo Digital -- they're listening and responding (with *real* responses). These days, that's almost unheard of.

Keep checking the Oppo DV971H support page here for the latest firmware and details of the firmware:

http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h_support.html

Paul

I've had a little more time to play around with the Oppo and have learned a few things.

First, I used Avia to check my colors, particularly the green. As when I calibrated with DVE, both blue and red are perfect on the color bar patterns. Green remained off, and I couldn't get it adjusted without altering blue/red. I then used the pattern that Avia has for testing the color decoder, where you can diagnose red and green push. For both blue and red the pattern background color seemed to be the same as the 0 marker on the grid. For green, the background matched somewhere between the -15% or -20% grid. I couldn't decide which was closer. So, does that mean that I'm experiencing a green crush over DVI-HDMI? (The red, blue and green color bars were all perfect over component from my Pioneer).

On macroblocking. I continue to see it primarily on DVE, and primarily in the menus and introduction sections. I did notice one instance of MB last night watching Lost in Translation, specifically at the beginning when the white title flashed on the screen with a dark background. Otherwise, it hasn't raised its ugly head.

Knock on wood I haven't had an occurrence of lip sync with the last two movies I've watched, so I'm hoping that what I saw with The Incredibles was a figment of my imagination.

All in all I'm pleased with the picture I'm getting with the Oppo, which has produced a very nice picture for the majority of the time. I'm also really happy with the menu speed, and I have yet to see a layer change, a small thing but something I appreciate after using a Denon 2900 for the last few years.

Hello Stacy,

Hope not to lose you here but here is some information that may help track down and/or explain the inconsistencies seen with color. I haven't fully investigated the Oppo's color with component with 480i but I do suspect that there is an imbalance with that output. A lot of this info comes from my writeup on Sony DVP-NS975V and explaining why certain displays will lead to "green depression" as seen via the Sony.

To put HD and SD colors in mathematical terms where Y=brighness, R=red, G=green, B=blue.

For HD (ITU-R BT.709-4) Luma (brightness) is defined as:
Y = .2126R +.7152G +.0722B

For SD NTSC (SMPTE170M) and SD-SDI (ITU-R BT.601-5 or SMPTE-259M) the Luma (brightness) is defined as:
Y = .299R +.587G +.114B

Both equations add up to "1". Look at the difference in the color figures of the two systems.

If the signals were identical, difference between the red, blue, and green would be "0" for luma and for the individual colors. The following shows what happens when the standards are mismatched:

Mathematically feeding an SD signal to a system expecting an HD signal shows the differences in the systems.

Y = (+.2990R +.5870G +.1140B) ----> SD
Y = (+.2126R +.7152G +.0722B) ----> HD
--------------------------------------
0 = (+.0864R -.1282G +.0418B) ---> difference between systems

Overall Y (brightness) is unaffected by the conversion (as it all adds up to zero) but look at the primary colors:

Note that red is somewhat positive, green is quite negative and blue is somewhat positive. If the color standards were the same all of the numbers would be "0". This resulting difference in the equation above is what is seen via the Avia color decoder pattern.

The negative green is the "green depression" (along with a slight red and blue push).

What can happen with various displays:

Some sets:
1. Allow for independent selection of color matrix
2. Lock into a color matrix based upon signal: SD matrix for 480i/p, HD for 720p,1080i
3. Allow for limited selection: SD for 480i, SD or HD for 480p, HD for 720p, 1080i

Calibration and sample to sample variability do occur with consumer equipment. Even so, 20% sounds like a bit much.

How is the decoding with various resolutions? While using the Oppo's DVI output to your display does the "green depression" amount change with 480p and 720p/1080i?

Best regards,

Paul

Paul,

Thank you for that explanation. I'll try DVE at 480p over DVI. If I'm understanding your explanation, then if the green depression is due to the different color matrix used for HD, then at 480p things should probably look right.

The good news is that even at 720p, whatever color differences there aren't making the picture unwatchable. In fact, even out of balance it is still probably closer than I was ever able to get my Toshiba CRT RPTV.

Hi all, watched a R4 dvd of Dodgeball (it was only $12.49, maybe thats why!) but the audio was well out of sync - mainly Vinny Vaughn.

I tried adjusting it via my onkyo, but to no avail. It was OK, not awful, and not throughout the entire film, but it did make it a little annoying.

Watched Robocop 3 the next night at it seemed fine.

Is it my player or is the dvd poorly mastered?
PS. its 5.1

Could be both. Sound sync issues with particular DVDs is not unheard of.

Paul

Hello Stacy,
Hope not to lose you here but here is some information that may help track down and/or explain the inconsistencies seen with color.

Paul, you hit the nail on the head. I switched the Oppo to 480p and the color bars are perfect. Switch back to 720p and the green levels are off.

I'm not noticiing anything really amiss with the picture, but...is there anything that can be done about this? I think my display falls under category 2, "Lock into a color matrix based upon signal: SD matrix for 480i/p, HD for 720p,1080i." Is there a setting on the Oppo that might help alleviate this or is it something that the display would need to correct? And if the latter, any idea what I should look for in the menu?

Thanks for the explanation.

Hello Stacy,

Good work! Now we're on the trail.

What usually happens when there is a color matrix mismatch and the devices are properly calibrated for the matrices is:

SD matrix into HD matrix results in "green depression" (with a slight red and blue push)
HD matrix into SD matrix results in "green push" (with a slight red and blue depression)

If the Oppo looks OK with 480p that tells me the JVC D-ILA 61Z575 (I think that's your display) has a good match with SD matrix on the players output. My display looks good with 480p/DVI as well when I select the SD matrix.

My display looks OK when I select the 1080i for the Oppo DVI. Since my display locks into the HD matrix at 1080i, there would appear to be a good match, thus the Oppo would appear to be output the HD matrix at 1080i.

If that's the case then, if anything, I would expect the JVC to have "green push" with HD signals, if the JVC display is remaining locked into SD with an HD signal and little or no depression/push if the JVC switches to the HD matrix.

Some possibilities:

1. The color decoders are a bit off with 720p/1080i (we hope not!)

2. From the JVC Manual:

Page 48: Color Temperature -- Low / High

Page 49: Color Management -- Try turning that on and off and see what happens. Maybe that terminology is JVC's way of lableling an HD/SD matrix control.

Page 59: Video Status -- Try scrolling through these selections to see if there is a setting that results in a better color balance.

Page 59: TheaterPro D6500K -- This setting may also have some bearing on the color decoders.

Paul

If the Oppo looks OK with 480p that tells me the JVC D-ILA 61Z575 (I think that's your display) has a good match with SD matrix on the players output. My display looks good with 480p/DVI as well when I select the SD matrix.

That is correct, both with respect to the display and what I'm seeing.

SD matrix into HD matrix results in "green depression" (with a slight red and blue push)

Based upon what I'm seeing, this is what I assumed was happening on the basis of your last explanation. But...

My display looks OK when I select the 1080i for the Oppo DVI. Since my display locks into the HD matrix at 1080i, there would appear to be a good match, thus the Oppo would appear to be output the HD matrix at 1080i.

So . . .

If that's the case then, if anything, I would expect the JVC to have "green push" with HD signals, if the JVC display is remaining locked into SD with an HD signal and little or no depression/push if the JVC switches to the HD matrix.

Perhaps I read the Avia pattern wrong. When looking for red and green push the idea is to see which box matches the background, correct? It certainly looked to me that it was on the negative end of the scale, between the 15% and 20% boxes, I couldn't decide which. If that is right, then it would appear that my Oppo is sending the SD matrix at 720p, correct? But it doesn't make sense that the Oppo would output the HD matrix at 1080i and not at 720p. I'll have to check the color bars while outputting 1080i.

2. From the JVC Manual:

Page 48: Color Temperature -- Low / High

I'm at low. I read an Ultimate A/V review of the 52-inch JVC that the TheaterPro setting is supposed to be 6500K. That's what I use, and it chooses the low color temp.

Page 49: Color Management -- Try turning that on and off and see what happens. Maybe that terminology is JVC's way of lableling an HD/SD matrix control.

I have color management and dynamic gamma off, also as per the review, which found picture performance better with these features off. From the descriptions these features are of the type designed to make a picture "look good" on the showroom floor, but I'll give them a shot and see if they make a difference. I'm not confident.

Page 59: Video Status -- Try scrolling through these selections to see if there is a setting that results in a better color balance.

This control scrolls through settings like Standard, Dynamic, and Game. Compared to Theater (my setting), Standard looks oversaturated and a bit noisier on cable feed, Dynamic cranks the color saturation even more (the red clay at Roland Garros looks to be made of orange juice), Game is less severe as the other two and may be a bit bluer. Only with Theater do I see the detail in the court, like the ball marks and footprints.

I'll see what is happening with DVE at 1080i. Maybe what I'm seeing is related to the 720p output.

Thanks for the time and information, Paul, I appreciate it.

Hey everyone, I am thinking about buying this player, seems like most people are pretty happy with picture quality, but after reading thru this thread, I am worried about the audio sync issue. Does anybody have a rough idea how often this issue comes up? For those with sync issues, does it happen with every DVD put in the player? Or does it only happen with some? When the sync issue pops up does it only happen a few times in the DVD or through out the DVD? Also is everyone having these problems, or is it just certain setups? I have an onkyo reciever and I have read at least one report of the sync with an onkyo setup? Anyways I know thses are alot of questions, but I woudl really appreciate any help you guys can give me. Thanks in advance.
Dave

Hello ydave77,

The responses from others will be as varied as can be imagined. As you can tell by reading through the pages there's no "clear cut" answer.

For me:

It happens occasionally with certain discs.
It never reaches an "impossible to watch state"

For many, pausing the disc momentarily will usually clear it up, for a time at least.

Oppo Digital is working on addressing the issue.

Paul

After alot of time comparing players on my setup I can state this;
The oppo and the panny s97 both do great on the benchmark tests compared to my pioneer 59avi.( the S97 even passes all the tests on the HQV test dvd!)
The 59 avi is suppost to have a problem with 3:2 cue etc. which I do not see, (even on toy story)
What i do see is the shimmer on the Oppo like an inability to resolve parts of the picture.
The S97 is much better.The pioneer with its faults still produces the most stable, detailed and spectacular picture i have ever seen using 1080i over the hdmi to dvi connection.
i had hoped to sell the pioneer and get a player that costs much less and is high up on the secrets chart. Bottom line: I am keeping the pioneer and not looking anymore at the secrets benchmark.

.............i had hoped to sell the pioneer and get a player that costs much less and is high up on the secrets chart. Bottom line: I am keeping the pioneer and not looking anymore at the secrets benchmark.

As mentioned on another thread, the Secrets Shootouts are very specific and do not take into account a lot of the issues discussed on this forum. I read their take on the Pani XP-30 and the RP-82 and bought them both.....over time. Eventually, I sold the RP-82 but both of them lived up to the comments in the Shootout in every way...........very stable. I'm keeping the Oppo but I sure wish it was a little more stable.
Javry

Tonight I ran through the new SiliconOptix HQV 1.4 test disc and scored the Oppo and the S97 (with 85E540 firmware). I made a lot of notes and will run through the same tests with my RP82 with latest firmware as well. I'll post all of this relatively soon with the scores each received. This test disc has a defined scoring method and is short and very much to-the-point with some very difficult video content.

Any developments ?

Today, I burned my first DVD using my Pioneer DVR-520HS. The DVD content consisted of four TV episodes. I made a menu listing the four episodes, then "finalized" the DVD, which is supposed to make it readable by other DVD players. The Oppo shows the menu okay, and I can select the chapters individually. However, two things don't work properly:

1) The Oppo misses the first 2-3 seconds of audio of every chapter (episode)
2) The Oppo will skip ahead to the next chapter, but it won't skip backwards (it shows the invalid operation symbol)

I then put the DVD in my PC's Pioneer DVD player and viewed it using Power DVD. It plays all of the audio and it also allowed skipping backwards.

Jim

jrh,

Thanks for the report.

1) The audio problem has been reproduced and already reported to Oppo Digital.

2) The Oppo does not go back to a previous Title (as opposed to Chapter) via the "Chapter back" buttons. If the Chapter is at the beginning of a Title or the Title has one Chapter then going one Chapter back will not work. I don't know if this behavior is a defect. I've seen some players that do this (MediaTek-based like the Oppo) and others that do not do it (like the Panasonic S97 and, in your case, the Pioneer). Still I'll report it to Oppo Digital and see what happens.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. :)

Jim

Hello Jim,

The issue concerning accessing the previous track using the remote has been submitted to the Oppo engineers.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. I'm looking forward to the various tweaks getting implemented.

Jim

Can someone please help me:

1.) Darker scenes (i.e. night, etc) are toooo dark when using 480i. There is no texture, no gradients to the darker colors. It's as if there was only limited colors available froma palette. Adjusting the 4 basic color options thru the setup doesn't help. Watching Alias with this machine is a torture. :( Watching outdoorsy movies was fin though.


Anything to correct this?......

One of the DV971H's weaker points is the 480i component (no progressive is available). It does not pass BTB and the "picture" controls are not operable via component -- DVI only. The overall performance via component is only fair.

This information is already documented in the first post of the thread. Have a llook at 480i performance.

Paul

Can someone please help me:

1.) Darker scenes (i.e. night, etc) are toooo dark when using 480i. There is no texture, no gradients to the darker colors. It's as if there was only limited colors available froma palette. Adjusting the 4 basic color options thru the setup doesn't help. Watching Alias with this machine is a torture. :( Watching outdoorsy movies was fin though.


Anything to correct this?......

Maybe adjust using your display? Have you put in a calibration dvd such as AVIA, DVE, or THX optimode?

1.) Darker scenes (i.e. night, etc) are toooo dark when using 480i. There is no texture, no gradients to the darker colors. It's as if there was only limited colors available froma palette. Adjusting the 4 basic color options thru the setup doesn't help. Watching Alias with this machine is a torture. :(

Is Alias the only DVD you're having this problem with? Those DVDs (and the HD broadcasts too for that matter) have a lot of black crush. It's the way the show is photographed and processed in post-production.

Avia or DVE may help, but remember the Oppo component does not pass BTB via 480i so there will always be some black crush. Adjusting the display, as suggested may help a bit, but the DVI is where the Oppo is going to shine.

Paul

Can someone please help me:

1.) Darker scenes (i.e. night, etc) are toooo dark when using 480i. There is no texture, no gradients to the darker colors. It's as if there was only limited colors available froma palette. Adjusting the 4 basic color options thru the setup doesn't help. Watching Alias with this machine is a torture. :( Watching outdoorsy movies was fin though.


Anything to correct this?......

Most all of the up front reviews of the player are limited to DVI. They also freely admit that 480i through component is a bust. If that's what you're using and you have no way of using the DVI, I'd use something else. Try the Pani XP-30 or the RP-82, or one of the lower priced Denons. They're all right at about the same cost as the Oppo.
Javry

I think oppo are coming out with HDMI player very soon.

Expect DVI works just as well. Atleast with my hdmi "display".

Hey guys, my wife and I sold our house and had to move before our new house was done so we've had stuff in storage. When I get everything setup again, I will need to updated the firmware on the Oppo. Where is the latest version and instructions at?

Thanks in advance.

hello Charles,

Here's the Oppo DV971H firmware site:

Oppo Firmware (http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h_support.html)

Paul

I think oppo are coming out with HDMI player very soon.

How do you know? when is it due?

Here you go:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5768365&&#post5768365

Any developments ?

Been watching "Ben Hur" through the Oppo. Lots of fine detail, ropes, steps, parallel lines. Excellent picture. This classic movie is going to be reissued with a deluxe version later this year.

Paul

I've had my Oppo for about 2 months now. I love everything about it, mostly, except:

With my old copy of Apollo 13, the Oppo would start playing fine, but gradually it developed a "stutter". It began as momentary pauses, but eventually the disc would become completely unwatchable as the drive would freeze, spin down, and spin up after skipping a chapter or two forwards. Sometimes scanning back would allow it to play what had been skipped, sometimes not.

Thinking the old disc was at fault, I recently acquired new copies of the Universal re-release of Apollo 13 and The Right Stuff. To my disappointment, the exact same bad behavior was manifest on both discs.

I've emailed Oppo but as yet I've received no response. Is my experience unique?

[edit] Oh, and if it matters, I'm playing at 420p through the DVI connection to a Mitsubishi RP 16x9 TV.

[edit again] I'm developing a feeling that the problem may be heat-related.

Excessive heat can cause DVD reading problems.

If the player is stacked on top of another component, try moving the player off the other component to a location by itself.

Paul

Excessive heat can cause DVD reading problems.

If the player is stacked on top of another component, try moving the player off the other component to a location by itself.

It doesn't seem like it'd get too hot, but I'm starting to think there's a correlation between episodes of bad behavior and running it with the glass doors on its cabinet closed. There'd be relatively little air circulation and I suppose it good get slightly hotter than one might like.

Maybe I'll see about fitting a low-noise 120mm muffin fan to the back of the cabinet.

[edit] Wow I just felt the thing underneath, while raising it up on some wooden shims, and something on the lower left side gets pretty darn hot.

As mentioned on another thread, the Secrets Shootouts are very specific and do not take into account a lot of the issues discussed on this forum. I read their take on the Pani XP-30 and the RP-82 and bought them both.....over time. Eventually, I sold the RP-82 but both of them lived up to the comments in the Shootout in every way...........very stable. I'm keeping the Oppo but I sure wish it was a little more stable.
Javry

NO, NO!! The Secrets tests are the final word on DVD players!

That was made perfectly clear to me by another member when I dared to suggest that you could design a player that would get a very high rating in Secrets, yet look bad.

He assured me that after that statement the rest of the forum members would see me for the moron that I really was :)

..............Wow I just felt the thing underneath, while raising it up on some wooden shims, and something on the lower left side gets pretty darn hot.

Just for grins, how about taking it out of the cabinet. Let it stand long enought to cool down and put it somwhere in open air. Then try the same movie and let's see what it does.
Javry

Just for grins, how about taking it out of the cabinet. Let it stand long enought to cool down and put it somwhere in open air. Then try the same movie and let's see what it does.
Javry

I've got it up on little Jenga blocks, and a fan blowing in from behind it, so I'll try The Right Stuff again and see what I get.

If the Oppo is on top of a receiver the Oppo, with the metal cabinet, will act as a heat sink and can get quite warm over time. I'm amazed at how much heat a cable box generates when it is turned off.

Paul

Well, running my Oppo on small wooden blocks (Jengas), with a desk fan pointed at it and its cabinet door open, the case "hot spot" was much cooler. Nevertheless, the unit is not able to correctly play back some of my dual-layer disks, displaying the same "stutter" problem I described before.

I dont have any cooling solution or anything. Oppo is under my digitv box. Seems to work fine so far without any playback problems. I think oppo just dont work correctly with those dvds then for some odd reason. Especially if verified that those work fine with other desktop dvd player.

You have probably got answer from oppo by now so what was their answer?

My oppo is also doing the stutter thing. Along with that, the digital coax started dropping out and then quit working completely. Since mine sits on a table with nothing anywhere around it in a very air conditioned house, and it did it immediately on the third use after having been powered down for a week, I am basically completely positive it is not a heat issue.

This is my second unit after the first one spouted a bit of smoke and quit working. I've asked for a refund at this point. I received an RMA from Extremephono and am sending it back today, but they did not indicate whether they are refunding or replacing. I will say they respond VERY quickly though. Both times I have emailed them on a Saturday morning and received replies within a very few hours, and my first unit was replaced within 5 business days of returning it.

BB

My oppo is also doing the stutter thing.

Hmm. Does it do it all the time or just on some disks?

Haven't played that many.

It did it on an R2 copy of Hero and also had audio dropouts. Had audio issues with Return of the Jedi but no video problems. Then tried to recalibrate with Avia on Friday, and it skipped and stuttered really badly, and there was no audio at all. Gave up and switched back to the Bravo.

Talked to my friend down the street who also bought one, and his is doing audio dropouts as well.

Don't know what would cause that. My first one had no problems for two movies until it smoked.

BB

Haven't played that many.

It did it on an R2 copy of Hero and also had audio dropouts. Had audio issues with Return of the Jedi but no video problems. Then tried to recalibrate with Avia on Friday, and it skipped and stuttered really badly, and there was no audio at all. Gave up and switched back to the Bravo.

Talked to my friend down the street who also bought one, and his is doing audio dropouts as well.

Don't know what would cause that. My first one had no problems for two movies until it smoked.

BB

Weird. I have not had any audio issues independent of the video stutter.

Oppo sent me email today with an RMA. I'll be sending it back, so we'll see.

I think I need to get another Philips DVP-642 as a backup. I liked the previous one I had until it died. What happened to the good old days, where you'd spend $400 dollars on a DVD player and it'd be built like a tank?

No audio stutter / cutoff problems, here. Aside from the audio sync, the only audio issue that I've reported is that when accessing a new chapter the mute tends to be slow in unmuting and a syllable of a word or a couple of notes of music gets chopped off. Otherwise, sound is smooth.

Paul

I've yet to see a $400 DVD player built like a tank and I've been buying players at a rate of about 2 a year since three weeks after they were originally released in the Los Angeles market. I've owned two $800 plus players that come close to tank-like build quality, and one 2nd gen Panasonic DVD recorder that cost almost $700 that is also close to tank-like, but nothing priced under that, that still gets high marks for build quality. In fact, my good old days meant buying a first gen Toshiba for $485.00 and its build quality was OK, but nothing great, and it had far fewer features than a $70 Yamakawa player I own (and in fact, the Yamakawa is every bit as well-built as the Toshiba). The Toshiba also had to be mailed back for a software upgrade (all Toshibas needed the upgrade) to play certain DVDs (thankfully, most DVD players can now be upgraded off the internet). I also have a Panasonic DVD-recorder I recently got as an open box buy for $105 that is as well-built as that Toshiba. I'm lucky, I don't suffer from nostalgia when it comes to electronic gear; although my old LX-900 Panasonic laserdisc player is a treasure and at $90 bought used is still the best deal I ever got.

The Oppo is pretty solid in comparison to the bulk of today's popularly priced consumer electronics. Metal on all six sides although part of the front panel is plastic trim. The "tank like" build we used to enjoy regularly in the 70's is pretty much reserved for so-called "high end" electronics.

Paul

I am 99% sure this is caused by either a scratched disc or a bad copy (lots of errors on the disc). Did you use a disc scan utility to see how well the disc was burned, how many errors are on it? You might try using the tools in Nero to scan the disc or KProbe if you have a LiteOn or Sony burner.

Haven't played that many.

It did it on an R2 copy of Hero and also had audio dropouts. Had audio issues with Return of the Jedi but no video problems. Then tried to recalibrate with Avia on Friday, and it skipped and stuttered really badly, and there was no audio at all. Gave up and switched back to the Bravo.

Talked to my friend down the street who also bought one, and his is doing audio dropouts as well.

Don't know what would cause that. My first one had no problems for two movies until it smoked.

BB

These were all commercial disks, not burned copies. And my Avia disk, which exhibits the worst behavior, works fine in the other 20 or so DVD players it has been in. None have any scratches or marring whatsoever. Thanks for being 99% sure with completely unsupported assumptions.

Even more tellingly, these disks (excepting the R2 Hero which won't play due to region coding) play fine in my Bravo D1, which has problems at the slightest provocation.

It is not the disks, it is the player.

BB

"Thanks for being 99% sure with completely unsupported assumptions." You're welcome Brandon. ;)

My "unsupported" assumptions come from similar problems with several other players that had very similar issues with poorly burned discs or scratched discs. If the discs themselves are not the problem, then the optical pickup/laser is going bad, or it is dirty, or there is an alignment/calibration issue with it. I have a Denon 1600 I replaced the OPU/laser in because of a very similar issue.

The Panasonics have a hidden mode you can put the player in with the remote to check laser alignment/calibration/read errors using the front panel display. I wonder if the Oppo may have something undocumented like this? GSB/Paul, should I ask Oppo, or you?

It is not the disks, it is the player.

Yeah seem to be your player. I have no audio drop outs with oppo.

By unsupported, I mean having no knowledge of the condition of my disks, not that it was a completely invalid hypothesis. But anyway, moot point.

To be clear, I think the player is a good product, I just seem to have beaten the odds and gotten two problem decks in a row. The guys at Extremephono say they ran the unit I am returning now on the bench for 3 hours to make sure it worked after the issue with the first one. So if the pickup is dirty or bad, it managed to become so in under 2 hours of use.

BB

...............

...............excepting the R2 Hero which won't play due to region coding.

It is not the disks, it is the player.

BB

Brandon,
Did you know there's a simple way to make the player region free?
Javry

No, my oppo is region free. I was saying the disks in question play fine in my easily upset Bravo D1, which is NOT region free, excepting Hero, for that reason.

BB

I am 99% sure this is caused by either a scratched disc or a bad copy (lots of errors on the disc).

The problem disks I have are all store-bought, and The Right Stuff was literally straight out of the package. All the disks that stutter (and note that my stutter is both video and audio) work fine in all the other players I have (like, 3 I guess).

Oppo issued an RMA to me, because they agreed that my problem description indicated a broken player. They didn't say anything about charging me for repair, even though I'm out of the 30-day warranty period.

The warrany is 1 year parts and labor, not 30 days. 30 days is the no questions asked return period.

................Oppo issued an RMA to me, because they agreed that my problem description indicated a broken player. They didn't say anything about charging me for repair, even though I'm out of the 30-day warranty period.

Yeah...they did that with me too. I emailed them and said that I was thinking about returning the unit.....and also gave them a long list of reasons why. I think I also told them I could be talked out of it with a swift reply. That was late at night....but the next day, I recieved a reply addressing each issue. They also sent me a RMA .............and extended the warranty period for another month. Given all that, I wrote them back and said that with that kind of customer service I'll keep the unit just on GP.

I have to admit though, I'll probably use it as a secondary unit.....until all the bugs get worked out.
Javry

Do you guys think the shimmering problem can be fixed or is it an iherent problem of the hardware?....

Absolutely. It is not an inherent problem of the hardware. Do not let the previously reported "shimmering" disuade one from purchasing.

Paul

The MB on the other hand is a hardware issue? I tried out a Panny S77 and threw AOTC chapter 4 at it. The red wall came alive with MB.

For reference, I'm on a JVC 52Z575 and currently using a Denon 1600.

The Oppo really has me intrigued with its layer change and upconversion abilities. That MB on the Faroujda 23xx concerns me though. There was a comment earlier that the shimmer and MB were going to be gone and reduced with the next firmware.

Absolutely. It is not an inherent problem of the hardware. Do not let the previously reported "shimmering" disuade one from purchasing.

Paul

Paul, LiteUp, GSB,

"Unofficially", what is the next firmware release supposed to fix or add? I have seen that the shimmering seems to be fixed in testing, anything else (ie. jaggies, audio sync, MB)? I think if we all know for sure, that would put some minds at ease for current owners and also not discourage anyone on the fence, about getting this player. I got to say this player is looking to be about perfect in it's abilities (once the final issues are addressed), has that ever happened with any other player that anyone knows of?

Officially, we're not to say.

Earlier some information about a beta firmware was discussed and it led to to incorrect assumptions and some expressed disappointment -- some of which still continues. Oppo will announce when firmware is ready and/or give us the OK. Keep an eye on the Oppo digital firmware page.

Generally speaking, as far as Macroblock Enhance is concerned, I wouldn't hold my breath for a complete solution with the current FLI-23xx series. The Panasonic firmware 540 for the S97 is about as good as it has gotten -- keep in mind that the problem is material, display, and calibration dependent. If one plays low bit rate DVD-Rs on a display that has false contouring with the contrast set at 100+ a Faroudja FLI-23xx player may not be the player of choice. ;)

Accurate calibrate the display and "try and see" (making sure there are return privaleges) is about the best advice.

IMHO

Paul

Officially, we're not to say.

Paul

I see. I guess even Oppo has some type of disclosure agreement with testing? I just asked because I have seen mentions of the firmware, so I guess that wasn't supposed to be leaked.

It has been requested that we not discuss the beta firmware publically.

A beta is just a test, and, maybe, a possible candidate for final release. Things do change.

I know it's frustrating -- just "keep the faith".

Paul

Firmware info added to first post of thread.

0628 firmware fixes the often reported shimmering and audio/picture sync has been addressed.

Details in the first post.

For many people I think this this the fix we've been waiting for. Enjoy!

Paul

Paul,

Notice that with this latest release, you no longer have to turn Sharpness to OFF to get rid of shimmering. They apparently changed some settings in the MediaTek recently to truly fix the problem. I can now enable Sharpness to Low, Medium, or High with no shimmering..but edge enhancement does start to creep in with settings higher than the Low setting. OFF does seem to be the best setting, but Low is pretty good as well.

Also, I see no color flickering at 720p with the CCS On, and vertically within the picture, the mating of high contrast colors does seem to be better with it On....at least at 720p.

Thanks LiteUp!

I'll have another look.

Paul

Paul,

Notice that with this latest release, you no longer have to turn Sharpness to OFF to get rid of shimmering. They apparently changed some settings in the MediaTek recently to truly fix the problem. I can now enable Sharpness to Low, Medium, or High with no shimmering..but edge enhancement does start to creep in with settings higher than the Low setting. OFF does seem to be the best setting, but Low is pretty good as well.

Also, I see no color flickering at 720p with the CCS On, and vertically within the picture, the mating of high contrast colors does seem to be better with it On....at least at 720p.

Hi Paul,

I know it may be alot of work, any chance any of the tests/facts/settings information will be revised to be current with this new upgrade? I figured since this is likely the last major firmware release, then all the newbies have all the current information about the player and it's abilities. Thanks for all the help in the oppo threads.

Hi yarrumc,

I've already begun revisiting and changing some of the data and information already on the first post of the thread.

Paul

Paul,
How about putting this list (and update it) somewhere on the first page, makes it easier to find instad of having it in the middle of the long thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=5594795&&#post5594795

Ja Phule,

It has been done! Current defect/wishlist in the first post.

Paul

Lets hope its the one!

This update is getting better. I used to get text corruption with subtitles with 4:3 material in Wide/SQZ mode. Not any more.

Paul

Play / pause front panel button now operates correctly.

Paul

Didn't Oppo fix the problem with powering off the unit (using the power button on the player) while the tray is open? Isn't the tray supposed to go back in? I powered off my Oppo with the tray open and the unit just turned off, with the tray still open.

The support that we have been given by Oppo is unheard of in a $200 player. I find it amazing that a company will listen and make the necessary changes to improve their product. I hope their fimware updates have become a learning process for them and that thier next model will be even better. Try to get any one of the big names to do what has already been done. I also hope that AVS fourm members continue to support this product and new products from Oppo when they arrive. With the recent firmware update the Oppo becomes the player to choose.

Didn't Oppo fix the problem with powering off the unit (using the power button on the player) while the tray is open? Isn't the tray supposed to go back in? I powered off my Oppo with the tray open and the unit just turned off, with the tray still open.

They did "fix" this in a previous firmware, but unfortunately the fix caused other more serious problems and they disabled it again in the later upgrades.

It was best removed -- at its worst it would render the player almost impossible to safely load a disc.

Paul

So, any of you that were reporting audio lag/delay with some discs....is it now fixed? I personally have never had the problem, so I have nothing to compare against. No one seems to be talking about this so far.

I think it's fixed. Maybe the silence is a good thing?

"Lawrence of Arabia" would exhibit the out-of-sync during an early scene with Lawrence, General Murray, and Dryden. General Murray talks rather quickly in this scene and it becomes obvious the voice is out of sync with the picture (In my system, anyway). 20ms seems to fix it up nicely.

Paul

I had audio probs with Pulp Fiction SE DTS being slightly off. I played it again (with no audio delay on) and it seemed to be in sync.

I just set it to 10ms and I still have to find something. Great !
Is there any scientific tool to use in order to have the final word ?

I just received the OPP971 yesterday. I updated with the lastest firmware, and went through some sample DVD's. I did encounter some problems with some DVD's I recorded, but have not watched enough commercial to see if there was a problem.

I did try checking it with Gods and Generals (those Southernors talk slow enough to actually see). It still looked like some sync problem though, I bounced back and forth between 0 and 10ms delay.

My system is OPPO 971 with Tosh RP-CRT - 65HX93 and a SONY K750P Receiver.

I do have some toher observations and questions I'll post in other thread, but though I"d respond to the audio issue here.

Thanks,
Rick

Few updates to the first post.

Paul

Regarding the audio sync issue, I've been having the problem with audio sometimes getting out of sync. This is intermittent and cannot be helped by the new audio delay feature. Stopping or rewinding the DVD for a few seconds usually fixes it.

I've posted this in the other (huge) thread, but I thought it could be useful to post it here also:

I'm afraid the news is not so good regarding the audio sync problem. Oppo customer service first advised that I should try the new audio delay feature, but I explained that it wouldn't help since the problem I'm having is intermittent. I also mentioned that I was using the optical output, and that I had not tested any of the other outputs. Here is Oppo's reply:

"Martin...

You're right - the audio delay isn't a perfect solution to the audio sync problem. Unfortunately, given the current technology, its the best that can be done for the moment. You'll find that it doesn't matter whether you use the optical connection or any of the other analog connections."

I take it to mean that it's probably as good as it's going to get. I don't want to press them for more details, but the comment about the "current technology" leads me to believe that they've done all they could. Hope I'm wrong though...

Having said that, I still love my Oppo and would easily recommend it, although I would mention the audio sync problem. In fact, I just ordered a second one for my father...

Martin,

Has it been tried to use "no delay" first? Give that a try and see what happens. It seems to me that maybe a bit more was done than just add delay. I don't see the sync issues with "no delay" that I used to see when there was no control at all.

Paul

Regarding the audio sync issue, I've been having the problem with audio sometimes getting out of sync. This is intermittent and cannot be helped by the new audio delay feature. Stopping or rewinding the DVD for a few seconds usually fixes it.

I've posted this in the other (huge) thread, but I thought it could be useful to post it here also:

I'm afraid the news is not so good regarding the audio sync problem. Oppo customer service first advised that I should try the new audio delay feature, but I explained that it wouldn't help since the problem I'm having is intermittent. I also mentioned that I was using the optical output, and that I had not tested any of the other outputs. Here is Oppo's reply:

"Martin...

You're right - the audio delay isn't a perfect solution to the audio sync problem. Unfortunately, given the current technology, its the best that can be done for the moment. You'll find that it doesn't matter whether you use the optical connection or any of the other analog connections."

I take it to mean that it's probably as good as it's going to get. I don't want to press them for more details, but the comment about the "current technology" leads me to believe that they've done all they could. Hope I'm wrong though...

Having said that, I still love my Oppo and would easily recommend it, although I would mention the audio sync problem. In fact, I just ordered a second one for my father...

Is it possible that the lip-sync issue with the Oppo is the fault of the Faroudja chip in it? Or is it just a coincident that the Samsungs have this same lip-sync problem and also happens to use the Faroudja chip too?

I know when I tried the Samsung HLP4663W it had it (mostly with DTS soundtracks) and I found it unacceptable for me so I returned it.

Some of the same movies that showed the lip-sync problem with the Samsungs seem to be the ones that show the problem with lip-sync on the Oppo. The only difference seems that stopping the movie and starting it again seems to fix it with the Oppo, but that did nothing to help with the Samsung.

How many people who see the lip-sync problem with the Oppo also have a Samsung (or other brand with a Faroudja chip in it) HDTV?

Martin,

Has it been tried to use "no delay" first? Give that a try and see what happens. It seems to me that maybe a bit more was done than just add delay. I don't see the sync issues with "no delay" that I used to see when there was no control at all.

Paul

Paul,

I have my OPPO set to no delay and still experience the problemwith intermittent audio sync problems. (I have a Tosh, 65HS93 RP-CRT).

I actually have tried the no delay and the 10 delay. The no delay was best for my setup, but still had the problem.

Thanks,
Rick

Can OPPO please add support for 768p and 788p. I got a Sony 42" GW4 with 788p display. Pretty please....... :D

I have a Sony KF-50XBR800 GW II with a Sony CS875P Jukebox DVD/CD player. I've just finished converting all my CDs to MP3, and will be replacing the player. I have two questions: 1) Will I see a significant improvement from an Oppo at 720p, realizing that the GW II will convert it to the native 768? (2) If the answer is no, what dvd player would you recommend in the less than $250 range?

Thanks for your comments
Walt

Can OPPO please add support for 768p and 788p. I got a Sony 42" GW4 with 788p display. Pretty please....... :D

I would like that feature too. I've got a 50" Sony GWIII. I've read that it's best to let your tv do the upconverting from 480p and I've also read that it's best to send 720p to the tv and let the tv downconvert to the tv's native resolution. There seems to be a difference in opinion. It would be nice to have the option to send 768p or 788p to the tv (can't remember which is my tv's native resolution) just in case that looks better than the first two options.

I would like that feature too. I've got a 50" Sony GWIII. I've read that it's best to let your tv do the upconverting from 480p and I've also read that it's best to send 720p to the tv and let the tv downconvert to the tv's native resolution. There seems to be a difference in opinion. It would be nice to have the option to send 768p or 788p to the tv (can't remember which is my tv's native resolution) just in case that looks better than the first two options.

If you use components, there is no advatage to the Oppo you could not get with other players the same price, even less. The better Sonys have very good deinterlacers. But if you drive your HDMI input with 720 or 1080 and get great results with the Oppo, you have 'arrived'.

Yes, the only input I would even consider using on my TV with the Oppo would be the DVI input. The only reason I currently use the component input on my Sony is because I haven't bought the Oppo yet and am still using my Sammy HD-841 which sucks over DVI. I plan on purchasing the Oppo soon.

Yes, the only input I would even consider using on my TV with the Oppo would be the DVI input. The only reason I currently use the component input on my Sony is because I haven't bought the Oppo yet and am still using my Sammy HD-841 which sucks over DVI. I plan on purchasing the Oppo soon.

Well, we shall see soon. Some bad news on the other Oppo thread. Recent arrivals with poor results.

Paul,

Please add the information in the first post to use "Setup 1 2 3 4" from the remote to disable Macrovision in the Oppo. I would think this would need to go next to the Region Free mods information.

I read years ago, when using VHS, Macrovision degraded PQ. Any truth to this? If so, that's one more kudo to Oppo for giving us a chance to remove it.

I read years ago, when using VHS, Macrovision degraded PQ. Any truth to this? If so, that's one more kudo to Oppo for giving us a chance to remove it.

I can remember VCRs would lose vertical sync on occassion. I don't think it is much of a factor anymore, but have not kept up with the development.

Paul,

I was wondering if you could include 480p and 576p results from oppo DVI output also.

jriihi,

I have no means to display 576p. 540p produces an unacceptable picture on my Panasonic display. I would consider 480p. Anything in particular that is desired with 480p?

Paul

Here are some anwers to several questions asked:
768p - Can't support. Customized resolutions are not supported by the chipset.

Audio Syncing - This is indeed a problem with the chipset. The way the video is cached, processed, and then displayed sometimes becomes out of syn with the audio. For most users, a delay of 10ms is enough to fix the problem, though some will have to bump it to 20 or even 30ms.

Divx and stretching- this is a known issue with the current implimentation of Divx support. Hopefully it will be fixed sometime soon.

Shimmering and 1080i - If you still suffer from shimmering using 1080i and the latest [June 29th] firmware, change to 540p. They have the same data, but are decoded differently.

Just experienced some shimmering and some screen rolling while watching EPISODE VI DVD via DVI to HDMI. I had my player set to 720p on my Sony 42WE655. This is an OPPO player I got just last week and had flashed it with the most recent firmware. The shimmering was terrible, I had to stop the player and start over and just look for the chapter I was last in. After that the shimmering seemed to stop (for now I guess). At the point where I restarted the player, the shimmering got bad and the screen started rolling. Any idea as to why this is happening?

Does it shimmer in any other modes?

I didn't really try it in other modes. Will try to watch some more DVDs and see. I also noticed that this player is quite hot after use. I guess its not EPA compliant.

I received my Oppo yesterday.

Hooked on a Sony 1292, it has some sync porch problems that result in displaying a smaller image than the screen.
I can't do the whole size in 720p, either at 60Hz or 50Hz.
May it be posible to set some differents porch size for each resolution ?
For example a "normal" and a "LARGE" setting ? (indeed normal syncporch and small porch)

I can't really keep this player in that state, the image doesn't fill my screen.

ps : How do we manage to transform a non-anmorphic DVD in an anamorphic image ?

I didn't really try it in other modes. Will try to watch some more DVDs and see. I also noticed that this player is quite hot after use. I guess its not EPA compliant.

See if the other progressive modes give you the same shimmering problem.

The problem with the current design of the unit is that there is no active cooling. I havn't had any problems with over heating, but several users have complained about heat related playback issues.

I received my Oppo yesterday.

Hooked on a Sony 1292, it has some sync porch problems that result in displaying a smaller image than the screen.
I can't do the whole size in 720p, either at 60Hz or 50Hz.
May it be posible to set some differents porch size for each resolution ?
For example a "normal" and a "LARGE" setting ? (indeed normal syncporch and small porch)

I can't really keep this player in that state, the image doesn't fill my screen.

ps : How do we manage to transform a non-anmorphic DVD in an anamorphic image ?

How much smaller is the image? Slightly smaller? Significantly smaller?

You can use the zoom button on the remote in order to fit non anamorphic dvds onto the screen correctly.

Just experienced some shimmering and some screen rolling while watching EPISODE VI DVD via DVI to HDMI. I had my player set to 720p on my Sony 42WE655. This is an OPPO player I got just last week and had flashed it with the most recent firmware. The shimmering was terrible, I had to stop the player and start over and just look for the chapter I was last in. After that the shimmering seemed to stop (for now I guess). At the point where I restarted the player, the shimmering got bad and the screen started rolling. Any idea as to why this is happening?

This sounds like somthing other than the common "vertical edge enahancement shimmer".

Try other DVI modes. My Panasonic display had a terrible problem with the 540p (originally called 1080i) until a proper 1080i mode was implemented.

Paul

I just finished watching Reindeer Games with the Oppo on my 50PX50U Panny Plasma and the audio sync issue reared its ugly head. It was throughout the whole movie. I tried different audio delys but nothing seemed to help. Any ideas?

At the start of Spiderman I, the 20th Century theater logo has lots of shimmering in the fonts...no matter what settings I use in the player. I am quite sure it is a function of the original graphic.
When the news editor holds up the article there is closeup of the newsprint. LOW or OFF is the same for sharpness. A very clean filmlike image. Medium brings about some shimmering in the closed sections of letters, like 'b', 'd', 'p', etc.
HIGH makes shimmering very apparent. Interestingly, I still notice little to no shimmering in vertical lines (buildings, etc.), no matter what the setting except I think I noticed it in the vertial stacks of the library in Star Wars II.

Again, I find the most obvious fault is a slight unnaturalness in skin tone, just a bit too soft overall.
Color saturation is quite good. As is black level. My player just squeaks by on the BTB test. Overall, a very pleasing, watchable image, if not exactly stunning.

I just finished watching Reindeer Games with the Oppo on my 50PX50U Panny Plasma and the audio sync issue reared its ugly head. It was throughout the whole movie. I tried different audio delys but nothing seemed to help. Any ideas?

The delays were no help (no affect at all, in other words) or just not enough delay to fully compensate at the highest setting, but maybe it would if there was, say, 70ms?

Paul

Ok watched some other DVDs earlier. It was fine until somewhere in the middle that it started acting up again. Flicker here and there until it got to a point that it started rolling again. Would stop for a while and then flicker again. I tried 1080i and never seemed to notice the issue as well as on the 480p (I also never liked the rendition via these modes). I am bothered coz I never get this much disturbance from my previous players. My last player was an LG LST-3510 with the same DVI to HDMI hookup. Never had any issues with the video playback.

My feeling is the issue is heat related. The player probably gets too hot which leads it to become unstable. I also had to reset the machine earlier when after 3 mins the DVD I popped in was still "Loading". It was the "Eagles Farewell I" DVD.

Another question I have is how many modes that this player actually have? When I press DVI, first one is 480p, then I get a black screen with nothing in it, then 720p and then 1080i. Also what is that 5th menu item on the far right that I can't select? Thanks!

Should I return this unit? Could I have gotten a defective unit even with the firmware patch?

Display: 42WE655
Player: OPPO
Connection: DVI to HDMI
Amp: Panny XR50 via optical

thegoldenhand,

DVI modes: 480p, 540p, 720p, 1080i

The menu on the far right can only be chosen when the play is in full stop mode. It can't be chosen during play/pause. It has some options for NTSC/PAL.

Paul

Ok thanks Paul. So I can't get anything on 540p. Its totally blackout, the OPPO screen doesn't even come out. Does that mean my display and the connection I am using does not support that mode?

So what should I do with this player with regards to the flicker/shimmer and screen roll issue? Return?

Some displays won't show 540p, I wouldn't consider it a problem unless the display is actually spec'ed to show 540p. My display looks like 120p when a 540p is fed to it (but the display doesn't claim to support 540p).

With display compatibility problems one can either call/e-mail Oppo with a lot of specific details and see what can be done or try a return/exchange.

Paul

thegoldenhand -

If you are within warrenty, I would just RMA the unit and get a new one. There is nothing really to lose [except time] in returning and obtaining a new player. The amount of problems you are having far exceeds quick fixes IMHO.

I received my Oppo yesterday.

Hooked on a Sony 1292, it has some sync porch problems that result in displaying a smaller image than the screen.
I can't do the whole size in 720p, either at 60Hz or 50Hz.
May it be posible to set some different porch sizes for each resolution ?
For example a "normal" and a "LARGE" setting ? (indeed normal syncporch and small porch)

I can't really keep this player in that state, the image doesn't fill my screen.

ps : How do we manage to transform a non-anmorphic DVD in an anamorphic image ?
How much smaller is the image? Slightly smaller? Significantly smaller?

You can use the zoom button on the remote in order to fit non anamorphic dvds onto the screen correctly.
The image is significantly smaller if I compare it to my other players.
H size set to 241 is enough to fill the screen, even with a player that crops pixels, but with the Oppo, 255 is not enough to fill it.

Sync porch is always a problem, I remember a friend with a Cinematrix, he had to send it back to make them correct those porch, size of the image was to small.

For the zoom thing, it scales the image, but how can I choose to only scale vertical ?, I don't want to crop the movie, I just want it to become anamorphic.

Who is in charge for the Oppo's "bug fix and suggest a feature" list ?

Last question, Is the Oppo compatible with 220v@50Hz ?
I read : Input Voltage/Frequency: 110-~240V 50/60Hz but only on the Website
It is written 110v/60Hz on the back of the player.

I've already added the 1280x720 pixels to the fix list.

Paul

For the zoom thing, it scales the image, but how can I choose to only scale vertical ?, I don't want to crop the movie, I just want it to become anamorphic.

If the original dvd is not anamorphic, then there isn't anything you can do to make it anamorphic other than hoping that they will rerelease it in anamorphic. If you take the non-anamorphic video and vertically scale, there won't be any improvement as you're just stretching it vertically, only to be stretched back by your display, you're not adding any new information to the video in the process.

If the movie is non anamorphic, using the zoom will just crop off the extra black bars above and below the image.

Hello

I use nero to burn CD (data mode) with MP3 files and OPPO plays them just fine.
When I do the same thing with WMA files it sees the MP3 files and plays them, but does not show the WMA files.

If I burn a data CD with just WMA files I get "unkown disc" error.

All CDs read/play just fine in PC's.

Tried several different versions of CDs CDRW and CDR all behave the same.

Does Oppo expect some "special" video format on CD for WMA files?

Thanks for the help

CPU

If the original dvd is not anamorphic, then there isn't anything you can do to make it anamorphic other than hoping that they will rerelease it in anamorphic. If you take the non-anamorphic video and vertically scale, there won't be any improvement as you're just stretching it vertically, only to be stretched back by your display, you're not adding any new information to the video in the process.

If the movie is non anamorphic, using the zoom will just crop off the extra black bars above and below the image.
I ve just understand that to do so, I have to set the output on Wide/Squeeze, so it is Wide if dvd is anamorphic and Narrow if it isn't.

Last question, Is the Oppo compatible with 220v@50Hz ?
I read : Input Voltage/Frequency: 110-~240V 50/60Hz but only on the Website.

110v/60Hz is written on the back of the player.

Last question, Is the Oppo compatible with 220v@50Hz ?
I read : Input Voltage/Frequency: 110-~240V 50/60Hz but only on the Website.

110v/60Hz is written on the back of the player.

Hi yes it is works perfectly here in the uk

Paul

So I just need to solder a new plug and that's all ?
Great !!!

I have noticed a strange behaviour, the image is "jumping" when I push on the next chapter button, or choose a menu, or do something ... :D

I will test pluging the Oppo directly (for the moment it was fed by a voltage adaptor 220v->110v) and see if it changes something.

Hello

I use nero to burn CD (data mode) with MP3 files and OPPO plays them just fine.
When I do the same thing with WMA files it sees the MP3 files and plays them, but does not show the WMA files.

If I burn a data CD with just WMA files I get "unkown disc" error.

All CDs read/play just fine in PC's.

Tried several different versions of CDs CDRW and CDR all behave the same.

Does Oppo expect some "special" video format on CD for WMA files?

Thanks for the help

CPU


Update, when I burn the CD using Windows meda player, the OPPO now recognizes the disk as CD and plays sound only. I thought that this unit would play audio and video of WMA files.

What is up ? Do I need to burn the files onto a DVD instead of a CD?

Help please.

CPu

I have yet to test wma on the Oppo. There are different variations of the windows media codec, which version are you using? WMA is an audio format. WMV is the windows video format. I don't believe Oppo is advertised to play WMV files.

Can you please remove 1280x720 from bug list. It appears to fill it fully if you check using DVE (or was it AVIA) using overscan 0. This is with sanyo plv-z3 projector. Other resolutions does not work that good so add them to list :)

Paul,

I was reviewing the list of items that are still on the fix list. (mainly to make sure the intermittent audio sync was still there). I noticed number 11 dealing with sub titles:

Does not automatically display the DVD subtitle-set containing the translation for brief foreign dialog. DVD’s like Hidalgo and Star Wars have this extra subtitle. Oppo defaults to ALL subtitles OFF.

On my OPPO, subtitles are off (default as noted), but sub-titles of foreign dialogue does display for me. I've noticed it on a few DVD's, one is PATTON (English subtitles when Rommel is speaking), not sure the name of others, as i wasn't really paying attention. And I suppose that if there were some that didn't display, I wouldnt even know they were there.

Perhaps they are implemented differently on different DVD's?

Thanks

The Oppo has an undersized pic. at 720p on the IF 7210, Optoma H79, and BenQ 8700+, and, I would imagine other 720p projectors. Guy Kuo confirmed thiis problem in the other Oppo thread, with an explanation of the problem and why it exists.

Incidently, I found the exact same problem with a March 2005 build pan S97, to the same extent of the oppo. I hooked up a Pan RP82 going 480i component into an IF7210 (no screen size problem), and I swear the pic. killed both players.

I couldn't A/B as my Oppo is going back for credit and my S97 is going to Kris Deering for testing

It seems many people are returning their Oppo, is anybody aware of an open box market for those devices? I mean, I suppose they don't repackage them as new right?

The 1280 x 720 filling problem isn't so easy to diagnose by merely looking to see if the entire DVD pixmap is present. Recall that the 720 x 480 NTSC pixmap is smaller than the 1280 x 720 target pixel frame. That means you can have every single NTSC pixel represented even if the scaling windowboxes it to a smaller rectangle than 1280 x 720. So, you can't diagnose this by playing a DVD and seeing if all the pixels are visible. What does help is to play another 720P source and seeing of more pixels of the display are being used at the same projector scaling setting. I see other 720 P source images filling more display pixels than 720P from the OPPO player. This suggests that not the entire 1280 x 720 image frame is getting filled with image data by the OPPO. There appear to be black pixels around the image which simply aren't used.

Another explanation would be that the display is incapable of 1:1 mapping is scaling things oddly down in size when it sees the 720P output of the OPPO. I don't think this is happening because the beat pattern seen with every other pixel line vertical or vertical patterns from Avia PRO has a single sinusoidal like pattern. Double scaling tends to introduce some more complicated beat patterns in the image. It's not a direct evidence for 1:1 matching at 720P but suggests the display is doing it 1:1 for 720P.

Incidently, I found the exact same problem with a March 2005 build pan S97, to the same extent of the oppo. I hooked up a Pan RP82 going 480i component into an IF7210 (no screen size problem), and I swear the pic. killed both players.

Lol if RP82 pic kills both players then these players scaling must be very poor quality and also their mpeg decoder/de-interlacer. Hm now that this along with SUPERB mpeg decoding quality is what i get (atleast from oppo) then dont know how Pan RP82 can be better with 480i expect maybe personal preference ofcourse. I have compared oppo only to HTPC with theatertek and ffdshow. Scaling with oppo is also good quality. z3 pixelworks scaler image is so different looking than oppo fli scaler so ofcourse there again one likes other.

On another matter, in a two hour movie I lose synch on the Oppo about 7 or 8 times, from which it rapidly recovers. (720p into IF 7210)

Audio or video synch? Component or DVI?

Actually concerning the scaling what algorithm does the Oppo use?

According to Secrets, the Matsushita MPEG decoder in the RP82 is the best ever (NOT for speed).

The RP82, S97, Oppo and IF7210 all use FLI chips. The RP82 uses the prior generation FLI chip which exhibits no macroblocking and is only used for deinterlacing; the rest use the FLI2300 (or FLI2310) for deinterlacing and scaling.

But since I am using 480i from the RP82, I am not using its FLI chip, but relying on the FLI2310 in the IF7210. Remember, this is without any A/Bing but was just a general impression

How do I fix this? It's perfectly clear in 480i and 720p, but when I hit the dvi button to 1080i it goes blurry, meaning the three colors seperate on the screen (blue, green, and red)

PaythePiper,

Which display? There was a recent thread on a Panasonic plasma display that discussed what I think you're seeing -- as if the "convergence" was off. I don't recall if the issue was resolved.

Paul

It's a Sony 65" CRT

It's a Sony 65" CRT

Sounds to me like the problem isn't the player, it's your set. Every "mode" for a CRT-based RPTV has separate convergence. Sounds like your 480i and whatever resolution 720p signals use is converged properly, but your 1080i feed is not.

It's the nature of CRT RPTV's and one of the biggest reasons they will fade away as digital technologies supplant them. Get the pic looking like that, then head to teh Sony's menus and do the best convergence you can using the 9 point or however many points of convergence the set gives you.

How are you able to do any convergence on these tv's? I have no idea how to do that...

How are you able to do any convergence on these tv's? I have no idea how to do that...


Sorry to throw an RTFM at you, but that's what you'll have to do. Each TV's menus are different and how it's done varies with brand. I do recall seeing where some newer Sonys have an "auto convergence" but I have no idea how effective that is. Check your manual, feed the TV a 1080i source so you're converging the proper mode and go to it. It's a tedious, miserable serious pain but you have to do it for CRT projection sets to look good.

Assuming the 65" CRT Sony is KDP-65WS550, try looking on pages 42-43 for convergence info. If it's another model, the procedure may be similar.

KDP-65WS550 manual here: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/KDP65WS550.pdf

Paul

The 1280 x 720 filling problem isn't so easy to diagnose by merely looking to see if the entire DVD pixmap is present. Recall that the 720 x 480 NTSC pixmap is smaller than the 1280 x 720 target pixel frame. That means you can have every single NTSC pixel represented even if the scaling windowboxes it to a smaller rectangle than 1280 x 720. So, you can't diagnose this by playing a DVD and seeing if all the pixels are visible. What does help is to play another 720P source and seeing of more pixels of the display are being used at the same projector scaling setting. I see other 720 P source images filling more display pixels than 720P from the OPPO player. This suggests that not the entire 1280 x 720 image frame is getting filled with image data by the OPPO. There appear to be black pixels around the image which simply aren't used.

Another explanation would be that the display is incapable of 1:1 mapping is scaling things oddly down in size when it sees the 720P output of the OPPO. I don't think this is happening because the beat pattern seen with every other pixel line vertical or vertical patterns from Avia PRO has a single sinusoidal like pattern. Double scaling tends to introduce some more complicated beat patterns in the image. It's not a direct evidence for 1:1 matching at 720P but suggests the display is doing it 1:1 for 720P.


I've a Momitsu 880DX that does not exhibit the "shrinkage" in 720p. Obviously, this is not in any way using the same type of chipsets. Can you tell us more about what a display "sees" from such dissimilar DVD players and how it uses the information to display the image? I do not recall seeing this problem when testing the Benq 8700+ with the Panasonic S97. But it's been quite some time since I had that in the system.

Japhule

Thanks for pointing out the obvious. Oppo only plays windows Audio (WMA) files, not windows video files WMV .

CPu

Thanks for the info Paul. The only time my tv has been adjusted was when sony had to come out and fix the lenses under warranty. My model isn't the one you mentioned but I will check it out. My model is KP-65WS500

It's quite possible that after the warranty work convergence @ 1080i wasn't performed. I don't have a projection set but I suppose it's possible that each resolution requires its own convergence calibration.

Paul

Fix/Wishlist updated & revised in first post of thread.

Paul

If the Sony is anything like the one I had, 51" from 2002, it had convergence settings for each of the four 480i/p settings and also the 1080i setting which was only available when running a 1080i source. I know because the stupid thing couldn't hold a fine convergence to save its life.

Thanks to the people here, I found the service manual instructions and got into it and could correct it.

on my tv when I go to the menu, there is no option for convergence. It says in my manual that flash focus is the 'auto' convergence, but it didn't work when I had the oppo in 1080i. Is there a way to acually adjust my tv manually?

I don't have that manual but on page 43 of the manual referenced earlier, it indicates that flash focus has to be performed first then manual convergence can be done. Maybe the "convergence" option doesn't apper until flash focus is performed for the first time.

Paul

I accidently chose PAL option in the oppo menu, the screen went black and now I can't even call up the menu! I unplugged the player and nothing. What did I do?

I accidently chose PAL option in the oppo menu, the screen went black and now I can't even call up the menu! I unplugged the player and nothing. What did I do?
If your display can't show pal... I'd temporarily connect to player to a monitor with dvi input.

my tv can't show pal, but my computer monitor doesn't have a dvi input

Don't worry guys I got it back, it was tricky, but I did it. I connected the player up via component, then while the tv was scrolling up and down, I selected NTSC somehow and it stopped.

PaythePiper,

By choosing PAL in the menu, you are using a format your display doesn't support so you won't get a picture.

So try this:

turn on the Oppo without a disc
hit setup on the remote
hit left arrow on remote 1 time
hit down arrow 1 time
hit select on the remote
hit down arrow 1 time
hit select again to choose NTSC
hit setup to exit

You should be back to NTSC.

Oops, I guess never mind for me as well, I hit enter at the same time as Paythe Piper.

I have noticed a new "feature" in the 971H. It seems that the brightness for PAL is initialized incorrectly in the power on. This is with the newest firmware (June 29, 2005) and also with the previous ones.

When the brightness is changed from 0 to higher value from menu, the screen actually gets darker. I would estimate that the brightness is set to value something like 2 or 3. This behavior does not appear in NTSC mode. It seems that the other settings are initialized correctly for PAL.

For changing between AUTO/NTSC/PAL, at least in the silver remote control there is button P/N :-)

Here are a few issues that I have with my Oppo player. I'm not sure if those are "normal" or if I have a defective player. I've ordered a second Oppo for my father which should arrive in a few days, and I'll first test it on my system to see if I get the same problems.

- At 720p and 1080i, the Oppo cuts off a bit of the left side of the picture, which is not the case a 480p. This is easy to verify with some movies that contain text that fills the screen. At 480p, I can read the whole text, but at 720p or 1080i I'm missing part of the first letter on the left. I couldn't test 540p because my display (Toshiba 34HFX83 direct view set) doesn't accept it. So, curiously, it seems that the Oppo does a bit more overscan on the left side at 720p and 1080i.

- At 1080i, the image "flickers" for a fraction of a second once in a while (it usually happens a few times during a 2-hour length movie). It's a bit hard to describe, but I think "flicker" is the best word for it. I don't believe this occurs at 720p, but my tests at that resolution have been very limited and I have to test a lot more at 720p and 480p.

- At 1080i, PAL-NTSC conversion skips a bit sometimes. This is different from the flickering problem described above and looks more like the video is skipping a frame or two once in a while. It's rather subtle, but noticeable. The frequency of this problem varies; I can see it only a few times during a movie and then several times during another. Again, I believe this may not be happening at 720p, but I have to test a lot more.

Anyone else experiencing any of these issues?

Martin,
Have you tested any other video sources at 720p/1080i other than the Oppo? It may be that your display has overscan for those resolutions but not at 480p.

It seems that the brightness for PAL is initialized incorrectly in the power on.

When the brightness is changed from 0 to higher value from menu, the screen actually gets darker. MikVa, very interesting. My question... Once you have fiddled with brightness, if you set it back to 0, does it respond correctly, or does it incorrectly get brighter again?

I'm wondering if what you discovered is the real reason behind the following item in the defect list:
"The brightness and contrast levels between PAL and NTSC disks are different, so when switching the disk from NTSC to PAL, or vice versa, the brightness and contrast must be adjusted to compensate."

Gary

MikVa, very interesting. My question... Once you have fiddled with brightness, if you set it back to 0, does it respond correctly, or does it incorrectly get brighter again?

I'm wondering if what you discovered is the real reason behind the following item in the defect list:
"The brightness and contrast levels between PAL and NTSC disks are different, so when switching the disk from NTSC to PAL, or vice versa, the brightness and contrast must be adjusted to compensate."

Gary

This brings up an interesting topic. I have been tweaking my Oppo as well as my display for the HDMI input, to get the best pix. Kind of working them both back and forth. Then running Avia, etc to get everything in line. It's an interesting approach, with other players with less control I would just rely on tuning my display. But by doing both you can get some good results. The only problem is the results can be skewed with different DVDs. But after a while, it only requires a small touchup to bring it in. There's also nothing wrong tuning it to your taste either.

If it means anything, when I had switch from NTSC to PAL using my other dvd layers, PAL brightness has to be brought down compared to NTSC.

If it means anything, when I had switch from NTSC to PAL using my other dvd layers, PAL brightness has to be brought down compared to NTSC.

I've also had something similar happen on every region-free DVD player I've ever owned (5 so far including the Oppo). Does PAL operate on different black level standards than NTSC?

Fortunately, my iScan-HD+ scaler will store separate settings for each input resolution, so I've been able to calibrate individually for PAL and NTSC.

Exactly how bad is 480i on the Oppo? I've used 480i a few times and never though to myself "wow, this is horrible." Is there nothing that can be done with picture settings to set it back to standards? Shouldn't 480i from the Oppo be similar to other mediatek chips at 480i like the Pioneer 588a? Or is 480i from other mediatek players comparable to the Oppo? Looking through the FAQ, I see some faults at 480i but it doesn't seem to show much on what degree it affects 480i.

Though I do admit, I am feeding 480i from the Oppo to my 4805 where Faroudja will process over it. Even with Faroudja processing, some of the Oppo's faults at 480i should still show.

Any specific examples would help me see this problem better?

Exactly how bad is 480i on the Oppo? I've used 480i a few times and never though to myself "wow, this is horrible." Is there nothing that can be done with picture settings to set it back to standards? Shouldn't 480i from the Oppo be similar to other mediatek chips at 480i like the Pioneer 588a? Or is 480i from other mediatek players comparable to the Oppo? Looking through the FAQ, I see some faults at 480i but it doesn't seem to show much on what degree it affects 480i.

Though I do admit, I am feeding 480i from the Oppo to my 4805 where Faroudja will process over it. Even with Faroudja processing, some of the Oppo's faults at 480i should still show.

Any specific examples would help me see this problem better?

I believe half the answer is with your particular display. How well the two interface will determine your own PQ. It is very easy, but generally wrong to try to generalize anyone's results unless on the same brand and model of display.
My Sony NS975 did a splendid job at 480i because of the processing in my display (and a good player). The HDMI image was only slightly better.
But the HDMI image in the Oppo is slightly better than that, plus has more adjustment flexibility. The 480i output through components in the Oppo is the worst of all for me.

Exactly how bad is 480i on the Oppo? It's really not bad at all. It currently only suffers with the 2 issues listed in the defect list: Red/Green outputs too high and no blacker-than-black.

If you have a digital display (which does not care about blacker-than-black), and if the display has a color decoder that can compensate for the Red/Green boost, in my opinion, the picture looks every bit as good as the picture on other recommended 480i players.

Gary

If it means anything, when I had switch from NTSC to PAL using my other dvd layers, PAL brightness has to be brought down compared to NTSC. I've also had something similar happen on every region-free DVD player I've ever owned (5 so far including the Oppo). Does PAL operate on different black level standards than NTSC?Good observations from both of you. Maybe the PAL/NTSC brightness difference is not an Oppo defect after all. I know that PAL/NTSC test patterns definitely have different levels.

Guy Kuo... would you be able to shed some light on this? Some are complaining that when they switch from an NTSC to a PAL DVD, they have to adjust their brightness and contrast levels.

Gary

480i results are throughout the first post of the thread and has the issues Gary noted. The Oppo picture controls do not operate for 480i.

Basically, 480i puts one at the mercy of the display. If the display has a poor deinterlacer and scaler then those defects will be painfully obvious. If the display has a great deinterlacer and scaler then 480i results may be excellent.

Some users actually prefer 480i becuase of their display's superior characteristics.

Paul

GSB, Paul,
Good to know. :)

Though I do use the Oppo primarily over DVI, I also have it connected over component to a scaler so that when I feel like multitasking, I can watch a dvd over PIP and flip through tv.

- At 1080i, the image "flickers" for a fraction of a second once in a while (it usually happens a few times during a 2-hour length movie). It's a bit hard to describe, but I think "flicker" is the best word for it. I don't believe this occurs at 720p, but my tests at that resolution have been very limited and I have to test a lot more at 720p and 480p.



Do you get sparklies too? I just got my player and hooked it up with a 6' DVI cable that worked fine in the past with several computers/displays. (Can't use the free one as I accidentally selected the DVI-HDMI cable instead of DVI-DVI. Anyone wanna trade?) Sparklies, lines and flickering as the display (Optoma H31) can't stay synced to the player. Maybe the Oppo has a weak DVI output?

Edit: Switched over from 480p to 720p and it appears solid. I don't like that I'm upscaling and then downscaling again, and it's odd that a higher data rate would work better. I also ran my powerbook at 720x480 to the projector and had no problems. Strange.

Can't use the free one as I accidentally selected the DVI-HDMI cable instead of DVI-DVI. Anyone wanna trade?)

If you are still within the 30 day money back warrenty, they will gladly send you a DVI-DVI cable for free. Just send their tech support an e-mail and they will send it out as soon as they can. I did the samething - in reverse - and they were very understanding. I wrote my e-mail in the morning, and by 12:30 PM I recieved a reply telling me that my new cable was in the mail through USPS.

If it means anything, when I had switch from NTSC to PAL using my other dvd layers, PAL brightness has to be brought down compared to NTSC.
I have some PAL DVD (I live in Europe)
And I clearly found the oppo setting the brightness way too high when displaying PAL media.
But .. thuis is easily fixed, just go to set up, to the brightness control, lower a bit, then go back to your normal setting.
Everything is OK !

The bad setting is done when initialising the player to PAL, but changing the parameter will set it back to normal level.

It could be an easy fix, i am sure.
I deeply ask Oppo firmware engineers to fix the 2:2 cadence lack, PAL medias need it !!!

GSB, when I return the brightness from 1 to 0, screen gets darker as it should be.

This problem can be fixed by either adjusting display's brightness setting (for Sanyo Z2 from -1 to -11 for PAL) or using procedure deus-ex mentioned (every time player is powered on). This is a low priority problem, but should be easy to correct.

It seems that the contrast value for PAL is initialized correctly or atleast the difference between initialisation value and 0 is not so great.

I just purchased the Oppo and an Optoma H31 PJ. Installing the latest firmware (Version: OP971-8-0628) seems to have lowered the contrast significantly. Did anybody else notice this? I don’t think this is a PJ issue because the PJ’s blue screen and menus seems just as bright and vivid as before.

Also, my Oppo came with the black remote and the clear buttons “look” as if they should / could be back-lighted; yet they are not. Is the black remote supposed to be back-lit?

Thanks!