Interesting. I wonder if that's true?

Yes, although Kris doesn't criticize the DVD PQ much, but more so, the drab photography and film characteristics.

Gary

If someone could rip both the one disk and two disk versions of the movie using DVD Shrink then you could see exactly how large the movie file (as opposed to the extras) is in terms of Gigabytes. Then we would know whether one was encoded at a significantly different compression from the other, wouldn't we?

I don't have either version of the film and I am also in PAL-land, which probably doesn't help.

Andrew

I'm going to get the new Warner "Ultra Resolution" DVD of "The Wizard Of Oz" and enjoy some Technicolor PQ!

Paul

FWIW, I still find -3 Brightness is best on the new firmware.

If someone could rip both the one disk and two disk versions of the movie using DVD Shrink then you could see exactly how large the movie file (as opposed to the extras) is in terms of Gigabytes. Then we would know whether one was encoded at a significantly different compression from the other, wouldn't we? Yes, it would be pretty simple. It is not even necessary to rip the movie, just open each disk in DVD Shrink and check the details. Trouble is, someone has to have BOTH versions of the movie!

Yes, it would be pretty simple. It is not even necessary to rip the movie, just open each disk in DVD Shrink and check the details. Trouble is, someone has to have BOTH versions of the movie!
Well, no ... all we need is one person with each version to check it with DVD Shrink and post the size for their version. I have neither version, or I'd volunteer.

FWIW, I still find -3 Brightness is best on the new firmware.

Same with me. In fact, I called Oppo and they said there was no change in PQ settings from the initial release of version 1012 and the release of version 1022.

Single disk version appears to have 6499 mb. minus 456 mb for the dolby 5.1.Recode lists its bitrate at 6.0 megabits per second.

And anyone have an opinion on the weird shakiness I'm seeing on my KV-30HS420 when my Oppo's DVI is set to 480p? My HDTV display handles 480i,480p,720p,1080i, so I don't get the problem. I'm connecting through HDMI. I don't see the shakiness with 720p and 1080i.


I get the same shaky 480p on a KV-32HS420. It's annoying, since the TV does automatic vertical compression in 780p and 1080i, and zooming on 4:3 content looks pretty bad. Finalheaven, did you manage to solve this problem?

Cheers,
Costi

Single disk version appears to have 6499 mb. minus 456 mb for the dolby 5.1.Recode lists its bitrate at 6.0 megabits per second.Thanks Defraggerman. Anyone care to check the "Batman Begins" Two-Disk Deluxe Edition for us? Toonces?

Gary

FWIW, I still find -3 Brightness is best on the new firmware.


I finally updated mine yesterday and found minus 1 to be closest to the old +5 setting on my TV. I did bump the contrast up to +1 and noticed no ill effects is there something I should watch for with the contrast increased?

I finally updated mine yesterday and found minus 1 to be closest to the old +5 setting on my TV. I did bump the contrast up to +1 and noticed no ill effects is there something I should watch for with the contrast increased?

I am using +1 on contrast and didn't change the brightness at all. I found my change of +1 contrast produced a better picture for me on my TH-42PX50U. I did not change a thing on my Optoma H78.

With the increased contrast, your brightness settings could be slightly off. That should be the only thing you should look out for when using an increased contrast.

When increasing contrast (white level) have a look at the DVE IRE steps pattern (12.14). The white steps at the brighter (right side) should be discernable. If the steps are blending into a large, white mass, white is being "crushed" and bright detail can be lost.

Paul

And what Paul said. But I am assuming you checked your contrast settings ;) Yeah, that's the ticket.

a weird thing happens when I use the Oppo, the whole image is skewed to the left, its about 1/8 of an inch black bar, I have to adjust the picture position to the right everytime I use the DVD player....what can I do to fix this?

a weird thing happens when I use the Oppo, the whole image is skewed to the left, its about 1/8 of an inch black bar, I have to adjust the picture position to the right everytime I use the DVD player....what can I do to fix this?Use the "DVI" button to select a different resolution. That may help.

Gary

The R2 Batman Begins double disc has 5.740 GB excluding the 5.1 track. That's pretty low for a 2 1/4 hour movie. Even so, it looks great. Bitrate isn't everything.

Dave

In their release notes for the new firmware, Oppo states regarding the 2:2 cadence: "If you only use the DVI video output and would like to get the best possible picture quality for both NTSC and PAL discs, you should select the “Video 2” mode. In this case the analog video outputs will not perform NTSC/PAL system conversion."

I only use DVI with my 4805 PJ. When in Video 1 mode, the 4805 says it receives a 576p signal (PAL) when playing a PAL movie. But when I switch to Video 2, it says the signal is 480p. Is it correct ? Oppo is set to Auto in order to recognize NTSC or PAL.

So my question is: should I always use Video 2 mode ? Will I get, as they say, the best possible picture whatever I put a NTSC or PAL disk ? What about the 4805 saying it's a 480p when in Video 2 mode ?

In their release notes for the new firmware, Oppo states regarding the 2:2 cadence: "If you only use the DVI video output and would like to get the best possible picture quality for both NTSC and PAL discs, you should select the “Video 2” mode. In this case the analog video outputs will not perform NTSC/PAL system conversion."

I only use DVI with my 4805 PJ. When in Video 1 mode, the 4805 says it receives a 576p signal (PAL) when playing a PAL movie. But when I switch to Video 2, it says the signal is 480p. Is it correct ? Oppo is set to Auto in order to recognize NTSC or PAL.

So my question is: should I always use Video 2 mode ? Will I get, as they say, the best possible picture whatever I put a NTSC or PAL disk ? What about the 4805 saying it's a 480p when in Video 2 mode ?

Does it say 480p when you insert a PAL disc? Or does it just say 480p whenever you select Video 2?

If you are not going to be using the analog outputs at all, then leave the OPPO at Video 2 mode, since it seems that you will be using some PAL discs on your system.

What does Video 1 and Video 2 do? I'm using DVI to HDMI for my CRT and Z3.

Hi

regarding your 480p- problem:

I don't know, how the Oppo behaves in AUTO-mode with the current firmware, since I have set my settings to PAL at the moment. But what you described, COULD be related to an EVENTUALLY faulty AUTO-mode

Try playing around with the P/N button on the remote (set it to PAL for PAL discs or got into setup and choose PAL instead of AUTO) AND with the DVI-button (try to get 578p manually).
If you succeed, try to go back to AUTO mode (via setup and/or P/N-button) and then insert a PAL-disc and look, whether you can select 576p manually with the DVI-button on the remote. If you don't succeed now, but have succeeded with the above mentioned "PAL"-setting, then something's wrong with the AUTO-mode....

Joerg

Finalheaven

From the Oppo Firmware release notes:

http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h_firmware_1022_release_note.html

1. Support 2:2 cadence for PAL movies.

In the “General Setup” menu page, there is now a “Video Mode” option. The choices are “Video 1” and “Video 2”. The “Video 1” mode is the same as the previous version firmware, which does not support 2:2 cadence for PAL movies. The “Video 2” mode supports 2:2 cadence for PAL movies. However in “Video 2” mode all analog video outputs (Composite, S-Video, Component) will not perform NTSC/PAL system conversion. The video output from any of the analog connectors will have the same NTSC or PAL system as encoded on the DVD disc itself.

In summary:

If you mainly watch North American NTSC versions of movies and video programs on DVD, and would like to keep the NTSC/PAL system conversion function on the analog video outputs, you should select the “Video 1” mode. In this case imported PAL discs with 2:2 cadence will still play, but not with the best possible picture quality.
If you only use the DVI video output and would like to get the best possible picture quality for both NTSC and PAL discs, you should select the “Video 2” mode. In this case the analog video outputs will not perform NTSC/PAL system conversion.

Paul

Hi

regarding your 480p- problem:

I don't know, how the Oppo behaves in AUTO-mode with the current firmware, since I have set my settings to PAL at the moment. But what you described, COULD be related to an EVENTUALLY faulty AUTO-mode

Try playing around with the P/N button on the remote (set it to PAL for PAL discs or got into setup and choose PAL instead of AUTO) AND with the DVI-button (try to get 578p manually).
If you succeed, try to go back to AUTO mode (via setup and/or P/N-button) and then insert a PAL-disc and look, whether you can select 576p manually with the DVI-button on the remote. If you don't succeed now, but have succeeded with the above mentioned "PAL"-setting, then something's wrong with the AUTO-mode....

Joerg

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Neuromancer: When in Video 1 and AUTO modes, the 4805 automatically recognize PAL disk as 576p. This is not the case when in Video 2.

Paul: thanks for answering but this info doesn't add to my comprehension: is it normal that the OPPO send a 480p signal to my PJ via DVI when a PAL disk is inserted (in AUTO mode and Video 2 mode) ??? Could the internal converting of the PAL signal into the OPPO in Video 2 mode will output a 480p signal ??? This is the question.

I need some help.

1. Someone mentioned that I should set the Audio to Raw at 96Khz if my receiver supports it...where do I check on the receiver, this is my receiver http://www.harmankardon.com/specifications.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&ser=&prod=DPR%202005&sType=C

2. I just found out about the DVI button :o It was set at 1080 and when it played the Batman begins extras disk, and the Lord of Rings extended version disk, green lines came up on the right side of the screen. I subsequently set it to 480p and had no problems. Is it typical/normal to set it to default at 480p and then change it only when the disk supports higher resolution? Thanks in advance.

edit: my setup is DVI to HDMI cable to the 50 inch Vizio plasma. Audio is coaxial line.

I need some help.

1. Someone mentioned that I should set the Audio to Raw at 96Khz if my receiver supports it...where do I check on the receiver, this is my receiver http://www.harmankardon.com/specifications.aspx?Region=USA&Country=US&Language=ENG&cat=REC&ser=&prod=DPR%202005&sType=C

2. I just found out about the DVI button :o It was set at 1080 and when it played the Batman begins extras disk, and the Lord of Rings extended version disk, green lines came up on the right side of the screen. I subsequently set it to 480p and had no problems. Is it typical/normal to set it to default at 480p and then change it only when the disk supports higher resolution? Thanks in advance.

edit: my setup is DVI to HDMI cable to the 50 inch Vizio plasma. Audio is coaxial line.

1. The H/K DPR 2005 supports 192Khz/24bit. Use 192Khz

2. This is very typical on the OPDV971H. The higher the resolution, the higher the chance of video playback anomalies when using a cable that is low quality, or too long for the proper video transmission. Use a shorter/higher gauge cable is possible.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Neuromancer: When in Video 1 and AUTO modes, the 4805 automatically recognize PAL disk as 576p. This is not the case when in Video 2.

Paul: thanks for answering but this info doesn't add to my comprehension: is it normal that the OPPO send a 480p signal to my PJ via DVI when a PAL disk is inserted (in AUTO mode and Video 2 mode) ??? Could the internal converting of the PAL signal into the OPPO in Video 2 mode will output a 480p signal ??? This is the question.

It should automatically switch to 576p when a PAL disc is inserted when using Video 2. I am using Video 2 on a Panasonic TH-42PX50U and an Optoma H78 without a problem. The unit defaults to NTSC whenever there is no disc in the unit.

And are you sure you are using the OP971-D-1022 firmware? The 1011/1012 will not do auto switching when it is in Video 2 mode.

[QUOTE=Neuromancer]1. The H/K DPR 2005 supports 192Khz/24bit. Use 192Khz

Hi,

I also have a H/K receiver and have been stumped on the best audio set-up from the Oppo to pass to it. My H/K model is AVR130 and I have absolutely no idea which settings I should change on the Oppo to optimize. Any advice would be welcomed - thanks in advance.

2. I just found out about the DVI button :o It was set at 1080 and when it played the Batman begins extras disk, and the Lord of Rings extended version disk, green lines came up on the right side of the screen. I subsequently set it to 480p and had no problems. Is it typical/normal to set it to default at 480p and then change it only when the disk supports higher resolution? Setting the resolution has nothing to do with the disk. No DVD "supports higher resolution".

Set the Oppo's resolution to the native resolution of your display. If your display has a different native resolution, then set the Oppo to the one that looks best.

Gary

Hi,

I also have a H/K receiver and have been stumped on the best audio set-up from the Oppo to pass to it. My H/K model is AVR130 and I have absolutely no idea which settings I should change on the Oppo to optimize. Any advice would be welcomed - thanks in advance.

The AVR130 also has a 192 kHz/24-bit Audio DAC. You should select 192Hkz for LPCM Out, and use RAW for S/PDIF. If you are going to Multi-channel out using the analog connectors, set all the speakers to "Small", and use the bass management through the receiver.

The AVR130 also has a 192 kHz/24-bit Audio DAC. You should select 192Hkz for LPCM Out, and use RAW for S/PDIF. If you are going to Multi-channel out using the analog connectors, set all the speakers to "Small", and use the bass management through the receiver.

To "small" to use the bass management of the receiver ?

Wouldn't that be more logical to put the DVD at "large" (all the frequencies) and then the amplifier manages where to send what?

Setting the resolution has nothing to do with the disk. No DVD "supports higher resolution".

Set the Oppo's resolution to the native resolution of your display. If your display has a different native resolution, then set the Oppo to the one that looks best.

Gary

Display Compatibility:
HDTV (720p)

Signal Compatibility:
480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)

Those are the specs for the tv. Does it mean I should set the Oppo to 720p display, and if I continue to see green lines, go out and buy a better DVI to HDMI cable? I am using the free cable from Oppo.

To "small" to use the bass management of the receiver ?

Wouldn't that be more logical to put the DVD at "large" (all the frequencies) and then the amplifier manages where to send what?

No. The OPDV971H will effectively kill the subwoofer channel when you set all the channels to "Large".

Display Compatibility:
HDTV (720p)

Signal Compatibility:
480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)

Those are the specs for the tv. Does it mean I should set the Oppo to 720p display, and if I continue to see green lines, go out and buy a better DVI to HDMI cable? I am using the free cable from Oppo.

Use 720p because this is the closest mode which relates to the Vizio's native resolution. If you have not done so already, use the DVI cable provided to you by OPPO. If you still see the green lines, you may want to try another cable.

question,

is Faroudja deinterlacing bypassed when you zoom on the oppo? I was watching a 4x3 lbx dvd and so I decided to "zoom" it. As soon as I did, I noticed artifacts that looked like bad deinterlacing...especially on vertically moving detail like scrolling film credits.

Any way to fix this?

No fix yet.

The Panasonic DVD-S97 has similar looking PQ with zoom.

If zoom is necessary try what the display will allow or try 480p out and then try what the display will allow.

I find the Oppo zoom a bit better with video-based material rather than film based.

Oppo has been informed of the issue. It is also described in the list of defects.

Paul

The R2 Batman Begins double disc has 5.740 GB excluding the 5.1 track. That's pretty low for a 2 1/4 hour movie. Even so, it looks great. Bitrate isn't everything.Thanks Dave. Anyone have the R1 version of the 2-disk "Batman Begins"?

I rented the single-disk version this weekend. Using DVD Shrink, I verified that the main movie is 6037MB (or 5.895GB), with no audio or subtitles selected.

Judging by the lack of special features, and the menu note to "see the second disk for special features", this DVD may well be the same as the one in the two-disk version. Unfortunately, they didn't use the full capacity of the dual-layer disk, and they included 86MB of trailers and 7MB of games and other junk. Still, the picture quality was excellent. The Oppo really does justice to this movie. Except for some film grain here and there, I didn't notice any macroblocking or other distracting artifacts, even though my DLP set (properly calibrated) is still fairly susceptible to macroblock enhancement.

The sound-track was awe-inspiring, and even though I had the volume turned way up to the point of violently shaking the house, the Oppo never faltered! My older Pioneer DVD player cannot handle that kind of vibration, and it begins to skip! I'm going to watch it again... and again... and again!

Gary

question,

is Faroudja deinterlacing bypassed when you zoom on the oppo? I was watching a 4x3 lbx dvd and so I decided to "zoom" it. As soon as I did, I noticed artifacts that looked like bad deinterlacing...especially on vertically moving detail like scrolling film credits.

Any way to fix this?

I don't think it turns Off DCDi, but it greatly diminishes its ability to process the video. The zoom is applied through the MTK board, and not the Faroudja chipset. Because of this, the image being presented to the Faroudja is so distorted, it can't effectively process the video.

Prove me wrong children. Prove me wrong. /Skinner

Neuromancer,

I think you identified the problem. I had assumed that even though a different chip was zooming, that the Faroudja would have been allowed to process/deinterlace the raw signal first so that the zooming/scaling algorithm would have a nice 480P frame to start with.

Applying the zooming before the Faroudja chip can deinterlace is like waiting until after you finish your cross-country road trip to change your oil. Totally backwards.

Can this ever be fixed via firmware update or is this "hard coded" in the circutry?

In any case...the results that I'm seeing on the screen bear witness to the improper zooming implimentation. It's a shame...it's such a GREAT player otherwise and I'd love to be able to do all my scaling in the DVD player to avoid having to use the BenQ's zooming (which is acting quirky on its own).

DaViD Boulet,

I am pretty damned sure that the video is Zoomed and then sent to the Faroudja for processing. I think Ja Phule and/or Josh Z came to the same conclusiong when the 1012 firmware was released.

I believe I contacted OPPO asking for about the Zoom feature, but I can't recall what they said about the issue.

R1 Batman Begins 2 Disc SE is 6,037MB (movie, no audio, no subs).

R1 Batman Begins 2 Disc SE is 6,037MB (movie, no audio, no subs).Thanks Ja Phule, that settles it... The main movie on the single-disk version of "Batman Begins" is the same as on the two-disk Special Edition. No difference in compression, etc.

Gary

...is Faroudja deinterlacing bypassed when you zoom on the oppo? I was watching a 4x3 lbx dvd and so I decided to "zoom" it. As soon as I did, I noticed artifacts that looked like bad deinterlacing...especially on vertically moving detail like scrolling film credits. To add to Paul's and Neuromancer's posts: The Mediatek MPEG decoder chip is required to do the zooming, for the sake of the component output. But as you can see, this is bad for the DVI output.

In the same way that a digital camera loses resolution when using a digital zoom as opposed to an optical zoom, an MPEG decoder loses resolution when it has to digitally enlarge the pixels within the relatively tiny 480-line frame. It may do so rather unevenly too...

In theory, a 1.5x zoom would enlarge a 1-pixel line to 1.5 pixels wide. But because the decoder cannot produce half a pixel, the line would have to alternate between 1 or 2 pixels wide, depending on its position. If the line (or text) was moving up the screen, it would tend to pulsate in width, and a diagonal would appear jagged. The problem could be compounded or worsened when that picture is deinterlaced and scaled (a second time) by the Faroudja chip.

This is not necessarily a problem with the Mediatek chip. As Paul has mentioned, the Panasonic S97 demonstrates the same problem, even though it uses a different decoder. The reason? The decoder zooms the picture before the Faroudja chip de-interlaces and scales it.

Therefore, we have kindly asked Oppo to provide 2 special zooms for the DVI output: Leaving the Mediatek chip in "WIDE" mode, the Faroudja chip should be used to handle an automatic pillar-box for 4:3 content, and an automatic letter-box zoom for 4:3 letter-box content. The Faroudja chip is designed to handle this, and does a significantly better job.

Gary

My other work around to this, at least for this Sammy TV User, is to enter my service menu and adjust the vertical to fill the screen and not use the Oppo to zoom the picture. I definitely hope that Oppo does something to resolve this issue, because I don't know a soul who uses component out, every1 uses DVI.

Hi

I was just watching "Sunday in the park with George", a 4:3 NTSC DVD (btw., amazing musical, one of my favourite...) and could not get to a proper aspect ratio with my Sanyo Z4. Could you help me out solving this issue, please?

I set the Oppo to NTSC and 720p manually to ensure, it is set properly to TV-system and resolution.
When looking at it (the Z4 is set to the default "Vollbild" - I guess, it is the english "Full"-setting), then you get a horizontally stretched 16:9 picture. Switching aspect ratios in the Z4 with a 720p signal only allows a few settings to choose from, amongst them "Zoom", "Caption in" and "Natural wide 2". "Caption in" is the closest to a correct 4:3 aspect ratio in this very case, but you loose a lot of the upper part of the picture and the picture seems to be zoomed in as well.

Only, when I set the Oppo to 480p with that NTSC-disc, I can access aspect ratio modes in the Z4 like "normal", which gives me the black sidebars (and most likely a very close to 4:3 aspect ratio, picture seems to be a bit vertically stretched or my eyes are a bit off :confused: but "that's another story, nevermind, anyway")
So, what is it, that creates those effects?

Is it the Oppo, that cannot properly handle 4:3 formats, when in 720p mode and stretches them to a 16:9 format?

Is it the Z4, that stretches the properly upscaled 720p/4:3-sidebared-signal from the Oppo to fill the 1280x720 space on his screen?

Do I have to manually choose 480p (or 576p for PAL) resolution in the Oppo and loose its great upscaling features to be able to access the Z4's "normal" mode to display proper 4:3 aspect ratio?

Important note: 21:9 formats are handled correctly in my setup (Z4 set to "full" mode) and are projected with bars on top and bottom

You see, I am a bit confused about these strange interactions, since with my equipment, I guess I am unable to find out, what is causing this...
Any help is most appreciated!
Joerg

Hi

I was just watching "Sunday in the park with George", a 4:3 NTSC DVD (btw., amazing musical, one of my favourite...) and could not get to a proper aspect ratio with my Sanyo Z4. Could you help me out solving this issue, please?

I set the Oppo to NTSC and 720p manually to ensure, it is set properly to TV-system and resolution.
When looking at it (the Z4 is set to the default "Vollbild" - I guess, it is the english "Full"-setting), then you get a horizontally stretched 16:9 picture. Switching aspect ratios in the Z4 with a 720p signal only allows a few settings to choose from, amongst them "Zoom", "Caption in" and "Natural wide 2". "Caption in" is the closest to a correct 4:3 aspect ratio in this very case, but you loose a lot of the upper part of the picture and the picture seems to be zoomed in as well.

Only, when I set the Oppo to 480p with that NTSC-disc, I can access aspect ratio modes in the Z4 like "normal", which gives me the black sidebars (and most likely a very close to 4:3 aspect ratio, picture seems to be a bit vertically stretched or my eyes are a bit off :confused: but "that's another story, nevermind, anyway")
So, what is it, that creates those effects?

Is it the Oppo, that cannot properly handle 4:3 formats, when in 720p mode and stretches them to a 16:9 format?

Is it the Z4, that stretches the properly upscaled 720p/4:3-sidebared-signal from the Oppo to fill the 1280x720 space on his screen?

Do I have to manually choose 480p (or 576p for PAL) resolution in the Oppo and loose its great upscaling features to be able to access the Z4's "normal" mode to display proper 4:3 aspect ratio?

Important note: 21:9 formats are handled correctly in my setup (Z4 set to "full" mode) and are projected with bars on top and bottom

You see, I am a bit confused about these strange interactions, since with my equipment, I guess I am unable to find out, what is causing this...
Any help is most appreciated!
Joerg


Set the Oppo's mode to "Wide/SQZ" rather than "Wide". Then you can leave the Z4 on full and 4:3 should display properly.

Works with the Z2.

Andrew

Set the Oppo's mode to "Wide/SQZ" rather than "Wide". Then you can leave the Z4 on full and 4:3 should display properly.

Works with the Z2.

Andrew

Andrew - thanks for the tip. I just did a research to understand the background of the SQZ setting and found some posts regarding picture quality in SQZ mode, which confused me even more...

Some say, in SQZ-mode, 16:9 anamorphic content is displayed with BIG picture quality loss compared to WIDE mode on a native 1280x720 display.
Some contradict and say, 16:9 content is displayed with better PQ when the Oppo is set to WIDE mode.
All state "with the current firmware" (which relates to older firmware).

Is there any agreement/new findings about PQ in different settings with different aspect ratios regarding the current D-1022 firmware?

Thanks
Joerg

16x9 content is not compromised in "wide/sqz" mode...however, some folks find a better picture wiht the 4x3 encoded content if they let their display do the horizontal sqeezing instead.


If big box retailers are going to shun HD-DVD then why do they have to talk Toshiba out of HD-DVD? I would interpret that statement as retailers will have to stock both if Toshiba refuses to do so.



Ok, in order to get zooming on component analog I understand the need to do the zooming ahead of the Faroudja chip.

HOWEVER...

the OPPO is all about scaling via DVI...so that's still the LAMEST rationale imaginable. I mean...design a player from the ground up specifically tailored and optimized for DVI output...not even providing 480P output via analog...but then when it comes to aspect ratio adjustment (something that all high-end video applications could use) an inferior implimentation of zooming is utilized so tha the zoom feature can also be utilized for analog outputs?

????


C'mon Oppo...the analog output folks don't even *need* a zoom...it's those of us with 16x9 projectors and displays running via DVI who need to be able to adjust aspect ratio for 4x3 lbxed material.

Let's see some Faroudja-scaling action on the next firmware update!!!

Fingers crossed...

-dave :)

p.s. how do we get in touch with these folks? Is there a "wish list" of modifications they keep around and the more people who call and ask the more they work on getting some of them out for hte update?

The Panasonic S97 has a slight loss of resolution in it's Wide/Squeeze mode as well with 4:3 material.

One of the best players I've seen in regard to zoom is the (otherwise mediocre, in my view) Momitsu V880.

DaViD,

Oppo Digital may be contaced here:

http://www.oppodigital.com/

Just look at the bottom of the page for phone/hours/e-mail addr.

The "wish list" is on the first post of the thread.

Paul

The AVR130 also has a 192 kHz/24-bit Audio DAC. You should select 192Hkz for LPCM Out, and use RAW for S/PDIF. If you are going to Multi-channel out using the analog connectors, set all the speakers to "Small", and use the bass management through the receiver.

Neuro,

Thanks for the tip - will apply later on tonight to see outcome. I'm not using the multi-channel out, but rather the optical out directly into the H/K. I presume the above recommended settings should stay the same if going optical out ? Thanks.

Apologies, if I picked the wrong thread, it seems like the right place... :)

I discovered that If I run thru the std. THX-test on (apparently) any THX cert. Movie DVD, in my Oppo... the speakers are mis-identified.

IOW: for instance, sound from LF while test indicates Center, and so-on around the clock.
Only the Sub is correct.

Two other players... Pioneer & Philips, run the same tests accurately.
All are connected, optically, to my Yammie 5860.

Has anyone checked this, since the 1022 firmware upgrade??
DTS appears accurate.
In fact.. Dolby seems good.
Only seems to be the test that has mis-directed channels.

Bugga'!

Re-installed the 1022 firmware... no fix.
Weird.

Some say, in SQZ-mode, 16:9 anamorphic content is displayed with BIG picture quality loss compared to WIDE mode on a native 1280x720 display.
Some contradict and say, 16:9 content is displayed with better PQ when the Oppo is set to WIDE mode.


dvdr, this is not a firmware issue (though we are trying to make it one--see below). Also 16:9 pictures will be totally unaffected pq-wise if the oppo is defaulated to wide/squeeze mode. The wd/sq is only there to pick up stuff flagged as 4:3, i.e., non-anamorphic letterbox, older TV shows and old academy format movies.

Some state that the oppo does lose some resolution when upscaling 4:3 images. It's not somehting that is visible to my naked eye--in fact as I've posted above I think the oppo upscales 4:3 better than my ae700 (that is better than setting the oppo to wide at 480p/576p and choosing the aspect ratio on the display device--a problem only for those whose displays lock at 720p). Others have disagreed. I guess it depends on the display device.

The only thing to do is try it both ways and see which you prefer.

The undoubted problem, and one I'll never tire of complaining about, is the oppo's lamentable zoom (see David Boulet above) for 4:3 letterbox material. It's a shocker and should be towards the top of oppo's list for the next fw upgrade (after lip-sync and underscan [thinking of those plama owners]).

Dave

Set the Oppo's mode to "Wide/SQZ" rather than "Wide". Then you can leave the Z4 on full and 4:3 should display properly.

Works with the Z2.

Andrew


I leave mine set to wide, but change it to 480P and use the TV zoom1. The TV will not zoom at 720p or 1080i.

Dave,

To see the loss of resolution one can use the DVE pattern 15.7 (the 4:3 MPEG test). Compare the high freq pattern in the upper right in 4:3 and then 16:9. The Motmitsu handles this aspect of the pattern pretty good, the Oppo and Panasonic S97 lose some detail.

Paul

I leave mine set to wide, but change it to 480P and use the TV zoom1. The TV will not zoom at 720p or 1080i.

I leave mine on Wide, 480p too. Then I use my display's Zoom 1 or Zoom 2 setting for full screen dvd's. If I send 720p or 1080i to my display, I can't change the display's zoom format on the fly. Going into the display's menu to change the 4:3 display format is a pain.

Apologies, if I picked the wrong thread, it seems like the right place... :)

I discovered that If I run thru the std. THX-test on (apparently) any THX cert. Movie DVD, in my Oppo... the speakers are mis-identified.

IOW: for instance, sound from LF while test indicates Center, and so-on around the clock.
Only the Sub is correct.

Two other players... Pioneer & Philips, run the same tests accurately.
All are connected, optically, to my Yammie 5860.

Has anyone checked this, since the 1022 firmware upgrade??
DTS appears accurate.
In fact.. Dolby seems good.
Only seems to be the test that has mis-directed channels.

Bugga'!

Re-installed the 1022 firmware... no fix.
Weird.

This is due the OPDV971H requiring video buffering, and not audio buffering. For the THX Audio Optimization test, the video is still being buffered while the audio is on its merry little way. By the time the video is "released" from the buffer, it is one speaker behind the curve. This is normal, or should I say, normal to the operation of the OPDv971H.

Dave,

To see the loss of resolution one can use the DVE pattern 15.7 (the 4:3 MPEG test). Compare the high freq pattern in the upper right in 4:3 and then 16:9. The Motmitsu handles this aspect of the pattern pretty good, the Oppo and Panasonic S97 lose some detail.

Paul

This is a really good point, Paul, and as soon as my DVE disk arives (to replace my Avia) I'll check it out. However, there are other issues. Bascially on my AE700 the picture looks more brittle if I let the pj do the scalling from 480p/576p, though as I've said above it does look marginally sharper. I just slightly--only slightly--prefer the smoother and more flimic image provided by the oppo in w/s mode at 720p (the AE700 locks the aspect ratio at 720p/1080i so I can't use an upscaled image).

But thanks for the advice on objective evidence, that's what I've been looking for. Might force me to change my mind.

Dave

Oppo comments on the zooming issue:

In all actuality, the zooming through the MTK board was not a decision based off of the analog outputs. It was based off of Genesis not providing us with the Faroudja source code. We write all of our code based off of nodes, not off of the original source code. Depending on how one node talks to each other, we either get a picture, a compromised picture, or no picture at all.

Because we do not have access to the source code, we do not know which nodes need to be implemented between the MTK and Genesis chipsets. We have been working sometime on this problem, but have not had that much success. The Faroudja chipset alone has 500 nodes. Simple permutations on the Faroudja chipset alone is a nightmare. Add in the several thousand nodes found on the MTK, and you can see why we are a little slow in implementing new features on the OPDV971H.

But do not fret, if it can increase video quality, we will find a way of doing it. The last firmware is our testament to pulling out as many video bells and whistles as possible, and we aren't going to stop anytime soon.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
453 Ravendale Dr, Suite D
Mountain View, CA 94043
Service@oppodigital.com
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

This is due the OPDV971H requiring video buffering, and not audio buffering. For the THX Audio Optimization test, the video is still being buffered while the audio is on its merry little way. By the time the video is "released" from the buffer, it is one speaker behind the curve. This is normal, or should I say, normal to the operation of the OPDv971H.

:) Thanks... I feel better, now :D

I wonder which mode will allow custom resolutions? :)

I leave mine on Wide, 480p too. Then I use my display's Zoom 1 or Zoom 2 setting for full screen dvd's. If I send 720p or 1080i to my display, I can't change the display's zoom format on the fly. Going into the display's menu to change the 4:3 display format is a pain.


I can understand why you'd want to do that, but I think it's worth it to set the Oppo at 1080i - Wide for 16x9 dvd's. And then if you know it's going to be a full screen movie, switch to 480p and use your display's zoom format. I see the difference. Check it out. This actually makes Wide/Sqz more useful because anything nonanamorphic at the beginning of the wide screen presentation gets scaled to look normal instead of stretched like a juicyfruit gum commercial. <- (dated myself with that one). :)

In all actuality, the zooming through the MTK board was not a decision based off of the analog outputs. It was based off of Genesis not providing us with the Faroudja source code. We write all of our code based off of nodes, not off of the original source code. Depending on how one node talks to each other, we either get a picture, a compromised picture, or no picture at all.

Because we do not have access to the source code, we do not know which nodes need to be implemented between the MTK and Genesis chipsets. We have been working sometime on this problem, but have not had that much success. The Faroudja chipset alone has 500 nodes. Simple permutations on the Faroudja chipset alone is a nightmare. Add in the several thousand nodes found on the MTK, and you can see why we are a little slow in implementing new features on the OPDV971H.

But do not fret, if it can increase video quality, we will find a way of doing it. The last firmware is our testament to pulling out as many video bells and whistles as possible, and we aren't going to stop anytime soon.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.Man! You gotta love the attitude of the OPPO Digital company.

On the other hand, it really disturbs me to see the attitude of the Genesis/Faroudja company. As amazing as the FLI2310 is, it is severely flawed with macroblocking and lip-sync issues. These are well-known issues, but the company refuses to fix them, and provides little or no help to engineers who use the chip. And Genesis would never dream of providing the Faroudja source code, so struggle on, all who dare to use their product! Enfuriating.

Gary

You'd think Genesis would do everything it could to dominate the market.

Keep in mind that Panasonic didn't achieve great zoom quality either so the solution (if there is one) may not be particularly easy.

Paul

You'd think Genesis would do everything it could to dominate the market.

Keep in mind that Panasonic didn't achieve great zoom quality either so the solution (if there is one) may not be particularly easy.

Paul

As a company, you also don't want people to muck around with your chipset. Software can break hardware, and by controlling the source code, you ensure that all hardware is working to spec.

As a company, you also don't want people to muck around with your chipset. Software can break hardware, and by controlling the source code, you ensure that all hardware is working to spec.That sounds logical, but surely they could provide the needed help with the hundreds of so-called "nodes" that the Oppo engineers are struggling with?

I deal with chip manufacturers all the time, and if they know their chips have the potential of landing in one of our products, they fall over backwards to help us with anything they can, so as to get the business. What's up with Genesis?

Gary

You'd think Genesis would do everything it could to dominate the market.

Keep in mind that Panasonic didn't achieve great zoom quality either so the solution (if there is one) may not be particularly easy. You're right. Still, Genesis shamelessly advertizes these zoom features (quite prominently) in the product brief. If they've made it so hard for engineers to implement those features, they should be ashamed of themselves!

Gary

Hi

I just wanted to share some information I got from Oppo service (as always: extremely fast reply :) )


I suggested a feature, that the Oppo-sibling BBK has due to its additional European SCART-output: you can toggle between YUV and RGB on the component&Scart outputs. If they could implement that in the firmware, we Europeans could easily adapt the component out to a scart input on the everyday TV, when not watching "big screen". BTW: BBK is far better in terms of colour balance on the component output, so is that some kind of adjustment to be done in the firmware?

Their answer to the suggestion:

- We will look into this as a possible feature implimentation.

Then I asked them about a problem with toggeling resolutions with the DVI-button. To be able to toggle, you have to fully stop the DVD. When in AUTO-mode, even with a PAL DVD present, the Oppo dafaults back to NTSC and you cannot manually select 576p, since then, the Oppo only offers 480, 540, 720 and 1080 resolutions. Only, when you deliberately set the Oppo to PAL, you can select 576p with the DVI-button on the remote. Their answer:

- Because this unit was designed for a US, its signal defaults to NTSC. Because of this, AUTO is always defaulted to the NTSC DVI modes. When a PAL disc is present, it should automatically switch to 576p (if 480p is the current mode), or the PAL variants of 720p/1080i.

In other words: PAL users - if you want to access 576p, choose 480p in stop-mode, when the Oppo is set to AUTO.

Then I asked them about my results of the Peter Finzel PAL test disc: on top and bottom, I do have overscan, but on the left and right a quite big underscan. On top and bottom I am missing between 6-10 pixels, on the sides there is quite some additional space between the test pattern's "Zero" and the "end" of the display. Their answer

- There is a slight underscanning on the OPDV971H. We will be fixing this in the next firmware release.

I also adressed the bad results of the bw and colour bursts from 6MHz / 3 MHz up. Their answer:

- This is due to the underscanning. Some pixels are being improperly mapped because of this. It will be fixed in the future.

Just to clarify WIDE/SQZ picture quality for widescreen media (there were different opinions in this forum about that in the posts about that topic), I asked them about it:

- Wide/SQZ has no effect on PQ for widescreen media. Only 4:3 content will be effected.

Joerg

Joerg,

Thank you for the report!

Paul

Dave,

To see the loss of resolution one can use the DVE pattern 15.7 (the 4:3 MPEG test). Compare the high freq pattern in the upper right in 4:3 and then 16:9. The Motmitsu handles this aspect of the pattern pretty good, the Oppo and Panasonic S97 lose some detail.

Paul
I checked this out when my DVE came this morning (I assumed you meant 16:9 sent in wide mode with aspect ratio set by display device. Also, on my DVE PAL disc it seemed like the MPEG test was pattern 15.6 rather than 7). I really couldn't spot any difference in any panels--I will look harder at some point.

However, I'd did notice that if I set the oppo to wide then used the ae700 to set the aspect ratio to 4:3 at 576p I lost about 5-10% of the picture on the left hand side (e.g., the first number in the left hand column was missing!). That settles it for me. I'm sticking to wd/sq mode.

Edit: ought to add that as this was the PAL DVE the loss of frame is probably a consequence of the PAL sync bug often noted. It doesn't appear at 720p, only at 576p.

Discovered something completely by accident tonight. It seems that OPPO included OGG/OGM audio/video support in the new firmware, but did not include it in their release notes.

I played a couple of OGG audio files, as well as some OGM video files I had lying around. I am going to do some more testing with OGM tonight to see how many audio streams and subtitles I can get to work on the OPPO.

EDIT:

I did a little more OGM testing. I could switch between the Audio streams (I only have files that contain 2) but I couldn't get any of the subtitles to work.

Discovered something completely by accident tonight. It seems that OPPO included OGG/OGM audio/video support in the new firmware, but did not include it in their release notes.

Fantastic! Now I can burn a disc of all my Unreal Tournament 2004 music tracks and listen to them on the OPPO... ;)

-Toonces

Maintaining two separate Oppo threads is starting to become redundant. Is it about time to close one and continue conversation only in the other?

Each one has their own nuances. I put both OGG/OGM in the two threads to catch anyone who may have missed one or the other.

I'll refrain from double posting in the future.

Maintaining two separate Oppo threads is starting to become redundant. Is it about time to close one and continue conversation only in the other?

I suggest a thumb war to determine the winning thread.

Maintaining two separate Oppo threads is starting to become redundant. Is it about time to close one and continue conversation only in the other?
Yup, someone get on to it.

Dave

Maintaining two separate Oppo threads is starting to become redundant. Is it about time to close one and continue conversation only in the other?

i was thinking the same thing

Yup, someone get on to it.Paul Bigelow and I tried to merge or close the other thread long ago. The moderators wouldn't do it.

One of the attractions of that thread was the defect list. We migrated it to this thread, hoping others would follow. No go. For some reason, many people seem to prefer posting in that thread.

Gary

Paul Bigelow and I tried to merge or close the other thread long ago. The moderators wouldn't do it.

One of the attractions of that thread was the defect list. We migrated it to this thread, hoping others would follow. No go. For some reason, many people seem to prefer posting in that thread.

So why not close this one?

Paul Bigelow and I tried to merge or close the other thread long ago. The moderators wouldn't do it.

One of the attractions of that thread was the defect list. We migrated it to this thread, hoping others would follow. No go. For some reason, many people seem to prefer posting in that thread.

Gary

People are naturally attracted to larger threads. In their eyes: the larger the thread, the more eyes, the more likely they are to receive a response.

I personaly like two threads for the simple reason that each thread has their own nuance and user base. A question here may be intirely different in the other thread. Cross pollination really didn't begin again until last week (and am I am responsible for some of it).

Back on the topic of the OPDV971H, has anyone else tried OGG or OGM on their unit? I was messing around with some OGG files again this afternoon and I found some of them skipped, or would play back at 2x speed. I am right now blaming the media (using a very old CD-RW disc), but was wondering if anyone else has OGG/OGM playback problems or successes.

Part of the attactiveness (I hope) of this thread is the first post which can be a centralized repository: fix locations, fix/wish list, general introduction. The originator of the the other thread doesn't seem to participate anymore making that thread's first post unusable.

Neuromaner,

Interesting find on OGG / OGM. I have no files in that format. I should give it a try, though.

Paul

Given that you keep the first post of this thread updated as a summary for firmware updates and bugs, this thread should stay active for sure...

Hey Y'all. I am now noticing a Tiny bit of Y-delay after upgrading the new firmware. Anybody else notice this? I can see it on the menus. Go to say, saturation and increase the number and it is most obvious. I am outputting DVI at 720P. Kinda how when sharpness was turned on in the older firmware you could see it. Just me?

:) d

Hey Y'all. I am now noticing a Tiny bit of Y-delay after upgrading the new firmware. Anybody else notice this? I can see it on the menus. Go to say, saturation and increase the number and it is most obvious. I am outputting DVI at 720P. Kinda how when sharpness was turned on in the older firmware you could see it. Just me?I see it too, but I'm not sure that is Y/C Delay. If you turn the sharpness any higher than "OFF", that stuff becomes instantly visible, but the Avia Y/C Delay test shows no change. It seems rather to be bleeding on the vertical edges of saturated colors only. That one has been on the defect list for a long time.

Gary

It seems rather to be bleeding on the vertical edges of saturated colors only. That one has been on the defect list for a long time.

Gary

I haven't noticed that but does turning CCS on help the situation?

I haven't noticed that but does turning CCS on help the situation?

Based on my testing on the Panasonic TH-42PX50U, bleeding occurs on the saturated colors, no matter what settings are used on the OPPO.

However, the same bleeding is very minute on my Optoma H78, and I noticed no problems on my friends Sharp Aquos 27" LCD. CCS On/Off did not make a difference on either model.

I haven't noticed that but does turning CCS on help the situation?No.

Based on my testing on the Panasonic TH-42PX50U, bleeding occurs on the saturated colors, no matter what settings are used on the OPPO.

However, the same bleeding is very minute on my Optoma H78 and my friends Sharp Aquos 27" LCD with CCS On/Off.Interesting.

On my Samsung DLP, I can also see it with any player setting, but turning sharpness on makes it WAY worse.

Interesting thing, though... in one of the beta firmware releases, many months ago, the bad bleeding went away for both the "OFF" and the "LOW" sharpness setting, but the very next release, caused it to return on the "LOW" setting. I reported it at the time.

Gary

However, the same bleeding is very minute on my Optoma H78, and I noticed no problems on my friends Sharp Aquos 27" LCD. CCS On/Off did not make a difference on either model.

I only view the Oppo on a couple of 720p native LCD and DLP front projectors, so that may be the reason I haven't seen it, even back when there was the sharpness edge enhancement issue. I don't use the Oppo sharpness control so I'll see how it looks with the sharpness above "Low".

Well I went back in and reflashed the new firmware and it looked MUCH better. Then I did the region free code and it got all crapola again! Specifically using the batman begins menu, the color yellow was noticeably off! So I reflashed AGAIN and it's ok! WTF?!?!

Weird!

I have both the Oppo and Zenith players- there is one horrible thing about the Oppo- if you are watching a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD (e.g. Criterion version of Armageddon, Croupier, 10 Things I Hate About You....) the way the Oppo stretches the picture is absolutely terrible- I'd describe it as unwatchable, whereas the Zenith does a beautiful job of dealing with non-anamorphic dvd's.

I'm referring to the Zenith 318 player- maybe I'm missing something- can someone advise me on the best way to stretch non-anamorphic dvds using the Oppo? I'm using it with a Samsung 50" 5063.

I have both the Oppo and Zenith players- there is one horrible thing about the Oppo- if you are watching a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD (e.g. Criterion version of Armageddon, Croupier, 10 Things I Hate About You....) the way the Oppo stretches the picture is absolutely terrible- I'd describe it as unwatchable, whereas the Zenith does a beautiful job of dealing with non-anamorphic dvd's.

What do you have as a setting for TV...wide? Wide/sqz? Etc?
I was watching the non-anamorphic Guys & Dolls disc, and there was nothing wrong with the picture at all.

SV

I have both the Oppo and Zenith players- there is one horrible thing about the Oppo- if you are watching a non-anamorphic widescreen DVD (e.g. Criterion version of Armageddon, Croupier, 10 Things I Hate About You....) the way the Oppo stretches the picture is absolutely terrible- I'd describe it as unwatchable, whereas the Zenith does a beautiful job of dealing with non-anamorphic dvd's.

This is one of the 2 or 3 major gripes with the otherwise wonderful oppo. What most do is set the oppo to wide mode at 480p or 576p and let the display device handle the aspect ratio (of course, if your display doesn't lock at 720p then I suppose you could use that). Look for 'zoom' issues on the oppo threads and you'll find a host of different solutions. (I still think the best one, on my pj, is to tolerate a smaller picture).

Dave

Sorry if I am a bit OT here, but someone mentioned in one of the Oppo threads, that DVD-authoring-Specs are "8bit".
That surprised me and raises questions:

Does that mean, that DVDs have the same "depth" as if I set my computer screen to 256 colours (8bit)?

Or is 8bit only the resolution in terms of the brightness (256 steps between black and white or between a dark red and light red)? Also not a very appealing thought...

So, mind giving me an overview with the following (always related to DVD-specs, not to the specs of the DVD-player).

- How many bits/steps are in the specs between black and white // between dark colour and light colour?

- How many different colours can those specs produce (like I can choose 8, 16, 32 bit on my computer display)?

- are there algorithms in DVD-players, that raise those values like they do with oversampling on a CD - the algorithm calculates "in between" steps for brightness and colours and that way enhances "bit-depth"?

- if so, what are common bit-depth-enhancement values?

- Upcoming formats like HD-DVD or Blu-ray: will they have better bit-depths? Which values?

Thanks for answering this OT...

Joerg

What do you have as a setting for TV...wide? Wide/sqz? Etc?
I was watching the non-anamorphic Guys & Dolls disc, and there was nothing wrong with the picture at all.

SV

I have the TV set to Wide for exact 1:1 pixel mapping (read this somewhere on the 5063 threads)

This is one of the 2 or 3 major gripes with the otherwise wonderful oppo. What most do is set the oppo to wide mode at 480p or 576p and let the display device handle the aspect ratio (of course, if your display doesn't lock at 720p then I suppose you could use that). Look for 'zoom' issues on the oppo threads and you'll find a host of different solutions. (I still think the best one, on my pj, is to tolerate a smaller picture).

Dave

Still can't get an acceptable picture following above instructions...I'll keep my Zenith connected via component cables and use the zoom function for non-anamorphic discs.....I have over 1100 dvd's and about 60 of those are non-anamorphic but slowly most of the film studios seem to be replacing their non-anamorphic titles with anamorphic ones....most recently "Office Space" and "The Truman Show"......its a shame the Oppo does'nt handle this issue better since so many great dvd's are still only available in non-anamorphic form.....ConAir, Enemy Of The State, Good Will Hunting, For A Few Dollars More- the list goes on!.....

I'm referring to the Zenith 318 player- maybe I'm missing something- can someone advise me on the best way to stretch non-anamorphic dvds using the Oppo? I'm using it with a Samsung 50" 5063.

I have my OPPO hooked up to my 50" Sony LCD-RP and keep the OPPO set to the "Wide" mode and 720P for anamorphic discs. For non-anamorphic titles I set the OPPO to 480P and fill the screen using the Sony's zoom. The resulting picture is excellent.

My last player using the DVI input was a Momitsu V880 and when it was set to 480P the Sony filled the screen and could not be zoomed. The Momitsu, however, had an outstanding pillarbox feature...loss-less for my eyes...so I always kept it at 720P.

The loss of resolution with the OPPO using the "Wide/Sqz" mode is so severe that I only use it for watching supplements that switch between widesceen and 4:3 aspect ratios.

-Toonces

I have my OPPO hooked up to my 50" Sony LCD-RP and keep the OPPO set to the "Wide" mode and 720P for anamorphic discs. For non-anamorphic titles I set the OPPO to 480P and fill the screen using the Sony's zoom. The resulting picture is excellent.

The loss of resolution with the OPPO using the "Wide/Sqz" mode is so severe that I only use it for watching supplements that switch between widesceen and 4:3 aspect ratios.

-Toonces


The more responses that I read about this problem the more I think it's also to do with display devices and their ability to zoom/upsclae as much as an oppo 'loss of resolution' problem. Some just look better than others: this might be the case with you Toonces?

No matter what tests I do using test patterns or DVD comparisons I can see no significant difference in resolution/picture detail/pq between the oppo at 720p in wide squeeze mode showing a 4:3 image or in 480p/576p in wide mode adjusted to 4:3 by the ae700--they both look terrific. This includes the MPEG test on DVE suggested above. Maybe I'm at the limits of visible resolution on the pj in both instances? (Caveat: as I posted yesterday, if I put the oppo into 576p I do get PAL synch problems and lose a portion of the left hand side of the frame.)

Those of you with high end plasmas/LCD displays might see things differently. Even the ae700 is pretty primitive and in projecting the kind of image size it does it's amaizing that it gets the results it does when paired with the oppo.

With respect to letterboxing: the AE700 projects a non-anamorphic letter box image at 50" without any zooming on oppo or display device. I often keep it that way--it's big enough or use the lens to up it a little. It looks great. It's when you use either the oppo's zoom or the pj's zoom to go bigger, e.g., 72" + that it gets worse to unwatchable.

If I'm starting to bore you all on this zoom issue pm me and I'll shut up about it.

Dave

If I'm starting to bore you all on this zoom issue pm me and I'll shut up about it.

Dave,

Not at all! My only serious complaint with the OPPO is the lossy nature of the "Wide/Sqz" mode for me with 4:3 material. I also know that my issues with it are a direct result of my wonderful experience with the Momitsu V880's ability to handle pillarboxing without any apparent loss in resolution.

The OPPO, IMHO, is the superior machine in EVERY respect except that one feature.

-Toonces

Zoom discussion is fine with me!

We're trying to get zoom improved it's just that the difficulties described earlier with Faroudja make it difficult. In practice, on my LCD display I don't notice the loss of resolution with 4:3 material in the Wide/Sqz but it's there. In comparing with the Momitsu V880 with the same display and same DVE, there is loss with the high freq pattern in DVE 15.7 (the MPEG test). With the V880, the high freq test still shows *very* thin lines. With the S97 and 971H while lines are visible, it isn't the thin lines as seen with the Momitsu. It's as if the pattern lost half the number of lines. Pictures say a thousand words and maybe I'll give it go.

Paul

Unfortunetely my Samsung 5063 DLP does not have a Zoom mode as detailed in another members reply re: his Sony LCD......when I refer to not being able to zoom non-anamorphic movies to get an acceptable picture, I mean vertical stretch only e.g. the whole of a 16:9 screen will be filled with an 1:85 image

I have the TV set to Wide for exact 1:1 pixel mapping (read this somewhere on the 5063 threads)

It's always a problem when other people experienced with the player jump to talking about subtle issues, but I think your problem is really straightforward. Set the player to Wide/SQZ instead of Wide and then zoom in. The player has a slight loss of resolution in this mode, but it's a hell of a lot better then having everything stretched.

Unfortunetely my Samsung 5063 DLP does not have a Zoom mode as detailed in another members reply re: his Sony LCD......when I refer to not being able to zoom non-anamorphic movies to get an acceptable picture, I mean vertical stretch only e.g. the whole of a 16:9 screen will be filled with an 1:85 image

With repect to non-anamorphic letter box...well, the oppo just isn't up to it and if your DLP won't zoom then you either have to put up with a crummy image using the oppo's zoom or a smaller picture. I'd always go with the latter. On the ae700 you can go so far with the lens zoom, but it's not great as you just start to see the pixel structure.

Dave

Unfortunetely my Samsung 5063 DLP does not have a Zoom mode as detailed in another members reply re: his Sony LCD......when I refer to not being able to zoom non-anamorphic movies to get an acceptable picture, I mean vertical stretch only e.g. the whole of a 16:9 screen will be filled with an 1:85 imagehsinnott... gregvaughan hit the nail on the head. I also have a Samsung DLP, and the only way to fill the screen with a non-anamorphic widescreen movie, with no stretching, is to do what he said, however, the resulting picture is very pixelated.

Gary

Hi. Just upgraded my firmware to 0628.. As advertized, it solved my problem with shimmering/flickering in 1080i. But now, I have a new problem that I haven't seen posted here:

Randomly, every couple or few seconds, the display will jump or twitch briefly. This happens not only during playback, but any time the player is powered on. Blue Oppo welcome screen, setup screens, and during playback/paused images -- they all have this random "jump" or twitch in the image, mostly on the top 1/3 or 1/4 of the screen. If there is a playback symbol being displayed at the time (i.e. the [||] pause symbol), the symbol will twitch along with it.




Has there been any resolution to this problem? I also have it with my player which I just purchased from Amazon.com.

I had it with the original firmware in the player (don't know the number since it
didn't show up in the on screen display).

I thought the problem had gone away when I updated the firmware to 1022, but see it's still there.

FWIW, it seems to occur when I put the player into stop or pause. I also seem to
be able to get rid of the jumping by cycling through the DVI output selections.

My display is an Infocus 7200 projector. I'm outputting the Oppo at 720p resolution.
I have the "TrueLife" option set to "on".

DTGallagher,

Have you tried a different DVI cable?

hsinnott... gregvaughan hit the nail on the head. I also have a Samsung DLP, and the only way to fill the screen with a non-anamorphic widescreen movie, without stretching, is to do what he said. The picture is pretty good, just not spectacular.

Gary

I tried it- Wide/Sqz mode, non-anamorphic image appears on screen with 4 black borders all around image, then zoom in to fill screen with image- to me the image is just horrible- nowhere near approaching good- I'd say as bad as VHS....seems like there is no work around for this with the Oppo (I'm using the DVI connection)- I'll keep my Zenith DVB318 connected to same tv using component (upscaling to 1080i)- it does a wonderful job with non-anamorphic discs. I can zoom in on 1:85 or 1:78 so image almost completely fills screen, and on wider aspect ratios such as 2.35:1 non-anamorphic titles I zoom it so it still leaves the black bars which are present on 2.35:1 anamorphic discs- I have small marks on the side of the tv screen bezel indicating where the black bars should be for the different aspect ratios.....therefore no images are "stretched"- all are displayed in the correct aspect ration.
The Zenith can zoom in smoothly so I can stretch the image to the exact point I want it- the Oppo zoom jumps when u try to stretch image.
Anyway, thx to all who replied to my initial question- anyone reading this I can recommend grabbing a DVB318 for those non-anamophic discs in your collection- the Oppo still rules for DVI hookup on anamophic titles on the Samsung DLP's....but for non-anamophic discs via DVI- its terrible.

I tried it- Wide/Sqz mode, non-anamorphic image appears on screen with 4 black borders all around image, then zoom in to fill screen with image- to me the image is just horrible- nowhere near approaching good- I'd say as bad as VHS....seems like there is no work around for this with the Oppo (I'm using the DVI connection)- I'll keep my Zenith DVB318 connected to same tv using component (upscaling to 1080i)- it does a wonderful job with non-anamorphic discs. I can zoom in on 1:85 or 1:78 so image almost completely fills screen, and on wider aspect ratios such as 2.35:1 non-anamorphic titles I zoom it so it still leaves the black bars which are present on 2.35:1 anamorphic discs- I have small marks on the side of the tv screen bezel indicating where the black bars should be for the different aspect ratios.....therefore no images are "stretched"- all are displayed in the correct aspect ration.
The Zenith can zoom in smoothly so I can stretch the image to the exact point I want it- the Oppo zoom jumps when u try to stretch image.
Anyway, thx to all who replied to my initial question- anyone reading this I can recommend grabbing a DVB318 for those non-anamophic discs in your collection- the Oppo still rules for DVI hookup on anamophic titles on the Samsung DLP's....but for non-anamophic discs via DVI- its terrible.
(just an fyi- I'm using Oppo in 720 mode, brightness -3,contrast-1,CCS etc all off)

I just received my new Oppo DV971H yesterday but I'm having a problem and wanted to see if anyone can help me. I have the Oppo connected via DVI to my Mitsubishi WS-55313 RPTV. After going through the menu's and setup, changing the resolution to 1080i, I noticed the screen is shaking, a slight flicker problem that is really noticable on the OPPO main screen. I'd say that the shaking of the OPPO logo moves about...maybe 3 lines of vertical resolution.

Could this be power or cable related? I have not noticed this problem before until yesterday...

Set Oppo to the native resolution of your Mitsubishi- so if your Mits has a native res of 720, set the Oppo to 720 too......

I have the Philips 642 and most of my anime's embedded subtitles are cut off. Has anyone been able to this Oppo DVD player and not have thier anime's subtitles cut off? If so, what are your anime video's resolutions? Thanks!

RyomaE.

Currently, the maximum resolution is 720x480.

Can someone please tell me the max DivX video's resolution that this DVD player supports. I have the Philips 642 and my anime's embedded subtitles gets cut off; only supports 5xxX4xx or smaller resolutions or else it would be cut. Thank you in advance as I need the answer asap; about to pull the trigger...

People complain all the time how these divx players cut off the bottom of their subtitles. It's not usually the fault of the player, but the fault of your display for not showing the full image. Most tv's have around a 5% overscan, cropping 5% of the picture on all 4 sides.

People complain all the time how these divx players cut off the bottom of their subtitles. It's not usually the fault of the player, but the fault of your display for not showing the full image. Most tv's have around a 5% overscan, cropping 5% of the picture on all 4 sides.

I will look into that. Where should I start? Is there a secret menu for that? I went through all the menus for my TV with no luck. I have a Samsung 26" Widescreen HDTV (Model: TX-P2670WH). Thanks!

I've test my anime and here are the test results.

-Kenshin Ep 1: 384 x 288 Not
-Avenger Ep 1: 640 x 352 Not
-Prince of Tennis Ep 3: 480 x 360 Part
-Hikaru no Go Ep 1: 480 x 360 Part
-Prince of Tennis Ep 1: 512 x 384 Part
-Hikaru no Go Ep 2: 512 x 384 Part
-Battle Programmer Shirase Ep 1: 640 x 480 Cut
-Fullmetal Alchemist Ep 1: 640 x 480 Cut
-Hajime no Ippo Ep 3: 640 x 480 Cut
-Golden Boy Ep 1: 720 x 480 Not

Not = Not cut.
Part = Partly cut.
Cut = Cut.

Is anyone able to conclude from these test results? Please let me know. Thanks!

I tried it- Wide/Sqz mode, non-anamorphic image appears on screen with 4 black borders all around image, then zoom in to fill screen with image- to me the image is just horrible- nowhere near approaching good- I'd say as bad as VHS....seems like there is no work around for this with the Oppo (I'm using the DVI connection)-


Did you try setting the Oppo to 420p and using the TV zoom. On my Samsung I leave it in wide change to 420p and use Zoom 1 on the TV. The Oppo zoom is not good.

If the anime you are watching is fansubbed, there is a high chance that your subs will be cut off because a lot of fansubbers ignore the 5% overscan of most displays, and put subs right at the bottom of the image, which will always get cut off on the typical RPTV. However, if you get ZERO overscan using test patterns from AVIA, DVE, etc. then yeah, I would agree it is a problem with the Oppo's scaling/output.

I will look into that. Where should I start? Is there a secret menu for that? I went through all the menus for my TV with no luck. I have a Samsung 26" Widescreen HDTV (Model: TX-P2670WH). Thanks!

I've test my anime and here are the test results.

-Kenshin Ep 1: 384 x 288 Not
-Avenger Ep 1: 640 x 352 Not
-Prince of Tennis Ep 3: 480 x 360 Part
-Hikaru no Go Ep 1: 480 x 360 Part
-Prince of Tennis Ep 1: 512 x 384 Part
-Hikaru no Go Ep 2: 512 x 384 Part
-Battle Programmer Shirase Ep 1: 640 x 480 Cut
-Fullmetal Alchemist Ep 1: 640 x 480 Cut
-Hajime no Ippo Ep 3: 640 x 480 Cut
-Golden Boy Ep 1: 720 x 480 Not

Not = Not cut.
Part = Partly cut.
Cut = Cut.

Is anyone able to conclude from these test results? Please let me know. Thanks!

Most displays have a service menu where overscan can be adjusted. You may be able to find the code to get to the service menu, however, I would recommend getting a service technician to do it as messing with it yourself can do more harm to your display.

It seems whether or not your subs are cut depends on how the subber placed the subtitles on the actual picture, most subbers, as mentioned by max, place subs at the very bottom of the image, which is why they usually get cut off. It may also depend on the aspect ratio of the file also. It would probably be cut if the file is a full 4:3 aspect ratio, 16:9 aspect shouldn't be cut I'm assuming, but those are some other possible factors.

I totally agree. Thank you max and Ja.

For whatever this is worth....check out this new review that just went up on the 7th:

http://www.guidetohometheater.com/dvdplayers/1105oppo/

For whatever this is worth....check out this new review that just went up on the 7th:

http://www.guidetohometheater.com/dvdplayers/1105oppo/Thanks LiteUp!

Another glowing report (no surprise), except for the remote (no surprise). But they lost my vote of confidence when they commented inaccurately on a few things, like gamma and hue. They especially lost credibility when they made dumb statements about the sound quality of the digital audio output. Here's what they said:

Sonically, the Oppo's digital output is on par with my older Toshiba SD-9200 and SD-3109 players. It doesn't begin to compare with the far pricier Lexicon RT-20 or Meridian 598. On CDs it's dimensionally flat, musically uninvolving, and harmonically threadbare. Audiophiles will not find the OPDV971H's digital outputs adequate for critical music listening. We've had this out before, but it makes my blood curdle to hear this kind of stuff. I could understand such comparisons and subjective comments when using the analog audio outputs. But when using the digital audio output of any player, the digital bits that come off a CD/DVD are UNALTERED by the player - they are simply passed to the receiver/DAC.

There is no way that the Oppo's digital audio output could sound so different, unless the "far pricier Lexicon RT-20" altered the digital stream in some way to make it sound "better". But if that were true, the digital stream would no longer be a faithful reproduction of the original source.

Sure, a more expensive player might have a more expensive clock chip with 0.005 percent less jitter, but IF that difference could actually be heard, it would only be possible in a very high-end listening environment, and even then, the difference would not come anywhere close to the author's disproportionate comparison; "It doesn't begin to compare... it's dimensionally flat, musically uninvolving, and harmonically threadbare". Obviously it's the money talking here, making "special" music to his ears!

Gary

GSB,

I was about to comment on the same exact thing, but you beat me to the touch, and were far more elequent. My comment sounded more like "They are teh suck."

Hey y'all! So has anyone else done the region free code after installing the new firmware? I've done it twice now and every time I do, it throws the yellow color WAY off. Easily noticeable in the Batman Begins DVD menu. If I reflash the firmware, it's fine. I have plenty of PAL discs and other region NTSC as well and REALLY don't wanna have to reflash the player every time I put in another region dvd.

:) d

For whatever this is worth....check out this new review that just went up on the 7th:

http://www.guidetohometheater.com/dvdplayers/1105oppo/

That is what I would rate the OPPO too as I tend to agree with the review. And yes for unknown reasons to me anyway that I found differences too that DVD players digital output are so different from one to the next that make me think about these players have different shapes and sizes or may be different fonts for the ones and zeroes!

Hey y'all! So has anyone else done the region free code after installing the new firmware? I've done it twice now and every time I do, it throws the yellow color WAY off. Easily noticeable in the Batman Begins DVD menu. If I reflash the firmware, it's fine. I have plenty of PAL discs and other region NTSC as well and REALLY don't wanna have to reflash the player every time I put in another region dvd.

:) d

I've never heard of this problem before. Good luck finding a solution.

We've had this out before, but it makes my blood curdle to hear this
kind of stuff. I could understand such comparisons and subjective
comments when using the analog audio outputs. But when using the digital
audio output of any player, the digital bits that come off a CD/DVD are
UNALTERED by the player - they are simply passed to the receiver/DAC.

There is no way that the Oppo's digital audio output could sound so
different, unless the "far pricier Lexicon RT-20" altered the digital
stream in some way to make it sound "better". But if that were true, the
digital stream would no longer be a faithful reproduction of the
original source.


Gary,

despite the bits-is-bits mantra, many of us often hear differences between digital transport devices when, in theory, there ought not to be any discernable difference. The place of science isn't to tell folks they aren't hearing what they can consistenly hear in their system, but rather to seek to explain it.

While the OPPO digital out hasn't changed my world, I could easily hear the difference between my two laserdisc transports (both of which left PCM data unmodified as HDCD discs still were decoded properly by the outboard DAC).

My personal theory...the effects of jitter are more bizarre and perhaps more complicated that simple pico-second measurements might imply.

BTW, before we start down the path of "you're hearing what you want to hear" let me assure you this is not the case. My first encounter with "jitter" was when I was shocked that my digitally dubbed bit-for-bit copy DAT tape souded worse than the original. Switching to an XLR balanced digital cable (verses the coax digital) fixed the issue so that I could hear no difference in the DAT copy.

-dave

I was playing some XVID files, and they were all identical except one had been created with an AC-3 soundtrack.

They all played just fine except for the AC-3 one. In that case, the video was frozen (it actually had a blank version of the Oppo's file menu) and the sound played perfectly.

When I merely tried to skip from one file to another, it kept whichever frame I was watching in the first file, and froze, while the sound of the AC-3 file played fine.

Has anyone witnessed this happening?

Thanks!

SV

Gary,

despite the bits-is-bits mantra, many of us often hear differences between digital transport devices when, in theory, there ought not to be any discernable difference. The place of science isn't to tell folks they aren't hearing what they can consistenly hear in their system, but rather to seek to explain it.

While the OPPO digital out hasn't changed my world, I could easily hear the difference between my two laserdisc transports (both of which left PCM data unmodified as HDCD discs still were decoded properly by the outboard DAC).

My personal theory...the effects of jitter are more bizarre and perhaps more complicated that simple pico-second measurements might imply.

BTW, before we start down the path of "you're hearing what you want to hear" let me assure you this is not the case. My first encounter with "jitter" was when I was shocked that my digitally dubbed bit-for-bit copy DAT tape souded worse than the original. Switching to an XLR balanced digital cable (verses the coax digital) fixed the issue so that I could hear no difference in the DAT copy.

-daveHi Dave,

No hard feelings, I hope! I understand your perspective, but we'll just have to disagree until someone can convince me otherwise... by pointing out a tangible audible difference... without ANYTHING else changing or moving in the listening room. I know how even small alterations in the auditorium, can easily be heard (and measured) due to changes in the radiated, reflected, or absorbed sound waves.

Listening environment aside, I've found that whenever I can hear a difference in the sound, I can always see a difference in the signal on a good oscilloscope. Something changed between the two signals (like dropped and interpolated bits, digital normalization, Digital Noise Reduction, or Dynamic Range Compression). But something as minutely small as clock jitter has never made the kind of difference that the author of that article claimed would sound "dimensionally flat, musically uninvolving, and harmonically threadbare".

However, I'm not complaining too much. We engineers make LOTS of money designing and selling "high-end" equipment to the connoisseurs!

Gary

While the OPPO digital out hasn't changed my world, I could easily hear the difference between my two laserdisc transports (both of which left PCM data unmodified as HDCD discs still were decoded properly by the outboard DAC).

My personal theory...the effects of jitter are more bizarre and perhaps more complicated that simple pico-second measurements might imply.

Not to drag this out, but while jitter could conceivably affect the PCM output on a laserdisc, it has no affect on the Dolby Digital or DTS streams coming from a DVD.

LPCM can be more significantly affected by jitter, but even compressed bitsreams like DTS and DD can be affected by jitter to some degree due to the DAC time clock still being slaved to the time code in the original bitstream. The decompression buffer helps, but the clocks are still ultimiately synchronized to keep the D/A conversion process from getting ahead, or getting behind, the incoming compressed bitstream data.

The only "jitter free" buffer of any kind that I am aware of was the Gensis Digital Lens which buffered the data and reclocked the outgoing data with a completely asynchronous clock to disengage the new time clock signal from the original one entirely. They included a memory buffer able to hold several seconds of audio which they expected to be enough to pick up the slack during a 74 minute CD given expected variations in transport time-clocks in comparison to their own master clock. However, for a 2-hour movie they expected that this buffer might run dry/overflow causing the audio to skip...and they even had a "film mode" for users to actually sync the two clocks using a Phase Locking Loop so that the output would be kept in sync with the input so the audio wouldn't get out of sync when watching movies (though this resulted in a slight compromise in sound quality given the slight reduction in the jitter filter's affectiveness in PLL mode).

I was playing some XVID files, and they were all identical except one had been created with an AC-3 soundtrack.

They all played just fine except for the AC-3 one. In that case, the video was frozen (it actually had a blank version of the Oppo's file menu) and the sound played perfectly.

When I merely tried to skip from one file to another, it kept whichever frame I was watching in the first file, and froze, while the sound of the AC-3 file played fine.

Has anyone witnessed this happening?

Thanks!

SV


Were both videos created from the same file, or were they created from the same source? If the later, then it is a possibility that the AC3 encode is using a slightly different video codec. If the first, then I would recommend making a new CD and see if it just wasn't a burn issue. If you want to go even further, demux the audio and video for both encodes, and mux the AC3 audio to the known working video encode, and try running that on the OPPO.

If all else fails, send OPPO a copy of the CD and see if they have issues with its playback.

My DV971H audio output (RCA stereo) is connected to my Vizio P50HDM TV stereo input and I noticed a kind of slight clicking noise every minute or so when a DVD with Dolby 5.1 or a Stereo soundtrack is playing.
It sounds as if the audio stream is fragmented and one minute fragments overlap a bit every minute. The clicking is audible only when there is a sound in the scene, it's always a distortion in the audio and is never a stand alone noise.

My TV doesn't have any problem playing other stereo sources, also the Oppo digital audio output through my Onkyo receiver sounds perfectly good.

Has anyone else experienced this problem? Could it be due to my audio delay (20ms) settings?

I was just wondering if anyone else notice a video delay and the sound not syncing when this player is set to Wide/squez..... I tryed using the audio delay but it didn't help... I even went to 50 milliseconds. I don't have the very latest firmware update.... would it help?

I was just wondering if anyone else notice a video delay and the sound not syncing when this player is set to Wide/squez..... I tryed using the audio delay but it didn't help... I even went to 50 milliseconds. I don't have the very latest firmware update.... would it help?

Is this audio-sync problem constant, or intermittent? If it is constant, make sure that when you change the Delay settings, you stop and then resume DVD playback. Additionally, make sure that you don't access the Setup menu system of your television and DVD player, do excessive pausing, fast forwarding, and so forth.

If it is intermittent, stop and then resume DVD playback to resync video and audio.

The audio-sync is deff. constant; I even tryed turning off the dvd player then turning it back on. The only way I got it to sync is by setting it back to Wide. Which I guess is ok cause I can just set my projector to do 4:3 squez.

The audio-sync is deff. constant; I even tryed turning off the dvd player then turning it back on. The only way I got it to sync is by setting it back to Wide. Which I guess is ok cause I can just set my projector to do 4:3 squez.That sounds a little strange. Is this true of 16:9 movies in Wide/SQZ mode, or only 4:3 movies?

Gary

Which movies? Accessing the "settngs" page can cause some delay.

Paul

Hi

When recording free-to-air satellite programming and burning it to DVD, due to the compression, most of the time, 2 movies can make it to one DVD.
Of course, these movies are "stored" into two different vob-sets. With my Panasonic DVD-player, it was easy to navigate there, since it has a kind of "DVD-browser", where you can easily identify thos vob-sets and choose the movie you want to see (therefor, I never create a menue on those DVDs).

I did not discover anything like that on the Oppo, though. Is there any way to jump to Movie #2 with the click of a button or can I just access the content by hitting chapter-skip 40 times (movie#1 has 40 chapters...)?

dvdr,

I don't believe there is any kind of browsing available on the OPPO unless it is mastered as a DATA (ISO) rather than VIDEO DVD. Don't quote me on this, though. I will try to do this tonight on a couple of DVD+RWs if I find the time.

dvdr,
Well, not exactly a one click solution but you can always use the "goto" button to jump to specific title/chapters.

Or just hit the "+10" button 4 times to get 40 on the OSD, and then hit the "4" button to take you to chapter 44.

No "browser mode" for DVD Video. Would be nice though! The Sony DVP-NS975V can generate a graphical chapter menu by scanning through the disc and displaying a mini-picture of the first frame of each chapter. Pretty nice.

Paul

Hi
thanks for your answers - a graphical browser-menu seems to be a nice feature. I did not know, that such a thing actually existed. But I think, that would be asking too much from Oppo's engineers - they have a hard time already fulfilling all our wishes ;)

@Ja Phule: Did I understand it right, that with the GOTO button I can directly go to Movie #2 if this movie has its own vobset (is this Title #2, then?). That's a perfect solution, even better than the Pioneer-solution, since with the Pioneer, I have to go through several different menue-points to get to point, where I can select the movie I want to view.

Thanks
Joerg

Hi

New question for you guys: I watched two TV-Movies the other day, all in 4:3 format and most likely shot with electronic cameras. One of the DVDs was Stephen Kings "Storm of the Century", German title "Sturm des Jahrhunderts". The DVDs were PAL, my Oppo is set to PAL, 720p, Video2, latest firmware, going HDMI/DVI to a Sanyo Z4.

Even with small movements, I could see improper de-interlacing (the usual jagged lines at the edge of moving objects). How comes, what can I do against that?
I thought, an interlaced picture coming from a TV-camera does need the same de-interlacing algorithms like a movie, that also is stored in an interlaced format on the DVD....

Also, what I noticed (latest firmware!) is, that, when subtitles faded in and out in NORMAL DVD-Movies (such as LOTR), they also had some strange kind of "interlaced" look. I have seen that described on some website, that I cannot recall right now - but I remember, that they were saying something about not properly "inserted"/"adapted" subtitles, which is caused by the DVD-player.

Since I saw that with several PAL-DVDs - is that one of those "not proper 3:2 or 2:2 pulldown"-things, can that be corrected via firmware? Does Oppo already know this, or should I inform them about that?

Thanks
Joerg

Movies improperly mastered can cause problems. The Panasonic S97 has a forced "video" mode for movies that can remove the combing at the expense of other deinterlacing issues.

As for subtitles, sounds like a subtitle to frame sync issue. I notice it occasionally with the 971. The S97 seems perfect in this regard.

Paul

dvdr,

Make sure you are using "Video 2" mode in the General Setup.

Hi

New question for you guys: I watched two TV-Movies the other day, all in 4:3 format and most likely shot with electronic cameras. One of the DVDs was Stephen Kings "Storm of the Century", German title "Sturm des Jahrhunderts". The DVDs were PAL, my Oppo is set to PAL, 720p, Video2, latest firmware, going HDMI/DVI to a Sanyo Z4.

Even with small movements, I could see improper de-interlacing (the usual jagged lines at the edge of moving objects). How comes, what can I do against that?
I thought, an interlaced picture coming from a TV-camera does need the same de-interlacing algorithms like a movie, that also is stored in an interlaced format on the DVD....

Also, what I noticed (latest firmware!) is, that, when subtitles faded in and out in NORMAL DVD-Movies (such as LOTR), they also had some strange kind of "interlaced" look. I have seen that described on some website, that I cannot recall right now - but I remember, that they were saying something about not properly "inserted"/"adapted" subtitles, which is caused by the DVD-player.

Since I saw that with several PAL-DVDs - is that one of those "not proper 3:2 or 2:2 pulldown"-things, can that be corrected via firmware? Does Oppo already know this, or should I inform them about that?

Thanks
Joerg

It's partly a problem with TV to DVD stuff which often doesn't get the treatment on DVD authoring. But once those combing lines are recorded onto the DVD there's nothing you can do about with the oppo--it makes some DVDs unwatchable on pj/large screen systems. On a standard CRT the combing/jaggies are invisible and that's what DVD was created for.

I've noticed the subtitle thing too. I thought it was just that I was watching stuff on a big screen.... Maybe it is a problem that oppos should be/are already aware of.

Dave

Joerg,

Try fiddling with the settings a bit AFTER you insrted the DVD, I got the impression when testing for 2:2 pull down deinterlacing (clearly the case here) that it is "forgotten" just like the brightness, I had to set sharpness to low or css to on for example, then try again and then it worked again..

There needs to be some improvement in this regard, but I do not have a consistent result yet.. (not tested enough...)

Thanks guys!

My setup seems to be right, as I wrote in my post above:
The DVDs were PAL, my Oppo is set to PAL, 720p, Video2, latest firmware, going HDMI/DVI to a Sanyo Z4.

Interesting, that the Oppo might "forget" even those settings - I am going to test that and report back.
BTW., I am also in contact with BBK Europe (the Oppo is the "US-Version" of the BBK 971H). Since BBK does have a slightly modified firmware for their European models, that they most probably will update to the level/functions, Oppo-FW is right now, I will try to address these issues as well. Producing units for "PAL-land", BBK especially might be interested in resolving and addressing special PAL issues in the first place ... Maybe, the US-Team might profit from that discussion as well.

Joerg

A question for those using an Oppo 971H with the Sony SXRD: what happens if you switch the TV to the Oppo's input before turning on the player? I've got mine connected to Video 6 (HDMI with analog audio), and if I'm on that input when I turn on the Oppo, the screen stays blank. If I cycle through the inputs and come back to Video 6, then the image shows up OK. Also, if I turn the player off and on again, then I don't get the picture back until I cycle through the inputs.

I'm guessing that if the Oppo is off or turns off while I'm on Video 6, then the TV gives up on detecting signal and doesn't try to pick it up again unless I switch away to another input and come back. It's more of a minor annoyance than anything else, but I want to make sure this is happening to other people as well, and that it's not a problem with my set (or the player, I suppose). The set's great otherwise, except for some minor chromatic aberration on the left side of the screen, but I'll get it replaced if the input's not working properly.

Alternately, does anyone's Oppo do this with other TVs as well? I'm not sure whether to blame the player or the TV for this behavior.

Thanks guys!

My setup seems to be right, as I wrote in my post above:


Interesting, that the Oppo might "forget" even those settings - I am going to test that and report back.
BTW., I am also in contact with BBK Europe (the Oppo is the "US-Version" of the BBK 971H). Since BBK does have a slightly modified firmware for their European models, that they most probably will update to the level/functions, Oppo-FW is right now, I will try to address these issues as well. Producing units for "PAL-land", BBK especially might be interested in resolving and addressing special PAL issues in the first place ... Maybe, the US-Team might profit from that discussion as well.

Joerg
The oppo is definitely forgetting the settings--mine forgets both brightness and contrast when it is turned off, they return to default. I've emailed oppo about it and will report what they say on the other thread.

Dave

The oppo is definitely forgetting the settings--mine forgets both brightness and contrast when it is turned off, they return to default. I've emailed oppo about it and will report what they say on the other thread.

Dave

If you read the UK AVForums then you will know that this is associated to PAL. If your DVD player is set to PAL, your settings will be "forgotten" until you change a single variable. They are aware of the issue, but have yet to create a solution to it.

Try using AUTO instead of PAL and see what happens.

EDIT: This discussion is further talked about in the Oppo DV971H Faroudja DCDi (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6530445&&#post6530445) board.

A question for those using an Oppo 971H with the Sony SXRD: what happens if you switch the TV to the Oppo's input before turning on the player? I've got mine connected to Video 6 (HDMI with analog audio), and if I'm on that input when I turn on the Oppo, the screen stays blank. If I cycle through the inputs and come back to Video 6, then the image shows up OK. Also, if I turn the player off and on again, then I don't get the picture back until I cycle through the inputs...

Alternately, does anyone's Oppo do this with other TVs as well? I'm not sure whether to blame the player or the TV for this behavior.My early Samsung DLP did this too - with any DVI input, including my PC. I had it replaced with a newer model (for a different reason). The new one detects the Oppo just fine.

My early Samsung DLP did this too - with any DVI input, including my PC. I had it replaced with a newer model (for a different reason). The new one detects the Oppo just fine.
Thanks -- nice to know it's not unheard-of. I figured it was more likely to be the set than the player, although I was amused by the response from Oppo customer support:
service@oppodigital.com[/email]"]
It does indeed sound like a syncing problem. We haven't used the SXRD line of television units, so we can only speculate that the Sony is not properly syncing with the OPDV971H if Video 6 mode is selected before the OPDV971H is turned on. Who is to blame? I would say us, because as a consumer, I would never want to hear that my several thousand dollar piece of equipment is a bit nutty.

I'm inclined to read that more as an expression of sympathy than an actual claim of responsibility... :)

Can any of the SXRD/Oppo folks confirm that theirs do the same thing, though? Just for my peace of mind... :confused:

Anyone else outputting an Oppo to a Z3 through HDMI? Mind PMing me your preferred settings? Which Video are you using. etc.

Thanks -- nice to know it's not unheard-of. I figured it was more likely to be the set than the player, although I was amused by the response from Oppo customer support:

I'm inclined to read that more as an expression of sympathy than an actual claim of responsibility... :)

Can any of the SXRD/Oppo folks confirm that theirs do the same thing, though? Just for my peace of mind... :confused:OPPO's response cracked me up!

You might try PM'ing SpiffX (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6470299&&#post6470299). He was looking into getting an Oppo for his SXRD. Not sure if he did. Your question probably belongs on the SXRD thread.

Gary

OPPO's response cracked me up!

You might try PM'ing SpiffX (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6470299&&#post6470299). He was looking into getting an Oppo for his SXRD. Not sure if he did. Your question probably belongs on the SXRD thread.

Gary
Thanks -- I actually posted it over there originally, and still haven't gotten a response. There are a few people there who I know have the Oppo, though, so I'm going to PM one or two of them.

Dixie, Please post what you find out. I have an sxrd and thinking oubout getting the oppo.

Dixie, Please post what you find out. I have an sxrd and thinking oubout getting the oppo.
Will do, but I have no hesitation about recommending the Oppo to go with the SXRD; it's a spectacular combination. The DVI-sync issue I'm seeing is a minor annoyance at best, since all you need to do is make sure you turn on the player before switching to the input on the TV. My only concern is to make sure that it's not something wrong with my particular set that I need to get fixed.

UPDATE: just got a PM back from an Oppo/SXRD user who says that it works fine for him, so it appears to be an issue with the units that I've got. I'll have to do some experimenting now to be sure whether it's the set or the player. Looks like it's not something you would need to be concerned about, though.

Thanks Dixie, I'm use a Harmony remote. I hope it can be configured to turn the oppo on before the tv, if the problem does exist.

I use a URC-200 and it learned the 2nd version Oppo remote with no problem.

Paul

Hope this is the right oppo thread for this question...

Given divx/xvid are not interlaced encodings, what happens on the component outputs when playing them? DVD is 480i and is output as such on the component outs, but what about when the material being decoded isn't interlaced?

Hope this is the right oppo thread for this question...

Given divx/xvid are not interlaced encodings, what happens on the component outputs when playing them? DVD is 480i and is output as such on the component outs, but what about when the material being decoded isn't interlaced?Yes, this is a good thread to ask. The Oppo's component output only supports 480i. Therefore, if the material isn't interlaced, it will have to be converted to interlaced for the component output.

What I wonder about, is how the DVI path handles it. Does the Mediatek chip pass it to the Faroudja chip in interlaced or progressive format? Anyone have an idea?

Yes, this is a good thread to ask. The Oppo's component output only supports 480i. Therefore, if the material isn't interlaced, it will have to be converted to interlaced for the component output.

What I wonder about, is how the DVI path handles it. Does the Mediatek chip pass it to the Faroudja chip in interlaced or progressive format? Anyone have an idea?
As I understand it, the the Faroudja expects all output from the MTK chipset to be interlaced; this is the reason that the component outs are 480i-only, because the MTK chip is locked into interlaced mode. So presumably all DivX video is interlaced by the MTK (a trivial, and trivially reversible, process) before being sent either to the Faroudja or to the analog outputs. And it does output DivX in 480i just fine -- I got the Oppo somewhat before my SXRD arrived, so my first tests were with it hooked up to my old CRT direct-view via composite.

Dixie Flatline,

That sounds correct. The MTK interface with the Faroudja chipset is an interlaced connection. So the DivX will be interlaced by the MTK board, then processed again as progressive through the Faroudja chipset.

For whatever this is worth....check out this new review that just went up on the 7th:

http://www.guidetohometheater.com/dvdplayers/1105oppo/

Just found this review online.....

http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review3132.html

Just found this review online.....

http://reviews.designtechnica.com/review3132.htmlThanks hsinnott.

I've been using this player for a couple of months and have had no problems with any variable of DVD+-R/RW burned on a computer burner, however every disc burned on a DVD-Recorder (in the most recent case a Pioneer DVR-310s) has had a strange playback problem. Every minute or so, the picture will briefly slow down and then speed back up. This lasts only 2 seconds but happens regularly. Sound remains normal and constant. Display is usually set to 1080i, but I've switched to the other settings and got the same issue.

The discs I've tried were all recorded in Video Mode, VBR at the SP (2:00 or better) setting and, of course, finalized. It doesn't look like a bit rate issue. The media was the same as with my burned discs (Fuji, Maxell, etc.) which all worked flawlessly.

The same discs play perfectly on my LG player.

Any ideas why the OPDV971H would have problems with these discs?

Thanks for any feedback!
jd

Perhaps a peculiarity with recorder/settings. Other discs with other recorder settings work OK?

Paul

Perhaps a peculiarity with recorder/settings. Other discs with other recorder settings work OK?

Paul

Paul,

I've tried a few different recording speeds to no avail. In fact, every single DVD-Recording I've tried from different sources have had the same problem. Unfortunately, I don't have access to another Oppo player to rule out my particular machine.

Can someone confirm success or failure using any DVD-Recorder discs on the DV971H?

Thanks!
jd

I've read in this thread (or maybe the other big OPPO thread) that this player does not have discrete ON/OFF IR codes, and probably never will (due to some hardware issue).

If the player is off, will pressing the remotes PLAY button turn it on?

Thanks,

Sooke

Paul,

I've tried a few different recording speeds to no avail. In fact, every single DVD-Recording I've tried from different sources have had the same problem. Unfortunately, I don't have access to another Oppo player to rule out my particular machine.

Can someone confirm success or failure using any DVD-Recorder discs on the DV971H?

Thanks!
jd


The oppo has never failed to play a DVD-R that I've used--it's one of the oppo's strengths.

Dave

Sooke,

No, sorry!

Paul

jd,

I use a Sony RDR-GX7. My recordings play fine.

Paul

Thanks, Paul. It may well be my player then. I'll contact Oppo on Monday to see if it needs adjustment.

Gentlemen:

my Oppo is arriving this coming week ;) while i'm excited about its video prowess, being a long time audiophile, i'm interested in knowing if the unit's CD audio-only capabilities are acceptable, good, very good, or excellent?

FYI: my current CD player is a 5-7 year old Sonic Frontiers with the Pacific Microsonics decoder chip and a tube output stage (Sonic Frontiers is from Canada and known for their tube electronics).

Thank you in advance!

I've been using this player for a couple of months and have had no problems with any variable of DVD+-R/RW burned on a computer burner, however every disc burned on a DVD-Recorder (in the most recent case a Pioneer DVR-310s) has had a strange playback problem. Every minute or so, the picture will briefly slow down and then speed back up. This lasts only 2 seconds but happens regularly. Sound remains normal and constant. Display is usually set to 1080i, but I've switched to the other settings and got the same issue.

Pretty much all Stand Alone DVD Recorded discs will have a problem playing back on the OPDV971H. The symptoms your described are "normal" for most users. OPPO knows about the problem, but doesn't know what the solution to it is.

Paul,

What settings are you using on the Sony recorder to get discs to play properly on the OPPO?

Neuromancer,

Nothing special, SP mode with TDK DVD+RW or DVD-RW. I'm not a heavy user of the GX7 recorder, but it seems to work OK with the Oppo.

The Oppo won't play VR mode but it isn't spec'ed to.

Paul

Paul,

Thanks for starting this very useful thread.

I just ordered the OPPO (it will be here soon).

Somewhere in here (or was it that other thread) ... folks had reached a consensus on what the brightness / contrast setting should be set to ... to overcome some tint (?) issues with the player. I cannot find it now. Could you (Paul) add that to the first post on the thread ... since it would be considered an important FAQ ? If not .. could someone point me to that post ? Thanks.

Also ... I have a Infocus 4805 PJ ... is there someone out there that has seen macroblocking when the OPPO is paired with this PJ ?

Thanks.

Max

umenon:

Set you're brightness at -3 and leave your contrast, brightness, color, and hue at default. If you are getting a unit with the new firmware already installed (if you're ordering directly from Oppo), leave the brightness at 0 until you hear otherwise. The new firmware is supposed to take care of the brightness issue. I believe the new firmware is installed on the new units being sold directly from Oppo. It's not officially released yet for upgrading firmware yet.

Hi

in the Oppo-threads, at a certain point the question was raised, how to achieve PC RGB levels (0-256) instead of Studio RGB.
Some agreed, that with the current firmware it is something like brightness -8 and contrast +4, if I recall it right. I tried to apply that setting to my Oppo connected to a Sanyo Z4 and after testing with Peter Finzel test disc, I found out, that -7 and +3 are the right settings for me, more crushes the picture on both ends of the greyscale.
There is a new issue, though, that I still need to investigate more and would like to put out as an open question to everyone:

This "PC RGB" adjustment seems to cause a major color-shift towards yellow in my otherwise finely adjusted Z4. I was following ROnes settings in the Z4 tweak-thread (he runs PC RGB levels from a videocard). Somehow, that "pseude PC"-levels must interfer with the other Z4-settings.
When I set the Oppo back to -3/0, all seems fine.

I could just quickly do some visual tests with SWIII, but the yellowish effect from -7/+3 seems to be gone when I set Oppo to -3/0. I will do further testing. Anybody, who can comment on this / is willing to try to reproduce this issue?

Joerg

See dusterscott's input just above yours. It sounds like -3/0 (brightness/contrast) are the "right" settings for now, at least until the latest S/W update is released.

Brightness/contrast results can vary from display to display. A copy of DVE is always good to have around as a reality check.

-3/0 for Studio is a good place to start.

If +3 contrast is giving a yellowish cast then almost certainly white is being overdriven.

If the display in an "enhanced" mode (i.e. sports, vivid, etc.) the onset of white crush will be very quick.

Max,

Certainly something will be posted as soon as the firmware is finalized/available some of our players are in state of flux making it somewhat difficult to pin down a *final* setting.

Paul

Thanks ... I ordered my directly from OPPO ... when I called a few days ago they told me that all shipments were stopped to fix a significant firmware issue ... then two days ago I got an email saying that the units are now shipping ... I called and confirmed that I will be getting the ( sales guys quote ) "latest greatest firmware".

BTW, I ordered a refurb unit for 20% less ... figured since I cannot find a player thats "Made in the USA" .. I will settle for "Repaired in the USA" :) :)

Max

If +3 contrast is giving a yellowish cast then almost certainly white is being overdriven.

If the display in an "enhanced" mode (i.e. sports, vivid, etc.) the onset of white crush will be very quick.
Paul
Hi Paul
always a good source of great information - thanks! (BTW - do I know your name from Ulead video forums?)

I noticed something interesting for PAL-users, yesterday, too: different qualities of 2:2 pulldown and de-interlacing.I used the Peter Finzel Test-disc (PAL). He offers two very tricky and revealing tests, one progressive, one interlaced. The test has 3 steps:
1.) a small picture of a house moves back and forth diagonally over the screen - you should see no jaggies, details in the picture should not "jitter" and be clearly visible, the move should be smooth
2.) thin lines are attached to the side of the picture and extend to the outside, all that moves diagonally. On the sides, there is a static vertical b/w burst. All should be clearly visible, no jaggies, no jumps etc.
3.) a very tricky, triangular pattern containing lines and very small squares is moving diagonally - Peter Finzel states this as the ultimate de-interlacing/2:2 pulldown test, hardly a machine can stand that test: most players just show blinking triangles instead of the whole pattern moving, detail being clearly visible (quote: "if your player stands test #3, then you have high-end machine")

Until yesterday, my Oppo (newest firmware) always did tests #1 and 2 very well, #3 failed (the Oppo always was in Video2-mode). Accidentaly, I switched off TrueLife (CCS was still on) - and test #3 was passed as well!!!!! That puts the Oppo in a top position with not many competitors. :D

It would be interesting to get a possible explanation of this behaviour: why should TrueLife cause a worse de-interlacing/pulldown? (Again: PAL - I have no way verifying this with NTSC). I know about the 2:2 pulldown-issues with the current FW and that a PAL-FW is in development. But WITHIN the different Faroudja-modes?

Joerg

dvdr,

I'll see if I can't scrounge up a disc and do some TrueLife On/OFF testing. Though I would like to note that I never have TrueLife On anymore, which may be why I havn't noticed tearing et al from my small PAL disc collection.

Hi

in the Oppo-threads, at a certain point the question was raised, how to achieve PC RGB levels (0-256) instead of Studio RGB.
Some agreed, that with the current firmware it is something like brightness -8 and contrast +4, if I recall it right. I tried to apply that setting to my Oppo connected to a Sanyo Z4 and after testing with Peter Finzel test disc, I found out, that -7 and +3 are the right settings for me, more crushes the picture on both ends of the greyscale.
There is a new issue, though, that I still need to investigate more and would like to put out as an open question to everyone:

This "PC RGB" adjustment seems to cause a major color-shift towards yellow in my otherwise finely adjusted Z4. I was following ROnes settings in the Z4 tweak-thread (he runs PC RGB levels from a videocard). Somehow, that "pseude PC"-levels must interfer with the other Z4-settings.
When I set the Oppo back to -3/0, all seems fine.

I could just quickly do some visual tests with SWIII, but the yellowish effect from -7/+3 seems to be gone when I set Oppo to -3/0. I will do further testing. Anybody, who can comment on this / is willing to try to reproduce this issue?

Joerg

I've been using these settings with an AE700. Contrast at +3 is too high. If I go over +2 I have to over compensate with the pj settings--this might be what introduces the errors? (You are recalibrating the pj using avia/dve right?) Anyway, I'm happy with BRI -8, CON +2 (Now if only the oppo remember the settings when PAL dvds are played!)

BTW the mains discussion about this is on the other thread. Look for posts by GSB about 2-3 weeks ago.

Dave

I've been using these settings with an AE700. Contrast at +3 is too high. If I go over +2 I have to over compensate with the pj settings--this might be what introduces the errors? (You are recalibrating the pj using avia/dve right?) Anyway, I'm happy with BRI -8, CON +2 (Now if only the oppo remember the settings when PAL dvds are played!)

BTW the mains discussion about this is on the other thread. Look for posts by GSB about 2-3 weeks ago.

Dave

Hi Dave
thanks for the info - yes, I am recalibrating (I use the Peter Finzel test disc, who also has some quite elaborate BTB and WTW tests to finetune after Pluge). The problem with all these settings is, that you never know, how much "1 step up" actually is. So: trial and error... I'll give a try to your settings and see, how it fits in here....

Joerg

Joerg,

I reported the same before, but the result is not consistent, it either forgets the settings or I just fiddle too much with it (the bbk/oppo).

Just do eject with the PFTD and try again.

Rene

Joerg,

I haven't participated in that forum. You might see me post on hometheaterforum occasionally.

Glad to help!

Interesting result on test #3. True-Life is a vertical and horizontal enhancement method so it affecting fine detail on movement is not too surprising . I think a somewhat equivalent test for NTSC is the Avia "moving zone plate", though I think that pattern should be run in a forced 16:9 mode rather than the wide/sqz because of resolution loss in wide/sqz.

Paul

Paul, et al. - Gentlemen:

i see people mention True-Life and i have no idea what it is. i've ordered my Oppo and expect to receive it tomorrow.

is True-Life an Oppo feature? is it a Farouja feature?

any info/advice would be most appreciated! FYI: i'll be using my Oppo via DVI to HDMI to my Sony 60xbr1, and digital coax output to my processor for DTS/5.1 sound.

if anyone also uses this Oppo for DVD-Audio, i'd appreciate knowing how you make your connections as well. do you use the digital coax output for your DTS/5.1/DVD Video sound, and then use 6 RCA outputs for your DVD-Audio?

thanks!

Paul, et al. - Gentlemen:

i see people mention True-Life and i have no idea what it is. i've ordered my Oppo and expect to receive it tomorrow.

is True-Life an Oppo feature? is it a Farouja feature?


thanks!

You can read oppo's blurb about truelife here: http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h_moreinfo.html
Most don't seem to use it though. As with most so called "enhancements" it just seem to make the picture worse (e.g., clayface, motion artifacts)Dave

eieio,

TrueLife is a Faroudja feature.

The RCA outputs must be used with the Oppo for DVD-Audio as DVD-Audio is not transferred over optical or coax and only certain HDMI implementations. No audio transmitted over DVI at all.

Paul

Hi

in the Oppo-threads, at a certain point the question was raised, how to achieve PC RGB levels (0-256) instead of Studio RGB.
Some agreed, that with the current firmware it is something like brightness -8 and contrast +4, if I recall it right. I tried to apply that setting to my Oppo connected to a Sanyo Z4 and after testing with Peter Finzel test disc, I found out, that -7 and +3 are the right settings for me, more crushes the picture on both ends of the greyscale.
There is a new issue, though, that I still need to investigate more and would like to put out as an open question to everyone:

This "PC RGB" adjustment seems to cause a major color-shift towards yellow in my otherwise finely adjusted Z4. I was following ROnes settings in the Z4 tweak-thread (he runs PC RGB levels from a videocard). Somehow, that "pseude PC"-levels must interfer with the other Z4-settings.
When I set the Oppo back to -3/0, all seems fine. This is very important for anyone trying those PC RGB tweaks: Make sure the display is capable of accepting PC RGB input first. Then keep in mind that the display needs to be recalibrated to the new PC RGB input values. It MAY only require a brightness/contrast adjustment, but it could also require a grayscale calibration.

dvdr, that appears to be the case for you. You can't use someone else's display settings, unless they have identical equipment and output conditions, and even then, calibration values vary quite considerably from one light-engine to another. Only you can determine whether the OPPO adjustments and display calibrations are worth doing. And if you decide to go ahead, you still need to carefully evaluate the results, noting any pros and cons.

For my setup, the results were simply amazing, and worth every bit of the effort it took. Macroblocking is pretty much a thing of the past on my Samsung DLP, and the image is superb.

Gary

This is very important for anyone trying those PC RGB tweaks: Make sure the display is capable of accepting PC RGB input first. Then keep in mind that the display needs to be recalibrated to the new PC RGB input values. It MAY only require a brightness/contrast adjustment, but it could also require a grayscale calibration.

dvdr, that appears to be the case for you. You can't use someone else's display settings, unless they have identical equipment and output conditions, and even then, calibration values vary quite considerably from one light-engine to another. Only you can determine whether the OPPO adjustments and display calibrations are worth doing. And if you decide to go ahead, you still need to carefully evaluate the results, noting any pros and cons.

For my setup, the results were simply amazing, and worth every bit of the effort it took. Macroblocking is pretty much a thing of the past on my Samsung DLP, and the image is superb.

Gary

Hi Gary

yes, that seemed to have been the case with me. First, I thought, since the Sanyo Z4 can be switched between "HDMI L1" and "HMDI L2", that this was PC RGB and Studio RGB. Then I read, that -8/+4 was the agreed upon setting for PC RGB on Oppo with FW 1022. Then I read of ROnes D65 settings - they were based on PC RGB levels.
My assumption was, that setting the Z4 to accept PC RGB via HDMI, then setting the Oppo to the agreed upon PC RGB levels and the calibrating Brightness and Contrast with the extensive charts of the Peter Finzel DVD, I would achieve a perfect picture and could recreate ROnes settings to my system.
Obviously, that was wrong in my case and I seem to be better off with Oppo set to -3/0
I did not think about such an outcome counting the facts and findings together - it all seemed so clear and easily fit together....

Joerg

@Joerg,

Did you try more options to see when 2:2 pulldown is working on the PF?
I did not get consistent results, like eject looses the feature, maybe even 2xstop.
Once 2:2 wasn't working I put sharpness to low and then it worked again?

@Joerg,

Did you try more options to see when 2:2 pulldown is working on the PF?
I did not get consistent results, like eject looses the feature, maybe even 2xstop.
Once 2:2 wasn't working I put sharpness to low and then it worked again?
@vjren
I did not have the chance to do more extensive tests (we went to see Harry Potter last night, in a huge movie-theatre equipped with the latest DLP technologie - great presentation, though I had the feeling, that with celluloid, sunny was a "bit more sunny" in terms of absolute brightness/lumen. But maybe, it was the movie).
Maybe tonight I'll have the chance to look into this - great suggenstions, though. I'd never thought, that results might be inconsistent.
Any further suggestions, what settings to change and look for?

Joerg

How did you like the movie.

Many times I am in a theatre it makes me wanne go home :)

I just played with many (css) settings, but I could also get it to fail with true life off as far as I remember.

Does anyone happen to know if the Oppo's black pedestal is at 0IRE or 7.5IRE (assuming the -3 brightness setting) via component and/or S-video?

Thanks,
Mark

Mark,

The Oppo does not pass Blacker-than-black via component or S-Video.

Also, the setup controls for brightness, contrast, etc., do not operate with component and S-Video.

Both outputs are 480i only and there are some color issues with both outputs. Netiher output utilizes the Faroudja implemenation.

It is not recommended to use the either component or S-Video of the Oppo for critical video applications.

Paul

I've been using this player for a couple of months and have had no problems with any variable of DVD+-R/RW burned on a computer burner, however every disc burned on a DVD-Recorder (in the most recent case a Pioneer DVR-310s) has had a strange playback problem. Every minute or so, the picture will briefly slow down and then speed back up. This lasts only 2 seconds but happens regularly. Sound remains normal and constant. Display is usually set to 1080i, but I've switched to the other settings and got the same issue.

The discs I've tried were all recorded in Video Mode, VBR at the SP (2:00 or better) setting and, of course, finalized. It doesn't look like a bit rate issue. The media was the same as with my burned discs (Fuji, Maxell, etc.) which all worked flawlessly.

The same discs play perfectly on my LG player.

Any ideas why the OPDV971H would have problems with these discs?

Thanks for any feedback!
jd


Hi drouette.
I'm in England, and I have the same problem as you with discs burnt on Panasonic and JVC DVD recorders, from TV.
No problems with any discs burnt on the PC though.
I just use a different player for those (TV burnt) discs.

@Joerg,

Did you try more options to see when 2:2 pulldown is working on the PF?
I did not get consistent results, like eject looses the feature, maybe even 2xstop.
Once 2:2 wasn't working I put sharpness to low and then it worked again?

Fast fowarding will lose the 2:2 flag, hence the failure. If you stop in the middle playback (eject, single stop, etc) the flag will not be read, so it will fail again.

If you set the OPPO to Video 1, TrueLife can be On or Off and it will still pass all three tests.

How did you like the movie.

Many times I am in a theatre it makes me wanne go home :)

I just played with many (css) settings, but I could also get it to fail with true life off as far as I remember.
Hi Vjren

I just LOVED the new Harry Potter - it's darker, more adult and I did NOT want to leave the theatre....

I did some testing today, again - the only reproducable setting for proper 2:2 cadence was TrueLife off. At a certain point, having TrueLife ON and Noise reduction to High, Mid or Low did proper 2:2 as well, but not reproducable....
So I guess, TrueLife OFF at the moment is the only way to go for PAL-users - at least here, it works perfectly with the Peter Finzel PAL test disc.

Strange discovery then: the "memory loss" problem seems to have vanished as well :confused: when I set the Oppo to True Life OFF.... at least, inserting new PAL DVDs or "double-stopping" the player did not result in the need to re-enter brightness or contrast. VERY STRANGE...

Joerg

ADDENDUM: I seem to have taken some time to write this post and missed Neuromancers findings. How can Video1 do 2:2 PAL cadence? Or is all of this something completely different with these tests? Im even more confused :confused: :confused:

For those discussing the TrueLife feature. I never noticed any macroblocking problems with this player andmy toshiba MT700 720p DLP projector. However, when I turned Truelife off, I started to notice it (Beauty & the Beast, spiderman). When I turned it back on and checked the same scenes, I didn't notice it. Any thoughts? (other than that I must be nuts!).

Finalheaven

From the Oppo Firmware release notes:

http://www.oppodigital.com/opdv971h_firmware_1022_release_note.html

1. Support 2:2 cadence for PAL movies.

In the “General Setup” menu page, there is now a “Video Mode” option. The choices are “Video 1” and “Video 2”. The “Video 1” mode is the same as the previous version firmware, which does not support 2:2 cadence for PAL movies. The “Video 2” mode supports 2:2 cadence for PAL movies. However in “Video 2” mode all analog video outputs (Composite, S-Video, Component) will not perform NTSC/PAL system conversion. The video output from any of the analog connectors will have the same NTSC or PAL system as encoded on the DVD disc itself.

In summary:

If you mainly watch North American NTSC versions of movies and video programs on DVD, and would like to keep the NTSC/PAL system conversion function on the analog video outputs, you should select the “Video 1” mode. In this case imported PAL discs with 2:2 cadence will still play, but not with the best possible picture quality.
If you only use the DVI video output and would like to get the best possible picture quality for both NTSC and PAL discs, you should select the “Video 2” mode. In this case the analog video outputs will not perform NTSC/PAL system conversion.

Paul


Thanks Paul for the explanation.

dvdr,

If you have the DVD unit set to PAL, and you insert a PAL disc, 2:2 Cadence will be properly flagged, even when using Video 1. This was something that works for the most part, but not always (which is why OPPO recommends Video 2 only for 2:2 Cadence).

So, quick recap for best settings.

Please tell if these are right or wrong:

For NTSC disks
Manually set to NTSC, Video 1, TrueLife On (??), Sharpness off, CCS off, NR medium

For PAL disks
Manually set to PAL(not Auto), Video 2, TrueLife off, CCS on, NR medium

[For PAL disks
Manually set to PAL(not Auto), Video 2, TrueLife off, CCS on, NR OFF

just my 2cent
btw.: Auto works with me as well...

Joerg

So, quick recap for best settings.

Please tell if these are right or wrong:

For NTSC disks
Manually set to NTSC, Video 1, TrueLife On (??), Sharpness off, CCS off, NR medium

For PAL disks
Manually set to PAL(not Auto), Video 2, TrueLife off, CCS on, NR mediumFor NTSC also, keep NR LOW or OFF . Truelife OFF.

BUT... experiment with both of those settings. Depending on the movie, and your equipment, you can get tremendous results either way. Some noisy/grainy movies benefit greatly from having NR set to LOW. But the high-speed action in "Stealth" introduced too much ghosting, and looked much better with NR set to OFF.

Gary

For those discussing the TrueLife feature. I never noticed any macroblocking problems with this player andmy toshiba MT700 720p DLP projector. However, when I turned Truelife off, I started to notice it (Beauty & the Beast, spiderman). When I turned it back on and checked the same scenes, I didn't notice it. Any thoughts? (other than that I must be nuts!).I found mixed results. While Truelife can help with MB in some scenes, it may introduce it in others. It may also depend on your display. So just experiment, use what looks best on your setup, and enjoy your movies!

Gary

Thanks dvdr and Gary.

So TrueLife should always be set to Off then, on both PAL and NTSC.
I'll fiddle with NR.

Gary: with NTSC, do you leave CCS Off ??

So TrueLife should always be set to Off then, on both PAL and NTSC. A qualified "yes". For NTSC, read my last post as well.
Gary: with NTSC, do you leave CCS Off ?? Yes.

Just received my Oppo, current firmware doesn't work with my Sony 60xbr1 (black bar on right on 720p and 1080i modes):

i was sadly disappointed that out of the box, the Oppo doesn't sync properly with my Sony 60xbr1 (i never considered my Sony to be exotic and i assumed that the Oppo has to work properly with it, why wouldn't it?): black bar on right for both 720p and 1080i.

burned a CD for the previous firmware (of approx 1 month ago, according to tech support). ran it on the unit. voila, now, there's no "over scanning" and the Oppo seems to be sync'ing properly with my Sony TV.

one interesting note: at 1080i, i see horizontal lines on my Sony, albeit i was sitting very very close to the TV accidently because i just inserted the dvd. upon switching over to 720p, the horizontal lines are virtually all gone. i am wondering if i would be getting better results with the Oppo set to 720p or 1080i with my brand new Sony 60xbr1?? so far, the Sony TV's image quality is just smashing. i'm still dumbfounded when i turn it on. ;)

my original goal was to let the Farouja do as much work as possible, as it probably will do it better than the Sony can (meaning i think the Sony might not scale up from 720p to 1080i as well as the Farouja chip in the Oppo). but when i happened to be seated unrealistically close to the tv when i inserted the dvd and saw those horizontal lines, i'm no longer sure which would be better: 720p or 1080i for my specific TV...

any advice/comments?

thanks in advance!

The new firmware is available D-1111B (http://www.oppodigital.com/Download/Firmware_971h-1111b.iso)

It only addresses the brightness (it is now Studio Standard), and possiblly some shifting issues some users have had (either pro, or con)

First post updated to reflect new firmware.

Paul

as i received my Oppo just today, i asked and made sure that it is with the latest firmware, which is what "caused" the incompatibility with my Sony tv.

reverting back to the previous firmare (i forgot but it is something like 1222) solved the black bar on right side issue.

the -3 that's required for the brightness or whatever is less of an issue for me than the black bar of around 1" or 1 1/2" on the right side of my screen!

Hi. First of all, thank you for sharing all this info on the DV971H. This is great! Before submitting my questions, I've read all the posts and learned a lot on this player. But I still have a few questions. And before I start, you have to know that my display unit has separate settings for all inputs and that everything was calibrated using the DVE disk and filters. Ok, here it goes...

Did anyone notice some kind of "image retention" or "ghosting" when using the DVI output? Let me explain and give you an example of what I mean. For those of you who have the DVE disk, you can do this simple test and see if you get the same behavior.

1- When I start the DVE disk, there is a clip about Extron Electronics. After a few seconds, a blue pattern fades in. If I stop the player when the pattern is fully visible, I get back to the Oppo logo and can see a faint, but clear, ghost of this pattern.
2- Now, at the end of this clip, there is a scene change to black. If I stop the player when everything is black, I get back to the Oppo logo and can't see any ghost or artifacts. Only a white and blue logo like it's suppose to be...

I did some more tests and this happens on any video material where there is a change from a moving scene to a static scene or still image. Since I have a PDP, I thought it was some strange "plasma burning" problem. But this doesn't happen when using the component output or my other DVD player. So I suspect the Faroudja processing. To prove this, I did the first part of my test (stoping on the blue pattern) while watching the component input on my display. Then, I just switched to the DVI input after the player was stopped and there it was, the pattern again. So I know it's not a display problem.

I would appreciate if someone could let me know they have the same problem or heard about it.

Also, everything is "greenish" when using the DVI output (Not component). Is this a known fact? Did I miss something reading all those posts?

Thank you for reading this long post. :o

Hello Mike,

I do see some afterimage of the Oppo screen saving logo, for example. I have only seen this if the brightness of my display is too high. Also, check to see that the Oppo (or display) noise reduction is turned off.

No greenish problem here. What display is being used? I've noticed some green tint problem with recent LCD displays such as the Sony XBR and Panasonic LX50 series.

Paul

Hi. First of all, thank you for sharing all this info on the DV971H. This is great! Before submitting my questions, I've read all the posts and learned a lot on this player. But I still have a few questions. And before I start, you have to know that my display unit has separate settings for all inputs and that everything was calibrated using the DVE disk and filters. Ok, here it goes...

Did anyone notice some kind of "image retention" or "ghosting" when using the DVI output? Let me explain and give you an example of what I mean. For those of you who have the DVE disk, you can do this simple test and see if you get the same behavior.

1- When I start the DVE disk, there is a clip about Extron Electronics. After a few seconds, a blue pattern fades in. If I stop the player when the pattern is fully visible, I get back to the Oppo logo and can see a faint, but clear, ghost of this pattern.
2- Now, at the end of this clip, there is a scene change to black. If I stop the player when everything is black, I get back to the Oppo logo and can't see any ghost or artifacts. Only a white and blue logo like it's suppose to be...

I did some more tests and this happens on any video material where there is a change from a moving scene to a static scene or still image. Since I have a PDP, I thought it was some strange "plasma burning" problem. But this doesn't happen when using the component output or my other DVD player. So I suspect the Faroudja processing. To prove this, I did the first part of my test (stoping on the blue pattern) while watching the component input on my display. Then, I just switched to the DVI input after the player was stopped and there it was, the pattern again. So I know it's not a display problem.

I would appreciate if someone could let me know they have the same problem or heard about it.

Also, everything is "greenish" when using the DVI output (Not component). Is this a known fact? Did I miss something reading all those posts?

Thank you for reading this long post. :o

I've noticed the same things exactly as you describe on my Samsung hlp5063w- via DVI to the Oppo- although I'm not sure it its a real problem though- I've read DLP's don't get burn in so I'm not worried.
There is also a greenish color on my display- I assumed this was a problem on my TV and I changed the gamma setting from 2 to 0 in the service menu- but things still seem a little green- I plan to read more about this issue on the thread for my tv- as far as I know its a known problem with the Samsung.

I'll echo Paul's comment about turning off DNR. When you do turn off DNR, make sure you stop, then resume, DVD playback (to ensure DNR turns itself off fully).

Did anyone notice some kind of "image retention" or "ghosting" when using the DVI output? Let me explain and give you an example of what I mean. For those of you who have the DVE disk, you can do this simple test and see if you get the same behavior.

1- When I start the DVE disk, there is a clip about Extron Electronics. After a few seconds, a blue pattern fades in. If I stop the player when the pattern is fully visible, I get back to the Oppo logo and can see a faint, but clear, ghost of this pattern.
2- Now, at the end of this clip, there is a scene change to black. If I stop the player when everything is black, I get back to the Oppo logo and can't see any ghost or artifacts. Only a white and blue logo like it's suppose to be...

I did some more tests and this happens on any video material where there is a change from a moving scene to a static scene or still image. Since I have a PDP, I thought it was some strange "plasma burning" problem. But this doesn't happen when using the component output or my other DVD player. So I suspect the Faroudja processing. To prove this, I did the first part of my test (stoping on the blue pattern) while watching the component input on my display. Then, I just switched to the DVI input after the player was stopped and there it was, the pattern again. So I know it's not a display problem.

I would appreciate if someone could let me know they have the same problem or heard about it. Yes, I've seen the same effect. Its nothing to be concerned about... its fairly normal, and it can be remedied. The Faroudja chip buffers about 4 frames and the NR and Truelife "features" do some averaging and processing to smooth moving images. When the DVD halts on a still frame, the last 3 frames are still waiting in memory, with averaging applied to the still frame. Ghosting is thus evident only while the still image remains on-screen. You can fix this (or make it worse) by playing with Truelife and NR settings. I can't remember exactly which settings fixed it, so try it yourself. Don't forget to stop the DVD to allow the changes to take effect, then resume play.

Bear in mind, though, that ghosting in a still image may be a very minor tradeoff for benefits elsewhere... like significant improvements in moving images in some material. By the way, I would never recommend setting NR any higher than LOW.
Also, everything is "greenish" when using the DVI output (Not component). Is this a known fact? Did I miss something reading all those posts? This is probably a TV issue. When you get a new player, you're supposed to recalibrate the TV to the new equipment. Could be that your old player did not output enough green and the calibrator had to push green on the TV to compensate.

Gary

Hi Vjren

Strange discovery then: the "memory loss" problem seems to have vanished as well :confused: when I set the Oppo to True Life OFF.... at least, inserting new PAL DVDs or "double-stopping" the player did not result in the need to re-enter brightness or contrast. VERY STRANGE...

Joerg




Jeorg, Is this repeatable as I always have truelife off and my oppo still fogets?

Dave

Jeorg, Is this repeatable as I always have truelife off and my oppo still fogets?

Dave
Dave

my Oppo had had a rest of 24 hours, I'll double-check today, whether it has "long term memory" or only "short time memory" or none at all :D and let you know. As I said: I was majorly confused, since I did not make any changes or updates and until now, my Oppo ALWAYS has "forgotten". It was clearly visible with Contrast - usually a huge jump in the picture (I had it at +4). But maybe, with contrast being set to "0" now, the jump is very small and not visible anymore? Same with Brightness: previously at -7, now at -3....
I'll report back.

Joerg

Oppo told me today (in an email) that the major PAL firmware release should be available in December. They had hope to get it out by the end of November but have only been able to put out yesterday's minor release.

Andrew

Oppo told me today (in an email) that the major PAL firmware release should be available in December. They had hope to get it out by the end of November but have only been able to put out yesterday's minor release.

Andrew

Thanks for the info Andrew, let's hope they come through with it.

Dave

Dave

my Oppo had had a rest of 24 hours, I'll double-check today, whether it has "long term memory" or only "short time memory" or none at all :D and let you know. As I said: I was majorly confused, since I did not make any changes or updates and until now, my Oppo ALWAYS has "forgotten". It was clearly visible with Contrast - usually a huge jump in the picture (I had it at +4). But maybe, with contrast being set to "0" now, the jump is very small and not visible anymore? Same with Brightness: previously at -7, now at -3....
I'll report back.

Joerg

I can already feel the answer--with small changes there is often no real obvious difference. As said above I though mine was set to -3 for weeks before I realizes what was going on.

Good luck, though.

Dave

I've had my Oppo from almost the beginning, jumped on the bandwagon. One question nags at me, why use this player if we have to turn everything off ( TrueLife,CCS,NR , ect) Doesn't it end up a regular player then ? Doesn't it remove everything that makes this player special ??? I'm asking because i am not very happy with it, my system has a Panasonic plasma display wich combined with Oppo produces macroblocking galore...So i'm trying to decide if i ddump it or not...

I'll echo Paul's comment about turning off DNR. When you do turn off DNR, make sure you stop, then resume, DVD playback (to ensure DNR turns itself off fully).

Two months with my Oppo and I still don't know what NR and DNR is. Any care to explain? :o

Also, anyone have preferred settings they use with a Z3 (through HDMI of course) or the like PJ?

NR=Noise Reduction
DNR= Dynamic Noise Reduction.

Noise reduction was introduced as a feature with the Oppo 1022 firmware.

Cholerabob,

No one has to turn everything off. Picture enhancements can be double edged sword: while they may make a picture pleasing for some, they can also make the picture unpleasing for others. The Oppo is allowing for the choice. Many players do not. Turning off NR, TrueLife, CCS, NR does not disable DCDi function of the Oppo (and that, in part, is what makes the Oppo special).

Paul

I've had my Oppo from almost the beginning, jumped on the bandwagon. One question nags at me, why use this player if we have to turn everything off ( TrueLife,CCS,NR , ect) Doesn't it end up a regular player then ? Doesn't it remove everything that makes this player special ??? I'm asking because i am not very happy with it, my system has a Panasonic plasma display wich combined with Oppo produces macroblocking galore...So i'm trying to decide if i ddump it or not...

Calibration on a plasma (especially the Panasonic line) is very important for proper DVD playback. If you do not have access to professional calibration discs like AVIA or DVE, then a simple rule of thumb is to reduce the contrast and brightness. I have noticed little, to no, macroblocking on a mjaority of my DVDs.

Just received my Oppo, current firmware doesn't work with my Sony 60xbr1 (black bar on right on 720p and 1080i modes):

i was sadly disappointed that out of the box, the Oppo doesn't sync properly with my Sony 60xbr1 (i never considered my Sony to be exotic and i assumed that the Oppo has to work properly with it, why wouldn't it?): black bar on right for both 720p and 1080i.

burned a CD for the previous firmware (of approx 1 month ago, according to tech support). ran it on the unit. voila, now, there's no "over scanning" and the Oppo seems to be sync'ing properly with my Sony TV.

one interesting note: at 1080i, i see horizontal lines on my Sony, albeit i was sitting very very close to the TV accidently because i just inserted the dvd. upon switching over to 720p, the horizontal lines are virtually all gone. i am wondering if i would be getting better results with the Oppo set to 720p or 1080i with my brand new Sony 60xbr1?? so far, the Sony TV's image quality is just smashing. i'm still dumbfounded when i turn it on. ;)

my original goal was to let the Farouja do as much work as possible, as it probably will do it better than the Sony can (meaning i think the Sony might not scale up from 720p to 1080i as well as the Farouja chip in the Oppo). but when i happened to be seated unrealistically close to the tv when i inserted the dvd and saw those horizontal lines, i'm no longer sure which would be better: 720p or 1080i for my specific TV...

any advice/comments?

thanks in advance!




With all the things Sony does to make things work they make things not work. They try to control the market by putting non-universal devices on the market. Very frustrating

I've had my Oppo from almost the beginning, jumped on the bandwagon. One question nags at me, why use this player if we have to turn everything off ( TrueLife,CCS,NR , ect) Doesn't it end up a regular player then ? Doesn't it remove everything that makes this player special ???

Your macroblocking issues asside,

What makes the OPPO "special" is its outstanding scalled picture quality via DVI. All those other bells and whistles features are, like with most AV products, marketing gimmicks and typically *reduce* fidelity, not improve it.

With audio and video signals, the general rule of thumb is that LESS is "more" in terms of processing. Scaling is excempt from this rule because scaling video is really just applying an oversampling filter to reduce the quantization noise in the raw low-res digital capture.

No one has to turn everything off. Picture enhancements can be double edged sword: while they may make a picture pleasing for some, they can also make the picture unpleasing for others. The Oppo is allowing for the choice. Many players do not. Turning off NR, TrueLife, CCS, NR does not disable DCDi function of the Oppo (and that, in part, is what makes the Oppo special).

I would just add to this that another element that makes the Oppo special is its high-quality Mediatek MPEG decoder. The goal that many of us have is to get as pure a signal from that MPEG decoder with a minimum of extraneous processing (noise reduction, CCS, TrueLife, etc.). Some of those processes may come in useful under specific circumstances, but as a rule tend to excessively filter or otherwise add artifacts to a video image.

The new firmware is available D-1111B (http://www.oppodigital.com/Download/Firmware_971h-1111b.iso)

It only addresses the brightness (it is now Studio Standard), and possiblly some shifting issues some users have had (either pro, or con)
Bah! This firmware is for those with Black remote only! I upgraded and now my (silver) remote doesn't work. Those with the silver remote, take notice!

Now... gotta re-flash to the previous version.

(Is there a particular reason this firmware update is for black remote only?)

-Terry

Bah! This firmware is for those with Black remote only! I upgraded and now my (silver) remote doesn't work. Those with the silver remote, take notice!

Now... gotta re-flash to the previous version.

(Is there a particular reason this firmware update is for black remote only?)

-Terry

Saves OPPO time when it comes to upgrading each individual unit for sale. Usually the "B" revisions never see the light of day outside of their factory/office, but OPPO wanted to throw a bone, even if it was only for some customers. Expect a Silver/Black version to replace the current one probably in a week.

Bah! This firmware is for those with Black remote only! I upgraded and now my (silver) remote doesn't work. Those with the silver remote, take notice!

Now... gotta re-flash to the previous version.

(Is there a particular reason this firmware update is for black remote only?)

-Terry

After flashing the new firmware, did you try holding the stop button (on the player, not the remote) for 5 seconds. Even though the new firmware is a "B" version for black remote, it should still be able to change to the silver remote.

After flashing the new firmware, did you try holding the stop button (on the player, not the remote) for 5 seconds. Even though the new firmware is a "B" version for black remote, it should still be able to change to the silver remote.

Actually, no. the "B" revision only contains the IR codes for the black remote. There is no way to toggle between the black and silver remotes with a "B" revision.

One question nags at me, why use this player if we have to turn everything off ( TrueLife,CCS,NR , ect)... Excellent answers from everyone.

I also favor turning off all those "features" for good quality DVD recordings. But for poor quality recordings... since the picture sucks anyway, I have no problem flipping on TrueLife or NR to help smooth things over.

I'm very grateful to OPPO for providing those options.

Gary

Thanks to all of you who replied to my post. You guys are fast! ;)

No greenish problem here. What display is being used?
Well, I am using a LG DU-42PX12X PDP. But I don't think the problem is the display since I can switch from component to DVI on the same frame and see the difference in color. For test purposes, the Oppo is using both outputs to the same TV and each one has been calibrated separately.

If any one has the Oppo connected this way and don't mind doing a little test, it would be interesting to know if you can see a difference regarding this green tint. One of the reviewers (Designtechnica) mentioned this "green look".

I'll echo Paul's comment about turning off DNR.
That's it! That did the trick. Sorry if I missed this previous comment and thank you. The problem is gone and, as far as I am concerned, this setting will stay OFF until I watch some noisy material. Then again, I don't watch noisy material. :D

When the DVD halts on a still frame, the last 3 frames are still waiting in memory, with averaging applied to the still frame.
Yes, I see. Thank you for the explanation Gary. As for the greenish look, you mentioned it was probably a calibration issue. If you read my first post again and the beginning of this one, you'll see this is probably not the case. I became very acquainted with the DVE disk lately. That's the one DVD I watched the most in my entire collection. ;)

Michel,

Green tint has been discussed in other threads (usually in display threads) and I don't know if a general consensus has ever been reached. Some explanations were:

1. Source material: Matrix movies and Bourne Identity discs have a reported greenish look by design
2. Calibration
3. Service mode adjustments -- Inputs can have different service calibration settings.

Of the many displays I've gone through (a lot) I find that several have added a greenish tint to very dark/black areas and certain parts of facial tones and dark hair depending upon the the lighting and angle, regardless of the source. Not sure why this is but I suspect that it's related to (but not entirely) green cut/bias settings at the factory and an inabilty to reproduce smooth, subtle color shadings/transitions.

I use a Panasonic TC-22LH1 for evaluation and despite a lack of options and 720p it has accurate color and extraordinarily smooth transitions from 0-100 IRE for all colors and gray. One of my "pet peeves" is an inabilty to reproduce subtle shades of black and colors (music concerts are a good test for this ability). The Panasonic has no problem in regards to green tint with the Oppo or any other device attached to the TV.

Paul

Thanks Paul. I'm aware of these facts and, believe me, I'm not trying to recreate those threads in here.

I'm just looking for other people that experience the same behaviour with the Oppo but not with other DVI devices attached to their display. If there are others, I'll know my display panel is ok. If i'm the only one, then LG will get a call. ;)

I've been running my Oppo on my AE900 through DVI to HDMI for 5 days now with TrueLife and CCS on, and Contast at +3 and Brightness at -3. I've watched Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Gladiator, War of the Worlds, and just tonight, Stealth. Oh boy, did Stealth look good. They all looked good, but Stealth really showed off what the combination of these two great products are capable of. I haven't seen MB at all. No ghosting or anything that wasn't supposed to be there. I like TrueLife on. It gives the AE900 just the right amount of sharpness it needs to shine. I can't believe how much better the Oppo looks through DVI instead of component--it's not the same machine. I'm glad I listened to the people on this forum and went with this DVD player. No regrets.

Great report and glad you like the player SirJohn!

Paul

today is the first time i really played several discs on my 1-day old Oppo.

i noticed that on material that is non-widescreen, it is stretched on my sony 60xbr1. i had to go into setup, and select WideSqueeze to make the people not look fat. is this the right way to do this? Widesqueeze just sounds like it is doing something "extra" and not necessary...i was thinking that there might be a mode that just says something like "1.33:1". the widesqueeze choice sounds like the Oppo/farouja is somehow "forcing" the image to fit something, instead of saying that the dvd IS recorded in 1.33:1.

i'm a bit of a newbie at this, so please comment/advise me as to whether i'm reading too much into this and everything's fine, or there's another, superior way to set these types of non-wide dvd's up for my 60xbr1 tv.

thanks!!

PS: 'native resolution' in LCoS (and other LCD-based displays) that may well affect how well/poorly it displays 720p versus 1080i. suffice it to say that i'm somewhat confused and am wondering why my 60xbr1 won't display 1080i BETTER than 720p from my Oppo. i have to admit that i'm not definitive on this yet as i haven't had much time to live with the Oppo yet, having just received it yesterday and not having too much time to play back dvd movies yet. i've watched a tiny segment of Lord of the Rings, and then some concert dvd's (Concert for Geroge).

eieio,

The Wide/SQZ mode is the proper setting for viewing widescreen and 4:3 material automatically in the correct aspect ratio. There is a slight bit of resolution loss with the 4:3 material in this mode.

Another option would be to let the display set the 4:3 ratio but some displays do not allow for the resizing to 4;3 with a 720p or 1080i signal. Most displays allow for the resizing in 480p, however.

Paul

Paul:

thanks for your advice. i'm just wondering, as a newbie...how come the Oppo/Farouja won't simply recognize that the dvd has a 4:3 image and default to that? rather than force us to hit several buttons to do all that adjustment? there are so many buttons on the remote of the Oppo, shouldn't it be either automatic with the ability to change it, only when necessary, or, there should be a button on the remote that allows one to toggle between the various modes?

still a bit confused. how would i know if my 60xbr1 sony would allow resizing with 720p or 1080i so i won't have to use the Oppo/Farouja and suffer that slight bit of loss of resolution?

thanks again!

looking forward to your response!

PS: by the way, how come you know so much about the Oppo machine? ;)

eieio,

The Oppo does automatically recognize 16:9 in Wide/SQZ and presents the proper 4:3 ratio, rescaled to fit a 16:9 screen. The ability to toggle through sizes would be a nice feature but it isn't present in this player at this time. Aside from the slight loss of resolution the Wide/SQZ has worked well, in my view. At first, the Oppo didn't have the Wide/SQZ mode at all and people whose 16:9 display did not allow for the resizing at 720p/1080i were stuck with "fat" 4:3 material. While quite common now the automatic 16:9 4:3 detection was a very highly prized feature with early upconverting players.

The Sony remote has a "Wide" button to change aspect ratios, size, etc.

see page 53 of the manual here:

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/documents/specifications/KDS-R50XBR1_manual.pdf

Paul

P.S. response: I've been living and breathing the Oppo for almost eleven months. It's a fun journey! If you ever write Oppo digital with questions and suggestions you will find the company quite responsive and helpful. That quality has won many customers and the suggestions offered by the enthusiatic users in this group have helped make the Oppo the great player it is today.

Paul,

thanks again, for your kind and useful response.

does that mean, according to your post, that the smart thing to do is to set the Oppo to Wide/Sqz mode ALWAYS, so that we can simply let the Oppo "see" that the dvd is a wide 16:9 dvd and it will automatically display properly on my 60xbr1? and if the dvd is a 4:3 dvd, it already is in the Wide/Sqz mode so it will simply disply "non fat" and proper 4:3 image with black bars on my tv?

it seems like what i wrote above is preferable to the other alternative, which is keep the Oppo at Wide, and then HAVE to manually reset it to Wide/Sqz each and every time there's a 4:3 dvd in the player?

which is preferable in terms of minimum resolution loss?

thx!

Paul:

on page 53 of the sony xbr1 manual, please note that it says specifically that for 4:3 material, when the tv receives a 720p or 1080i signal, the "Normal" mode is NOT available. so that means that for 4:3 dvd's that the Oppo output at a 720p or 1080i signal, i'm out of luck with the "wide button" on my Sony remote. i have to use the two options you outlined above, is that right?

Option 1: leave the oppo at Wide/Sqz and let the Oppo recognize 4:3 or 16:9 automatically - this is the most convenient.

Option 2: leave the oppo at Wide and whenever there's a 4:3 dvd playing, go to Setup and change it to Wide/Sqz EACH and every time there's a 4:3 dvd? this is less convenient?

which option would you do, Paul, may i ask?

thx!

eieio,

Yep! The Wide/SQZ mode will do the work automatically -- 16:9 will be correct and 4:3 will be correct!

We know the Oppo will lose a little resolution with 4:3 material in Wide/SQZ but, if I read the Sony manual correctly, a 4:3 mode isn't an option with 720p/1080i signals anyway.

Paul

Paul:

what is the quality difference between leaving the Oppo on Wide/Sqz and letting it go either 16:9 or 4:3, versus leaving the Oppo on Wide (so it only does 16:9 properly) and manually turning the Wide/Sqz on ONLY when there's 4:3 dvd in the player?

shouldn't the second alternative (leaving the Oppo on Wide and manually switching it to Wide/Sqz ONLY when necessary) mean that 16:9 MIGHT, just might have better results?

so the question really is: does 16:9 material look better when the Oppo is on Wide versus Wide/sqz? or is the 16:9 material identical in both settings becuase the auto detect is EQUAL to the manually setting method? i would think that the 4:3 material would look the same because whether you leave the Oppo on Wide or Wide/Sqz, when viewing 4:3 material, you HAVE to turn the Oppo to Wide/Sqz to get the proper proportions (i CANNOT stand stretched fat people, i firmly believe that whatever the correct proportions are of the print/dvd, i respect it and watch it as such, whether it be 4:3 or 16:9, i do NOT zoom, i do NOT want to lose anything, nor do i want people to look fatter than what they were filmed to look like).

thanks. can't wait to see your answer!!

Paul:

what is the quality difference between leaving the Oppo on Wide/Sqz and letting it go either 16:9 or 4:3, versus leaving the Oppo on Wide (so it only does 16:9 properly) and manually turning the Wide/Sqz on ONLY when there's 4:3 dvd in the player?

eieio,

I am running an almost identical setup to yours...50" rather than 60"...and I only use the wide/sqz mode for viewing supplemental material that changes aspect ratio. I find the loss of resolution in the wide/sqz mode with 4:3 material to be completely unacceptable. I use the 720P-wide mode for everything except films shot at 1.33:1 or in the old Academy ratio of 1.37:1.

For the 4:3 films, or non-anamorphic prints like Criterion's Spartacus, I use 480P in the wide mode. I then either watch it at the full 4:3 the Sony presents in that mode, or I zoom using the Sony to enlarge the image to fill the screen horizontally. It definitely makes a superior image doing it that way.

A good way to see the loss of resolution with the OPPO's wide/sqz mode, is to find a subtitled 4:3 film and then look at the lettering in both wide/sqz set to 720P and then in wide set at 480P...The difference will tell you everything you need to know about how to use the OPPO with your Sony... ;)

-Toonces

Paul:

what is the quality difference between leaving the Oppo on Wide/Sqz and letting it go either 16:9 or 4:3, versus leaving the Oppo on Wide (so it only does 16:9 properly) and manually turning the Wide/Sqz on ONLY when there's 4:3 dvd in the player?

shouldn't the second alternative (leaving the Oppo on Wide and manually switching it to Wide/Sqz ONLY when necessary) mean that 16:9 MIGHT, just might have better results?

so the question really is: does 16:9 material look better when the Oppo is on Wide versus Wide/sqz? or is the 16:9 material identical in both settings becuase the auto detect is EQUAL to the manually setting method? i would think that the 4:3 material would look the same because whether you leave the Oppo on Wide or Wide/Sqz, when viewing 4:3 material, you HAVE to turn the Oppo to Wide/Sqz to get the proper proportions (i CANNOT stand stretched fat people, i firmly believe that whatever the correct proportions are of the print/dvd, i respect it and watch it as such, whether it be 4:3 or 16:9, i do NOT zoom, i do NOT want to lose anything, nor do i want people to look fatter than what they were filmed to look like).

thanks. can't wait to see your answer!!

If Toonces is running a similar system then trust him on it. But you could also see my post on the other thread.