For those looking for a great 1080P upsampling player, check out the Samsung DVD-HD960. I have owned it a while now, and love it. I also have an Oppo OPDV971H, and newly bought Toshiba XA2 HD player.

The Samsung does produce a high quality 1080P picture, clearly better then my Oppo in 1080i mode, for the price. It doesn't have lots of connections, but the remote/player is excellent in terms of features and functionality. If you have 1080P TV, and not lots of $$ to spend, try it, you'll be surprised in the PQ. I havemnt compared it to the 1080P Oppo, but I'm sure its less money will produce a similar quality picture, again only if you need basic connectivity. Only component + Composite A/V, HDMI, optical + coax audio, and Svideo connectivity.

A very solid player with great features and menus for the price! In fact I'm selling my Oppo and gonna use the Samsung with my 2nd TV, 1080i Plasma.

I just returned my 960 a few hours ago. THe HDMI blackouts while using an hdmi switching receiver was pissing me off too much.

Gordong11:

How does the 960 compare against the XA2 for upscaling SD DVD? Obviously the XA2 should be better, but what's the "real life" comparison?

I too am curious as to how it rates with the Oppo 1080p upconverting player as there is a considerable price difference. While I know there is no "magic" player that can turn our DVDs into HD I am waiting out the HD DVD/Blu Ray war. And I am running out of excuses to tell the wife why I need this and that...LOL

i too am considering this v. the Oppo

several slams on the 960 on, well, the Oppo board.

Haven't seen slams on the Oppo 981 nearly as much as the Samsung, but these forums are not a scientific study.

I just returned my 960 a few hours ago. THe HDMI blackouts while using an hdmi switching receiver was pissing me off too much.

Does the Oppo 981 have this problem too?

Tosh XA2 should trump this Samsung 960 as the XA2 has HQV processing for much more money.