I can't decide. It seems as though everyone has varying opinions. I can get these two for about the same price (give or take $30). I'm interested in picture quality on a Sony CRT HDTV over an HDMI connection and also with sound quality over the 5.1 analog out (since I'll use SACD and DVD-A). Does one shine above the others in either of these categories?

Can't attest to the Oppo or Denon, but the Yamaha is in my opinion OK at best. Definately not as good as I thought it was going to be when I blindly bought it. It is relatively slow and I feel as though the Sony player I had previously was better with color. The audio is pretty good though.

Yeah, the Yamaha was on the bottom of my list, so I'll just knock it off. How about Denon vs Oppo?

I have both the Oppo DV-981 and the Denon-2910, utlizing them in two home theater systems, with one of them also serving as a two-channel audio system as well. I have a the Mitsubishi HD-1000U front projector and the Panasonic 42-inch HD Plasma. I have used both players with both the projector and plasma TV. My and my family's brief experience (with the Oppo anyway) doing the comparisons has been unaminous...

The Denon does a slightly better job with older DVDs, slightly less but evident macroblocking with the DLP Mitshubishi (at our usual 150-inch diagonal screen), not as much with the plasma TV (therefore similar picture quality). With newer or higher quality DVDs, both units do a great job, much better than the cheaper Toshiba upconverting player (SD-7990) that we have discontinued using. The difference between an ordinary DVD player (we also have had Sony and Panasonic) and the Toshiba upconverting, via components or HDMI was visible (better contrast and sharpness). Then, the difference between the higher quality DVD players, the Oppo or Denon in question, versus the Toshiba was an exponential jump in quality (via HDMI).

The sound over our the high-end audio system was much better with the Denon, using ordinary CDs. The sound stage and imaging was better. It also did a better job at recognizing copied CDs, the Oppo DV-981 missed the immediate beginning of a track or messed up on a few tracks on various copied CDs (audible clicking). The Denon, besides doing a better job with all things audio, also remarkably did a great job on original CDs that had a lot of deep scratches (CDs from our car).

The conclusion is that both the Oppo and Denon had great picture quality. Which one to buy would really depend on the type of TV/projector and whether it is HD (1080) or not. We are strictly using the Denon 2910 with the Mitsubishi DLP front projector. The Oppo 981 with the HD Panasonic plasma TV. The audio is much better on the Denon.

I am now in the process of ordering the updated Denon DVD player, DVD-3930.

ukrosie,

Great post. I've asked in a couple of other threads (one I started yesterday) about the differences. And this is exactly the kind of feedback I'm also looking for. Great review against the Oppo and the other players mentioned.

I second that compliment - exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like I'll be getting a Denon. Really I want the 3930CI, but certainly can't afford it at the moment.

Ditto on the 3930 and getting an Denon. Race ya to the classifieds!