My old Bravo D1 just died, so I am looking for a new DVD player.

I have a Toshiba 65HDX82 CRT which is known to do a very poor job with upconversion. For this reason, I get a significant benefit from an upconverting DVD player outputing 1080i to my 1080i native display (DVI input).

Although I am a little concerned about the potential for macroblocking, I just ordered an Oppo 981HD due to the great Secrets rating. Also, I prefer black components.

Now, I am reading that Oppo actually recommends the 970HD for native 1080i displays! I'm confused...

Which player will give me the best picture at 1080i (best video performance, clarity, reduced "jaggies", etc.)? If macroblocking turns out not to be an issue, why wouldn't I want to get a DVD player that scores 98 over one that scores 86?

Although I am a little concerned about the potential for macroblocking, I just ordered an Oppo 981HD due to the great Secrets rating. Also, I prefer black components.

Most macroblocking complaints I see come from plasma and and DLP owners. I've seen it on my tiny CRT with really terrible discs. Once in a blue moon on LCD. It is true that more reports come from rear projection systems; I don't know why.

Now, I am reading that Oppo actually recommends the 970HD for native 1080i displays! I'm confused...

I don't see that on the Oppo web pages, but maybe they have said it in support emails. I lose track of who has said what.

Which player will give me the best picture at 1080i (best video performance, clarity, reduced "jaggies", etc.)?

That will be somewhat subjective. The common wisdom is that the 970 is "sharper, but with rougher deinterlacing", while the 971/981 are "smoother, more film-like."

If macroblocking turns out not to be an issue, why wouldn't I want to get a DVD player that scores 98 over one that scores 86?

If it works for you, then I'd say "no problem". Some of the Secrets points are for things that might not matter to you: PAL performance, for example, where the 971/981 do better than the 970.

If you do see macroblocking, give it a fair test by using a calibration disc and following the tips shown here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7270763&&#post7270763

If you have macroblocking and can't fix it, Oppo has a 30 day return. They'll send you a 970 and the price difference.

Let us know how it works.

-Bill

If you don't get MB, the 981 is superior even if you have a CRT RPTV. It will produce a slightly softer image comared to the 970, but will look a bit more filmlike, smoother, and cleaner. If MB is a problem, exchange the 981 for the 970.

I believe Oppo recommends the 970 for CRT RPTV because of greater sharpness which some prefer.

I've used the 970 and 971 (nearly the same as the 981) on my CRT RPTV; I did get some MB from the 971 - not a lot - but that was still unacceptable to me and went with the 970 (and now I'm using the Denon 2930CI for SD DVD).

Here are the posts that have me concerned (#107 and #222 in thread "Oppo Digital DV-981HD FAQ/Brain Dump"):

If there is no native 1080p support for an incoming signal, then all of
our DVD units will work well with your display. We generally recommend
the DV-970HD for 1080i support, as it has the cleanest looking 1080i
signal.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.The Faroudja chipset was not designed for interlaced throughput.
One of the problems with 1080i is that you de-interlace and scale 540p
(1920x540), re-interlace the video, then distribute it as 1080i.
Because the Faroudja chipset does major changes to the video when it
de-interlaces, the re-interlacing can introduce artifacts such as
aliasing and combing errors, as well as make the resulting image look
slightly soft.

The DV-970HD does less de-interlacing processing, does not suffer from
softness, and will produce a more detailed 1080i picture. All DVD
players will de-interlace, scale, then re-interlace for 1080i.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
Based on these statements from Oppo, should I get the 970HD instead? Has anyone done any actual A/B comparisons betweent he two players at 1080i?

Because the 981 is softer and my CRT RPTV already produces a softer image, I chose to go with the 970 HD. I don't have any regrets.

I only own the DV970HD but I own other inexepensive Faroudja players. I think the DV970HD is great, save the money.

Chris

GLAD I stumbled into this thread because it is dealing with questions that I now too have been asking before making the BIG purchase decision. I too - have a RPTV, a TOSHIBA 46HX83, and because it only has a DVI INPUT [presently using Component IN/OUT] - in my research so far, I was leaning toward the Oppo 971 instead of the 970 because it comes with DVI to DVI Cable and has that "super" conversion chip. I would not have to deal with a HDMI to DVI Converter [ I have read that that can be OR has been a problem for some 970 units; do they have that fixed?] And one place I read that when you use an adapter like that HDMI to DVI sometimes you can lose something?? [like to do with BLACKness]
But the 970 has so many COOL features and the price is more in my "ball park" too. OPPO has refurbished 971's for $160 plus shipping BUT Amazon has the 970 for $149 w FREE shipping.
Here is a quote from a reviewer that I was reading earlier which kind of upset me apple cart too: something like, "upscaling can cause the picture to be HARSH and other problems on some RPTV CRT's".

I want two things, like everyone here I imagine, a GREAT and Improved Picture; and the BEST Surropund Sound Possible to go with it. Can someone here please evaluate the Sound qualities of the 970 vs. 971?

TKS Michael

I'm also wondering about this since I have the 50hdx82 projection and I'm not sure if Oppo is best for me or which model. I have another thread going "Should I upgrade my dvd player". 480p gives my tv good picture now after calibrated, I'm wondering what 1080i looks like. Let me know how it looks on your Toshiba once you get the Oppo player. I'm not sure what you mean by softer or sharper pic between the two players. I'm wondering if my denon dvd1600 gives me sharp or soft pic. Sorry, I'm not experience between the two or seen comparisons.

I have a three-year old Hitachi 51S700 CRT RPTV, and every DVD player utilizing a Faroudja chip that I tested evidenced macroblocking on my display. You'll just have to hope for the best.

I have the 970H hooked up to my set with an HDMI - DVI cable, and I haven't noticed any problems with that connection that isn't also apparent when connecting through the component cables.

As far as 1080i vs. 480p, I can't say that I notice a lot of difference on my display. If you're interested in a very appreciable difference, you may not see it on a CRT. As a matter of fact, I have certainly noticed times when 480p over component provides a better picture than 1080i over HDMI, on my system. It will probably all come down to personal preference.

WOW! THANKS alot dj........ for replying, that is the type of INFO that I was seeking to find out. I have read many comments about the "problem" of macro-blocking [whatever that is] and was curious IF that would be a concern for me with my 3 year old RPTV.........and from what you have experienced, there is a GOOD chance that I would have that problem IF I buy one with that "special" converting chip in it [like the 971 - which I was leaning toward because of it's totally DVI based and my Toshiba has DVI Input]. That surely helps - I can quit considering those units.
Kind of disappointing to hear that because we have CRT based HDTV's that we won't get the NICDE "Bang for the Buck" these other people are getting with these upconverting DVD players. Maybe should SQUASH this bug to buy one and stick with my old Tosh DVD player??
One more question - IF - you might know: The quality of the Surround Sound Output is just about as important or more so for me than the PQ.......how do you judge the SQ of the 970 compared to others you might have heard?

PS - also considering the Sony 5 Disc Model - I think it is number 85: know it is not as highly rated as the Oppo, BUT I like multi-disc, PLUS everyone says the PQ is quite good BUT the SQ is GREAT!

TKS Michael :confused:

I have a three-year old Hitachi 51S700 CRT RPTV, and every DVD player utilizing a Faroudja chip that I tested evidenced macroblocking on my display. You'll just have to hope for the best.

I have the 970H hooked up to my set with an HDMI - DVI cable, and I haven't noticed any problems with that connection that isn't also apparent when connecting through the component cables.

As far as 1080i vs. 480p, I can't say that I notice a lot of difference on my display. If you're interested in a very appreciable difference, you may not see it on a CRT. As a matter of fact, I have certainly noticed times when 480p over component provides a better picture than 1080i over HDMI, on my system. It will probably all come down to personal preference.

Your results are somewhat similar to mine. I have a Sony CRT RPTV and I only upscale because I hate seeing scanlines at 480p - at 1080i they are invisible. HDMI and component are very close on my display - component has maybe 1-2% better contrast, where as HDMI has a bit less ringing (both inputs properly calibrated). Upscaling does slightly soften the image too.

My 981HD is already on the way so I went ahead and ordered the 970HD as well (Oppo customer support actually said it was OK to do this then send one back within 30 days).

When I get the units, I will do a detailed A/B comparison at 1080i over HDMI to my Toshiba 65HDX82 RPTV. If anyone is interested, I'll snap a few images of test patterns and reference DVDs.

Just be sure to calibrate each player with DVE or Avia!

bnewsome - - - - I'd sure be interested in your Feedback since I have the Toshiba 46HDX83 and really need some hand's on reports.

TKS Michael ;)

My 981HD is already on the way so I went ahead and ordered the 970HD as well (Oppo customer support actually said it was OK to do this then send one back within 30 days).

When I get the units, I will do a detailed A/B comparison at 1080i over HDMI to my Toshiba 65HDX82 RPTV. If anyone is interested, I'll snap a few images of test patterns and reference DVDs.

Excellent! I cannot decide what I want yet and will be curious to see these results. Please post here once you got it done.

I have a Hitachi 57F59.