can someone tell me for a regular dvd watcher, will this machine be the a good choice for me I have a panny TH-42PD25 plasma to hook it up to..

Also what exactly is the HACK for and will I need it??
thanks sorry if this has been gone over already ;)

Just a heads up, they have refurbished ones on sale for $119. It doesn't show them on the website, but if you call them you can get the refurbs. I just ordered mine today :D Not sure about the hack thing. As long as it plays my dvd's, I'm a happy man.

thanks, not sure if I wanna do the refurb though.. had some bad luck twice with that and for 30 bucks more.. think I'd go with the newbie...

any info about the hack anyone.. and does it really upscale a regular dvd??


aloha

user lament has the link to the fw in his sig:

http://www.lament.us/oppo/

I bought a refurbed 970 with no problems and with their customer support you can't go wrong,
as for the hack it's a 123 process and painless to say the least.

thanks, not sure if I wanna do the refurb though.. had some bad luck twice with that and for 30 bucks more.. think I'd go with the newbie...

any info about the hack anyone.. and does it really upscale a regular dvd??

The hack is of interest only to people using component cables. If you are using HDMI, you don't need it.

Upscaling DVD players really do upscale, but please don't confuse this with an HD source. DVDs have 720 x 480 pixels max (NTSC) and although this can be scaled to make impressive images, it isn't really HD. It can't be.

I've been pleased with my Oppo players and the 970 would be a good match for your plasma.

-Bill

Thanks bill for the reply.. One more thing my plasma is an edtv plasma I don't believe it has the 720 resolution will this matter? Also I'll also be installing a new PS3 hopefully using the HDMI as well, my plasma I think has only one HDMI connection.. I read somewhere that I could buy a hdmi switch box from monoprice and be able to run both through the hdmi on my plasma.. does this sound correct? again my plasma is a panasonic TH-42PD25 EDTV about 2-3 years old..

Thanks bill for the reply.. One more thing my plasma is an edtv plasma I don't believe it has the 720 resolution will this matter?

Well, the upscaling features won't be of much interest you, but you can still use it at 480i and 480p.

Also I'll also be installing a new PS3 hopefully using the HDMI as well, my plasma I think has only one HDMI connection.. I read somewhere that I could buy a hdmi switch box from monoprice and be able to run both through the hdmi on my plasma.. does this sound correct?

Yes.

Although: if you are going to use 480i or 480p you could use component from the 970 and leave the HDMI for the PS3. You don't need the firmware hack to use 480i/480p over component.

[EDIT: I'm presuming your display has component inputs as well as HDMI].

-Bill

Thanks Bill--- I'm finally starting to understand all this...

I have a question about the Opp 970. I understand that it plays Divx/XVid files. Can I put 4 or 5 Divx/Xvid files on a DVD and be able to pick out which one to play using the Oppo?
Thanks,
Mark

I have a question about the Opp 970. I understand that it plays Divx/XVid files. Can I put 4 or 5 Divx/Xvid files on a DVD and be able to pick out which one to play using the Oppo?
Thanks,
Mark

Yes, there is a file browser.

-Bill

Great Thyanks for the info!
Mark

Well, the upscaling features won't be of much interest you, but you can still use it at 480i and 480p.



Yes.

Although: if you are going to use 480i or 480p you could use component from the 970 and leave the HDMI for the PS3. You don't need the firmware hack to use 480i/480p over component.

[EDIT: I'm presuming your display has component inputs as well as HDMI].

-Bill


Yes, my display does have the component and hdmi and dvi inputs, one of each.. Only thing I'm thinking now is that since the upscaling feature won't be of any use since I have a plasma that is EDTV and I guess does not display in 720 only the 480 and 1080i maybe I should just get a lower end dvd player?? what do you think?
thanks

Yes, my display does have the component and hdmi and dvi inputs, one of each.. Only thing I'm thinking now is that since the upscaling feature won't be of any use since I have a plasma that is EDTV and I guess does not display in 720 only the 480 and 1080i maybe I should just get a lower end dvd player?? what do you think?
thanks

I think most current players will have upscaling options. If you use 480p then you are using it as a "progressive scan" player without scaling. There are differences in quality even at 480p. Here is a site that tests and reviews such players; if you have some model in mind you might see if it is listed: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-bin/shootout.cgi

By the way, you can connect an HDMI player to your DVI port with a cable. HDMI and DVI are pin-to-pin compatible, but no audio on DVI. You have to run separate audio connections, just as with component.

-Bill