Which Oppo is the best choice for a LCD rear projection television? I don't really know if LCDs are susceptible to macroblocking, so I'm unsure whether I should buy the Oppo 970 or 971.

Which Oppo is the best choice for a LCD rear projection television? I don't really know if LCDs are susceptible to macroblocking, so I'm unsure whether I should buy the Oppo 970 or 971.

Direct view LCD panels are generally not susceptible to enhanced macroblocking; I see it once in a blue moon on my 37". Rear projection: I'm not sure. My impression is that RP is more susceptible but that may because of the DLP units.

Oppo's cautions on "careful calibration" only mention DLP: http://www.oppodigital.com/dv981hd/dv981hd_comp.html

Note that the 971 is no longer made, atlhough you can still get them. The 981 is the new Faroudja-chip model.

I would get all my calibration materials together and try the 981 (presuming the RP has HDMI). Oppo has a 30-day return. If 981 has problems, swap it for a 970.

-Bill

Buy the Oppo 970 , I have it to use with my lcd projector and it looks wonderful,....

The 981 is their best player due to better deinterlacing than the 970 (as long as you don't get MB with the 981). WIth RP LCD, I doubt you'd get MB, so go with the 981.

Is the 981 worth the $80 dollar difference from the 970? I plan on using it with a 50'' 720p LCD RPTV.

Is the 981 worth the $80 dollar difference from the 970? I plan on using it with a 50'' 720p LCD RPTV.

"Worth" is a subjective question. You would have to try both and judge for yourself. As I said before, I would try the 981 first, or the 971, which may be had cheaper and will be equal to the 981 at 720p.

The 971 has DVI, comes with a DVI->HDMI cable and has no HDCP, which is really handy in some circumstances. If interested, call Oppo and ask if they have any, new or refurbished.

-Bill