Ok, for a while now I've looked at the Oppo 981 as my player of choice, Key word is "looked". Now i see the Toshiba HD-A2 is in my price range. that makes the HD-A2 very tempting. Only thing holding me back is I'm not ready to comment to ether HD format. So that leaves me with three options.


1.)Oppo 981

2.)HD-A2

3.)Oppo 971 (and upgrade when we have a clear HD winner.)



My only worry with the HD-A2 is if it losses the Next Gen battle thus rendering my HD DVD movies trash. With the 981 I know I'm getting a solid player, my only question with that is if its worth the extra cash over the 971?

Ok, for a while now I've looked at the Oppo 981 as my player of choice, Key word is "looked". Now i see the Toshiba HD-A2 is in my price range. that makes the HD-A2 very tempting. Only thing holding me back is I'm not ready to comment to ether HD format. So that leaves me with three options.


1.)Oppo 981

2.)HD-A2

3.)Oppo 971 (and upgrade when we have a clear HD winner.)



My only worry with the HD-A2 is if it losses the Next Gen battle thus rendering my HD DVD movies trash. With the 981 I know I'm getting a solid player, my only question with that is if its worth the extra cash over the 971?

What display are you using? The only big features the 981 has over the 971 is 1080p and SACD audio. The 971 has DVI but comes with a DVI->HDMI cable. The 971 is no longer manufactured.

I have both Oppos and have been pleased with them, but if I were spending money today I would consider the HD-DVD player carefully, simply because of the new format. I haven't yet because of the scarcity of titles. I would also research the Toshiba's support for burned media before buying.

But: if you have DVD-A, SACD, PAL or other region discs, you want an Oppo.

-Bill

I'd go with the A2. First, IMO both formats are here for many years. Second, even if HD-DVD dies, your HD-DVDs will not self-destruct and you'll be able to enjoy them for years to come (no, they would not be trash). Third, the Tosh upscales at least as well as the Oppo, so again, even if the format dies (which I doubt), you'll be left with an excellent upscaling player as well as any HD-DVDs you already bought or can rent.

You both have good points. And my Plasma does not go up to 1080p. So that checks the 981 out. So what your telling me is the A2 is just as good of a stadered deffetion player as the 971? I do have some region 2 discs, Can the A2 play them?

Hi All,

I have a Benq 8720 projector http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manufacturers/benq/PE8720/index.asp

I have been using my XBOX 360 for DVD video, but have not been pleased with its lackluster video quality.

What do you all suggest I should get for a new DVD player? I would like to upconvert to 720P. What is the best bang for my buck?? This is all going through a Denon AVR-2807 setup in a 7.1 configuration. I am very impressed with the audio, and the HD cable channels, but the DVD video from the XBOX is lacking in my opnion.

What DVD player should I get???

You both have good points. And my Plasma does not go up to 1080p. So that checks the 981 out. So what your telling me is the A2 is just as good of a stadered deffetion player as the 971? I do have some region 2 discs, Can the A2 play them?
Yes, the A2 is as good as the Oppos, and plays HD-DVDs to boot (the only drawback is a higher price tag). I'm not sure about the region 2 capability. All upscaling players can output 720p or 1080i, so I would not rule out the 981 just because you don't have a 1080p display. The 981 is the best Oppo, unless you get MB with your display.

Hi All,

I have a Benq 8720 projector http://www.projectorreviews.com/Manufacturers/benq/PE8720/index.asp

I have been using my XBOX 360 for DVD video, but have not been pleased with its lackluster video quality.

What do you all suggest I should get for a new DVD player? I would like to upconvert to 720P. What is the best bang for my buck?? This is all going through a Denon AVR-2807 setup in a 7.1 configuration. I am very impressed with the audio, and the HD cable channels, but the DVD video from the XBOX is lacking in my opnion.

What DVD player should I get???
As stated in the other posts in this thread, the Oppos are the best value, although the Tosh HD-DVD players are only a little more expensive and give you HD-DVD capability as well. Denon and Sony are other popular SD DVD player brands.

I find that my Elite out preforms my Oppo 981 at 1080P.

Looks like it be the A2....


One last question, Is there any quality combo players coming out soon? If a quality duel format player came out that played DVDs as good as the oppo then id be willing to drop some real money on it

Looks like it be the A2....


One last question, Is there any quality combo players coming out soon? If a quality duel format player came out that played DVDs as good as the oppo then id be willing to drop some real money on it

I've heard of only two combo players and one has not yet been released. There is a forum for them: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=7&f=172

-Bill

One last question, Is there any quality combo players coming out soon? If a quality duel format player came out that played DVDs as good as the oppo then id be willing to drop some real money on it

LG has one right now, but it's not a complete HD-DVD player. It's expensive, too (at least $1100-1200.) Samsung is supposed to have a superior one (according to rumor/reports.)

I dunno, I'd wait a while still until they've proven themselves.

Thanks for all your help i went with the A2, Now i just gotta re buy all my fav movies in HD

Thanks for all your help i went with the A2, Now i just gotta re buy all my fav movies in HD
You can also rent them. Netflix has all HD-DVDs available. I believe Blockbuster (at least online) does as well.