I am pulling the trigger on the 6070 with much help from this forum (thanks to all). I would like to add an upconverting DVD player and know Oppo has a very loyal following here. I'm just not sure which of the 3 is the one to get. I understand the 6070 accepts 1080P but doesn't resolve it so do I still get the 981 or just get one of the 1080i units. But, I'm not quite sure of the difference between the 971 and the 970 (HDMI vs. DVI), and which would maximize my viewing experience. Also, should I consider anything else or does Oppo still provide the best bang for the buck. If it makes a difference, I do plan on adding a quality HDMI reciever and speakers for a nice surround sound system and will be using a Time Warner HD box and Monster power conditioner. Thanks.

With the minimal price difference I'd go ahead and get the 981. You can set it to output 720p or 1080i also.

Can't go wrong with either one. Some might question the upconverting of the DVD player VS the display.

Some? Hmmm. Should I infer that some feel the Pio can upscale the 480 into 720p or 1080i just as well as an upconverting DVD player rendering it unnecessary?

I am pulling the trigger on the 6070 with much help from this forum (thanks to all). I would like to add an upconverting DVD player and know Oppo has a very loyal following here. I'm just not sure which of the 3 is the one to get. I understand the 6070 accepts 1080P but doesn't resolve it so do I still get the 981 or just get one of the 1080i units. But, I'm not quite sure of the difference between the 971 and the 970 (HDMI vs. DVI), and which would maximize my viewing experience. Also, should I consider anything else or does Oppo still provide the best bang for the buck. If it makes a difference, I do plan on adding a quality HDMI reciever and speakers for a nice surround sound system and will be using a Time Warner HD box and Monster power conditioner. Thanks.

At this point, why would you spend $200 on an Oppo when you can get the HD-A2 hi-def player for $250 (+ 5 free movies), which upscales about as well as the Oppo but is also an HD-DVD player. You effectively get the HD-DVD part for free!

When the price gap was $200 vs. $500+, that was one thing, but there's no reason to buy a $200 upconverter right now when HD-DVD players will be $200 or less in a matter of months.

EDIT: That's on top of the fact that, as the poster above rightly points out, it's likely you won't even see that much benefit from an upconverter on a TV with processing/scaling as good as the 6070.

At this point, why would you spend $200 on an Oppo when you can get the HD-A2 hi-def player for $250 (+ 5 free movies), which upscales about as well as the Oppo but is also an HD-DVD player.

Can you please point me where I can get it at this price?

TIA

Can you please point me where I can get it at this price?

TIA

MSRP on the HD-A2 is $399, but there's currently a promotion where Toshiba is giving $100 instant rebate, so the in-store price at all major retailers is an effective MSRP of $299. Both Costco and Sam's Club, however, have it for $250 or less during this current rebate promotion, and Amazon and other online retailers have occasionally had if for that price as well.

The 5 free DVD's is a mail-in rebate promotion from Toshiba for all HD-DVD player purchases. There are some other promotions going on as well, but this is off-topic for this forum -- lot's of discussion of this in the HD-DVD hardware section. Head to that forum and check it out.

Like I said, I just can't see why anyone would buy a pricey upconverter at this point with prices dropping so fast. Even if HD-DVD "loses the war", you've still got a great upconverter.

What Oppo needs to do now is come out with a cost-effective HD-DVD player that also has their great upconverting capability... but the $200 upconverter-only is rapidly becoming obsolete.

Why not just get an HD DVD for about the same price and enjoy BOTH high-def DVDs and upconverted SD DVDs?
The format "war" may eventually settle on dual players, and when they come down in price (or a single format emerges), you can upgrade then.
Cheers

Yes I fully agree. I almost bought Oppo 981 but then saw the Toshiba thread. Thanks for the info batpig. Thanks avs2avs.

Question: Would the same logic that applies to upscaling DVD players being unnecesary as the Pio can do the job on its own apply to the upscale HDMI receivers as well? i.e. Would you plug your Plasma directly into the cable box and let the TV scale or would you still plug your Plasma into the receiver and connect to the plasma via HDMI. Which would deliver better PQ? (Clearly I am a newbie to this stuff although I've been told my 18 year old Luxman receiver and Snell speakers made for a fine choice back in the day.)

i would not run the video inputs through a avr/receiver unless you absolutley need it for the switching. run your cable stb/sat stb/dvd/hddvd player directly into your 6070.

get a hd dvd player and feed the 6070 true HD.

Well. I decided to pick up the Toshiba on sale from BB after noting that CC had it sold out already (at least in NYC). I figure I'll try it without the upconverter and decide weather to break open the box at that point and time. Thanks for the input.