I know this question has been asked under other topics related to specific players, but I keep wondering the same question.

I have a Panasonic 1080p 58" Plasma. Everthing I've read tells me not to try the Oppo 981 due to the chipset and Macroblocking.

I'm guessing the answer is to get something with the REON chipset, but I don't want to buy a BD or HDDVD player at the moment.

What is the best option?

New Oppo DV-980H (Mediatek Chip)
New Pioneer ?
Sony ?
Philips ?
Denon ?
Onkyo ?

Thanks

I suggest Denon 2930. It is awesome.
Also beware of 1080p players that can't pixelmap properly ( see below link ).
Denon works fine without that problem.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=876512

If your looking for hi def i also suggest HD-dvd player Toshiba XA2 (HQV) or Blu-Ray player Samsung BD1200 (also HQV) or the PS3 (Unknown software Deinterlace/Scaler). None of these are of course as fast as Denon and Denon kicks ass soundwise.

-Heavy

I suggest Denon 2930. It is awesome.
Also beware of 1080p players that can't pixelmap properly ( see below link ).
Denon works fine without that problem.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=876512

If your looking for hi def i also suggest HD-dvd player Toshiba XA2 (HQV) or Blu-Ray player Samsung BD1200 (also HQV) or the PS3 (Unknown software Deinterlace/Scaler). None of these are of course as fast as Denon and Denon kicks ass soundwise.

-Heavy

Okay the Denon 2930 is ~$600-800. I can't look at myself in the mirror after paying that much for a SD DVD Player when the BD1200 and XA2 are ~$500 and will play Hi Def content.

Of course, then I would have to make the dreaded BD or HD DVD decision. :eek:

Of the Oppo's and others that are less than $500, are there any good ones that don't exhibit Macroblocking?

Thanks

Get the new DV-980HD from Oppo. No macroblocking, excellent upscaled picture plus a host of great features and outstanding audio performance.

The Reon and Realta chips are considered the best currently on market for SD and Denon has the most players with this implementation. There are a number of other players that use something other than Faroudja - Pioneer, Sony, Momitsu, etc. So finding a non-macroblocking player is not that hard. It just depends on your budget and requirements.

Okay the Denon 2930 is ~$600-800. I can't look at myself in the mirror after paying that much for a SD DVD Player when the BD1200 and XA2 are ~$500 and will play Hi Def content.

Of course, then I would have to make the dreaded BD or HD DVD decision. :eek:


Then I would go for the Samsung BD1200...I believe Blu-Ray will win.


Of the Oppo's and others that are less than $500, are there any good ones that don't exhibit Macroblocking?

Thanks

I don't think the Oppo DV-980H uses Faroudja, so I guess it won't give you MB.
I know the Oppo DV-981HD had pixelmapping problems but there was a firmware fix for it. I don't know about DV-980H.

-Heavy

I don't think the Oppo DV-980H uses Faroudja, so I guess it won't give you MB.

Correct.

I know the Oppo DV-981HD had pixelmapping problems but there was a firmware fix for it. I don't know about DV-980H.

Displays, not players, do 1:1 pixel mapping. Neither the 980 nor the 981 have any underscan or overscan. The 971 had a few pixels of underscan on the sides.

-Bill

Correct.



Displays, not players, do 1:1 pixel mapping. Neither the 980 nor the 981 have any underscan or overscan. The 971 had a few pixels of underscan on the sides.

-Bill

Acually pixel mapping is a combination of source and display.
And if the player doen't send out the correct signal like DV-981 and DV-971 did you get borders around you picture.

see below for Oppo thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10739444&&#post10739444

and I've stared a thread here where I also will post pictures of what it looks like.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=876512

-Heavy