I currently have the A2 Toshiba HD player ($99 at WalMart)...I can unload this now with a few movies. Seeing as the format war is pretty much done, I don't mind doing that...especially since the load time on the A2 is excruciating. It also only upconverts to 1080i which isn't a huge deal.

So...would you guys keep the A2, or sell the A2 and get the Oppo DV981HD ($229) or the DV-980H ($169)? Any thoughts? If you say sell the A2...will I notice any difference between the two Oppos? What about between the Oppo and the Toshiba as far as upconverting goes? I'm pretty sure I can unload the Toshiba to pay for the 980H and almost the 981HD.

I currently have a 50" Sony SXRD 1080p TV with HDMI running directly to it as my receiver does not have HDMI inputs. I am running digital optical sound directly to my Pioneer receiver with a 5.1 sound system.

Any thoughts are appreciated. I'm leaning towards unloading the A2 and getting the Oppo DV-980H. Thanks.

Oppo definately greater than the Tosh in upscaling, despite everyone saying what a great upscaler the Tosh is. I'd still not count Toshiba out yet and keep the A2. I don't know how much you'd be able to "unload" it for and is HD-DVD turns around, you'd feel pretty foolish.

If you could trade it straight up for an Oppo 981 though, I'd take that deal in a heartbeat (I own both the A2 and the 981)

Between my movies and the unit itself...probably $210 or so for the A2...about $19 less than the 981.

I just unload my Wal-mart special - A2 and opting to go back to an old Zenith DVB318 (region free) 1080i SD-DVD connecting to a Panny plasma.

My other set up is a Mitsu HD1000u 720p connecting to the Oppo 970 and very happy with the picture and upscaling. Also, my 970 is region free while the Toshiba is not (SD).

Yes the load time of the A2 even with 2.7 firmware was like starting up Windows XP.