Official OPPO DV-983H w/ ABT VRS FAQ/Dump - Page 5

Originally Posted by BrenRidley

I second the PS3 DVD comparison, as I am using one to watch my standard def DVDs on my RS-1. Does it look $400 better?

Conclusions

It is a shame that Sony put so much work into the PlayStation 3 in some areas but not in DVD playback. The lack of a film mode for de-interlacing and no support for upscaling are rare in progressive scan DVD players these days. While I would still recommend it as a Blu-ray player, anyone considering adding the PS3 to their home theater rack should probably keep their standard DVD player as well.

Like most game consoles, the PS3 is not what I would call a preferred video playback solution for standard DVDs. However, it is far and away one of the best Blu-ray players on the market today and an outstanding value for those looking to add HD support to their home theater system. But I would still recommend a higher quality stand alone DVD player for the more demanding home theater enthusiast.

Originally Posted by drbonbi

On the same Secrets benchmark test that the OPPO 983 aced with a top score of 100 out of 100, the PS3 scored a 61 as a DVD upconverting player. The review is here http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b...on%203%20(HDMI)



Dana

Originally Posted by Smarty-pants

I think that comparison is old though (I could be wrong). From what I hear, the PS3 has had some really good FW udates since then and now does much better with sd-dvd. ...

Introduction

Last year, I put the Sony Playstation 3 through our DVD Player Benchmark™ testing and it didn’t fare very well. In fact, it turned out to be one of the worst players I had tested to date. Later in the year the PS3 got a firmware update (v1.8) that supposedly revamped the DVD performance of the gaming console. I was bombarded with emails from our readership asking me to retest the console claiming they were seeing a huge difference in DVD playback after loading the new firmware.

At the time the new firmware came out, I did not have access to a PS3 anymore. Later on I was able to acquire one and run it through the tests. The only problem is, it didn’t seem to do any better.

Originally Posted by drbonbi

Yes, the initial review is dated. But, when Kris revisited it in a review posted Feb. 29, 2008 - no change.



Dana

Originally Posted by David Susilo

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

Originally Posted by David Susilo

I'd like to know whether this player is worth the $400 + shipping + duties in price (it'll be close to $550 once it arrives in Canada). I was looking forward to the ABT processor, but considering a Reon outboard processor is only $500, I wonder about the value of this unit.

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

This means that the DVD player can only decode DTS Core, while it can decode Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital ES for the HDMI or analog audio outputs.

It can still do a bitstream of DTS ES through optical and HDMI.

Originally Posted by drbonbi

My estimated ship date has now moved to March 12, 2008. TG I selected FEDEX 2 day Air delivery.

Dana

Originally Posted by drbonbi

My estimated ship date has now moved to March 12, 2008. TG I selected FEDEX 2 day Air delivery.

Dana

Originally Posted by Smarty-pants

So has anyone taken or planned a personal/sick day off to play with their new toy?

Originally Posted by nikonf5

http://www.solutionsav.ca

Click on the Oppo link right on the main page a few lines down from the top.

As they say, you can get it to your door for CDN$397+taxes if you pre-order since shipping is free in this case.

Shipping is only 2 dollars anyway.

Either way, you will have to wait till the end of March as they say.

As far as Reons go, I would say the ABT is a superior solution but thats just my take on the subject.

To get an outboard processor that has the same chipset as this one [VP20 or VP30 with the ABT102D add-on card], you would have to spend at least CDN$1500 and thats through eBay.

It would cost you a couple of hundred more if you bought it new in Canada.

Hope the local Oppo link helps you.

Originally Posted by Smarty-pants

So has anyone taken or planned a personal/sick day off to play with their new toy?

Originally Posted by Pride9

I have a favor to ask of all you fortunate 983 users. I will be using the 980 or 983 for SD-DVD's and for SACD and DVD-Audio playback. I see one of the major differences between the two is the 980 will pass DSD over HDMI whereas the 983 will convert to PCM over HDMI. If I recall Kal from Stereophile said he preferred the PCM to the DSD through HDMI to the Integra 9.8. When those who have/will be getting the 983 and have used the 980 are able, can you describe the sound quality differences in SACD's between the 980 using DSD and the 983 with the conversion. If the quality is only slightly better with DSD in the 980 then the 983 might be worth it for the video alone. Thanks for answering questions for those who have to wait.

Originally Posted by drbonbi

Yes, the initial review is dated. But, when Kris revisited it in a review posted Feb. 29, 2008 - no change.



Dana

Originally Posted by Rinkledorf

I've been waiting to get one of these. But, after finally getting to look at the back panel, It doesn't have a seperate 2 channel mixed output like the 981. A good feature if you want to take advantage of 5.1 analog for high rez. And a 2 channel analog out for cd playback. Oh well.

Originally Posted by Rinkledorf

I've been waiting to get one of these. But, after finally getting to look at the back panel, It doesn't have a seperate 2 channel mixed output like the 981. A good feature if you want to take advantage of 5.1 analog for high rez. And a 2 channel analog out for cd playback. Oh well.

Originally Posted by gonk

Unless you plan to route the two-channel to a separate receiver or pre-amp, you can still do this. If you disable Pro Logic II, the 983H will output 5.1 analog for DVD-A and multichannel SACD as well as straight stereo for stereo SACD and CD.

Originally Posted by David Susilo

Thanks for the link, but since I've seen an A1 upconverted using VP20 vs XA20 and prefer the XA2 (just preference, I guess), I'll wait until there is a more definitive review comparing between the 983 vs the $500 Reon outboard (which I can also use for to upconvert my original Star Wars Trilogy