DVD Player Compatibility Testing Results
I have taken a look at the OPPO OPDV971H, Samsung DVD-HD950, Panasonic DVD-S97 and Sony DVP-NS975V. I hope to continue my testing with other players and hope to be able to report on the Pioneer DV59-AVi or it's successor the DV79-AVi.
The intent of my work was not to document every feature of these players. You can check the user's manuals and manufacturer web sites for that information. I also can not test the players in the manner that Secrets of Home Theater can. So I would recommend that you review their work at this address:
CLICK HERE . Please note, based on my testing, both the OPPO and Sony reviews are outdated on the Secrets site because they are based on earlier versions of the players or their firmware. My intent is also not to duplicate or replace the thousands of comments on avsForum by members in the OPPO, Sony, and Samsung threads.
So what am I trying to do? Quite simply, I am trying to see how these players operate with the new Samsung 1080p DLP's and by extension how they might work with the many new 1080p DLP HDTV's coming out during the next few months. I was trying to find the best one or two players for my own HT setup. I also hope that my work will help you narrow the field down to the players that will match your own unique HT setup. You still have to do your own research, but hopefully this work will get you started.
Why did I start with these four players? Well, these four players are based on three different chip technologies. These technologies include Genesis Faroujda (OPPO, Panasonic), Zoran (Samsung), and Sony proprietary (Sony). I still hope to get a chance to look at the Pioneer players, but I am still working on that as I write this summary.
I was looking for compatibility with 1080p HDTV's and the Samsung's in particular. I defined compatibility to include both picture quality (PQ) and other features designed to make up for deficiencies in the Samsung 1080p sets. These additional features included an AV sync function (to overcome any lip sync issues) and flexible audio control to allow sending audio to both the TV and an AV receiver (giving you the option of using either setup). The ability to route the right sound to the TV or a receiver is required because the Samsung can not pass through DD/DTS 5.1 audio via HDMI.
What were the results of my observations? I can recommend the OPPO, Panasonic and SONY. But, unfortunately I can not recommend the Samsung at this point in time. Please read my comments on each player below to understand which player is the best match to your own HT environment and viewing preferences.
The DVD experience on the new 1080p Samsungs is exceptional. There were some initial questions about whether movies would look better or worst on the new 1080p sets. In my opinion, movies look significantly better on the new 1080p sets than on my Samsung HLN 720p set.
All of my tests were done on my HLR5668W using STANDARD picture mode with the TV's picture mode set to their defaults. DVE was used to setup each DVD player and all picture settings were fine tuned on the DVD player. ONLY the DVI / HDMI output on each player and 1080i was tested on this initial set of tests.
If there is interest, I can post photos of the Sony/OPPO/Panasonic remotes or units.
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DVD Player: OPPO
Chip Technology: Genesis FLI-2310 Deinterlacer, Mediatek MPEG decoder
Firmware: 29 June 2005
List Price: $199
Web Site:
http://www.oppodigital.com/
Overall Performance:
>HLRxxx8W Compatibility (Low, Med, High): High
>HLRxxx8W Performance Impression (Low, Med, High): High
Output Resolution Tested: 1080i
Other Resolutions Offered (via HDMI): 480p, 720p
Basic Tests:
> Blacker-Than-Black: Passed.
> Macroblocking: Yes, but generally not present or not significant.
Important Features to Enhance HLRxxx8W Performance:
1. A/V sync capability (up to 50 ms, 10 ms increments). It would have been nice if this delay could have been up to 100 or 120 ms. ADDED: OPPO Digital recently stated that would like to increase the A/V sync capability from 50 ms to 120 ms. ... if they can implement this extension in the next firmware upgrade it will be a great enhancement!!!
2. Ability to send audio to TV via RCA cables *AND* send DD/DTS to your receiver via digital cable. This allows you to use either your TV audio or the receiver audio without making any adjustments to your DVD player. Excellent control over signals going to TV and receiver.
Nice Features:
1. Clear, sharp, nice picture. This player has an exceptional picture, only degraded occasionally by macroblocking.
2. Good build quality (nice front panel display, nice finish, gold plated inputs). The player has a nice simple, streamlined two tone look.
3. Clear, easy to read setup menus. This player offers exceptional granularity on settings (offering up to 20 steps on some). In addition, this player offered more control over picture and sound than any other player reviewed. The OPPO offered control over settings that other players did not allow you to control. Please review manual for all setup menu options. ADDED: The Panasonic S97 also offers extensive picture control and granularity.
4. The player has a nice very readable blue front panel display plus many front panel display control options. In addition, the player has blue accent lights for all control buttons. I really like this feature because it allows me to identify and operate the player in my cabinet in low light! They can be turned off in the setup menu if you find them distracting.
6. Good controls for navigating in movies.
7. The remote is light and small making it easy to use. Some buttons are small and hard to read in low light, no backlighting. But, all important functions (and many unique, nice functions) are available and would be easy to transfer to any universal remote.
8. The player includes a quality DVI - HDMI cable that performed well.
9. The OPPO has without a doubt one of the nicest convenience features I have ever seen ... when you put a DVD in the unit, a message comes up on the screen saying loading ... when that message changed to DVD-video, press menu and you skip ahead to the DVD's main menu!!!!! You don't have to sit through all warnings and other filler that can take forever to get through. Thank you OPPO!
Problem Areas:
1. Occasional macroblocking.
2. No disc play position memory. This is a convenient feature offered on the other players.
2. Audio / video sync setting only goes to 50 ms. It would have been nice if it went higher, perhaps to 100 ms or 120 ms.
Comments:
I really like this DVD player. It is one of the highest rated DVD players ever on Secrets of Home Theater. It offers an exceptional sharp, clear picture that is compelling and addictive. The picture is only degraded by occasional macroblocking. Macroblocking seems to be a problem with all of the Genesis FLI-23xx based players, including Denon's players and the Panasonic S97 (see notes 1 & 2 below). This player is an enthusiast's player in that it offers comprehensive setup control for picture and sound. You will have more control with this player over your final viewing experience than with other competing players (ADDED: Panasonic S97, last player reviewed, also offers extensive control over picture setup).
Since most people buying this player will be ordering it via the internet (
http://www.oppodigital.com/), I would like to briefly comment on how it is shipped. It is shipped double boxed in a nice box. It is well protected during shipment by Styrofoam packaging. The player is wrapped in a blue OPPO sleeve that is soft and impressed me. It shouts we care about this player and your ownership experience. Nice job OPPO.
(1) To minimize macroblocking care should be taken to setup the player and TV correctly.
(2) I still hope to test the Denon and Panasonic players to determine the degree of macroblocking on these players.
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DVD Player: Sony DVP-NS975V
Chip Technology: Sony Proprietary CDX9304
Firmware: 1.90 (procedure to check firmware level in service menu ... with the power off to the unit; press TOP MENU,CLEAR,then POWER on the remote.)
List Price: $299
Overall Performance:
>HLRxxx8W Compatibility (Low, Med, High): High
>HLRxxx8W Performance Impression (Low, Med, High): High
Output Resolution Tested: 1080i
Other Resolutions Offered (via HDMI): 480i, 480p, 720p
Basic Tests:
> Blacker-Than-Black: Passed (manual picture settings, Cinema1, Cinema 2)
> Macroblocking: None
Important Features to Enhance HLRxxx8W Performance:
1. Ability to send PCM digital audio to TV over HDMI *AND* send DD/DTS to your receiver. This allows you to use either your TV audio or the receiver audio without making any adjustments to your DVD player.
2. Six PQ modes (standard, dynamic 1, dynamic 2, cinema 1, cinema 2, manual) that are accessible through a single button on the remote. Only manual is adjustable. I really like this PQ feature. Think of this feature like the picture modes in your DLP (ie. movie, standard, custom, and dynamic).
3. A/V sync capability (up to 100 ms, 10 ms increments). This feature does not work if you output Dolby Digital and/or DTS to your receiver ... so it will not solve the sync problems between the TV and receiver.
Nice Features:
1. Sharp, nice picture. Low levels of video noise.
2. Quality look, build (aluminum front panel, gold plated inputs).
3. Clear, easy to read setup menus.
4. Organized, easy to use control menu that is accessible during DVD play. These menus are large and clearly labeled. Plus a simple, elapsed time (and remaining time) only menu for quick checks of where you are in a movie. Nice.
5. Many front panel display brightness control options allowing you to tailor the visual look of the unit's display to virtually any desired mode of operation.
6. Instant replay, instant skip forward. Plus scan back / forward.
7. Manual picture settings (brightness, .).
8. Placement of HDMI input and digital audio connections makes access easy in cabinet.
9. HDMI output supports 12 bit connection. 12 bit/108 MHz internal video processing.
10. 40 disc play position memory.
11. The player has a single button function called Picture Navigator that brings up 9 scenes at a time and lets you branch directly to the scene. Nice, like a built in chapter select from the DVD's own menu. Unique.
12. Nice remote. Some buttons are small and hard to read in low light, no backlighting. But, all important functions (and many unique, nice functions) are available and would be easy to transfer to any universal remote.
Problem Areas:
1. Several users have reported reliability problems with EARLIER versions of this player. A model revision and firmware upgrades have since been implemented. But, buyers will have $250 - $325 (plus cables) invested in this player and will expect reliability.
2. Available in silver only, this player makes a strong style statement that may or may not match your other equipment.
3. Not really a problem, but the player does not include a HDMI cable so you will have to buy one. Other players (OPPO, Samsung) include a cable with the player.
4. AV alignment (sync) feature does not work on dolby digital and DTS being output to your receiver, only with PCM output. This is a disappointment.
Comments:
I really liked this DVD player. It offered a huge number of convenient and thoughtful features that gave the user excellent control over navigation, configuration, and viewing. The player exhibited no macroblocking and extremely low video noise levels. This resulted in a smooth, sharp, and stable picture. I would give the 975 the edge on overall PQ in this review of four players because of the lack of macroblocking. The OPPO and Panasonic pictures were as nice or nicer, but their overall score on my testing had to be lower because of their very occassional macroblocking. Secrets of Home Theater rated this (or an earlier version of this player) lower than the OPPO and Panasonic; you may want to read the their comments before making a purchasing decision (aspects of the review seem outdated to me). If you are comparing the two Genesis players to the Sony DVP-NS975V on Secrets of Home Theater, you will notice the Sony got a lower rating. This was because at the time of the Secrets testing the Sony did not pass BTB. Please be aware that the 975 (firmware 1.90) passes BTB in Manual, Cinema 1, and Cinema 2 modes so it's rating would be now be higher. Failure to pass BTB was Secrets only major problem with the player. The 975 did fail my chroma tests, but I did not see any problems with this flaw in over 60 hours of DVD video reviewed. I'm not a DVD player testing facility, but the picture looked really nice to me. The convenience features on this player can not be beat (but, the Panasonic S97 also has an extensive and comparable set of convenience features).
One final note, this player offers 480i output over HDMI. I have done a little initial testing on the capability, but I'm not ready to report in it at this point in time. It is a unique feature.
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DVD Player: Samsung DVD-HD950
Firmware: n/a
List Price: $249
Overall Performance:
>HLRxxx8W Compatibility (Low, Med, High): Med
>HLRxxx8W Performance Impression (Low, Med, High): Low/Med
Output Resolution Tested: 1080i
Other Resolutions Offered (via HDMI): 480p, 720p
Basic Tests:
> Blacker-Than-Black: No
> Macroblocking: None
Important Features to Enhance HLRxxx8W Performance:
1. Samsung's Anynet is a nice way to integrate the control and operation of the DVD player with the TV. I liked this feature.
Nice Features:
1. Manual picture settings (but, basic compared to other players).
2. Organized, easy to use reporting and control menu that is accessible during DVD play. This menu is large and clearly labeled.
3. Many display brightness control options allowing you to tailor the visual look of the units front display to virtually any desired mode of operation.
4. Instant replay, instant skip forward.
5. Nice comprehensive remote. Some buttons are small and hard to read in low light, no backlighting. But, all important functions are available and would be easy to transfer to any universal remote.
6. HDMI-HDMI cable, HDMI-DVI cable, and an AnyNet Cable are included.
Problem Areas:
1. PQ was not as good as other units tested. Seemed not as sharp, rougher. Others on the forum have called it muddy or dull. It was not acceptable. This was a surprise to me because I had viewed the player at Magnolia HiFi a few weeks ago and it had seemed nice there. I learned NEVER try to evaluate a DVD player in a store! It takes careful setup and hours of viewing to form competent opinions.
2. White LCD front panel was cosmetically unattractive and hard to read. It is worthless unless you are right next to the player, but the on-screen information function is nice and can be used instead. This is stark contrast to my two year old Samsung DVD-HD931, which had an excellent display and the other players in this comparison that had displays that were readable from quite a distance.
3. Only one way to set audio out. So either the TV can get PCM and work or your receiver can get DD/DTS and work. If sending DD/DTS to receiver you get annoying HDMI audio error messages on your display. This problem totally amazes me, it was present in the 2004 models and would be obvious with any product testing at all.
4. Player seemed cheaper than the others in the test (weight, connectors, display, plastic front panel, indicator lamps), but the black color minimized the cosmetic problems. Player could seem out of place cosmetically if you have other expensive components.
5. Player did not remember settings, such as the screen messages off setting and LCD display off setting making it impossible to create a work around for other problems.
6. No audio-video sync function. This was offered by some of the other players in the comparison. AV sync is a requirement so if the player does not do it you should consider a receiver with the capability or an external sync solution.
Comments:
I think everyone knows that I am a big Samsung enthusiast, so it hurts to say that I did not like this player. Actually, after a week, I really started to dislike it. Compared to the performance and features included on the other players in this test, it seemed like an incomplete engineering prototype a stripped down basic player. I could go into more detail about this player, but it would be waste of your time reading it and my time writing it.
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DVD Player: Panasonic DVD-S97
Chip Technology: Genesis FLI-2310 Deinterlacer
Firmware: 86H362 July 2005 Mfg Date, Revised S97 (procedure to check firmware level in service menu ... with the power on to the unit; press at same time PAUSE + EJECT and then 7 on the remote.)
List Price: $299
Overall Performance:
>HLRxxx8W Compatibility (Low, Med, High): High
>HLRxxx8W Performance Impression (Low, Med, High): High
Output Resolution Tested: 1080i
Other Resolutions Offered (via HDMI): 480p, 720p
Basic Tests:
> Blacker-Than-Black: Passed
> Macroblocking: Yes, but generally not present or not significant.
Important Features to Enhance HLRxxx8W Performance:
1. Ability to send PCM digital audio to TV over HDMI *AND* send DD/DTS to your receiver. This allows you to use either your TV audio or the receiver audio without making any adjustments to your DVD player.
2. Five PQ modes that are accessible through a single button on the remote. I really like this PQ feature. Think of this feature like the picture modes in your DLP (ie. movie, standard, custom, and dynamic).
3. A/V sync capability (up to 100 ms, 10 ms increments). I did not get as much testing time with this feature, so you should probably confirm that it works over the optical / coax digital outputs correctly. It appeared to be working.
Nice Features:
1. Sharp, nice picture. Unfortunately, macroblocking is present. The player that I was evaluating was the revised version of the S97 with the latest firmware. Macroblocking appeared to be very comparable to what is seen on the latest version of the OPPO. I believe both players have integrated the latest Genesis firmware. This has yielded significant improvements over earlier versions of this player.
2. Quality look, build. I like the style of this player. It has a large blue light above the DVD tray that makes changing disc's convenient nice feature. If you don't like lights on your player it can be turned off.. The players operational buttons were easy to use because of their position and angle. The player also had three LED lights indication HDMI operational status and other items. Nice.
3. Clear, easy to read setup menus. Crisp nicely designed setup and operational menus. This player seems nice and refined in terms of it's control menus.
4. Organized, easy to use control menu that is accessible during DVD play. These menus are large and clearly labeled. This player offered extensive control in it's operational menu. Plus a simple, elapsed time (and remaining time) only menu for quick checks of where you are in a movie. Nice.
5. Many front panel display brightness control options allowing you to tailor the visual look of the unit's display to virtually any desired mode of operation. This player had the largest, nicest display of any of the players that I reviewed. I really like this feature. I could easily read the display from my normal viewing distance.
6. Instant replay. Plus scan back / forward.
7. Extensive manual picture settings. Brightness, contrast, color, hue, gamma, several noise reduction options. Very comprehensive and very nice. These settings were in addition to extensive configuration options in it's setup menu. Nice.
8. All menus (setup, operational) were exceptionally nice graphics and very clear and easy to read. The unit had a refined, polished look.
9. Placement of HDMI input and digital audio connections makes access easy in cabinet.
10. HDMI output supports 10 or 11 bit connection. I haven't completed my research in this area, but this design supports more than the 8 bit format on DVI based players. But, please remember all DVD's are encoded in 8 bits.
11. 5 disc play position memory.
12. Nice remote. No backlighting. But, all important functions (and many unique, nice functions) are available and would be easy to transfer to any universal remote.
13. Player includes a HDMI - HDMI cable. It is a light weight cable, but will get up setup and operational.
Problem Areas:
1. Macroblocking - video noise: Unfortunately this player, like all other Genesis FL2310 based players reviewed, exhibits marcoblocking on the Samsung 1080p sets. But, the problems are generally not visible or significant. The macroblocking was comparable to what is visible on the OPPO (which uses the same Genesis FL2310 chip).
Comments:
I really liked this DVD player. In terms of it's style, display, lighted DVD, tray, and easy to use buttons it was a nice unit physically. The unit also has nicely executed and extensive setup and operational menus. It offered more setup and operational control features than any other player in these tests. It offered a huge number of convenient and thoughtful features that gave the user excellent control over navigation, configuration, and viewing. This player has a smooth, sharp, and stable picture. It is only degraded occasionally by macroblocking. In most movies this will not be visible, but in a macroblocking torture test like Master and Commander it will be an issue. The picture and macroblocking is very similar to the OPPO. Both the OPPO and the S97 are very highly rated on Secrets of Home Theater. If you are comparing the two Genesis players to the Sony DVP-NS975V on Secrets of Home Theater, you will notice the Sony got a substantially lower rating. This was because the Sony did not pass BTB. Please be aware that the 975 (firmware 1.90) passes BTB in Manual, Cinema 1, and Cinema 2 modes so it's rating would be higher. The 975 did fail my chroma tests, but I did not see any problems with this flaw in over 60 hours of DVD video reviewed. Back to the Panasonic, the convenience features on this player can not be beat and are as complete as the feature rich Sony 975.
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I am exasperated at asking questions, let unanswered and largely ignored. 
