Forget the Helios. It's a POS, use Amlogic chip (not DCDi).
Forget the Oppo 971/981 as it has DCDi but no component upconversion.
Oppo 970 has component upconversion using hacked firmware or firmware patch, but has Mediatek (not DCDi). It's very good on most except for anime and video-source movies like TV shows, concerts, cartoons (Disney blockbuster animations are generally film-source so should be OK). DCDi is king on video-source due to good deinterlacing.
Zenith DVB-318 has DCDi (FLI-2301) and can do component and DVI/HDMI (needs DVI->HDMI cable, it's best is component 1080i as DVI has sync. issues with many TVs as well as white crush) using older firmware (newest firmware disables component upconversion). It's extinct so hard to find.
LG DVB-418 has DCDI (FLI-2310) and can do the same as Zenith, has HDMI built-in (no conversion cable needed), and can be hacked to do component 1080i (using LG 531 firmware). It's avail. on Epay refurbed for $80 shipped (or less).
Momitsu v880/888
can do component, DVI, and VGA using Sigma 8500 chipset. Build quality is suspect but better than Helios. It can be a little more expensive due to overseas shipping.
Bravo D1/D2 are like Momitsu except even harder to find.
Samsung HD931/941 uses DCDi, hackable via remote codes to do component 720p/1080i, but also harder to find.
Samsung HD841/850/950 can do component upconversion but uses Zoran chipset using the same remote codes as Samsung HD931/941. Zoran is mediocre on upconversion (worst than Mediatek which is very slightly worse than DCDi).
Don't forget DCDi has "macroblocking" problem with some TVs/PJs (DLP, plasmas, some CRTs) on dark scenes on some tittles--most people don't see it.
Best upconversion these days (no macroblocking) is the Reon Vx by Silicon Optix such as those found in the more expensive Denon SD-DVD, HD-DVD Tosh HD-XA2, Blue Ray Samsung BD-1200. They don't upconvert SD-DVDs on component (the HD players can upconvert HD tittles on component).
Forget the Oppo 971/981 as it has DCDi but no component upconversion.
Oppo 970 has component upconversion using hacked firmware or firmware patch, but has Mediatek (not DCDi). It's very good on most except for anime and video-source movies like TV shows, concerts, cartoons (Disney blockbuster animations are generally film-source so should be OK). DCDi is king on video-source due to good deinterlacing.
Zenith DVB-318 has DCDi (FLI-2301) and can do component and DVI/HDMI (needs DVI->HDMI cable, it's best is component 1080i as DVI has sync. issues with many TVs as well as white crush) using older firmware (newest firmware disables component upconversion). It's extinct so hard to find.
LG DVB-418 has DCDI (FLI-2310) and can do the same as Zenith, has HDMI built-in (no conversion cable needed), and can be hacked to do component 1080i (using LG 531 firmware). It's avail. on Epay refurbed for $80 shipped (or less).
Momitsu v880/888
can do component, DVI, and VGA using Sigma 8500 chipset. Build quality is suspect but better than Helios. It can be a little more expensive due to overseas shipping.Bravo D1/D2 are like Momitsu except even harder to find.
Samsung HD931/941 uses DCDi, hackable via remote codes to do component 720p/1080i, but also harder to find.
Samsung HD841/850/950 can do component upconversion but uses Zoran chipset using the same remote codes as Samsung HD931/941. Zoran is mediocre on upconversion (worst than Mediatek which is very slightly worse than DCDi).
Don't forget DCDi has "macroblocking" problem with some TVs/PJs (DLP, plasmas, some CRTs) on dark scenes on some tittles--most people don't see it.
Best upconversion these days (no macroblocking) is the Reon Vx by Silicon Optix such as those found in the more expensive Denon SD-DVD, HD-DVD Tosh HD-XA2, Blue Ray Samsung BD-1200. They don't upconvert SD-DVDs on component (the HD players can upconvert HD tittles on component).
