Comments on: oppo dv-981hd dvd player: can the best get better? http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/ cool gadgets, gizmos, games and geeky gadgets Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:30:47 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: john locke http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-25094 john locke Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:54:45 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-25094 What is the best media player? What is the best media player?

]]> By: John Finaly http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-7938 John Finaly Sat, 12 Jul 2008 16:56:05 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-7938 I purchased an Oppo DV981HD last March and have found it be a fantastic player. The problem I have - 2weeks ago the sound stopped coming through the TV. The connection is HDMI . I made no changes whatsoever to any of the settings,the sound just stopped. The qualiy of the movies are as good as they were when I received the player. I have run the sound through audio leads from the oppo to my hi and the sound is fine but I much prefer it through the TV . I have contacted the oppo tech support team and they keep asking me to ckheck out different setting, and I keep telling them that I have changed none of the settings "the sound just stopped". I have read a number og blogs relating to problems with HDMI cables where people can get a good picture but no sound, there blogs relate to other players, but is there a problem with HDMI cables and audio. Any advice would be welcome. I purchased the Oppo from the USA but I am in Dublin Ireland and not that easy to return the player to have it checked out. Thank You John I purchased an Oppo DV981HD last March and have found it be a fantastic player. The problem I have – 2weeks ago the sound stopped coming through the TV. The connection is HDMI . I made no changes whatsoever to any of the settings,the sound just stopped. The qualiy of the movies are as good as they were when I received the player. I have run the sound through audio leads from the oppo to my hi and the sound is fine but I much prefer it through the TV . I have contacted the oppo tech support team and they keep asking me to ckheck out different setting, and I keep telling them that I have changed none of the settings “the sound just stopped”. I have read a number og blogs relating to problems with HDMI cables where people can get a good picture but no sound, there blogs relate to other players, but is there a problem with HDMI cables and audio. Any advice would be welcome. I purchased the Oppo from the USA but I am in Dublin Ireland and not that easy to return the player to have it checked out.
Thank You
John

]]> By: technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-617 technabob Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:20:33 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-617 Well, I have the 46V2500 (actually the costco version, the 46V25L1), and haven't had any "clouds". I will say that with all LCDs there's a tiny bit of inconsistency in corner brightness on perfectly black screens. That said, there is no such thing as a perfect TV. I have a large SXRD in my basement, and it's had the dreaded "pink blobs" on white screens, but it's still got the best picture of any TV I've owned overall, so I learned to live. I'm not sure if the calibration settings will be similar on the 40V, but if you email me (at the "Got a Tip" email link at the top right), I'll look mine up and send em back to you in a day or so. Well, I have the 46V2500 (actually the costco version, the 46V25L1), and haven’t had any “clouds”.

I will say that with all LCDs there’s a tiny bit of inconsistency in corner brightness on perfectly black screens.

That said, there is no such thing as a perfect TV. I have a large SXRD in my basement, and it’s had the dreaded “pink blobs” on white screens, but it’s still got the best picture of any TV I’ve owned overall, so I learned to live.

I’m not sure if the calibration settings will be similar on the 40V, but if you email me (at the “Got a Tip” email link at the top right), I’ll look mine up and send em back to you in a day or so.

]]> By: kevinm http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-616 kevinm Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:45:37 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-616 More questions please. I did read some reviews that mentioned "clouding" or "cloudy" issues with the V2500. Ever hear about them? Certainly, the majority of opinions are that it is an excellent tv. Do you know how long the v2500 versions have been out? I have heard there is a v3500 coming out. How soon I don't know. Do you think the calibration settings for on your 46" will be close to the 40?" Thanks again. More questions please.
I did read some reviews that mentioned “clouding” or “cloudy” issues with the V2500. Ever hear about them?
Certainly, the majority of opinions are that it is an excellent tv.
Do you know how long the v2500 versions have been out?
I have heard there is a v3500 coming out. How soon I don’t know.
Do you think the calibration settings for on your 46″ will be close to the 40?”
Thanks again.

]]> By: technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-615 technabob Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:29:16 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-615 I've got the 46-inch version and it really looks great. You won't be disappointed, and you won't ever have to worry about burn-in. My old Vizio had huge burn-in scars from the 4:3 ratio bars. I can't deal with stretching my images out of proportion. I’ve got the 46-inch version and it really looks great. You won’t be disappointed, and you won’t ever have to worry about burn-in.

My old Vizio had huge burn-in scars from the 4:3 ratio bars. I can’t deal with stretching my images out of proportion.

]]> By: kevinm http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-614 kevinm Mon, 09 Jul 2007 16:04:06 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-614 Thank you kindly. I will see if I can get a good deal on the KDL 40V2500. I will sleep better knowing I am utilizing the 981's prime feature. Also, the sony reviews are stellar. Thank you kindly.

I will see if I can get a good deal on the KDL 40V2500. I will sleep better knowing I am utilizing the 981’s prime feature. Also, the sony reviews are stellar.

]]> By: technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-613 technabob Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:55:21 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-613 Kevin: I think that you'll be happier with a true 1080p resolution set. I recently went from a Vizio 50" 720p plasma to a Sony 46" 1080p LCD, and the picture looks SO much sharper on my Sony. If you can spare a few extra bucks, a Sony 1080p (like the KDL-40V2500, which is the 40-inch version of my set) that would be your best bet. Otherwise, if you need to be cheap, you might want to even check out <a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11213783&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1" rel="nofollow">this deal</a> over at Costco for a 42-inch 1080p Magnavox (42MF437B) for just $999 through July 15th. Kevin:

I think that you’ll be happier with a true 1080p resolution set. I recently went from a Vizio 50″ 720p plasma to a Sony 46″ 1080p LCD, and the picture looks SO much sharper on my Sony. If you can spare a few extra bucks, a Sony 1080p (like the KDL-40V2500, which is the 40-inch version of my set) that would be your best bet.

Otherwise, if you need to be cheap, you might want to even check out this deal over at Costco for a 42-inch 1080p Magnavox (42MF437B) for just $999 through July 15th.

]]> By: kevinm http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-612 kevinm Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:20:13 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-612 Thanks. I am going to rule out plasma tvs. Too much to worry about. I would like to ask your opinion(s) on the next decision I will be making. I have been offered a Sony kdl 40s3000 (40"/720P) tv and a Toshiba HL 167(42"/1080P) tv for the same price, $1399. A decent price for either, in my opinion. Reviews for both are good but I am thinking that the Sony is a higher quality tv than the Toshiba. With my 981 scheduled to arrive this week, I am wondering if the 1080P upconversion to the Toshiba is going to be as good as or not as good as the Sony's 720P picture. With the Sony, I obviously wont be utilizing the 981's main objective, upconverting to 1080P but I am wary of the Toshiba's PQ. Any comments from anyone are welcome and appreciated. Thanks. KM Thanks. I am going to rule out plasma tvs. Too much to worry about.

I would like to ask your opinion(s) on the next decision I will be making.

I have been offered a Sony kdl 40s3000 (40″/720P) tv and a Toshiba HL 167(42″/1080P) tv for the same price, $1399. A decent price for either, in my opinion.

Reviews for both are good but I am thinking that the Sony is a higher quality tv than the Toshiba. With my 981 scheduled to arrive this week, I am wondering if the 1080P upconversion to the Toshiba is going to be as good as or not as good as the Sony’s 720P picture.
With the Sony, I obviously wont be utilizing the 981’s main objective, upconverting to 1080P but I am wary of the Toshiba’s PQ.

Any comments from anyone are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks.

KM

]]> By: technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-610 technabob Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:38:49 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-610 I'm pretty sure you can set the 981 to zoom in to fill the screen, but I've heard that it results in some loss in picture quality (not to mention the distortion you'll get whenever you mess with the proportions of the images). I’m pretty sure you can set the 981 to zoom in to fill the screen, but I’ve heard that it results in some loss in picture quality (not to mention the distortion you’ll get whenever you mess with the proportions of the images).

]]> By: kevinm http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-611 kevinm Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:09:44 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-611 I am awaiting my new oppo 981 and am contemplating buying a new plasma hdtv. Since burn-in is always a concern with plasma tvs, I was wondering if the oppo is going to automatically adjust the picture to eliminate the borders on top and bottom that you get when watching "wide screen" dvds? Thanks! I am awaiting my new oppo 981 and am contemplating buying a new plasma hdtv. Since burn-in is always a concern with plasma tvs, I was wondering if the oppo is going to automatically adjust the picture to eliminate the borders on top and bottom that you get when watching “wide screen” dvds?

Thanks!

]]> By: George http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-609 George Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:40:05 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-609 The Oppo dv-981 will play thru the S Video output at the same time it does on the HDMI cable. It also has a composite video out. If you use the mix down rca outputs for the audio you will need to set it in the speaker settings to Stereo or Mono so it will send the correct audio to the other room. It will affect the sound if you use the multi direct output for speakers such as the left,right, rear,front,sub rca cables but will not change the digital output to a a/v unit. Another thing I did was put white stick on labels cut thin to the thickness of the tray and stuck them on the front of the tray so in the dark I wouldn't keep hitting the tray which is hard to see when it is open. Had my unit since February and love the way it operates. I have a Samung DLP 56 in tv and used the DVE dvd to set the tv. Hope this helps as I had to read and try things to figure this out myself. The Oppo dv-981 will play thru the S Video output at the same time it does on the HDMI cable. It also has a composite video out. If you use the mix down rca outputs for the audio you will need to set it in the speaker settings to Stereo or Mono so it will send the correct audio to the other room. It will affect the sound if you use the multi direct output for speakers such as the left,right, rear,front,sub rca cables but will not change the digital output to a a/v unit.
Another thing I did was put white stick on labels cut thin to the thickness of the tray and stuck them on the front of the tray so in the dark I wouldn’t keep hitting the tray which is hard to see when it is open.
Had my unit since February and love the way it operates. I have a Samung DLP 56 in tv and used the DVE dvd to set the tv. Hope this helps as I had to read and try things to figure this out myself.

]]> By: GLENN SAHLI http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-606 GLENN SAHLI Sun, 08 Apr 2007 03:29:57 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-606 Oppo DV-981HD Does anyone know if this player will play through the s-Video connector AND HDMI at the same time. Might seem like a silly question, but I had 2 TV's hooked up in different rooms that way with my Sony DVP-NS975V before it finally died. This looks like an excellent player if it will handle my situation. Thanks in advance, Glenn Oppo DV-981HD

Does anyone know if this player will play through the s-Video connector AND

HDMI at the same time. Might seem like a silly question, but I had 2 TV’s

hooked up in different rooms that way with my Sony DVP-NS975V before it

finally died. This looks like an excellent player if it will handle my

situation.

Thanks in advance,
Glenn

]]> By: Les Cantrell http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-608 Les Cantrell Fri, 06 Apr 2007 18:42:41 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-608 Just purchased the oppo dv-981hd to connect with my panasonic plasma TH50PX60U. I am using the HDMI cord connected directly to the TV for DVDs only - no other inputs at this time. I am at a loss to know how to "tweak" these two units together for best calibration. Can you give me or direct me to a place where I can find the best SXRD settings for both of these units. Thanks! Just purchased the oppo dv-981hd to connect with my panasonic plasma TH50PX60U. I am using the HDMI cord connected directly to the TV for DVDs only – no other inputs at this time. I am at a loss to know how to “tweak” these two units together for best calibration. Can you give me or direct me to a place where I can find the best SXRD settings for both of these units. Thanks!

]]> By: griffin http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-605 griffin Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:52:21 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-605 Just thought I would pass this along. I am putting in a home theater room and most projectors are DLP so I asked if the 970/981 applies to DLP projectors as well. Here is Opp's response. We do not recommend the DV-981HD for Rear Projection DLP displays. For Front Projection displays we highly recommend the DV-981HD as this will produce the cleanest, most film like picture on your projection screen. Best Regards, Customer Service OPPO Digital, Inc. 453 Ravendale Dr, Suite D Mountain View, CA 94043 Service@oppodigital.com Tel: 650-961-1118 Fax: 650-961-1119 Just thought I would pass this along. I am putting in a home theater room and most projectors are DLP so I asked if the 970/981 applies to DLP projectors as well. Here is Opp’s response.

We do not recommend the DV-981HD for Rear Projection DLP displays. For Front Projection displays we highly recommend the DV-981HD as this will produce the cleanest, most film like picture on your projection screen.

Best Regards,

Customer Service
OPPO Digital, Inc.
453 Ravendale Dr, Suite D
Mountain View, CA 94043
Service@oppodigital.com
Tel: 650-961-1118
Fax: 650-961-1119

]]> By: Scott Read http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/comment-page-1/#comment-607 Scott Read Sun, 18 Mar 2007 21:00:15 +0000 http://technabob.com/blog/2006/12/03/oppo-dv-981hd-dvd-player-can-the-best-get-better/#comment-607 Has anyone tried the 981 with a HD CRT? I have a KD-34XBR960. Has anyone tried the 981 with a HD CRT?

I have a KD-34XBR960.

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