OPPO OPDV971H Digital HD-Ready Up-Converting DVD Player
Good budget player for HDTV owner
This is a great player if you have a HDTV or are just getting into HDTV and want to get the most out of your picture via HD upconversion, but its not for everyone. Just be aware that this unit does not play true High Definition discs but instead \\"enhances\\" the resolution of standard DVD video to match the native resolution of your HDTV (usually resulting in a sharper picture). Aside from the HD upconversion, there are plenty of cheaper players with many of the same features and friendlier user interfaces, so I would only strongly recommend if you have or plan to get an HDTV soon. Expect to replace this unit with an all in one High Definition and Upconverting DVD player when the new High Def formats become the standard in the coming years (unless you are a fan of having multiple dvd units in your entertainment cabinet).    Positives  1. Very slim light weight unit  2. Impressive feature set: specifically the High Definition upconversion of images (a must for all HDTV owners) and support for a very extensive range of video and audio formats  3. Continued support from OPPO - updates of the player's firmware are available via the web. all you need to do is burn a disc with the latest update and you are away.  4. Seamless layer transition: the unit has a memory buffer so there is no discernable jump during the layer change that you see on some players (especially obnoxious during some movies where the layer change is midway through dialogue)  5. Supports screen \\"squash\\" mode in order to player non-widescreen video (i.e. 4:3) on widescreen tvs (16:9) in the correct aspect.  6. Plenty of inputs and output choices for both audio and video (but BEWARE only a DVI output - you will need a converter if you need to run to an HDMI tv although sometimes oppo will bundle this)  7. Region Free with a simple unlock code (also toggles between 110V/220V making it a truly international player)  8. Wonderful customer support. Contacted them on a Sunday morning via e-mail and received a response in 10 mins.  Negatives - most of these are minor  1. My unit seems to get hotter than other DVD players i have owned. Discs are warm even after a short playing period.  2. Unit loses its place on a disc after pressing stop or switching off (oops) - apparently this will be addressed in the next firmware update but it is an issue for now  3. DVD tray while certainly strong enough just looks cheap and flimsy  4. Initial startup after power on is disappointingly slow - annoying if you just want to get a disc out (open button should also power up the player if it is switched off in my opinion)  5. A surprisingly large number of software glitches have been found - expect to update the firmware on this unit at least once!  6. Responsive remote but play/stop/FF/REV buttons are pretty much the same size as all the other buttons on the remote - hard to feel your way around in the dark (EDIT: apparently oppo now ships a free remote)  7. Audio sync problems in HD upscaling modes. Picture can signficantly lag behind speech on some discs. Try video mode 2, which disables the standard video outputs and enables only the DVI out (in the menu system)