OPPO OPDV971H Digital HD-Ready Up-Converting DVD Player
Not quite perfect enough
Yes, this machine does most things as good or better than other players.  However, it does not play back DVDs made on a home DVD Recorder, a problem which Oppo has acknowledged but has no solution for.  So if you intend to play DVDs that you've recorded, either from broadcasts or from home videos you've recorded onto DVDs yourself, you'll need another machine.  When played back on the Oppo, these DVDs suddenly speed up, slow down and lose sync -- only briefly, but enough to make them unwatchable.  Unlike another reviewer, I don't consider this a \\"fatal flaw\\" because you probably already have another player which you can use for these DVDs -- or you can pick up one for $50. <br /> <br />As other reviewers have noted, the supplied remote control is terrible, but that's a problem easily solved by programming a learning remote with the Oppo frequencies.   <br /> <br />Like another reviewer, I too have noticed that Region 2 DVDs have a tendency to be slightly out of sync when played on an NTSC display.  This is particularly noticeable while watching interviews in \\"Behind the scenes\\" special features.  There is a feature that allows you to adjust the sync, but it doesn't have enough range to compensate for the problem in PAL to NTSC conversions.   <br /> <br />The machine performs very well in all other regards, and the email customer service response is outstanding.  I'm not sorry I bought this player, but it is puzzling how a high end player supposedly designed to play any sort of disc can't handle a home recorded DVD that a $50 player has no problem with.