OPPO OPDV971H Digital HD-Ready Up-Converting DVD Player
The Ultimate DVD Player!!!
I want to make an update to my review: After several months I am still recommending this player to all of my friends and other people I know that are looking for a good HD DVI Up-Converting DVD Player.  I have a friend who bought Samsung with HDMI, and the quality on that one is nowhere near of that of OPPO. It's firmware upgradable, and OPPO constantly improves with new features and various fixes/upgrades.  It's one of the best purchases that I've made in years.  Highly Recommended!!!    I've had 4 different DVD players in a span of 5 years.  The reason I started looking for another one was a new 32\\" Kreisen HDTV LCD (model 321T) that I bought about a month ago.  Since my TV has a DVI input, I really wanted a DVD player with DVI output to maximize TV's performance/capabilities and to get the best possible picture quality.  However, DVI was not the only requirement.  I also wanted support of various formats, including DIVX, as well as PAL/NTSC conversion capability since I have a lot of DVD's from different regions.  I started doing some research, and that's how I came across this OPPO DVD Player.  Imagine my surprise when I found out that not only it meets all of my requirements, but also uses Faroudja DCDi technology, which is the best on the market.  That alone is worth more than $200 bucks.  I did a little more digging and learned that this player was named the best DVD player of 2005.  It did better in every category when compared to other leading DVD player manufacturers.  The only one that came close to it was a $2,500 Denon unit.  Hmm... Let me see.  $200 vs $2,500.  \\"Tough decision\\".  But let's get back to Oppo.  Here is my first impression of it in a form of Pros and Cons:    PROS:    Price - One might actually think that $200 is a lot for a DVD player.  My wife would fall into the category of those people.  She asked me why can't I just get another $30 dollar Cyberhome.  She stopped complaining though after I hooked it up to the TV and showed her how dramatic the difference was in picture quality.  I also told her if she doesn't shut up, I'll get a $2,500 Denon :-) .    Picture Quality - I've tried 3 different DVD players (Sampo DVE612, Cyberhome DVD500, and Philips DVP642) first using various connections to determine which one works the best, and then compared it to Oppo.  Here are the results of my test:  Sampo (no progressive scan output) worked best using S-Video connection.  Cyberhome (with progressive scan) had the best picture quality using component connection with Progressive Scan turned off.  Philips (with progressive scan) had the best result when using the same component connection, but with Progressive Scan turned on.  Then, I held my breath and connected the newly acquired Oppo to my TV using the DVI connection.  I put my daughter's favorite Lion King DVD in it, and pressed the Play button.  I thought my eyes are going to pop out.  The difference was astonishing.  It's like watching the same movie in a regular movie theater and then in IMAX with 3-D experience.  Simply amazing.    Versatility - It handles everything I through at it.  Burned DVD's, MP3's, JPEG's, DIVX, VCD's, etc.  I haven't had a simple hiccup yet.  It didn't come \\"region free\\" out of the box though, as other users mentioned in their reviews.  But all you have to do is to apply a simple remote control hack.  It's funny, but Oppo support page itself actually mentions how to access the hidden menu.  They tell you that for the purposes of checking the firmware version, but you can also use it to your advantage.  Here is the procedure:  Press \\"Setup\\" button on your remote control.  Then enter \\"9 2 1 0\\" using the remote.  The menu pops up and all you have to do is enter \\"0\\" for \\"region free\\" playback.  I played several different PAL DVD's from different regions and it handled them very well.  Also, it's probably a good idea to switch the TV type to \\"Auto\\" in the setup menu.  That way it recognizes the format automatically, and uses the correct output.    Features - If you are the owner of HDTV LCD or Plasma with DVI and/or HDMI inputs, then I would highly recommend you take advantage of it and purchase this DVD player.  There is not a lot of DVD players on the market these days that have DVI capabilities.  There is even less that offer Faroudja chipset that makes the picture quality so exceptional.  As far as I know Denon is pretty much the only one.  Denon has several different models with DVI output, ranging from $700 to $3,500.  But not one has as many features as Oppo does.  And why would you want to spend 10 times more money on something that will probably be obsolete in a couple of years?  I rest my case.    Support - Try to contact Cyberhome.  I have... about a month ago... still waiting for a response.  Philips is the same way.  Oppo, on the other hand, strives for perfection.  I've already tried Oppo's customer service/support by phone and e-mail, and was pleasantly surprised by quickness and knowledge of the staff.  My questions were answered in professional and timely manner every time.  Oppo's website is also quite impressive.  It provides tons of useful information.  Keep up the good work, Oppo!    CONS:    Remote Control - Probably one of the worst remote control designs that I have ever seen.  Button layout is absolutely horrible.  Whenever I try to Stop, Pause, Forward, Rewind, change a setting, or do anything else, it takes me a long time to find the right key on the remote control.  Not user-friendly at all.  Hopefully Oppo will address this issue with future models.    Tray - Maybe I'm been too picky here, but I don't like when the DVD tray doesn't open all the way.  It makes it a little hard to insert the disc in it.  Also, it's somewhat on a cheap side - looks very flaky and easily breakable.  You have to be very careful with it.    Summary:  Despite a few minor drawbacks, I still think I made the right choice with Oppo.  The features, the performance, and the price make it a perfect buy.  Highly recommended!