OPPO OPDV971H Digital HD-Ready Up-Converting DVD Player
I expected alot more...
I hope this review helps your buying decision.  I bought this DVD player only to return it 2 days later - a real bummer.  I, like most of the reviewers, know that this player won a top seat the Benchmark DVD comparison.  The clincher was the DVI interface that plugs directly into the back of my 2-yr old 51\\" Hitachi HDTV.    As soon as I got it via UPS I set it up and configured the settings.  The result?  I just sat there scratching my head...I sat there for a long time.  Was this all?  Did I do something wrong?  Why does it look exactly the same as my old DVD player?  I went back and forth from old the Toshiba to the new Oppo.  I even called on my brother in law Larry and his other brother Larry to come over and take a look - they saw the same difference...that being none.    Here is my summation after tweaking it for a few hours and performing a thorough comparison.  I noticed very little, if any, difference from my existing player Toshiba Progressive scan player (with Monster Cable composite inputs) that I bought 4 years ago.  The quality of the Oppo is great, very fast to respond to inputs and quiet - looks cool - appears well built and tasteful.  The negative was that it just didn't perform much better than what I already have.  I expected more.    I did notice that the sound via the optic out was much nicer - more of a full sound.  The picture, however, was only marginally improved.  Offers 480p - 720p - 1080i.  The best on my TV was on 720p, maybe a 5% improvement in picture compared to the Toshiba.  Less grainy with smoother edges, but barely noticable.  I expected better from a digital DVI output.  Instead I got the same.      When my old Toshiba DVD player dies (I won't buy another Toshiba, a story for another time), I'll consider the Oppo again.  For now, it's going back.