OPPO Digital DV-970HD DVD Player with HDMI output and SACD/DVD-Audio Playback

Pre-recorded standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: Serenity, Aeon Flux, The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Master and Commnander, Valley Of Gwangi, Underworld, Moulin Rouge, Zathura, The Corpse Bride, and The Mummy, as well as video content on DVD-R and DVD+RW discs recorded on DVD recorders.

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Telarc - 1812 Overture. DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, Beach Boys - Pet Sounds, Madeski, Martin, and Wood - Indivisible. SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy. In addition, music content on CD-R/RWs were also used.

The Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD video test disc was also used for more precise video performance measurements.

Functionality

The DV970HD was easy to set up and use. The owner's manual illustrates several connection scenarios, based on the type of television and audio system to be used.

Overall functionality was excellent.

The DV970HD easily played commercial DVDs, several DVD-R/DVD+RW discs, as well as a selection of CD/CDR/RW/HDCD format discs, and also a Divx disc.

Video Performance

In terms of video performance, quality depended on the type of connection used, but was very good for each type of connection, with HDMI, in combination with either 720p or 1080i setting, definitely producing the best results.

One shortcoming in video performance was some inconsistency in HDMI-to-DVI adaptability; I hope this glitch can be corrected with an additional firmware upgrade.

Using HDMI and the 720p setting in conjunction with a 720p native resolution flat panel television with HDMI interface, and using the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD as a reference, the DV970HD produced excellent results in terms of detail, color, motion tracking, and progressive scan detection. With the video noise tests, some background video noise was present, but not distracting.

In overall video quality, the images produced by the DV970HD were excellent for a DVD player, holding up well against the upscaling capabilities of the other comparison players used. The 970 was very close to the Samsung 931, but the 931 faired slightly better due to its Faroudja DCDi processor.

Audio performance of the DV970HD was also very good. Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound options worked well, with excellent imaging. The big surprise was the inclusion of DVD-Audio and SACD playback capability.

The SACD and DVD-Audio signals are transferred via the 970's 5.1 channel analog audio outputs. In other words, your Receiver must have a set of 5.1 channel analog inputs in order to access the SACD and DVD-Audio playback capabilities of the 970. Although this means more cables to hook up, it is definitely worth it.

The audio reproduction of the DVD-Audio and SACD formats was very clear and an distinct, which excellent surround imaging.

The SACD version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, already considered an audio triumph, in vinyl and CD form, was even better in 5.1 SACD surround.

On the DVD-Audio side, Martin, Madeski, and Wood's Indivisible really showed how Jazz/Rock can really take advantage of the surround sound experience.

Overall, in listening to several SACD and DVD-Audio discs, I did not sense any audio shortcomings that could be attributed to the DV970HD.

The DV-970HD delivered great performance based on some of the following features:

1. Plays almost all video and audio disc formats.

2. HDMI output with 720p and 1080i upscaling options.

3. DVD-Audio and SACD playback with 5.1 channel analog audio outputs.

4. On-board video adjustments and audio adjustments.

5. Excellent styling, easy to set up and use.

Although the DV-970HD had many great points, there were a few that could use some improvement.

1. Inconsistent DVI-HDCP compatibility when using HDMI-to-DVI adapter.

2. No separate DVI-HDCP output.

3. Remote control not backlit.

4. NTSC/PAL conversion only works on non-region coded discs in out-of-box operation.

5. Limited controls on unit itself.

Final Take

The OPPO DV970HD is a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing". This DVD player delivers great video and audio. HDMI connectivity and upscaling enables the DV970HD to deliver an excellent picture on an HDTV. Other features, such as DVD-Audio, SACD, and Divx playback add great audio and video flexibility.

If you are looking for a new DVD player to use with that new flat panel HDTV and surround sound system, make sure you check this one out. The OPPO DV970HD is a great DVD player for under $200.

Rating: 4.5 Stars out of Five.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.