OPPO Digital DV-980H DVD Player with HDMI and SACD/DVD-Audio

The of Playback functionality of DV-980 was excellent, with commercial DVDs, several DVD-R/DVD+RW discs, as well as a selection of CD/CDR/RW/DTS format discs.

In terms of casual viewing comparisons between DV-980H and the other DVD players used, the OPPO easily held its own. Color consistency, edge smoothness, detail, and noise reduction was very good, although there was slight mosquito noise present around objects in some test segments.

With regards to more technical testing, the DV-980H met almost all the tests on the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD, which measures DVD player or monitor performance with regards to video processing and upscaling.

The test results revealed that the DV-980H does excellent on progressive scan (3:2 pulldown), jaggie elimination, noise reduction, detail, and motion adaptive processing. However, the player did not do as well on moire pattern detection and elimination, and also exhibited some jitter on sequences involving video generated titles over film and some slight jitter on some extremely fast moving objects.

For an example of how the well the DV-980H performs basic 480i/480p conversion in comparison with a Pioneer VSX-91TXH Home Theater Receiver with the same function, check the following Test Results

The DV-980H did not have a problem when converting HDMI to DVI. Using the DV-980H with the Syntax LT-32HV LCD Television, which required the HDMI output of the DV-980H to be converted to DVI to make the connection, there was no problem with connection recognition.

The DV-980H delivered excellent audio performance on DVD soundtracks through the HDMI, digital optical, digital coaxial, and 5.1 channel analog audio outputs.

Surround imagery and vocal presence in movie soundtracks, such as Master and Commander, Serenity, and U571, as well as audio-only discs, such as the SACD version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, and the DVD-Audio version of Martin, Medeski, and Wood's Uninvisible, was very consistent. In terms of standard 2-channel CD playback, Heart's Magic Man, with its distinctive bass slide to the extreme low end of the audio range, was spot on and Joshua Bell's recording of West Side Story Suite sounded like it was being performed live in my living room.

The DV-980H demonstrated versatility as both an excellent DVD player and CD/SACD/DVD-Audio player. It is too bad that SACD and DVD-Audio discs are hard to find on the shelves, as this player really delivers the goods on those two niche formats.

I was also able to test was SACD and DVD-Audio using the both the analog 5.1 channel outputs and the HDMI connection. When using the HDMI connection option, the receivers I used (Pioneer VSX-91TXH and Onkyo TX-SR875) immediately recognized the DVD-Audio and SACD material and also displayed the correct audio stream ultilized (PCM for DVD-Audio and DSD for SACD).

OPPO DV-980H - What I Liked and Didn't Like

There was much to like about the DV-980H:

1. Excellent video and audio performance - plays most video and audio disc formats.

2. HDMI output with 720p, 1080i, and 1080p upscaling options. This makes the DV-980H compatible with any HDTV with an HDMI or DVI-HDCP input.

3. DVD-Audio/SACD playback can be accessed via 5.1 Channel analog outputs or HDMI. This makes it possible to connect the DV-980H to a receiver with HDMI vers 1.2 or higher input capable using a single HDMI cable for all video and audio output.

4. On-board video and audio adjustments allows for fine tuning of video playback parameters to your taste, without changing your HDTV's video settings.

5. Easy to set up and use. Excellent user manual.

6. Front USB port for digtial music and still image access from flash drives works very well.

Despite the practical features and performance of the DV-980H, there were some negatives:

1. Limited controls on unit itself. This is an issue on many DVD players. Don't lose your remote!

2. No separate DVI-HDCP output.

3. The Remote control is not backlit, such a feature would make it easier to use in darken rooms.

4. NTSC/PAL conversion only works on non-region coded discs out of the box. However, unit can be made Region Code Free by remote hack.

Final Take

The OPPO DV-980H was easy to set up and use. The user manual illustrates several connection options, based on the TV or audio system to be used.

Overall functionality was excellent. The DV-980H easily played commercial DVDs, several DVD-R/DVD+RW discs, as well as a selection of SACD/DVD-Audio/CD/CDR/RW discs, and also a Divx disc. The ability to playback still photos and music files on a flash drive also adds a lot of flexibility.

In terms of video performance, quality depended on the type of connection used.

Using HDMI and 720p, 1080i, and 1080p output settings in conjunction with a Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV with native 720p display capability, Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch 720p LCD TV , and a Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, and using the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark DVD as a reference, the DV-980H produced excellent results in terms of jaggie elimination, detail, motion adaptive noise reduction, and video noise reduction. Although there were some video processing tests that the 980H did not do as well on, overall, it easily held its own, or surpassed the comparison DVD players most tests.

Audio performance was excellent. Dolby Digital/DTS surround options worked well, with excellent imaging. CD, DVD-Audio, and SACD playback audio reproduction was excellent good and I did not sense any shortcomings that could be attributed to the DV-46AV. NOTE: DVD-Audio and SACD playback can be accessed by either the 5.1 Channel analog or HDMI outputs (provided you have an AV receiver with HDMI ver 1.2 or higher input capability).

With the DV-980H OPPO continues to bring DVD players that combine high performance with great value. I give the OPPO DV-980H a strong 4.5 out of 5 Stars.

For an additional close-up look at the DV-980H, check out my Photo Gallery. All Gallery Photos (c) Robert Silva - Licensed to About.com

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