OPPO DV-981HD DVD Player with HDMI and SACD/DVD-Audio - Review and Rating

The OPPO Digital DV-981HD bridges the gap between standard DVD and Blu-ray/HD-DVD. This DVD player brings out the most from standard DVD, courtesy of its on-board Faroudja video processing. In addition, HDMI connectivity delivers the possible signal from DV-981HD to 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 a flat panel HDTV and surround sound system, you should check out the DV-981HD. For less than $230 it performs as well as, or better than, than more expensive units. For details, keep on reading...

1. DVD player with DVD-Video/Audio, SACD, DVD+R/RW/-R/-RW, Divx/MPEG4, CD/CDR/CDRW/CD-MP3/HDCD and CD-JPEG playback.

2. DVD Upscaling to 720p, 1080i, and 1080P via HDMI (adaptable to DVI-HDCP). HDMI cable provided.

3. Built-in Faroudja DCDi video processing.

4. S-video and standard composite video outputs are included. However, the DV-981HD has no component video outputs.

5. Digital optical, digital coaxial, and two sets of analog audio outputs (2-channel and 5.1 Channel).

6. Support of Dolby Digital and DTS pass-through; built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoders included for 5.1 channel direct output.

7. DVD-Audio and SACD accessibility by both 5.1 Channel Analog and HDMI outputs.

8. On-board adjustments for Sharpness/Contrast/Brightness/Saturation.

9. Switchable NTSC/PAL output - automatic PAL/NTSC bi-directional conversion.

10 Wireless remote control is included. The remote works in conjunction with Easy-to-use onscreen menus.

Overview of the HDMI Output

HDMI stands for High Definition Multi-media Interface. To transfer the digital video signal from a standard DVD player to a TV, the DVD player must convert the signal from digital to analog, this results in some information loss. Get a closer look at an HDMI connector.

However, the Oppo DV981HD has the ability, with its HDMI output, to transfer the DVD's digital video signal directly, without conversion to analog. This results in a pure transfer of all of video information from the DVD to an HDMI or DVI-HDCP (via a connection adapter) equipped TV. In addition, HDMI can transfer both video and audio signals.

You can enable the Oppo DV981HD to either feed the digital video signal as either 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (in addition to 480p) to your television.

720p is essentially 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 720 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another.

1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 1,080 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately. In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines.

1080p represents the same pixel resolution as 1080i, however, the lines are displayed progressively, rather than alternately, providing a better visual look. Check out more details on 1080p.

The Practical Side Of Video Upscaling

The capability of the Oppo DV981HD to output a video signal in 720p, 1080i, or 1080p format allows its video output to more closely match the capabilities of today's HDTVs.

Although this is not the same as watching your DVDs in true-high definition, as current DVDs are not recorded in high definition, you will experience increased detail and color you didn't think was possible from a DVD player; unless you purchase a HD-DVD or Blu-ray Player and view HD-DVD or Blu-ray Discs.

Although the Oppo DV981HD is not a true high-definition DVD player, it is considered HD-Compatible and bridges the gap between standard DVD quality and true high definition viewing.

The upscaling function works best on fixed pixel displays, such as LCD or Plasma sets, the upscaling may result in harsh images on standard CRT and Projection sets. In addition, if your television has a native display resolution other than 720p or 1080i, the TV's video processor will rescale the incoming signal to its own specification, which can also yield different results on the final, displayed television image.

Setup - Hardware

Additional components used in the review of the Oppo DV981HD DVD player included a Yamaha HTR-5490 6.1 Channel AV receiver, Outlaw Audio Model 950 Preamp/Surround Processor paired with a Butler Audio 5150 5-channel power amplifier.

Comparison DVD players included , Samsung DVD-HD931 (DVI-HDCP output - 720p/1080i upscaling) and Helios H4000 (HD-component and HDMI output with 720p/1080i/1080p upscaling). Video displays used: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, Syntax LT-32HV 32-inch LCD TV, and Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV.

Comparison LCD TV/Monitors are HD-compatible. The Westinghouse LVM-37w3 (1080p) and Samsung LN-R238W (720p) both have HDMI input; the Syntax Olevia LT-32HV (720p) has a DVI-HDCP input. The Syntax was connected to the Helios H4000 via HDMI-to-DVI Connection adapter. All LCD units have progressive scan HD-Component inputs as well.

In addition, a Panasonic PT-AX100U 3-chip LCD projector with 720p native resolution and HDMI connectivity (on loan from Panasonic) was also on hand for a portion of the review period.

All Displays were calibrated using SpyderTV Software.

Also used, a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player, Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray Player, and LG BH100 Blu-ray/HD-DVD Combo player, playing standard DVDs in 720p, 1080i, and 1080p upscaling modes.

DVD-Rs/DVD+RWs used were made using: Sony RDR-HX900, Philips DVDR985, and a Presidian PDR-3222.

Loudspeakers used, included: Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2, Optimus LX-5IIs, Klipsch Quintet III 5-channel speaker system, and Klipsch Synergy Sub10 and Yamaha YST-SW205 Powered Subwoofers.

Connections between components were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

Pre-recorded standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: Serenity, Aeon Flux, The Cave, Kill Bill - Vol1/2, Pirates Of The Caribbean, V For Vendetta, Underworld, Moulin Rouge, U571, Zathura, The Corpse Bride, and The Promise, 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, Medeski, 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.

Proceed to Page 2 - Evaluation, and Final Take