From Robert Silva,
Your Guide to Home Theater.
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The OPPO DV-983H is a DVD player that really delivers. HDMI connectivity and upscaling using Anchor Bay VRS technology, enables the DV-983H to deliver an excellent picture on an HDTV. In addition, other features, such as SACD and DVD-Audio playback, as well as a rear mounted USB port for importing images and sound from flash drives, add great audio and video flexibility.

If you are looking for a new DVD player, make sure you check this one out. The OPPO DV-983H takes DVD player performance to the highest level. After reading this review, also check out a supplementary Close-up Photo Look at the DV-983H.

Product Overview

1. DVD player with DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, and DVD±R DL disc playback.

2. DVD video upscaling to 720p, 1080i, 1080p output via HDMI connection (adaptable to DVI- HDCP).

3. Anchor Bay VRS Precision Deinterlacing and Upscaling (up to 1080p) with variable frame cadence detection, detail, and edge enhancement.

4. Component video (progressive and interlaced) outputs; S-video and standard Composite video outputs.

5. Digital Optical, Digital Coaxial, and two sets of analog audio outputs (2-channel, 5.1/7.1 Channel).

6. Supports Dolby Digital/DTS pass-through; built-in Dolby Digital EX and DTS decoders for up to 7.1 channel direct output.

7. DVD-Audio and SACD accessible by both 5.1 channel analog and HDMI outputs.

8. On-board adjustments for Sharpness/Contrast/Brightness/Saturation as well as video processing and scaling settings.

9. Switchable NTSC/PAL output - automatic PAL/NTSC bi-directional conversion. Can be made region code free.

10. Rear mounted USB 2.0 port for digital photos and music via Flash Drive or iPod.

11. Wireless remote/Easy-to-use onscreen menus.

12. RS232 and IR in/out Ports provided for custom control.

For an additional look at the features and functions of the DV-983H, check out my Photo Profile.

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 DV-983H 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. For more details on HDMI, check out my article: HDMI Facts.

Overview of Video Upscaling

You can enable the Oppo DV-983H to either feed the digital video signal as either 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (in addition to 480p) to your television.

720p is 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 DV-983H 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.

Anchor Bay VRS Processing

In order to the get the maximum quality possible from a standard DVD, OPPO has employed the Anchor Bay VRS processing system. Using two chips, the ABT102 which provides deinterlacing functions, and the ABT1018 chip for video upscaling and related functions, the DV-983H is able to display a signifigantly higher quality image than most DVD players. For more on the Anchor Bay VRS system, check out the VRS Technology Page. Also, for more technical details on the scaling chip used in the DV-983H, check out the ABT1018 Product Page.

Hardware Used In Review Setup

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705 (7.1 Channels) , Yamaha HTR-5490 (6.1 Channels) , and an Onkyo TX-SR304 (5.1 Channels).

DVD Players used for standard DVD upscaling comparison: Oppo DV-980H and Samsung DVD-HD931.

Also used, a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD-DVD player and Sony BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player playing standard DVDs in 720p, 1080i, and 1080p upscaling modes as well as Blu-ray/HD-DVD comparisons to DVD upscaling quality.

CD-Only Players (for CD playback comparison): Denon DCM-370 and Technics SL-PD888 5-Disc Changers.

Loudspeaker - System #1: 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s.

Loudspeaker - System #2: Klipsch Quintet III 5-channel speaker system.

Loudspeaker - System #3: 2 JBL Balboa 30's, JBL Balboa Center Channel, 2 JBL Venue Series 5-inch Monitor speakers.

Powered Subwoofers used: Klipsch Synergy Sub10 - used with System 1, Polk Audio PSW10 - used with System 2, and Yamaha YST-SW205 - used with System 3.

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor (using HDMI and DVI inputs) and Samsung LN-R238W 23-inch LCD TV (HDMI).

All Displays were calibrated using SpyderTV Software.

Audio/Video connections were made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables.

16 Gauge Speaker Wire was used in all setups.

Level checks for speaker setups were done using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

Software Used

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: Crank, The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, The Italian Job, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Master and Commander, Moulin Rouge, Serenity, U571, and V For Vendetta.

Blu-ray Disc/HD-DVD comparisons used: Crank (Blu-ray), The Italian Job (Blu-ray and HD-DVD), and Serenity (HD-DVD).

For audio only, various CDs included: HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, The Beatles - LOVE, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite.

DVD-Audio discs used: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible, Sheila Nicholls - Wake.

SACD discs used: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

Content on CD-R/RWs was also used.

Proceed to Page 2: Evaluation and Final Take