OPPO DV-981HD DVD Player with HDMI, SACD/DVD-Audio, and Faroudja Processing

The OPPO Digital DV-981HD bridges the gap between standard DVD quality and Blu-ray/HD-DVD, in terms of what you see on the screen. 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, check out the DV-981HD. For less than $230 it performs as well as, or better than, more expensive units.

The OPPO DV-981HD was easy to set up and use. The user manual illustrates several connection scenarios, based on the type of television or audio system to be used.

Overall functionality was excellent. The DV-981HD 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.

In terms of video performance, quality depended on the type of connection used, with HDMI producing the best results, with the upscaling feature.

Using HDMI and both the 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-981HD produced excellent results in terms of detail, color, motion tracking, video noise reduction, and moire pattern detection and elimination. 3:2 pulldown was excellent. In terms of overall video quality, I found the images produced by the DV-981HD to be very pleasing.

Audio performance of the DV-981HD was excellent. Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound options worked well, with good imaging. CD, DVD-Audio, and SACD playback audio reproduction was excellent and I did not sense any shortcomings that could be attributed to the DV-981HD.

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 Version 1.1 input capability).

The only major disappointment with the DV-981HD was the lack of component video outputs. However, the rest of the negatives were minor in comparison with the positives.

Once again, OPPO has succeeded in offering a DVD player that combines high performance with great value. I give the OPPO DV-981HD 4.5 out of 5 stars.