I have mixed feelings about this product. Even though I still rated it with 5 stars simply because you got much more than what you pay for it at $200 from Amazon. Let's start with the features which I have issues with 1. Resume-to-play function: Most of DVD player allows you to resume scene from last time you stop. For this product, it does also only when power still on. If you power down the product, then it will resume from the begining of the disc next time you power-on the product. One way to get around it will be to eject the disc before power down and allow the disc to load while power down. Then, you can press the "select" buttom to resume the last scene next time when you turn on the product. It works but very annoying. 2. Quality control: The DVI-HDMI cable comes with the product seems varies a lot in quality. My 1st units arrived with good cable and everything works fine. My 2nd unit arrived with questionable cable and I saw lots of flicker noises when played at 720P mode. I returned the unit and re-order another one, same problem. Gladly, the OPPO company locates close to my area and I am able to bring the product to their site. They tested the unit with no issue at all and I stood there embrassed since I was so sure it was the unit has problem. They swapped me with new cable. For the very same unit, it works flawlessly with the right cable. 3. Compatibility: If you have Toshiba rear projection large size TV, this product is not for you but rather the OPDV970 does. Accordingly to OPPO technical personnel, Nathon and Jin , OPDV971 has clocking incompatibility issue with Toshiba TV. You will see 3 finger wide of light green bars on 1/20th and 2/3 of the screen. I swapped my 971 with 970 and it works well with my Toshiba rear projection TV. Now, let me share what I really like about this product 1. It can read all format, all regions disc with superior video quality. My Toshiba DVD player, costs me more than 1KUSD 5 years ago , can't even compare video quality at 480P through component output. 2. Video coming out from DVI, Component, Sviode, composite all are available. Easy for anyone to compare video quality from 720P through DVI with the component output at 480P. 3. Compact and sleek 4. Service: OPPO is very hard to find. I went there twice and each time took me more than 20 minutes to locate them. Their technical personnel is very knowledgeable and helpful. As soon as you open up your issue statement, they seems to know the cause and promptly address your issue. Here is the number to reach them, 650-9611118. 5. Video quality: DVI output at 720P has this cool-feeling video quality while component output provide warm video quality. So, you can change from cool to warm video images on the fly based on audiance acceptance. 6. Cheap. I was very skeptical about what a $200 upconversion DVD player can do when I had my 42 inches LCD HD TV ordered. Now, I am deeply satisfied with this product. Most importantly, I have my perceptions changed about product-made-in-China since this product indeed comes from China and it is GOOD. Read more
I want to make an update to my review: After several months I am still recommending this player to all of my friends and other people I know that are looking for a good HD DVI Up-Converting DVD Player. I have a friend who bought Samsung with HDMI, and the quality on that one is nowhere near of that of OPPO. It's firmware upgradable, and OPPO constantly improves with new features and various fixes/upgrades. It's one of the best purchases that I've made in years. Highly Recommended!!! I've had 4 different DVD players in a span of 5 years. The reason I started looking for another one was a new 32" Kreisen HDTV LCD (model 321T) that I bought about a month ago. Since my TV has a DVI input, I really wanted a DVD player with DVI output to maximize TV's performance/capabilities and to get the best possible picture quality. However, DVI was not the only requirement. I also wanted support of various formats, including DIVX, as well as PAL/NTSC conversion capability since I have a lot of DVD's from different regions. I started doing some research, and that's how I came across this OPPO DVD Player. Imagine my surprise when I found out that not only it meets all of my requirements, but also uses Faroudja DCDi technology, which is the best on the market. That alone is worth more than $200 bucks. I did a little more digging and learned that this player was named the best DVD player of 2005. It did better in every category when compared to other leading DVD player manufacturers. The only one that came close to it was a $2,500 Denon unit. Hmm... Let me see. $200 vs $2,500. "Tough decision". But let's get back to Oppo. Here is my first impression of it in a form of Pros and Cons: PROS: Price - One might actually think that $200 is a lot for a DVD player. My wife would fall into the category of those people. She asked me why can't I just get another $30 dollar Cyberhome. She stopped complaining though after I hooked it up to the TV and showed her how dramatic the difference was in picture quality. I also told her if she doesn't shut up, I'll get a $2,500 Denon :-) . Picture Quality - I've tried 3 different DVD players (Sampo DVE612, Cyberhome DVD500, and Philips DVP642) first using various connections to determine which one works the best, and then compared it to Oppo. Here are the results of my test: Sampo (no progressive scan output) worked best using S-Video connection. Cyberhome (with progressive scan) had the best picture quality using component connection with Progressive Scan turned off. Philips (with progressive scan) had the best result when using the same component connection, but with Progressive Scan turned on. Then, I held my breath and connected the newly acquired Oppo to my TV using the DVI connection. I put my daughter's favorite Lion King DVD in it, and pressed the Play button. I thought my eyes are going to pop out. The difference was astonishing. It's like watching the same movie in a regular movie theater and then in IMAX with 3-D experience. Simply amazing. Versatility - It handles everything I through at it. Burned DVD's, MP3's, JPEG's, DIVX, VCD's, etc. I haven't had a simple hiccup yet. It didn't come "region free" out of the box though, as other users mentioned in their reviews. But all you have to do is to apply a simple remote control hack. It's funny, but Oppo support page itself actually mentions how to access the hidden menu. They tell you that for the purposes of checking the firmware version, but you can also use it to your advantage. Here is the procedure: Press "Setup" button on your remote control. Then enter "9 2 1 0" using the remote. The menu pops up and all you have to do is enter "0" for "region free" playback. I played several different PAL DVD's from different regions and it handled them very well. Also, it's probably a good idea to switch the TV type to "Auto" in the setup menu. That way it recognizes the format automatically, and uses the correct output. Features - If you are the owner of HDTV LCD or Plasma with DVI and/or HDMI inputs, then I would highly recommend you take advantage of it and purchase this DVD player. There is not a lot of DVD players on the market these days that have DVI capabilities. There is even less that offer Faroudja chipset that makes the picture quality so exceptional. As far as I know Denon is pretty much the only one. Denon has several different models with DVI output, ranging from $700 to $3,500. But not one has as many features as Oppo does. And why would you want to spend 10 times more money on something that will probably be obsolete in a couple of years? I rest my case. Support - Try to contact Cyberhome. I have... about a month ago... still waiting for a response. Philips is the same way. Oppo, on the other hand, strives for perfection. I've already tried Oppo's customer service/support by phone and e-mail, and was pleasantly surprised by quickness and knowledge of the staff. My questions were answered in professional and timely manner every time. Oppo's website is also quite impressive. It provides tons of useful information. Keep up the good work, Oppo! CONS: Remote Control - Probably one of the worst remote control designs that I have ever seen. Button layout is absolutely horrible. Whenever I try to Stop, Pause, Forward, Rewind, change a setting, or do anything else, it takes me a long time to find the right key on the remote control. Not user-friendly at all. Hopefully Oppo will address this issue with future models. Tray - Maybe I'm been too picky here, but I don't like when the DVD tray doesn't open all the way. It makes it a little hard to insert the disc in it. Also, it's somewhat on a cheap side - looks very flaky and easily breakable. You have to be very careful with it. Summary: Despite a few minor drawbacks, I still think I made the right choice with Oppo. The features, the performance, and the price make it a perfect buy. Highly recommended! Read more
