Don't get the 981HD unless you have a DVI-HDCP or HDMI input - it has no component output. You will not see any receivers or processors that support converting HDMI inputs to component due to HDCP issues.

The 970HD does have component outputs, and there's a tool to create a hacked version of the latest firmware to allow upscaling over the component output (the hack that AvFan mentions). If you have an HDTV without HDMI or DVI inputs, that is a decent option to consider.

Thanks guys. I will wait on the DVD player until I have replaced the TV

FYI...

I have both an Oppo 981HD and a Toshiba HD-A2. On my TV the Oppo upscales slightly better. Both units feed through the DVI inputs on the 990 so I think it's a reasonably fair test to compare them. I use the Toshiba strictly for watching HD-DVD's. The Oppo plays everything else.
Now where is that promised $400 Blu-Ray?