Just spotted this in AVS. Much nicer looking than the other Oppos in my opinion. From what I have read they have beefed up the audio quality on this player...supposedly will be better than the 970. I think I'll just stick with the 981 and just read about others experiences with this new player..Looks like another winner for Oppo.

I'll try to get my beta test notes on the 980H compiled over the next week, although work seems determined to get in the way of that. The 980H is definitely the nicest looking OPPO to date, and I am quite happy with the front panel design. It also happens to match nicely with the Outlaw gear, come to think of it, although you can't tell in my equipment rack thanks to the tinted glass in the door. The 981HD does have an edge in video scaling, although on my 32" CRT HDTV it was only noticeable when viewing some pretty roughed-up content - specifically children's computer animation broadcast over cable and recorded to DVD-R (a source that my HD cable box had very similar problems with, but the 981HD handled smoothly).

I'm looking to replace my current plasma and dvd player and I've been looking at the OPPOs trying to decide between them. The new plasma will be (for now) either a Pioneer PDP-5080HD or a Panasonic TH-50PH9 or 10UK probably mated with iScan DVDO VP-20. The Oppo 970 was the choice if I went with the Panasonic/VP-20 since it outputs 480i via HDMI. But darn if all the folks that have the Pioneer PDP-5080HD have been raving about its colors, black levels and improved video processing. I probably would use the Oppo 981 with the Pioneer.

Now the 980H is out with its better audio performance, component outs, better video performance than the 970 and it does 480i via HDMI. I guess the 980H would be better the Panasonic, but I don't know if it will be better with the Pioneer.

Gonk, I'd really appreciate it if you can help me decipher the features and benefits of the various Oppos with the displays I'm looking at. It sounds like you may have beta tested a version of the 980H.

One last thing, since about 50% of the time I listen to music I wonder how the audio performance of the 980H will compare with the 990's Upsample mode? That will be an interesting comparison!

I was just wondering how the 980-h would work with the 990 and a samsung dlp hl-s6187w.

For plasmas, my understanding is that the 981HD's Faroudja chip is not likely to yield macroblock enhancement problems, although you'd want to calibrate the plasma as you would with any player/display combination. That means that I'd be quite comfortable leaning toward a 981HD if you aren't going to add an external scaler. As far as which displays and internal scalers are best, I'm not the one to ask.

I think that the 990's upsample mode may still win out over the 980H's analog output for CD listening (that's the approach I'm using presently, at least), but it's not going to be as wide a margin as existed between the 981HD and the 990. I'll try to get my notes pulled together in the next week or so, maybe even get a few internal pics of the 980H.

Thanks, Gonk. I'm very happy with my 990s audio performance and just wondered if the 980H's audio performance would sway me to purchase the 980H versus the 981HD.

The issue of video processors keeps popping up because I think they will become more prevalent in new pre/pro and receivers. And maybe in Outlaw's next flagship pre/pro too? Many of the larger companies (Denon, Onkyo) have already gone the way Anthem paved with their AVM50 and D2.

So my question is whether I purchase a more expensive TV with better video processing (and subjectively better picture quality) or get an excellent monitor type TV and that I can enhance as some time with a new pre/pro that has video processing built in? That is my dilema.

Here are some thoughts on the 980H . I'll be adding to it later, but it may be a slow process.

Gonk,
Nice 'initial' write up. I don't know where you find the time to do it! I'm considering an Oppo as an upgrade over my Pioneer DV-563, and the 980H sounds like it would be a worthwhile option. I'm more concerned with multichannel audio ability than video at the present (until I can upgrade my now 'ancient' Mits 48313 RPTV). I don't have HDMI (DVI on the Mits) so that's not a concern. I was considering the 970 but the 980 may be the better choice for me. Thanks again for the review.

You're most welcome. I'd certainly consider the 980H if you were looking for a replacement for the 563a.

I am really at a stalemate over which DVD player I should purchase. The Oppo 981-HD or the 980-H. The 981-HD has rave reviews for its picture quality and its superb audio quality. As a matter of fact it is the highest rated DVD player “currently on Cnet. Amazon.com also has too many 5 star consumer reviews to read all of the comments. The more handsome 980-H also has a lot of advantages for starters its $60 cheaper.
- Dolby Digital 7.1
- HDMI v1.2
- Best Looking Oppo model to date
- USB 2.0 port
- New Screen Saver with Capture mode
- Component Out
- Sturdier DVD tray
The only thing that the 980-H is missing is the Faroudja Genesis Chip and the rave reviews if consumers and critics. It is said that the Genesis Chip improves picture quality. I think to myself, “isn’t this the purpose of buying an upscaling DVD player.”

Gonk has done a fabulous job with the 980-Hs review. This is one of the best product reviews I have had the pleasure of reading. I am amazed at his thoroughness. Oppo should hire him immediately. However, I do wish that he had a larger display to compare the differences in picture quality between the 981-HD and the 980-H

I am leaning more towards the 980-H for 2 reasons. Oppo has addressed a lot of consumer concerns; it does not have as many bugs to work out. I will be using it with a 42” 8g Pioneer plasma. Oppo’s website suggests using the 981-HD with displays (non DLP) greater than 45”. Then again I may just wait until Oppo comes out with its new top of the line DVD player the 991-HD perhaps.

Thanks for the compliments on my review, Willie, and welcome to the saloon.

For a 42" screen, it is a tough call. I do think that the 980H would be a safe bet, though - the USB connection can be handy (some folks are even hooking up external hard drives), the 7.1 analog output is pretty nice for folks with a 7.1 system, and the aesthetics are definitely OPPO's best to date.

I'm in the same boat as Willie Jackson. Gonk, you've already helped me a quite a bit with this, but I'm still debating. I've been eying Samsungs new LED DLP TV's. I am really interested in the 61 inch. I know the 981 isn't suited for DLP, but the LED engine is completely different the previous DLP engines.

Where my decision is tough is waiting. I don't plan to buy my TV until early next year. My current DVD player crapped out on me, so I'm stuck using a PlayStation or Xbox for video's. My current TV is an old Sony Wega and it doesn't have HDMI and therefore I'd have to use Component or S-Video out. My understanding is that the 980 only supports playing encrypted content through HDMI and therefore all movies I rent wouldn't work with my current setup. I suppose I could go HDMI to DVI to the 990, but can I then go to Component out on the 990?

As Willie said, I want all the goodness of the Faroudja chip and all the goodness of those new DAC's. Decisions Decisions.

No go there - DVI/HDMI to component conversion is something of a sore subject among studios (they've been working so large to close what they see as "the analog hole" and this would sort of re-open it), but even ignoring that issue, the 990's DVI switching is a pure pass-through sort of switch. There is no manipulation of the signal taking place. You can think of it as two parallel roads that never connect - one for analog video (complete with options for changing lanes from the slower composite/s-video "lanes" up to the component video "fast lane") and one for digital video.

Without a DVI-HDCP or HDMI input on your display, the 981HD isn't really a great investment. It's strengths lie in its digital video output, and OPPO has in at least some instances referred to its analog video outputs as being "for diagnostic purposes only." Is your \Vega set HD, or is it just SD? I'm used to thinking of the \Vegas as SD, but I only sort of peripherally keep track of Sony's product lines. If it's SD only and you're six months or more away from an HD purchase, a 980H purchased now would give you good core DVD performance now as well as good DVD-A/SACD, Divx/Xvid, the USB input to play with, and upscaling as a bonus for when an HDTV arrives later. If you did decide to wait or didn't mind using s-video output for six months, I'd feel comfortable pairing the 981HD with a 61" DLP (with the caveat that you need to calibrate - but that's something that'd need to be done anyway).

Thanks Gonk. Perhaps I'll take the wait and see approach and continue using ps2/xbox. My CRT is not HD, it's an old 36" behemoth that takes a small army to move. Everyone keeps asking me why I don't upgrade, but I'm of the sit and wait forever type people. I've watched my brother-in-laws update their TV's two or three times always trying to get the latest and the greatest. I just can't do that, it's more fun to watch and laugh. This generation of HDTV's seems to have it together and right now I don't have anything HD, so the TV will be my first purchase. Then probably DVD player and eventually i'll upgrade the 990, but I'll wait and see what Outlaw comes out with.

Thanks Gonk for the speedy reply. I think I will buy the Oppo 980-H. After writing my comments yesterday I visited HDTV magazine.com and they said "When watching regular DVDs it was a bit tougher to tell the difference between the two(981 & 980) on a 50 inch screen at 720p."

Retup I have a Sony Wega as well, but my TV is 32 inches. I would have replaced it long ago, but it is way too heavy. I am glad I waited though Pioneer claims to be offering the next evolution is Plasma displays.

It is super heavy. I can't wait to get rid of it. Wasn't sure if I would put an ad on Craigslist and offer it for free to whomever moves it or bring it up to the family's cabin in Tahoe and replace the really old POS tv that's up there.

One of the other problems I've run into is with component furniture. The model 990 and my adcom amp run deep. Hard to find furniture that can accommodate them.

My 36" Wega has nearly killed people. I sympathize. It will be the last CRT I own, no question. It's supposedly weighing in @ 270-280 lbs. That's outrageous. I always cringed watching the movers lift it up.

Oooh... 270 pounds? My 32" Zenith is bad enough that I've happily left it in exactly the same place that the delivery guys set it over three years ago (sliding it a little on occasion to take care of some wiring), and I don't think it's not much over 180. Like you, I plan for it to be my last CRT. I'll probably replace the 20" CRT in our bedroom with a 26" LCD this Christmas.

I got my Oppo Dv-980H a few days ago and I'm scratching my head like never before. But let's go a bit in the past.

After I got my Samsung LN-S4095D (40" 1080p) in February, a friend of mine brought his Oppo 981H for a demo and mostly to give me some taste of 1080P (Comcast needed 1 week to install HD, given the fact that I was getting the "triple play" and Verizon was slow in surrendering the phone number).

I was NOT impressed with the Oppo, as my aging Onkyo DV-S535 was giving it a good beating. My aging Onkyo was having only an "enhanced black" option that was blowing Oppo out of the water (definitely this was also stating that the Samsung was also doing a great job upscaling and deinterlacing the 480i coming out of Onkyo). In fact, that's how my friend found out that there was that "green bug" issue with Oppo and installed the fix after comparing his Oppo with my Onkyo.

After the bug fix, Oppo performed better, but still not as well as Onkyo. Consequently, I decided to keep my Onkyo and not go for an upgrade.

But when the 980H came along, I started to itch again, mostly because the Onkyo wasn't accepting any other format but DVD and CD. Not DVD-R, nothing.

I gave Oppo 980H a chance and I found out why I didn't like the "poor" Oppo 981 initially...

In my case, for my TV and my cables, the analog component connection is far superior to HDMI. And I have "el cheapo", $15 3' component video cables.

The picture is vivid, inky and overall superb over component and relatively washed-out and noisy over HDMI. And I couldn't compensate via the TV's controls what was missing...

I compared 480p signal coming out of Oppo via component vs. via HDMI, to keep things equal (Oppo doesn't send out more than 480p over analog connection). Component was superior on all fronts.

My Motorola cable box gave me the same "behavior". 1080i over component looks better than 1080i over HDMI.

Now I have my TV, which has a plethora of inputs, connected to the Oppo via component and HDMI and the same for the cable box. Comparing is as simple as switching the input sources on my TV.

Each and every time, regardless whether the source is Oppo or the cable box, analog component beats HDMI in my system.

What could be the explanation?

The HDMI cables are relatively short, 6'. One of them is the freebie which came with the Oppo, whereas the other one is a bit more "upscale".

With a power conditioner in the system, the difference between component and HDMI when the source is the cable box narrows, but component still has the edge.

At this time I'm "all component", connection-wise and the Oppo is no more than a deinterlacer, outputting 480p. I still like it a lot and I'll keep it though, only it's a shame not to use its upscaling capability which should be better than what the TV set offers.

Any ideas? Anyone else in the same situation where analog component is superior to HDMI even over modest runs of 6'?

It's most odd that component video works best, as your display is a digital device and your source (DVD) is a digital format. I assum ethat you calibrated the TV's HDMI input using something like Digital Video Essentials and we're not seeing a calibration issue between inputs? In my setup (with an analog display device), the cable box's DVI and component outputs were pretty indistinguishable, but the difference between my 980H's component output and HDMI output is pronounced - and in the HDMI output's favor.

Gonk, thank you for your response.

I see as a serious flaw of the TV set if different calibration would be required for different inputs. One should be able to switch them freely, right? As such, I'm puzzeld that what's so good for component is not for HDMI and am looking for an explanation outside the TV set.

In my comparison I wanted to be "fair", and I compared Oppo's 480p output in component vs HDMI versions. Have you done the same?

I expected HDMI to be better as it was offering a full digital path, with no D/A and A/D conversions and, in spite of the electrical abomination the HDMI cable is, to work OK over 6'.

I'll try better HDMI cables, but I'm skeptical...

Don't bother trying different HDMI cables for that length - they are not the problem, as you are getting the video data delivered successfully.

I would not see it as a flaw (serious or otherwise) if the display needs some different settings between a component video input and an HDMI input. For one thing, many newer displays store separate settings for different inputs. Mine doesn't offer this, and while it works out OK there are some differences in settings - I calibrate the DVI for my highest quality sources and count myself lucky that the HDTV broadcasts work reasonably well with it. If your display does offer this, the HDMI input may not be calibrated at all even though you adjusted the component input using your old Onkyo. Even if it doesn't, though, you have two different video signal paths (one with an A/D conversion that you have calibrated for and one without that conversion that you haven't calibrated for), and just like with analog vs. digital audio that may be affecting the output. I'd recommend re-visiting your calibration with the 980H and the HDMI connection together before making any final judgment. Otherwise, you may very well have something out of adjustment, which would very easily produce the findings you've reported, and a little time spent calibrating the video could give you a better picture than either input type is presently providing.

I went for the '981 because of it's better processing chip(s). Unless you NEED component output spend the extra bucks for the 981 (IMHO). I love the picture this player gives!!

As for hdmi to component conversion ... I don't understand why this is viewed as taboo. ALL DVD players output analog component video (maybe with macro vision crud attached) so why should outputting an up-sampled version be illegal? Hell, even BD players are putting out analog component video IN HD!! (again, maybe with macro crud).

My TV has 4 hdmi inputs, and the audio is included, so why not just use a single cable? I do have the optical sdiff output going to my av receiver so I can make use of the dobly digital soundtrack. The only reason NOT to get the '981 is if you have a DLP based TV and don't want to deal with the macro blocking.

I'm not sure that there is a really reasonable reason for HDMI to component conversion outside of a source player, but that doesn't change the fact that the movie industry has concluded that allowing any sort of outboard manipulation of a digital video signal (such as to convert to analog) is too great of a piracy risk. It's related to the (equally screwy) logic that defined component video output as "the analog hole" in their anti-piracy security (perhaps because component video pre-dates more modern security measures like HDCP and thus can't effectively be made to support new, more severe measures), resulting in both HD-DVD and Blu-ray offering the image constraint token (ICT) which can be enabled when mastering an HD-DVD or Blu-ray disc and will result in component output of that 1080p source to be capped at 540p (one fourth of the original resolution). Internet consumer outrage has kept any studios from actually using the ICT, but it was still included in both specs and can be used.

Internet consumer outrage has kept any studios from actually using the ICT, but it was still included in both specs and can be used.
One reason for that would be that if it was suddenly impossible to output HD video over component a LOT of whole house video switching systems that distribute video over cat5 would suddenly stop working and PISS OFF a lot of high end customers.
(maybe enough to pick up a lawyer and SUE).

There are also a lot of early and not-so-early HD adopters running displays that lack an HDMI input or a DVI-HDCP input, which was the primary source of vocal opposition a year and a half and more ago (when the ICT was a significant topic of discussion). I'm sure custom installers who had put in a number of such systems (for customers who in many cases weren't likely to follow the lead-up to the format war) chimed in as well for fear of hearing eventual complaints from their customers, though.

Here is a funny thought... I understand that the content producers don't want any of the new HD stuff to get out via analog from fear of piracy.

But if they restrict an UPSCALER from outputting over component anything over 480p, this is like saying that up-scaled SD video rivals HD video and one might start selling pirated up-scaled SD video as HD video. This thought won't help their efforts to push HD DVD or Blu Ray through, let alone the format war. There are enough voices out there questioning how compelling moving to HD video on disk is, considering how good up-scaled SD may look and how worthless a lot of video content is.

On a different note now, gong was right, as expected, and recalibrating my system did the job. HDMI works just fine and after a proper recalibration my Oppo 980H is giving me very good picture over 1080p, the best I've seen from my DVD collection (a very limited one as I find pretty hard to find a movie really worth buying, renting them only once being enough).

As far as 980H vs. 981H goes, I heard various opinions, some saying that 981's image is a bit soft whereas 980 delivers a crisper one. 981 might fare better with very difficult content, but, by and large, the two are both very good performers and the difference in picture quality between them might be even hard to detect by untrained eyes, like mine.

Gonk, please accept my apologies for misspelling your ID as gong.

No apologies needed, Alex - you should see some of the mis-spellings (and mis-pronunciations) that my last name has yielded over the years!