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.