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.