cant decide on which to purchase? all these reviews on oppo products. but the denon upconverts also. is there any difference?

Yes, there are differences. The question is whether they are worth the money since the 2930 lists for around $800 and the 980H sells for $170. The 980H has a quite respectable analog output section for the money, but I would expect the 2930 to offer some improvements in that regard since it has more expensive DAC's (which will show up if you are listening to a lot of DVD-Audio and SACD titles). For video, the 980H and 2930 are quite different products. The 980H is using a very competent Mediatek chip for deinterlacing and scaling, but that ship is a "jack of all trades" (it also houses the audio DSP and video DAC's, among other things). The 2930 uses a Reon chip from HQV, which is one of the favored video chipsets these days.

If you are looking for video performance first and foremost, I'd ask a couple of questions. First, what screen size do you have? Second, what type of display is it? OPPO's 981HD uses a Faroudja chip, which can give excellent results (better than the 980H) on larger displays but which can have problems dealing with macroblock artifacts when used with some DLP and plasma displays. If you have a big screen (in the 50" and beyond range) using either DLP or plasma and you really want to get the best bang for your buck, you might look at either a Toshiba HD-XA2 (which also uses a Reon chip but can be had for under $500) or wait a few months for OPPO's upcoming 983H. The 983H will be using a pair of Anchor Bay chips (one for deinterlacing and one for scaling) that would reportedly be a match for the Reon with DVD source material, and it will cost around $350. It will also offer the 980H's support for PAL content and region-free playback.

thanks Gonk, waiting for the Oppo might be a great idea. save some $$. if ya know what i mean.
heck i paid 3.59 for gas today !

Get DENON, it is BETTER!!!!!!!!!!

If going by the Benchmark scores are an indication, both players depending on your TV, should have similar video properties. The previous model Oppo Digital, the 970 scored an 86 while the current Denon 3930 scored a 91. The Oppo 980 is an updated replacement to the 970 and the Denon 3930 is a higher model than the 2930. Having heard both the Oppo 980 and the Denon 2930, but in different systems, I can say that the Oppo probably will satify most people except for the true audiophile. The Denon presents more depth and a lower noise floor than the Oppo, especially with SACD/DVD-A discs. Another thing to consider is reliability. Speaking with local dealers and modifiers of DVD players, they all agree that the Oppo is the more reliable of the two. So if you are on a tight budget and video is your priority, I would go with the Oppo. If audio is more your priority, then go with the Denon.

Slbenz

I have both a Denon 3910 and an Oppo 980-H.
I use them strictly for Stereo listening (no HT/MC).
I run Axiom M80 speakers with an Outlaw RR2150. The Denon does best the Oppo (CD/SACD/DVD-A) but the difference is subtle - more detail in deepest bass and highest treble - a bit more open soundstage - that being said, the Oppo can be enjoyed for hours on end without ever thinking about switching over to the Denon.
And the Oppo can read any DVD-A I throw at it while the Denon is picky (eg, the Denon will not recognize the Advanced Resolution programs contained on the Talking Heads DVD-A's, etc).
My $.02: At less than $200 the Oppo is a steal.

For whatever it's worth, if you are considering spending the kind on money the Denon sells for, then you should find this interesting.

I'm pretty sure that a modified Oppo will best the stock Denon by a wide margin.

Or here at: http://www.tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Oppo_Player_Mods.html where Ric at EVS sometimes helps the guys out at RAM. Had a chance to speak with Ric at EVS recently where his modded Oppo 980 based on his opinions easily bests a stock Denon 2930 in video and audio. At $350 for the level one mod added to a stock Oppo 980 price, it is still less expensive than purchasing a stock Denon 2930 and will sound and play better without any of the firmware or hardware issues with the Denons. Just another avenue to think about since the posting of modifying an Oppo.

Slbenz

My Modified Denon 3930CI will walk all over any tweaked low end Oppo and any other play I have heard to date! I say this in terms if audio and of course it's picture qulaity is unsurpassed.

Music Rules!

Liz,

modified is the keyword here, right? You're talking about a modified Denon besting a modified Oppo and I'm sure you're right.

But my proposal talked about trying a modified Oppo instead a stock Denon in the same price range.

Don't you think this would yield to better results for the same price?

modified is a scary price to pay + original price for a unit, wether it be Oppo, or the Denon? lot to invest. I hooked up my neighbors Toshiba hd-a3 high def player and, wow! he purchased the player for 159.00. that being said,now im really in a quandry!lol

Mod a higher modle Denon see to and hear Audiophile and Videophile performance.

Ric,

Haven't seen the Toshiba but it uses video scaling by Anchor Bay Technologies. The same company that supplies the Marantz DV9600, Denon 5910 and the Esoteric DV60 universal players, all reference-quality players. You probably need to ask yourself which is more important, video performance or a player than can handle SACDs and DVD-As discs. Based on your posts, seems like video performance is primary. So I would save myself some money and go with either the Oppo or Toshiba. Both will perform equally as well as the Denon for video. And based on my experiences of owning an Oppo 970, demoing the 980 and currently own the Marantz DV9600, the Oppos tend to present video with a slight grain or edginess to them while the Anchor Bay Technologies chip is more smooth and film-like at least on my DLP monitor. Hope this helps with your decision-making.

Slbenz

thanks Slbenz, went with the toshiba. great player,great pic. great deal! thanks again.
have a great holiday.

Ric,

Glad to see you are enjoying the Toshiba. Have a great holiday as well! Now go out and rent some movies!