I wouldn't expect there to be an appreciable difference between HDMI-to-component and HDMI-to-HDMI connections.

The question with Blu-ray is somewhat dependent on the specific player. For any decent BD player and a Blu-ray disc, the differences are probably negligible comparing HDMI output via HDFury2 to component output - the HDFury2 isn't going to be a benefit, but odds are that it won't be a particular detriment either. It would be with DVD's that the situation changes: you can't scale DVD output to HD when you are using component output, so the best you get from the player via component is 480p. If the player has a really good deinterlacer and scaler (like the OPPO BDP-83), you may want to make use of its video processing. That's where the HDFury2 would be useful.

There is firmware available for the 970HD that will let you scale DVD's to 720p or 1080i via the component output. Because of that, I wouldn't bother pairing the 970HD with an HDFury2. Use that hacked firmware and let the player scale via component output.

Gonk didn't know about this I will try it if I can figure out the step by step instructions I currently have version 4A-0209. Anyway you could lay out the instructions in simpler terms?

I'll have to look back over it again - it's been a while since I looked at it, and the 970HD is the only player OPPO has built that I've never personally used. I'll see what i can do. I might even just cook up a hacked firmware that you can burn to CD and load like any other firmware update.

I meant to edit my post before you responded but I do remember reading that thread at some point but I can't remember if I tried that hack or not but if I did how would I know. Would the Oppo still show 4A-0209 before and after the hack?

If I cycle through the HDMI button on the remote I can cycle to 1080i and it shows Oppo startup screen on my tv screen plus it shows 1080i, would this confirm I already did the hack?

The only way to test if you have the hack installed is to load an encrypted DVD (any major commercial release) while the player is set to output 1080i, then see if theTV reports getting a 1080i input signal. If it gets a 1080i signal while the disc is playing, it is running hacked firmware.

Okay I have a commercial disc playing now and if I push HDMI button on the remote it says 1080i and will not let me change it to any other setting, is that what you mean? If not I guess I don't know how to see if I'm getting a 1080i signal.

You can only change resolution on the 970HD when disc playback is stopped. Since you're already set to 1080i, though, that's not a concern. Instead you need to figure out how to get your TV to tell you what input resolution it is seeing. If it says "480p" then you have the official firmware. If it says "1080i" then you have the hacked firmware.

I've looked back at the hack tool and have a firmware iso file that should be a hacked version of the latest 970HD public beta firmware (0209). If you want it, I can post it.

Edit: Went ahead and tossed it on my server. Hacked firmware iso file can be installed using standard instructions from OPPO's site. If you need software to burn an ISO file to disc, DVD Decrypter is small and easy to use.

Thanks Gonk for being so patient and explaining everything so thoroughly I've learned a lot. Here's my tv manual http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/televisions/product.asp?model=57hx81 but I still don't see where it shows what input resolution the tv is seeing.

I'll just go ahead and install the hacked file you posted very much appreciated!

Last post but I've got to say you are the most helpful person on the net helping people with their A/V equipment and I sincerely mean that.

I skimmed the manual for your TV. It appears that there is no way to get it to tell you what the input resolution is. May as well just load the hacked firmware. Glad to help.