Cisco,

If you don’t use the DVI output the 971 is a mediocre DVD player at best. When I was playing with mine I found the s-vid output to be worse then even DVD mode on my old x-box.

Dont get me wrong, if you use the DIV output (which is the only output the Faroudja chips is processing for) this player provides as good of a picture as I have EVER seen. But if you do not utilize the DVI you would be much better off with a player that costs 25% of the 971.

My suggestion, return it and hold off on any purchase until you get the LCD HD set. Your Sony is can only support 480i, so purchasing a DVD player that can do progressive scan “480p” or even worse up-scaling to 780i/p or 1080i (like to oppo line) is a waste of money. DVD technology, like most consumer electronics, is moving rapidly. In two years you will get more in features and processing at the same price points we see today.

Hope that help

-Peter

P.s. you may notice an improvement in picture quality if you switch to component video cables. Both the 990 and your TV can handle them.