My Oppo 981hd Arrived yesterday!

[Zar]

Have not even removed it from the box yet but am excited. I have read about the unlocking codes and for playing pal discs the setting should be on video 2. Any other suggestions for getting the most out of the unit? I don't know if it comes with a HDMI cable but I want to get a good one. Thinking about Signal Cable and I have had good results with their products in my 2 channel rig. Any input would be welcomed. Thanks.

 

[j_garcia]

You don't need a "good" HDMI cable, the one that comes in the box will work fine unless you need it to be longer.

 

[Zar]

JG, thanks for that tip. Zar

 

[j_garcia]

Paying top dollar for an HDMI cable just isn't a necessity and it won't make a meaningful difference IMO. Spend that on some new SACDs, DVD-As and movies

 

[Zar]

Paying top dollar for an HDMI cable just isn't a necessity and it won't make a meaningful difference IMO. Spend that on some new SACDs, DVD-As and movies

J, thanks again. Zar

 

[zumbo]

J, thanks again. Zar

Thanks button, click bottom right.

 

[sahihai]

Zar,
What kind of display do you have?
I shipped my 981 back earlier this week. I just couldnt get rid of the grainy output at certain scenes. Movies to test with 981 are...
1. Chamber of Secret (chapter 2) when Harry enters his room and the elf is jumping on his bed. Look at the green wall during that entire sequence.
2. Matrix (Just before the Fedex guy enters Neo's cubicle, look at the green wall of the cube)
3. Kingdom of Heaven (spread throughout the movie, wherever there is sky in the background)
Saw a bunch of other movies and for the ones which played good, the player really did a good job. Would like to hear your feedback on how its going on your end.

Cheers.

 

[j_garcia]

Sahihai, Did you try different settings and calibrate you display? I have seen no issues with my 980 or 970 in terms of picture quality.

 

[Zar]

I have noticed an incredible difference in sound quality. It's so vast I'm starting to think i might have had something hooked up wrong on my Integra. On th picture quality I'm not so sure if it's that much better and I have a question for JG and any others wishing to chime in. I went to put in the hack code so I could check out my region 2 disc, the machine was already set to 0 o the hack was not necessary. I'm wondering if the machine is set to 1 would the picture be better? My PAL disc has a very acceptable picture but is not stellar, my regular discs I'm just not sure. Please advise.

 

[MDS]

It is highly unlikely that the region code affects picture quality. All it is a number between 0 and 4 stored somewhere in non-volatile memory and the player checks the region code of the disc against that number.

More likely, that particular disc is mastered better than others you've tried.

 

[sahihai]

Garcia,
I had contacted the Oppo support and they recommended some settings which did not work. I also calibrated using Avia dvd and it still dot help.

I have heard that this issue is with certain types of displays. Though not exactly sure whether this was macroblocking.

But again, the clarity produced by this player was superb. Its just that, for the scenes where this player created issues, the graininess was just too prominent.

I have heard that Oppo is coming out with 983 version with the ABT chip which supposedly does not have such issues. So will wait till then.