Upscaling? Which player?

[iGirl]

Seems there are a ton of DVD players that do this...what's the big deal/difference? Without buying into a BluRay or HDVD format...Folks seem to like Oppo - why not Onkyo or any one of the many other brands that upsample?

The projector I am thinking of installing is the Mitsubishi HD1000U DLP Projector @ 1500 ANSI Lumens, Native Resolution: 1280 x 720, Contrast Ratio: 2500 : 1 - so 1080 isn't the goal anyway unless I decide to upgrade the projector...hee hee.

A BIG part of what I need is good surround audio from all formats - so the DVD player being the first link in the chain should have the optimum conversion capabilities and output quality. HDMI out is a must for video too.

Suggestions? I've decided to do my shopping from the beginning of the chain first. The source. After this I'll be moving on to surround receiver/amps, then lastly projectors for a final look before room acoustics/decor - of course I realize that a theater setup can only be as good as it's weakest link!

 

[The Dukester]

The big difference is what you get for your money, IMO. Yes, there are many other players that upscale, but none any better for less money than the Oppos. I have an Oppo and am very satisfied with it. In testing, the Oppo put out the highest scores of any player at any price, so why pay more (or less) for a player that does not do as well?

Some will argue that the high priced Denons, etc, will put out a better looking picture and they will sound a little better, especially on SACDs, etc, but at several times the price. For my money, as proven buy my purchase, there is no better deal in an upconverting player, especially for the money.

Nice choice of a pj, by the way. Good luck with your purchases and enjoy! I for one am with you on waiting out the war, even if prices are dropping on the players

 

[Leprkon]

I've had a number of Samsung's.. HD-941, 950, and 960. They all had very good video, but the audio was average at best for movies.

I have heard many things in movies on the Toshiba HD-A1 and XA-2 that I never heard on the Samsungs, using standard DVDs like Fellowship of the Ring. This was using all the same audio equipment in other respects (receiver, speakers, etc).

I have had Sonys and a Panasonic in the past, which also had very average sound quality. I have no experience with the Oppo, but at this point in time, I would try them rather than these other brands.

 

[iGirl]

I kept reading

...and the OPPO DV-970HD just makes the most sense for the setup - thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

The Oppos have been tested by a number of respected resources and have been shown to be better than average. That would be one big reason to go with them. I have the 970 and I am quite impressed with it so far on all fronts for the price.

 

[Musketball]

The Oppos have been tested by a number of respected resources and have been shown to be better than average. That would be one big reason to go with them. I have the 970 and I am quite impressed with it so far on all fronts for the price.

I got mine a few days ago and I'm more than pleased with the performance. I have yet to figure out how to get the component audio to work, but I have the fibre hooked up in the meantime. This player is sensational on my Samsung HLN5065W. I have it upscaling and it's really crisp. I could set it to 480P and let my tv upscale it using the Faroudja but I don't see a big difference in clarity.

I have ONE complaint, and only one (So far)... The yellow LED display is WAY too bright.

Don.

 

[obscbyclouds]

I got mine a few days ago and I'm more than pleased with the performance. I have yet to figure out how to get the component audio to work

Don.

What do you mean by component audio? The 970 has component outputs (red, green and blue RCA cables), but those are for video (480p max). If you mean the 5.1 RCA pre-outs, those need to be hooked up to a reciever with multi-channel analog inputs, used mostly for DVD-A and SACD since those formats can't be carried by Optical or Digital Coax. If you're not using it for Hi-Res music, then Optical or Digital Coax cables are fine.

 

[j_garcia]

What do you mean by component audio? The 970 has component outputs (red, green and blue RCA cables), but those are for video (480p max).

The 970, 980 and 981 can upscale via component, but only for non-copy protected material.

 

[obscbyclouds]

The 970, 980 and 981 can upscale via component, but only for non-copy protected material.

Well, the 981 doesn't have component outputs, so it cannot. Basically any DVD bought in a store will be copy-protected though.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The projector I am thinking of installing is the Mitsubishi HD1000U DLP Projector @ 1500 ANSI Lumens, Native Resolution: 1280 x 720, Contrast Ratio: 2500 : 1 - so 1080 isn't the goal anyway unless I decide to upgrade the projector...hee hee.

I have one observation here. Since you are in preparation to getting a projector, why not save a bit more, if $$ is a decision, and get a 1080p projector and do hi def DVD player. Hi def 1080p DVD is here to stay and more so as time passes.

 

[Tex-amp]

Well, the 981 doesn't have component outputs, so it cannot. Basically any DVD bought in a store will be copy-protected though.

You can copy your DVDs without copying the DRM.