Questions about OPPO DV-970 HD

[animefan]

Hello,
I'd like to know how good a player the OPPO DV-970 HD for its $149 price tag. How does it play back PAL discs? Are they watchable or should I get the more expensive OPPO DV-981 instead? I don't want a player that has choppy playback on PAL.

Also, how well does it handle multiple subtitle streams for DVDs in general? I have some anime titles that have translations for dialog and on-screen signs that run simultaneously. When I had the Cyberhome CH-DVD 300, the subtitles would turn off in these situations and not come back. I heard the more expensive players can handle them better. Is this true?

In addition to the Cyberhome, I had a Philips DVP642 until it died and have started turning to more expensive players for their supposed longetivity and reliablity.
Will the OPPO DV-970 last more than a year without starting to have problems playing perfectly good discs?

[edDV]

What is your display?

[animefan]

I have an analog NTSC TV.

[Malika]

67.165.61.175 = SPAMMER

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning.
/ Moderator Baldrick

[Grain]

The 970 is an excellent NTSC player, but not the greatest PAL player. They're watchable, but there is some odd flickering and jaggies. I don't have any discs with subs like you mention to test.

[louthewiz]

You can purchase the 970 refurbed for $119.00 if you call them on the phone with a full warranty,
as for the pal discs there is a firmware upgrade at the site to fix the flickering with pal discs....

[edDV]

I have no experience playing PAL discs on the Oppo models.

The Oppos do well for NTSC DVD source but many of the best filtering features only apply to the DVI/HDMI outputs. Even so, they make excellent progressive 480p analog component players.

[Grain]

as for the pal discs there is a firmware upgrade at the site to fix the flickering with pal discs....

Where did find the info re PAL flickering? This is what they have listed:

Latest Version: MVer: 05.00.01.07 Batch: 4A-0111
Category: Minor Update
Release Date: February 12, 2007

Summary of Changes in This Release:

Super Audio CD (SACD) Gapless Playback
Super Audio CD (SACD) Track Number Display


For answers to frequently asked firmware upgrade questions, please check the Firmware-Related FAQ section.

Previous Version: MVer: 05.00.01.07 Batch: 3A-0916, 3A-0919
Release Date: September 22, 2006
(The above three batch numbers are equivalent firmware releases used at different stages of production.)

Summary of Changes in This Release:

Improved HDMI Audio Compatibility and High Resolution Audio Output through HDMI
Easier Track Skip for SACD and Digital Music Playback
New Default Contrast Setting for Component Video Output (Same as 1A-0613 Beta Firmware)
Improved DVD-Audio Disc Compatibility
Improved DivX and Xvid IDX+SUB Subtitle Support
Enhanced Power-on Response Time


Beta Test Version: MVer: 05.00.01.07 Batch: 4A-0209
Release Date: February 13, 2007
Status: Public beta test. This release is still a beta test version, not an official release. Use it only if you would like to experiment with the new features and improvements. There is a chance of the new features and improvements not working properly. If that happens, please update your DVD player back to the previous official firmware release.

Summary of Changes in This Release:

Super Audio CD (SACD) Track Number On-Screen Display
Alternative Remote Control Code
Noise Reduction

[jagabo]

The Pilips DVP-642 has the worst PAL to NTSC conversion I've seen. It appears to use a nearest neighbor resizing filter. The frame rate conversion is smooth though. I haven't seen the Oppos but they can't help but be better. Even the newer Philips models like the DVP-5960 are much better.

[animefan]

thanks for the feedback! It sounds like a pretty good player and I will give it a try.

[Gabriel]

I have an Oppo 970 and an older model Sony HD capable tv. The Oppo is connected with the component connections. I get excellent PAL to NTSC conversion. I cannot praise the picture quality too much. You can't go wrong with this player. I don't know where all the choppiness comments started, but they sure aren't true with my player.