Oppo DV971H vs Panny S97 Both with new firmware, Which is better

[mrpman]

OK her is the big question. Now that both of these players have new firmware released, What would be the better choice for a DLP projector (Benq PE8700) with a DVI Input.

Is anyone willing to compare these two players side by side with the new firmware in both?

I thought I was going to buy the oppo because of the commitment to customer service....but now that the Panasonic S97 has come out with new firmware to fix some bugs, I AM BACK TO SQUARE ONE..........PLEASE SOMEONE COMPARE THESE UNITS...THERE HAS TO BE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

[NoThru22]

The Panasonic S97 with new firmware greatly reduces macroblocking which makes this the best player for video quality under $1000, in my opinion. It has the least amount of issues and is the best built. The Oppo has some other issues that I am sure will be worked out with firmware, but not as of yet. It adds multi-region, PAL conversion (the Panasonic will output PAL, but natively), and divx and xvid playback. If you don't need these, then go with the Panasonic.

[BillP]

I bet the Panny has better realiblity than an Oppo as well.

[mrpman]

Thanks for the replys.

I thought the same thing also about build quality. I think that is why I had not purchased the Oppo because it was more of an unkown.

Originally, after the Sammy 941 was not a choice, I was going back and forth between the Sony 975 and the Panny 97, untill the Oppo came along.

I abandonded the sony because of black crush issues, so now I am down to the Oppo or the Panny, leaning towards the Panny.

I dont think I can take another dissapointment from samsung waiting for thier new models to come out(951 or whatever).

I was only drawn to the samsung because its ability to do DVD-A and SACD even though I only own 1 SACD. It must be one of those wierd things were you try to get the most features for your money or something..

Anyway, I think I will try to hold on as long as I can (been 8 months now)
but when the urge hits me I will still probably get the Panasonic.

[Kid Red]

How would guys compare the S97 over HDMI to the Zenith 318 over component 1080i?

[BillP]

What ruled out the 941 for you? It does not have the infamous Sammy black crush if you go HDMI-to-HDMI, and the audio is supposed to be excellent. That being said, the Panny is supposed to have slightly better PQ than the Sammy.

[mrpman]

I have a Benq PE8700+ DLP projector with a DVI input. I read reports that there was a Black Crush issue when using the HDMI to DVI adapter but no black crush when HDMI to HDMI does not have black crush.

That is one of the reasons why I did not get the 941.

[BillP]

Originally posted by afasso
I have a Benq PE8700+ DLP projector with a DVI input. I read reports that there was a Black Crush issue when using the HDMI to DVI adapter but no black crush when HDMI to HDMI does not have black crush.

Unfortunately, you're correct. I'd only recommend this player going HDMI-to-HDMI. Not sure if there are any problems with the Panny HDMI-to-DVI. How about the Denon 1910 (has DVI)?

[Ja Phule]

I thought the build quality for the oppo was supposed to be pretty good. The player is advertised as "children" friendly in another country for a reason.

[LiteUp!]

There are no issues with the Panasonic DVD-S97 with HDMI-DVI. It is one of the few players that correctly sets the video levels to RGB when going to DVI. BTB is no problem at all.

[NoThru22]

Yes, I second that. This is not one of those players that has problems HDMI->DVI. It looked great that way for me. If you have a DLP with no analogue conversion, this player will kill the zenith over component. The Denon 1910 has a lot of reliability issues and not even the 2910 has the fix for macroblocking the Panasonic does.

[Stimby]

The macroblocking fix for the Panasonic makes it the lead of all sub 300 upconverters.

However, the Oppo costs quite a bit less, I'd personally buy both and return the one you like better. Macroblocking isn't very visible on my display. Oppo has quite a nice return policy.

Yeah, the built quality is really nice, I'd put it above the Panasonic, though both of them can be left on for days and not break. The oppo has very little plastic, which is a plus.

It has Y/C problems and overdoes the EE, that can be fixed in firmware though, and Oppo seems pretty good about that.

[Starc]

Originally posted by Kid Red
How would guys compare the S97 over HDMI to the Zenith 318 over component 1080i?

Have both and can't tell the 1080i apart, both showed Macroblocking. Ended up using the S97 all the time due to its features (wanna change something? Probably adjustable. Love the capability to offset subtitles). Now with the newer Firmware S97 wins out in PQ and I never expect Zenith/LG to fix anything on the 318 vs possible future updates for the S97. If you don't need the component upconvertion I would certainly recommend S97.

[drogulus]

nothru22,

You posted that the S97 plays PAL natively. Is it region free? If not, is there a reliable hack?

edit: OK,got it. It's the chipped remote.... has anyone used one of these? It would make me a bit nervous if nobody's tried it.

[NoThru22]

I buy PAL movies from England and then copy them on my computer, stripping out the region, but that of course, does not change them to NTSC. I got quite a shock when I put my Lock Stock tv series in and it said 576p and my TV was going nuts. I didn't know the PAL->NTSC convertor in my HK was the exception and not the rule. Oh I wish this player converted PAL. Stimby, you said this is the best sub $300 player. I'd like to know a player under $1000 with better PQ (not taking into account audio quality.)

[Rock the Mullet]

I'm waiting for the Panny 77.....

[NoThru22]

Oh if the Panny 77 could convert PAL... I would have sex with it.

[rwestley]

I didn't know some members were into kinky sex with Panasonic DVD Players.

Boys do love toys!!!

[CJayB]

I'll give another thumbs up to the Oppo for build quality. I think it will give any other sub-$300 player a run for the money. Unfortunately the unit is still a firmware or two away from being ready for primetime. But it does show great promise.

[DrJRapp]

And here is even another endorsement of the Oppo. The latest firmware fixed my big gripe with the unit...i.e. having to reset the upscaling every time I turned it off and back on again. It also cleared up the slight shimmer in bright vertical white bars which wasn't as intolerable to me as it seems to be to others. My display doesn't seem to be too sensitive to macroblocking, so that isn't a big issue for me.

Build quality is outstanding for the price (this comes from the engineer in me, not the a/v enthusiast).

Customer service has been exceptional to date. My CD burner is gafritzed so I couldn't download and burn the new firmware. I contacted Oppodigital and they mailed me the disks that same day. Had them two days later. Every question I have asked my retailer (extremephoto) has been met with immediate and intellegent answers.

With some more firmware updates that I am sure are in the works, the Oppo could easily turn into the best player available for less than $500.

I have a Denon 2900 set up on component on the same display and the Oppo pq is in another league over DVI.

I also had the opportunity to audition a Marantz DV9500 at home and a/b it against the Oppo. While I won't go so far as saying the Oppo was better, it certainly wasn't noticably worse. And I can buy 10 Oppos for what the Marantz cost.

I must add that I am currently using a Hitachi Ultravision 65"CRT HDTV as a monitor.

[algaray]

OPPO Digital's support is tough to beat. I placed an order this morning through their Amazon store. I sent an e-mail to OPPO's support asking if the firmware is being burned-in on new DVD players.

Here's their reply:

Al,

Yes. The unit has been applied the new firmware. It will go out via FedEX today. Thanks for your business.

Regards,


Customer Service
Oppo Digital, Inc.
2269 Old Middlefield Way
Mountain View CA 94043
Tel: 650-961-1118


That's impressive quick response.

[jbaracelona]

Just wanted to know if either of these units will perform with a non HDCP Projector. I believe they have stopped making the Momitsu and Bravo units, which could do this.

[derekg420]

The oppo works fine with my NON-HDCP compliant optoma rd50! Quite well, in fact. :D

[jbaracelona]

derek,
Can you compare this unit to the Bravo or Momitsu as for as pq., etc.
Thanks, and where to buy.

[Stimby]

extremephono.com or http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00078GLJY/qid=1104870010/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/102-4085162-3093728?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

Between it and the Bravo are about equal, The Bravo D2 is a bit softer then the Oppo, whilst the Oppo is sharper. You can control the sharpness using the contrast control + brightness + other things in the Oppo.

[jbaracelona]

It seems to me if you were choosing between the Bravo, Momitsu,and Oppo, you would choose the Oppo. I recond that they are the only choices for people who have Non HDCP Projectors. Thanks again for the advice.

[Stimby]

Yes, while the PQ is equal, the Oppo trumps them in build quality and customer support.