Oppo 970 vs. 971 DVD players

StinkyDog

Has anyone here been able to do a comparison between these two DVD players? I am planning on getting one but I want to know how much difference there is in the display quality from the 970 compared to the 971. If it would be a minimal difference I may save myself the extra $50. If it would be noticable then I may decide to fork out the extra. I have a Samsung HLR5667 DLP TV and sit about 10ft from the screen. Thanks!

univera

Yo, Dog, check out this link from last week. The merits of both were discussed and include links to the website. The consensus I got (from my own research of reviews, I haven't compared physically) was that the 971 had a better picture. However; the newer model is a true universal player for all formats, has HDMI connectivity and has a very, very good picture quality. I am likely going with the 970. Since Blue-Ray and the like are still way up there in price and things haven't quite shaken out, the Oppo could be considered a stop gap purchase by many, so why worry about the very best picture when you can give up just a little and get the ability to play all formats. If you are strictly concerned with optimal video quality, then the 971 would seem like the best choice.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39587&highlight=oppo

Ron Temple

If SACD isn't a biggy, you'll probably benefit with the 971 with your larger screen. The included DVI/HDMI cable makes it a real value. If you have an external scaler the 480i over HDMI is the winning feature on the 970.

StinkyDog

Thanks for the info guys. I am looking at this as a stopgap until the HD DVD format gets sorted out. Also, it will be predominately used for video with an occasional CD played in it so the video quality is more important to me than the universal capabilities. So in that case I will likely take your advice and lean towards the 971. One thing that concerns me though is the issue of the macroblocking. I'm not really familiar with what that is but I have an idea. Can someone explain it to me?

One DVD that I have that has some issues is Finding Nemo. There are a couple scenes that are funky and I'm wondering if that is macroblocking. There is the scene where Marlin and Dori are talking to the three sharks at their Fish are Friends meeting. A couple times in that scene Dori has a glowing halo type effect around her, Marlin too I think. The second scene is when they are in the whale's mouth. As the water in his mouth is sloshing back and forth it looks all jaggy and blocky. So is what I described macroblocking or is that something different?

univera

Ron Temple wrote:

If SACD isn't a biggy, you'll probably benefit with the 971 with your larger screen. The included DVI/HDMI cable makes it a real value. If you have an external scaler the 480i over HDMI is the winning feature on the 970.

Ron, can you explain this quote i.e. external scaler. Do you feel a 40" lcd would benefit more from the 971? My t.v. to be is 1080p Sony XBR.

Ron Temple

If you are using a video processor or projector that upscales 480i to whatever, usually it will be a more expensive chipset than a $150 player will provide.

The Oppo site gives size recommendations with each player. They are both recommended for screens your size. Whether you'll notice the difference...don't know.

I haven't experienced any MB, not to say it won't happen. None in Finding Nemo.