Thought I share my OPPO experience so far, bought it 2 months ago.

THEN

Packing was safe. Box within a box with peanut foams. 2 free dvds... crappy but better than nothing.



Player comes in a nice looking velcro-wrapped black canvas-like cover.




Checking the firmware version


Popping in the firmware cd

Press PLAY

Firmware changed


Now my projector gets the 720p signal



As for comparison with my existing Panasonic RP82 player, it's not really a world of difference, not night and day. I had to switch the components to and fro both players to compare. Very difficult to see the difference, unless I focus on certain small objects in the movie eg. plants, walls, computer, etc.. I used Hulk as the test movie (very detailed quality). Overall, I think there is an improvement in the sharpness/detail and maybe more 3d-like feel. Who knows, it may be psychological .... but unless i have a switcher to switch between both player outputs, I can never really confirm. According to AVS forum, the best way to compare is using test video signals. Oh well, if the end result (the movie) is not night and day, no need to bring out my AVIA dvd and waste more hours finding the little differences.

Question : What will I do next? Will I replace my current player? Quite subjective at the moment. The only thing I dislike is the squeezing of the image (a known bug) which means not filling up my screen properly. I think I will hook it up to my 42" plasma via HDMI and see if better matched (HDMI cable included).



This post has been edited by pixel8: Apr 6 2007, 07:53 PM

NOW / PRESENT
Took the Oppo970 down to the living instead, hook it via provided HDMI cable upscale at 720p, details are mind blowing ever since. Of course, smaller screen 42" shows more detailed picture, compared to the projector. But this will do for meantime.. will do. See my happy smile?

The oppo was US$149 from this website (great customer service) ... highly recommended. (http://www.hkflix.com/hardware/xq/asp/pid.125/qx/details.htm)

Shipment depending on speed varies from US$60 to US$85. I chose FEDEX which cost US$85, reached within 3 days!! No problems whatsoever.

I'm using 4 year old Panasonic AE300 projector via components. Probably HDMI would have more difference, but that's for later maybe.... would have to spend on HDMI-DVI adapter to test difference. Probably a higher resolution projector would show more, who knows, but that's for later ... much later.

Yeah, that's what I try to explain ... the plasma seems more detailed due to smaller screen. But reason I put it downstairs, is because it showed more improvement than the Pioneer HDMI playback (shown in same pic), compared to upstairs difference.

The price mentioned above and shipping were all I incurred. I had no problems with kastam, thank goodness. Probably thanks to the courier service and customer service underdeclaring.

The shipping cost is up to your patience. If you can wait, go for slow air shipping.

Anyway, it's a good price altogether, considering in Singapore, the player is going for S$299. Driving/flying/time or postage is equally the same.

Doesn't anyone in this forum have an OPPO? I thought possible, considering the hype for so long.

dirtrun, congrats on your 2nd oppo acquisition and finally firing it up on your new projector too! Hope you like the results after the long wait.


shipal, the firmware change is to allow the upconversion via components. Standard firmware does not allow so.


alamaklor, didn't read about such comparison between 970 vs 971 vs 980, in terms of sound. Thought they were the same electronics. But a picture comparison between 970 vs 971 vs 980 produces different views. Some prefer the sharper 970, some prefer the softer Faroudja 980. So dunno lah.



The reason I chose 970 was because of the component upconversion, not so much the HDMI. Not sure how much difference for the 1080p HDMI connection, but my displays are all 420p resolution anyways.

My next jump (upgrade) will see me in the HD universe and maybe that time if there's no equal upscaling player, I would get the 981 or whichever OPPO throws out in the market.