Oppo DV-980H 1080p Upscaling Universal DVD Player
By Spot Senior Editor Mike Rollett
Introduction
The Oppo DV-980H is the latest in the Oppo lineup of DVD players that provide high quality video and audio reproduction at low prices. More evolutionary than revolutionary, the DV-980H seeks to improve upon the performance level of the DV-970HD (see my previous review), at a modest price increase, from $149 to $169. For more information, visit www.OppoDigital.com.
The DV-970HD was an excellent player for its price, offering solid video performance and exceptional audio performance at that price. The DV-980H takes things a step further in both arenas. First, the video section of the 980H, while still relying on a Mediatek solution for deinterlacing and scaling, has been greatly improved. Working directly with Oppo, the Mediatek engineers have created a new version of the MT1389 chip that allows for scaling to 1080p, while improving its performance in scaling and deinterlacing. Where the 970HD used a two-chip combo for deinterlacing, scaling and HDMI output, the new chip now handles everything itself. It is designated as MT1389OP2 and has the Oppo name on it.
On the audio side, the 980H uses a new Cirrus Logic CS4361 DAC that increases the analog output capability to 7.1 channels, allowing for the decoding of Dolby Digital EX encoded DVDs. Also, when playing back SACDs, the user can choose to output either DSD or PCM over HDMI (more about that below).
Features
Just like the 970HD, in addition to DVD-A and SACD playback, the 980H will play a wide variety of video types, including XviD and DivX, it does PAL-to-NTSC conversion and has built-in Dolby Digital and Pro Logic II decoders. In addition to the 7.1 analog output, It has both optical and coaxial digital outputs and comes with 6’ HDMI cable. The 4-in-1 card reader of the 970HD is gone, but there is a new 2.0 USB port that enables you to play DivX/XviD video files without the stuttering that could occur with the low speed USB 1.1 port of the 970HD. It also has component, S-video and composite video outputs, but upscaling over component is limited to non-copy protected DVDs.
The player is similar in appearance to the 970HD, but sports an all-black case and faceplate. The current resolution setting is displayed via text and LEDs on the front panel, making it easy to see the current setting. The 9870H uses the same remote and codes as the 981HD and 970HD, but adds a new ability to change the codes to respond to a variety of well known brands (ie: Toshiba, Philips etc.). The benefit of this is if you’re using one of the pseudo-universal remotes that often come with TVs and A/V receivers, it probably won’t have Oppo codes in it. Changing the Oppo to its “alternate” code setting will enable you to use such a remote. The remote supplied with the 980H is essentially the same as the current one supplied with the 981HD, but is a charcoal color, rather than silver.
Rear Panel:
Video Test Results
The 980H was tested with 1080i and 1080p output over HDMI to a JVC RS-1 1080p projector on a 100” Carada Brilliant White screen and over component at 480p to a 55” Mitsubishi RPTV. Both displays have been professionally calibrated.
A full range of video adjustments are available, including brightness, contrast, sharpness, color space, saturation, hue and three gamma settings. For testing purposes, all controls were in their default (typically “0” or “Off”) positions.
The 980H was subjected to my usual barrage of test disk patterns, including those from DVE, Faroudja, HQV and Avia Pro. As with the 970HD, the Mediatek chip provides motion adaptive deinterlacing, so it did well with the Faroudja pendulum and flag-waving tests. The HQV “Jaggies” tests for directional interpolation and filtering is always a tough task for any DVD player. The 970HD only achieved average results with these tests, but this is where the combined efforts of Oppo and Mediatek on the new chip used in the 980H have made a difference. In particular, the second “Jaggies” test consists of a cluster of three equally spaced white bars of the same thickness, moving up and down between a 5-degree and 35-degree angle. With a quality deinterlacing solution, the bars remain smooth as they move. The 970HD had some rough edges with this test, but with the 980H, all three bars remain fairly smooth. This translates to fewer artifacts in fast motion scenes. As expected from previous Oppos, the 980H had no problem with the Avia Pro layer change test, as was expected since fast layer changes are an advantage of the Mediatek chip. The 980H also passes below black over both HDMI and component.
There was no evidence of any Y/C delay problems and no ringing or other sharpness issues at the default player settings. PAL to NTSC conversion also appears to be improved with the 980H. If you watch a lot of PAL disks, I’d still recommend the 981HD, but for the occasional viewing, the 980H does very well.
All in all, the test performance of the 980H is greatly improved from the 970HD. I would not hesitate to recommend to those with large screens (60”+), using DLPs or other displays that might be subject to the macroblock enhancement of the 981HD.
DVD Viewing
Starting with the 980H connected to my RS-1 projector, I was keen to see the differences when A-B’d with my 981HD. As I expected from the test disk results, there was little difference between the 980H at 1080p (the native resolution of the projector) and the 981HD. Even with motion scenes employing some diagonal sharp edges, the 980H held its own against the Faroudja-equipped 981HD. Some might find the 980H’s images sharper than the 981HD, which while sharp, displays a more “film-like” image. My old standby, the Fifth Element Superbit, looked terrific, as did Phantom of the Opera. Both disks compared well to their BD and HD DVD versions as well, or at least as well as any DVD can. The wide range of picture adjustments also allows you to improve the picture with less than reference DVDs.
Moving over to the RPTV via component, the 480p picture was slightly better than the 970HD due to the improved deinterlacing. As I mentioned before, the USB 2.0 port make playing video files from your digital movie camera or other sources a snap. As with the 970HD, upscaling a few disks without CSS encryption over component looked great as well, but it’s value is limited for commercial DVDs.
The player was also able to play any DivX or XviD file, where on CD, DVD or USB drive. For recordable DVDs, it had no trouble with DVD-R, +R or -RW. It is also a DivX Video-on-Demand certified device, so you can download DivX VOD videos and play them on your TV, instead of your PC.
Audio Performance
As mentioned above, the 980H differs from the 970HD in that it will decode Dolby Digital EX and output it over its 7.1 analog outputs or HDMI via a new Cirrus Logic chip (CS4361). When playing SACDs, the user has the option to output either DSD (Direct Stream Digital) from the SACD, for decoding by your HDMI v1.2a-equipped receiver or pre-amp, or the 980H will convert the stream to PCM for use with the analog outputs or with an HDMI v1.1-equipped receiver or preamp. I tried both with an Onkyo SR805 receiver and found no appreciable difference, but those with more sophisticated equipment will welcome the ability to let their high-end preamp or receiver do the decoding.
As with the 970HD, Oppo engineers optimized the analog output circuitry for the best possible audio reproduction and the result is the same clean soundstage, with sharp transients and solid bass, as noted with the 970HD. Full bass management is available for the decoded output either over analog or HDMI.
The 980H shined with a variety of movie soundtracks over HDMI as well as a variety of DVD Audio disks. One of my favorite DVD-As for evaluating sound is Diane Krall’s “The Girl in the Other Room”. Diane’s voice and piano often can be very revealing, but the 980H handled it well, with excellent clarity and not a hint of edginess. As with the 970HD, the audio reproduction of the 980H easily exceeds that of other players in this price range and is equal or better to those costing much more
Conclusion
For just $20 more than the 970HD, the 981H offers some real improvements, particularly in video reproduction. Its video quality over HDMI exceeds the competition in its price range and its audio surpasses many more expensive players as well. Those using the 970HD for its 480i output over HDMI with an outboard video processor will find little reason to upgrade, but the 980H will be very attractive to those looking for a universal player that combines high quality video performance with market leading audio performance.
Oppo has learned a lot from their previous players and has incorporated virtually every improvement that years of firmware upgrades have wrought. While I didn't find anything requiring a firmware upgrade to the 980H, you can be sure that if there are any improvements to be made, Oppo will do it as they have in the past.
(ed: Wouldn't you know it, as I was posting this, Oppo released a beta firmware to address a few minor issues)
Once again, Oppo has hit a home run with the 980H. That being said, I honestly don’t see much more they can do with the DVD format and look forward to seeing what they can do with a Blu-ray or HD DVD player in the future.
Video Performance: 4-1/2 stars
Audio Performance: 5 stars
(NOTE: Star ratings are based on performance, but also for its price range)
|
|
