OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player

• Up-converts standard DVD to 720p/1080i high definition output via HDMI (6ft HDMI cable included); Progressive-scan component output
• Pure and clean 480i NTSC / 576i PAL over HDMI ideal for external video processor/scaler or high end display
• Official DivX Certified product, plays all versions of DivX video (including DivX 6) with standard playback of DivX media files
• DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), XviD, Audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, WMA and other digital audio and video media/formats
• Excellent audio performance with Dolby Digital, DTS, Coaxial and Optical digital output, HDMI 1.1 multi-channel audio, 5.1ch and stereo analog output

This machine played all regions right out of the box for six months until I put in a Chinese movie. Then a Hongkong Region 3 did not work but a Korean Region 3 did work. I had to find the hack from a review for the 971 model also sold by Amazon.

It took less than a minute and Oppo's record is back to perfect. Here is the relevant information from the other review:

There is also a multi region hack on videohelp which is:

Press Setup on remote control to access the setup page

* Enter 9210 on the remote

* A secret menu will pop up

* Select 0 to 6 in region code. 0 is multi region

* Press Setup on remote again to exit

Buy OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player Now

One of the few players that I haven't wanted more from. As firmware upgrades are available they are easily installed. The player provides a great picture on a HDTV because of the upconverting circuity. For me the greatest advantage was the ability to bypass regional encoding. This allows one to buy and play discs made anywhere in the world that are in PAL or NTSC. Many DVDs that are popular elsewhere aren't to be found in the good ole USA. This player allows you to buy them and enjoy them wherever you are. It has a PAL to NTSC converter and vicea versa. So if I want to buy a disc that's only available in Britain, I can still enjoy it in my home in California. I am personally enjoying this feature at the moment and am quite happy. My only complaint is that I wish the remote was illuminated, but that is small potatoes.

Read Best Reviews of OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player Here

Summary top quality picture, snappy menus, comes with a HDMI cable, supports USB and many other kinds of media, but sub-par looks and build quality. Priced higher than most basic DVD players, but if you bought a HDTV to watch movies, this is IMO the cheapest way to get the most out of your set.

I read many reviews of this DVD player online before deciding to plce the order. I was delighted to find that they were headquartered practically in my own back yard (SF Bay area), and that if I needed to service/replace the unit, I could bring it in to their office. I got mine with a 6ft HDMI cable included in the price.

I bought it because I wanted the HDMI output and the ability to play .mpg and .avi files from my extensive library of, um, stuff. Previously I tried the Philips 5140 over component cables, Harman Kardon DVD47, and Sony DVP-NS975V both over HDMI. This player is the best of any that I have tried in terms of picture quality. The DVD47 does well in that regard, but I had some other problems with the unit that led me to return it. Oppo's player matches the DVD47 in DVD image clarity and also handles DivX movies like movie trailers and internet meme type garbage.

Software built into the player does something most others' fail at miserably: it responds instantly to your commands! Even the file browser to load .mpegs and still images is relatively snappy. Here is where Sony and Philips should take note it is a critical part of the user experience.

The only bad things I would say about Oppo is that they neglect the intangibles to help deliver this player at the $150 price point. It looks more like the $50 players at Wal-Mart or Target. I don't really care about that but some might. When the DVD tray is extended, I am always worried that it's going to break if I put a disc in the wrong way. It feels flimsy. I don't know if it's worth a star off its rating to complain about that or not. The intangibles do matter to some people more than actual performance.

Want OPPO DV-970HD Up-Converting Universal DVD Player Discount?

within a reasonable budget. I was willing to spend a lot more money on a quality DVD player than I paid for this unit. I don't feel like I comprimised a bit with my purchase. The picture quality on my 47" 1080p LCD tv via the SUPPLIED(!) HDMI cable is unmatched buy anything I've ever seen before. The audio via optical through my Yamaha receiver and my Polk speakers is crystal clear wether it's hard rock or hip hop/rap. These might be the things that are expected with even cheap DVD players, but I was overly surpirsed by some little things that can make or break a product review:

1) The unit is unbelievably quiet. I can't hear the disc spin even with my ear close to the player.

2) The supplied HDMI cable is THICK and looks to have gold connections. What I'm saying here is, they didn't throw in a cheap cable just for advertising.

3) The DVD tray doesn't look cheap, it looks cool!! It's clear and thin but rigid. It probably wouldn't hold up to a child dangling off the tray, but what player would?

4) There is a little delay when you stick in a CD or DVD, but it's half the time I've seen with other DVD players that have similar capibilities that this unit has.

5) The full function remote is awesome! Stick it under a light and the buttons glow in the dark for some time.

They didn't even skimp on the packaging of this player. When you open this unit, you'll see the player in a Oppo labeled, black bag instead of clear plastic.

Everyone has different tastes and needs, but this player inspired me to write my first product review EVER!!

This player is absolutely wonderful. Picture quality beats any player I've ever had before, exterior design is great and compatibility is flawless (btw, region-free hack is at videohelp dot com).

I am finally happy with my HD 50" Philips plasma, which I use almost exclusively for watching DVD movies (10-12 feet viewing distance, upconverted to 1080i, no HD or Blu-Ray DVDs yet). I have spent hours with Digital Video Essentials disc, trying to set up optimal picture (subjective), and was only able to get it with this player. The biggest problem was getting flesh tones to look realistic. Female faces, for some reason, always looked burnt-out, when everything else was optimized. Not so with this player!

I have tried the following upconverting players:

OPPO DV-971H (good, but not quite perfect; lacks HDMI, needs separate audio cable with DVI);

Toshiba SD-K860 (cheap, decent, far from perfect and too flaky);

Toshiba HD-A1 (excellent, but not perfect, flaky and unstable, expensive);

OPPO DV-970HD (perfect in every respect, so far, and 25% cheaper than 971H).

Great job, OPPO!