1st thing, I disagree with Ghstudio's assessment. Those $100 players will never give you the picture quality that the Oppo produces from standard-def DVDs - not even close.
Additionally, since it's for HT use only, I wouldn't bother with buying the SE or any of the other hot-rodded versions. Use the HDMI output and you'll be in HT heaven for very reasonable money. Of course, this will also allow you to use room-correction and (real) bass management found on most HT receivers and pre-processors nowadays. You lose that by going to the analog outputs, stick with the HDMI connection.
I currently have the plain-Jane version and decided NOT to upgrade to the SE mainly beacuse I am buying a new pre-processor and will make use of the HDMI connection from the Oppo to the pre-pro. According to Oppo, unless you are going to run the player using the analog outputs, there is no benefit to buying the SE version. Good enough for me!
I can tell you that it delivers a *fantastic* picture regardless of the disc type - DVDs look terrific on my 1080i-capable RPTV. And, actually, with my display, BluRay discs look only marginally better than the upscaled DVDs. This is okay by me, my budget is a bit tight right now and it's nice to get a little more use out of my old and archaic DVD collection.
One other thing, it also *sounds* pretty darn good - DVD-Audio and SACDs sound terrific. CDs sound plenty good, too, and this unit will also decode my collection of HDCDs - very cool! I believe I have found the only digital source I'll be needing for the forseeable future - put a 5.25" shiny disc in the thing and let 'er rip, it will play any disc you can buy today and do a damn good job of it.
Oppo have created a world beater and should be quite proud. This is the best piece of gear I have purchased in quite some time.
Bravo, Oppo!!
-RW-
