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Oppo 981 vs 983 Which Has Better Picture Quality?

The Oppo 981 has DCDi by Faroudja video processing technology with progressive scan, film mode detection, TrueLife™ enhancement and motion adaptive noise reduction. Video is analyzed on a single pixel granularity to detect presence or absence of angled lines and edges, which are then processed to produce a smooth natural looking image without visible artifacts (jaggies). The result is a breath-taking picture with vivid color, fine details, and life-like picture quality.

The Oppo 983 has an advanced video processing featuring "VRS™ by Anchor Bay" technologies. With the DV-983H, OPPO has incorporated Anchor Bay's latest VRS (Video Reference Series) technology. The VRS technology suite includes AutoCUE-C™, Progressive Cadence Detection™, Precision De-interlacing™ and Precision Video Scaling™. The VRS video processor also handles frame rate conversion, aspect ratio control and video zooming. These technologies combine to generate a clearer, smoother, and true-to-life picture free of artifacts.

Which unit has a better picture quality?
ryder
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Ryder - If you're interested in a new 983 one of the last Oppo dearlers to have any was Projector People. Currently they are showing it in stock, but I'd call to double check. Also, Oppo occasionally has refurbs available. The target pricepoint on the BDP-83 that I heard was $599 which was confirmed by someone at Oppo when I spoke with them in January. Of course, that could change depending on what hoops they're having to jump through to make it work. The release date has been pushed forward several times at this point. The company line I was told was that they want to make sure the player they release is the best they can build with the technology they have available and that it works flawlessly. They do have a beta program which they seem to be offering for the Blu-ray player. I signed up for notification and have not heard from them. 983's also show up used both here and on eBay on occasion, and Oppo also pushes their refurbs on eBay.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
PS VERY IMPORTANT if you are expecting a superior picture quality from the 983 - check with Oppo if the component outputs you intend to use will yield an upsampled image. I seem to recall that upsampling was only via the HDMI output. I could be mistaken, but I'm pretty sure that's the case. Regardless, my opinions of the 983 are strictly via that output into a Sony CRT. I don't know what improvements, if any, may be yielded through the component outputs into a projector.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
02-07-09: Ryder
I think I'll skip the 981 as it does not have component outputs, and I need that for my projector. So it's either the discontinued 983 or the upcoming blu-ray player, which I suspect would cost quite a bit.
Don't assume that. The 983 was $400. There are several Blu-ray players in that price range with internal TrueHD and DTS-HD MA processing. Seems to me that if the BDP 983H was going to be much more than the DV-98eH they would have kept it in the lineup.

Oppo is all about delivering a higher level of performance at entry-level to mid-level cost. If their Blu-ray player was much more than $400, they'd be deviating from their business plan. Not impossible, but not so likely IMO.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
I was correct, RE: Component outputs - from the Oppo site:

Component video output with progressive scan (Up-converting over component output is only available for unencrypted DVD discs such as home video and consumer-created contents. Most commercially pressed DVD discs are CSS-encrypted and will be limited to 480i/480p output over component. HDMI output is protected with HDCP and has no such restriction.)

I don't know if this is true of all upsampling DVD players (anyone?). If you are limited to 480i/p I don't imagine you'll see the kind of improvement I've experienced via the HDMI output.
ryder OP
1,687 posts
 
Thanks for the information on up-conversion via component outputs. Unfortunately I have no other choice since my projector and AV processor/amps are all obsolete with component and DVI only, and I don't think I'll change both the projector and amps anytime too soon since they are bought new 3 years back. Gosh these things get obsolete quicker than I thought!

I just hope the upcoming Oppo blu-ray player would be able to up-convert via its component outputs.....tough chance but all I can do is hope.
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