EmailBest Reviewed
DVD Players
- Cheap DVD player Sony DVP-SR200P/B *Est. $40
- Best-value DVD player for HDTVs Onkyo DV-SP406 *Est. $115
- Best multimedia DVD player OPPO DV-980H *Est. $170
- Five-disc DVD changer Sony DVP-NC800H/B *Est. $125
- 400-disc DVD/CD changer Sony DVP-CX995V *Est. $275
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Best multimedia DVD player
- Excellent audio, video quality
- HDMI cable included
- Wide disc and format support
- Expensive
- Unsatisfying remote control
March 2009. The Oppo DV-980H plays standard-definition DVDs and can upconvert the resolution to 1080i for HDTVs. This player is feature-packed and comes with a four-in-one memory card reader (for playing photos from a memory card), and it supports SACD and DVD-Audio high-resolution audio playback. Perhaps reviewers' favorite feature is the included HDMI cable -- a valuable extra that few manufacturers provide. Buyers can also convert the Oppo DV-980H into a region-free player, a boon for users who wish to play discs from all over the world. Video quality is excellent, but some lower-priced DVD players, such as the Onkyo DV-SP406 (*est. $115), can output 1080p video and deliver picture quality that's nearly as good.
The best review of the Oppo DV-980H is at CNET, where editors test the player and detail the results in a thorough standalone review. A similar article is available from About.com expert reviewer Robert Silva, though Silva's ratings system isn't as intuitive as the one used by CNET. The HT Guys at HDTVMagazine.com publish another individual review of the Oppo DV-980H that's brief but quite technical in nature, while an article from TrustedReviews.com is longer and more easily understood -- ideal for shoppers who are new to this technology. Lots of user reviews can be found at Amazon.com.
Our Sources
1. CNET
Matthew Moskovciak says that the Oppo DV-980H is expensive compared with some of its rivals, but he praises its image quality, disc compatibility and upconversion abilities. On the down side, he complains that the remote has "room for improvement" and that the buttons are all similarly shaped, which can make navigation use harder. Testing is thorough and well explained.
Review: Oppo DV-980H Review, Matthew Moskovciak, Aug. 29, 2007
2. About.com
About.com's guide to home theater Robert Silva reviews the Oppo DV-980H. It isn't as complete as some, but it covers the most important points. He is critical, and we like that the complete test set-up is detailed. A rating is given but isn't that useful because most DVD players here score similarly. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Oppo Digital DV-980H Player with HDMI and SACD/DVD-Audio, Robert Silva
The Oppo DV-980H upconverting DVD player is the subject of a brief but very technical review here. Braden Russell and Ara Derderian put the Oppo DV-980H through its paces, addressing the player's basic performance, as well as how it improves over its predecessor.
Review: The Oppo DV-980H 1080p Upconverting DVD Player, Braden Russell and Ara Derderian, Aug. 2, 2007
This review of the Oppo DV-980H is geared toward U.K. shoppers, but the fact that Oppo DV-980H models sold in the U.S. and the U.K. are similar makes this a useful source nonetheless. Danny Phillips' review is rich in detail but light on jargon. He says that the Oppo DV-980H is an excellent value, although the remote control is criticized for its rows of hard-to-distinguish buttons that Phillips describes as "spongy."
Review: OPPO DV-980H DVD Player, Danny Phillips, Mar. 24, 2008
5. Amazon.com
Nearly 270 owners have contributed to user reviews here. Some are brief, but others go into great detail about pluses and minuses. A majority of users give the Oppo DV-980H the highest rating of all (five out of five stars), and complaints aren't consistent.
Review: Oppo DV-980H 1080p Upconverting DVD Player Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
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