Considering the OPPO and the HD-A3 - which one is better for viewing std DVDs on a 1080i TV?

Question

Considering the OPPO and the HD-A3 - which one is better for viewing std DVDs on a 1080i TV?

Answer 1

I have an Oppo 971 and an HD-A2 (previous models of the two models you are asking about) and I watch HDTV and DVDs on a 720p/1080i projector.

In informal comparisons I concluded the Oppo is slightly better (a few less artifacts), BUT I have disconnected the Oppo and and I now use the HD-A2 as my upconverting DVD player (and occasional HD DVD disk player). I get a pretty darn good picture from DVDs on my 110" screen.

In case you are wondering, in my view the marginal increase in picture quality from HD disks isn't worth the premium price ... so I primarily watch DVDs.

You may want a Blu-ray player eventually, but this is a great way to try out HD disks cheaply. And I can't imagine you won't have a use for the HD-A3 as a good upconverting DVD player for years to come.

Given the difference in price to the Oppo 981 the HD-A3 is a steal (particularly if you consider the free HD disks that come with it).

Cheers.

Answer 2

oppo.  obviously if you know the oppo brand you know they have the best upscaling dvd players on the market. hddvd is dead so investing in that format is useless. you should be considering a blu-ray player vs the upconverting oppo.  but if it's price. blu-ray players will still run you $400.

I have my oppo and I love it

My review below

Answer 3

The A3 is Toshiba's 3rd generation entry level player. I've researched but as yet have been unable to find the chip set they use, (it may be Toshiba proprietary electronics).

In any event the OPPO utilizes  the Faroudja chip set video processing technology, which in the video world doesn't get any better. In addition Oppo includes cables with their product.

For the price difference of around $60 I'd definitely go with the Oppo.