Is Oppo the DVD player manufacturer High End?

Question

I would like to invest in a nice DVD player and I was wondering if Oppo is a good brand. I like the fact that their DVD players include DCDi an that they are progressive scan and such. Are any of the Oppo DVD players good or should I stick with my Sony NC85H DVD Progressive scan changer.

Answer 1

Oppo players are high end in terms of performance in a number of areas, but not considered high end overall because of the price and somewhat light construction.

Whether it is a good choice depends what you need it for.

That said it would be an improvement on your present progressive changer, which was user rated 5.3 on Cnet, while the Oppo players rate in the high 7's to 8.3.  

The Oppo 981 is considered one of, if not the best upconverting DVD players. It's also a pretty good SACD and DVD-A player. Reviews have consistently rated it as top performing player equal to (and in some ways better than) players costing several times as much.

I have a Pioneer Elite DVD player I originally bought for audio (particulalry SACD and DVD-A) and later bought an Oppo 971 for upconverting DVD video for my projector. I'm "sure" the Pioneer is a better audio player but you'd have to be pretty picky to hear a difference between the two.

I also have a Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD player that is also an upconverting DVD player. In fact, because I can only conveniently connect two players, I use the HD-A2 now as my primary DVD video player (rather than the Oppo) because it gives almost as good an image from DVDs as the Oppo, and also allows me to play the occasional HD DVD.

My point is, the Oppo (e.g. 981) is a good "universal" player and a great choice as long as you don't want Blu-ray or HD DVD capability. If you do, either a Blu-ray (e.g. PS3) or HD DVD (HD-A3) player might be a better choice.

The HD-A3 (successor to HD-A2) can be purchased on Amazon for about $180 with 10 free HD DVDs ... or the Oppo from them direct for $229.

Hope this helps. Good luck with a choice.

Answer 2

OPPO is pretty good SOUNDING universal player.  Picture is average.  

Unless you need DVD-Audio - it is not a major improvement over your Sony.

If you want a major improvement - go HiDef!  I suggest to get Toshiba HD-DVD player - it makes an EXCELLENT DVD upconverting player.  You can get them starting at  under $200.  I have HD-A35 - an excellent all around player.

Answer 3

Yes, Oppo's are good DVD player but they're not considered high end.

If you want highend DVD players, check out Onkyo, Denon, Marantz or the Pioneer Elite DVD platers.