I’m Done With Oppo

[Pirate]

My first Oppo player was the 971H and although it does have a good picture, I’ve pretty much had nothing but trouble with it. Because my projector doesn’t suffer from overscan, the DVI size issues (borders around the image) made the player pretty much useless. That’s been a problem since the player’s inception, yet Oppo has still not fixed it.

Since I still needed a good, upconverting, all-region player, I decided to give Oppo another shot and get the 970HD. Allow me to break my experience down for you.

Component Problems:
Out of the box, I downloaded and applied the newest firmware (via ISO). I then applied the firmware hack to allow upconversion via component (one of the main reason I bought this model). I popped in a DVD to test the component output, but the picture seemed stretched. I called Oppo and they said it was a "vertical compression error." They sent me yet another ISO, but informed me that this wouldn’t fully fix the problem. So, even with the fix (that did help), the component inputs were always going to be a bit off.

Subtitle Problems:
One of the reasons people buy Oppo is for the region-free play. Given that, you’d think they would check to make sure the player could handle subtitles.

I put in my Region 2 copy of Pan’s Labyrinth and noticed that only part of the subtitles were being displayed. For example, instead of displaying "What is this place?" it would only display "What is."

I, again, called Oppo and the tech said that I should change the subtitle font to make them smaller. That didn’t work, so I called again. This time they informed me that because of some chip in the player that regulates the "external subtitle display area," some subtitles would be either garbled or display incorrectly. And, of course, there is no fix for this.

So, needless to say, my Oppo 970HD is on its way back to Amazon and I’m officially done with this brand.

[Taxi]

This is a surprise to me, since I've generally heard good things about Oppo.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Taxi

This is a surprise to me, since I've generally heard good things about Oppo.

Yeah, me too. I can't believe none of the professional reviews I read mentioned these things. And it's not like I got a lemon, the tech new about each problem.

[chlngr1970]

Originally Posted by Piratehunter

I then applied the firmware hack

Me thinks this may be the first part of the problem. Did it work fine before you started hacking it?

j

[Dogg]

I suspect this is just not a common issue that most users suffer through. Aside from piratehunter, I've never heard of the overscan issue. And although I do use my 971 to play PAL discs, I haven't had the need to use subtitles. Of the two issues, I'd expect at least the subtitle issue to more widely known.

And just to correct the misconception, it wasn't a firmware "hack" that was applied, it was a firmware update. There is a firmware "hack" to make the player region free (at least my version of the 971), but unlike most other "hacks", it is supported by Oppo.

Let us know which other player you find to correct your issues.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

Me thinks this may be the first part of the problem. Did it work fine before you started hacking it?

j

Oppo knows about the hack. I even talked with them about it, so that wasn't the problem.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Dogg

And just to correct the misconception, it wasn't a firmware "hack" that was applied, it was a firmware update. There is a firmware "hack" to make the player region free (at least my version of the 971), but unlike most other "hacks", it is supported by Oppo.

The component ISO was a hack. The region free "hack" is just a code you enter on your remote.

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

The component ISO was a hack. The region free "hack" is just a code you enter on your remote.

OH NOES!!! You must have teh BD+!!!!

[deepfry]

Are you going to try out a Helios pirate? Or is there another brand you are looking at?

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I put in my Region 2 copy of Pan’s Labyrinth and noticed that only part of the subtitles were being displayed. For example, instead of displaying "What is this place?" it would only display "What is."

I'm sorry you're having these issues with your Oppo but I have to say I find this subtitle issue rather funny. Sort of adds a new dimension to watching foreign films since the "translation" gets lost through the subtitles. I wonder how a foreign region version of "Lost in Translation" would play on your old, former player.

Sorry for laughing. So now that you've given up on Oppo, what brand of upconverting player are you gonna try now?

Peace...

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by deepfry

Are you going to try out a Helios pirate? Or is there another brand you are looking at?

I'm not sure. I've heard some things about Helios that give me pause, but I'm not sure what other options I have.

[BoSoxMole]

Can't you just use your HD-DVD player?

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by BoSoxMole

Can't you just use your HD-DVD player?

No. HD-DVD are only region-free for HD-DVDs. You can't play other region or PAL discs.

[Iguana Man]

First SVS, then OPPO. Dude, you got some bad luck or something going on.

At least the Pioneer stuff is safe!

Perhaps there are players that don't offer all you want in one package but offer "offline tweaks" that will. Just a thought if ya know what I mean.

[Pirate]

I'm thinking about checking out this Yamaha:
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-DV-S595...4782164&sr=8-1

[mighty mint]

I am so glad that I didn't jump into the fray and pick up an Oppo right away like I was going to. (in fact, wasn't I the one who posted a thread asking for info on the Oppo? ) Sorry PH, I feel your pain...but you do seem to have some bad electronics joo-joo going on.

[Iguana Man]

Will that Yamaha do what you want via component though? I'll be honest, I forgot Yamy even made dvd players.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by mighty mint

Sorry PH, I feel your pain...but you do seem to have some bad electronics joo-joo going on.

I'd actually blame bad products (at least with the Oppo).

[dizzlle01]

im also looking for a region free dvd player and looking forward to what you get with a impression of the new player you get

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by dizzlle01

im also looking for a region free dvd player and looking forward to what you get with a impression of the new player you get

Well, it could be a while. I'm about to return my 3rd player.

I just got the Yamaha mentioned above and while it is an OK player, the upconversion blows compared to the HD-A1 (not that I've ever been really blown away by upconversion) and the are two major issues.

1. The image via the DVI/HDMI is stretched, thus enlarging the black bars.

2. With component, the image is zoomed and I'm losing about 5% on the left and right.

So, yeah, not keeping the Yamaha.

The only option left under $200 is the Helios. I sent them a long email with a list of these problems. I basically told them that if their player had any of these problems, they'd be getting it back, so tell me now.

Dizzlle, if you don't have projector the Oppo 971 would probably work for you.

[dizzlle01]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Well, it could be a while. I'm about to return my 3rd player.

I just got the Yamaha mentioned above and while it is an OK player, the upconversion blows compared to the HD-A1 (not that I've ever been really blown away by upconversion) and the are two major issues.

1. The image via the DVI/HDMI is stretched, thus enlarging the black bars.

2. With component, the image is zoomed and I'm losing about 5% on the left and right.

So, yeah, not keeping the Yamaha.

The only option left under $200 is the Helios. I sent them a long email with a list of these problems. I basically told them that if their player had any of these problems, they'd be getting it back, so tell me now.

Dizzlle, if you don't have projector the Oppo 971 would probably work for you.

I have the sony40v2500 so what you suggest to get. The Oppo 971 or the Oppo 981. My tv is capable of 1080p but is it worth it. The only problem im afraid of getting this player is because of the subtitle problem. You said it doesnt display the subtitle property, so I dont know if i should purchase this player.
Anyone know if the subtitle problem is fixed on the 981.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by dizzlle01

I have the sony40v2500 so what you suggest to get. The Oppo 971 or the Oppo 981. My tv is capable of 1080p but is it worth it. The only problem im afraid of getting this player is because of the subtitle problem. You said it doesnt display the subtitle property, so I dont know if i should purchase this player.
Anyone know if the subtitle problem is fixed on the 981.

Well, the 971 did OK with the subs, it just has that DVI issue. But, if you don't have a PJ, then the DVI issue won't be a problem. I've not used the 981, so I can't say whether or not that would work. I think it's probably worth it to get the 1080p at that price, but It could have the same subtitle issue as the 980. When I called Oppo, they said there was no fix for the 980, so if the 981 has it too, you'd be out of luck.

I'm going to give the Helios a shot and I'll report back once I get it tested. Fingers crossed.

[Astrakan]

Re: Region Free Players

I've had three (not counting DVD-ROMs and portables):

Samsung DVD-HD850: A simple remote hack made this player region free. Handles non-R1 anamorphic content. Converts PAL to NTSC. It upconverts to 720p and has HDMI and component outputs.

Malata N-996: Region free out of the box. Converts PAL to NTSC. Has component output, no HDMI. Handles anamorphic content.

Malata DVP-393: A simple remote hack made this player region free. Converts PAL to NTSC. Has component outs, no HDMI. Does NOT handle non-R1 anamorphic content properly.

I haven't tried any of them with a projector. I've listed the three in order of preference. Although relatively simplistic compared to many other DVD players, in terms of playing non-R1 content the Samsung is excellent. Picture quality when playing any region is also very good.

With both the Malatas you sometimes get the shimmering artifacts common when you convert PAL to NTSC, but not so with the Samsung. I've also not encountered any other glitches.

KM

[Pirate]

OK, I was just about to give the Helios a try and then I got this email from their sales department.

I had sent them a list of issues I'd had with the other players and asked that they confirm whether or not their players had similar issues.

Thanks for your interest in our products.

Our current products H4000, X3000 and X5000 players are all able to upscale video date to 720p/1080i/1080p resolution and output HD video signal over component and HDMI connections.

And our player can play PAL DVD titles in native PAL High Definition video mode (720P/1080i @ 50 Hz) as well as native NTSC High Definition video mode (720P/1080i @ 60 Hz); you will be able to play your PAL DVD titles with your NTSC HD TV in NTSC HD resolution.

Additionally, these players are all region models (region code free), you can play any region code DVD titles on this player.

Anyway, as per your needs, I will recommend you the X3000 or X5000 player.
Honestly, we have received some feedback of subtitle issue with the H4000 player, which will be always on. It seems a bug of the chipset used in H4000 player, which is beyond the scope of a firmware update.
However, we did not notice any image problem with our current products.

Hope this helps, and please let me know if any question and I will help you further.

Thanks for your time.

Regards,
Peter
Customer Support

How do you miss a bug like that?!

I fuckin' give up.

[Iguana Man]

I would have replied and asked if the two they suggested (3000/5000) *also* exibit this problem. Perhaps that is why the didn't suggest the 4000?

Email them I say!

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I would have replied and asked if the two they suggested (3000/5000) *also* exibit this problem. Perhaps that is why the didn't suggest the 4000?

Email them I say!

Yeah, but I don't want to pay $500 for a networked DVD player. The point is to spend around $200.

If I’m going to pay $500, I’m sure I could get a much better player than a Helios.

[Astrakan]

I'd look into the Samsung DVD-HD850 (see my post above) if I were you. It retails for $199 and should suit your needs.

KM

[Pirate]

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