Posted by Mark Burns on 07/08/07 03:27

On Jul 7, 4:57 pm, willbill <t...@worldwide.net> wrote:
> Mark Burns wrote:
> > On Jun 30, 8:08 pm, catherine yronwode <c...@luckymojo.com> wrote:
>
> >>Two Costco DVD players are available in the store but neither says whether
> >>it supports the PAL format in addition to NTSC.
>
> >>Philips DCP855/37 for $190 (8.5 inch)
> >>Panasonic DVD-LS850PK $190 (8.5 inch)
>
> >>Unfortunately neither the Philips DCP855/37 nor the Panasonic DVD-LS850PK
> >>has any portable DVD player product reviews on the Internet. How can that
> >>be?
>
> >>Does anyone know if the specification for the Philips DCP855/37 or the
> >>Panasonic DVD-LS850PK sold at Costco handles both the NTSC and PAL DVD
> >>formats?
>
> >>If so, which is the better buy?
>
> > For as little as $150 for a 720p upconvert, or $230 for a 1080p
> > upconvert, one can have an Oppo. These play both NTSC/PAL and can be
> > made region free with a very simple remote control hack:
>
> >http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks/oppo-opdv971h/5195
>
> > These players are among the highest regarded players available for
> > upconvert, but I also use it to play PAL on my NTSC televisions. I
> > have both the 970 and 971 models and they are excellant. The 981
> > model has gotten rave reviews.
>
> >http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/oppo-dv-981hd/7844#comments
> >http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/oppo-dv-970hd/7223#comments
>
> > One reviewer above stated that it didn't autosize the screen for
> > playback, which is not true. It does do this quite well but it has to
> > be selected to do that from the setup menu.
> > Oppo has been a great company in the past and very responsive.
>
> >www.oppodigital.com
>
> > Cheers...
>
> i agree with your post
>
> my OPPO 981 is hands down the best
> universal player i've ever owned
>
> it was close to flip a coin between it
> and the less expensive OPPO 970 coz
> the main thing i wanted was a player
> for SACD (Super Audio CD)
>
> i have a very recent Vizio 32" LCD, and
> run the video via the included 6 ft.
> HDMI cable (a really good one), uprezing
> in the player itself to 720p
>
> i'm glad i went with the 981
>
> thanks for the refs. :)
>
> ...but i disagree with the 2nd comment at:www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers/oppo-dv-981hd/7844#comments
>
> <"...and who doesn't need an audiophile CD player.">
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> odd comment coz the 981 has multichannel outputs
> via fiber digital audio, coax digital audio (not tried),
> and analog (6 separate RCA connectors)
>
> i haven't used the standard stereo (L/R) outputs,
> but for DVD movies (DD5.1 and DTS5.1) have extensively
> compared the multichannel fiber vs analog
>
> and also listened to 5 rather good SACD multichannel
> recordings (via the analog output)
>
> odds are that whatever this guy considers
> "an audiophile CD player" is going to cost
> a lot more than $229
>
> btw, i've pulled the fiber cable and now only
> use the 5.1 analog RCA connectors for input into
> my A/V receiver. the best sound connectors my
> 2 Panasonic DVD recorders have is fiber, so i still
> use fiber for them (for good sound, my receiver also
> has 4 fiber inputs, as well as 2 coax inputs, and
> 2 HDMI inputs, but using the HDMI for sound still
> eludes me though it works fine for video straight
> into my 32" Vizio)
>
> bill- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hello Bill:

I didn't even mention the great audio of the Oppo players in my post,
as the OP was looking for a NTSC/PAL player.

My 971 model is connected to a Pioneer receiver using 5.1 RCA cables
as well. The speakers that I am using include four Sony in-ceiling
mounted, a Bose center channel, and a Yamaha sub-woofer. The audio is
outstanding, imho. I could spend a lot more using optical cable,
upgraded receiver, etc... but this still is nearly a $1000 audio
setup. For my 19' by 17' media room this is plenty.

I am a former professional musician and have a fair appreciation for
audio quality. Most people do, even if they don't know it, for it is
no accident that the best fims also have the best scores. Just look
at the work and collaborations of John Williams.

Even if I didn't have high definition televisions I would still
recommend the Oppo if only for it's audio!

Cheers...

Mark

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