Oppo DV-983H - It's finally out!

[infinitesymphony]

Originally Posted by Nebby

from a quick search it seems panasonic only does this for unencrypted discs?

It was my understanding that those few players played back everything. Every DVD-Audio capable player should be able to play back an unencrypted disc without downsampling; the trick is getting an unmodified digital output from encrypted discs with watermarking and/or copy protection.

In any case, the Oppo DV-983H can't decode and output DVD-Audio discs without downsampling (except for those discs that don't enforce it), so I apologize for being OT.

[melomaniac]

Originally Posted by Cecala

It contains the superior ABT Chipset which if you plan to upscale your image on a Hi-def screen will justify the extra $200.00. Trying to get this performance from a Japanese or European player would cost you an arm and a leg. Also Oppo provide considerable support to their products.

so the improvement over the other models is the video performance more than audio?

[HiWire]

Mainly. I think Oppo was inclined to stick with a similar audio output stage to the DV-980H since it was so well reviewed (and also to save costs).

You can read 53 pages worth (so far) of additional speculation about the '983 here:

OPPO Digital Presents: DV-983H w/ ABT chips (1080p, SACD DSD, 7.1 Surround, USB 2.0) - AVS Forum

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by HiWire

Mainly. I think Oppo was inclined to stick with a similar audio output stage to the DV980H since it was so well reviewed (and also to save costs).

You can read 53 pages worth (so far) of additional speculation about the '983 here:

OPPO Digital Presents: DV-983H w/ ABT chips (1080p, SACD DSD, 7.1 Surround, USB 2.0) - AVS Forum

But the 980H does stream DSD via HDMI and the 983 doesn't. Why did they drop that now that there are AVR that will decode it? Does the 983 DSD DAC decode it better, or as good when it cvonverts to to PCM?

[infinitesymphony]

The original method of decoding DSD using its native sampling rate and analog filters is dead, for the most part. So, it won't matter a great deal where the conversion from DSD to PCM occurs, since this is what most DSD-capable receivers do anyway (including the ones from Sony ).

With the 983 doing the conversion, users won't have to worry about finding a DSD-capable receiver, since all digital output over HDMI will be PCM. That may be their reason for the change.

[emmodad]

Originally Posted by infinitesymphony

[ snip ]

In any case, the Oppo DV-983H can't decode and output DVD-Audio discs without downsampling (except for those discs that don't enforce it)

[ snip ].

As written, the above statement is not fully correct; for completeness, it should read "..can't decode and output DVD-Audio discs on SPDIF coax or TOS outputs without downsampling...".

See post #12 of this thread for info wrt accessing DVD-A @ 24/192 via HDMI.

[infinitesymphony]

Originally Posted by emmodad

As written, the above statement is not fully correct; for completeness, it should read "..can't decode and output DVD-Audio discs on SPDIF coax or TOS outputs without downsampling...".

See post #12 of this thread for info wrt accessing DVD-A @ 24/192 via HDMI.

Exactly right, thanks for the correction. Starting with the DV-980H, all Oppos can send unmodified data over HDMI regardless of copy protection or watermarking, since HDMI is considered a secure method of transmission. However, since there are no standalone DACs that support HDMI 1.2a or higher (or at all) at this time, one will need a capable home theater receiver or pre/pro to decode the signal.

[Nebby]

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

But the 980H does stream DSD via HDMI and the 983 doesn't. Why did they drop that now that there are AVR that will decode it? Does the 983 DSD DAC decode it better, or as good when it cvonverts to to PCM?

Looks like the reason that they didn't was because of the ABT video chip.

No SACD DSD

Due to the insertion of the ABT video processor chipset in the signal path, the DV-983H cannot output DSD in its native format via HDMI. This is because adding the video processor chipset requires an external HDMI transmitter, but the decoder chip does not have native DSD output to feed into an external HDMI transmitter. The DV-980H uses the HDMI transmitter built into the decoder chip, and can get DSD data internally.

Also, for what it's worth, I'm interested in mainly non-downsampled SACD output thru a SPDIF connector so I can use an external DAC, but after looking over everything I think I may just mod an Oppo or Denon to use my own DAC internally.

[Cecala]

Originally Posted by melomaniac

so the improvement over the other models is the video performance more than audio?

Essentially yes, although the audio has been tweaked, its the Video which gets all the effort here.

[Audio Addict]

From the earlier posts, I didn't see if anyone has received the 983H. Mine just came in today. It will be compared to the original Sony 7700 at 1/3rd the price. I am off tomorrow as well with the spouse at work so I get get everything connected without interuption.