PS3 (FW 2.1) - A Secrets DVD Player Benchmark Review

[admin]

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/dvd-player-and-cd-player-reviews/dvd-players/sony-playstation-ps3-fw-2.1.html

The world famous Secrets Benchmarks result for the PS3 has been released for the latest PS3 firmware (previously, it only tested pre 1.8 firmware). Unfortunately, the results, while better than before, are still not that good. It's an excellent Blu-ray player, but not the best DVD upscaling player.

I'm a bit surprised, to be honest, since I think the DVD upscaling capability is actually quite good. Of course, the Secrets benchmark is a very tough one, and failing it does not a bad player make. It only means that the PS3 cannot compete with top of the line multi-thousand dollar equipment when displayed on similarly expensive equipment - for most users, they will still feel the PS3 offers fantastic playback.

As an owner of a Reon HQV enabled player, I can definitely see the quality gap between it and the PS3 (most notable on moving scenes, particularly artifacts which show up far more frequently on the PS3), but I would really have to be nit picking to say the PS3 is not a good DVD player. It's just not the best, which nobody expects it to be.

[admin]

For the ultimate DVD upscaling playback, look no further than this:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cd-dvd-player-product-reviews/dvd-players/oppo-digital-dv-983h-dvd-player---a-secrets-dvd-benchmark-review.html

[admin]

On a semi-related note, Toshiba has now officially released DVD region-free firmware to the HD-XE1 (the Reon HQV player I mentioned above). One would have to install the 2.5 version of the firmware first, and then install the latest 2.8 firmware, to get the region-free-ness:

http://www.toshibaav.com.au/service_download_centre.html

I find it commendable that Toshiba is so committed to screwing the studios' plans for world domination, through region-free of both HD DVD and DVD and less copy protection. Unfortunately, it was this act that ultimately caused HD DVD's downfall.

[rago88]

will the Oppo Digital DV-983H DVD Player
upscale to 1080i thru component hookup as our
Helios does?
actually ther Helios H4000 will upscale to 1080p thru component.

Helios Labs - Connect to the future of digital home entertainment.

[admin]

Unlikely, as I don't think the current Oppo players can do upscaling through component due to copyright restrictions. In fact, the DV-981H doesn't even have component outputs.

Blame the very people that bought us CSS copy protection on DVDs for this stupid restriction. You can buy a Blu-ray player that outputs "real HD" at 1080i through components, but the same player won't be able to output "upscaled HD" at 1080i through the same outputs - where's the logic in that?

It's a shame because the 983 is an excellent upscaler, scoring a perfect 100 on the Secrets Benchmark. It has started using the Reon HQV chipset too. Unfortunately, sourcing one in Australia seems to be problematic as there is only one distributor (http://www.merlinaudiodesign.com.au/), and would only cost only a little bit less than my XE1.

[rago88]

Some info on the OPPO thru component from Q&A at site but I think they are wrong..

Tom,
The component interface is only controlled by the MTK solution. The component output will have the same performance of the DV-980H.




.written by Neuromancer , February 28, 2008

5_against_1,

USB in on the back of the DVD player


...written by JEJ , February 28, 2008

The component video performance was the same as the HDMI performance. I just posted one set of graphs to represent both. We are waiting for a full set of photos from Oppo, including one of the rear panel, and I will post them here in the review as soon as I get them.

[admin]

If the DV-983H does have component output, then it will work as usual for non CSS encrypted discs.

[rago88]

If the DV-983H does have component output, then it will work as usual for non CSS encrypted discs.


when you say, "work as usual" you mean it will upscale "backups" to 1080 same as HDMI?

[admin]

Yes, upscale to 1080p (or at least 1080i). All upscaling players with component output will upscaled non CSS DVDs over them. How you get your DVDs to be non CSS encrypted, I won't (can't) mention here, of course (but it would be a pain to get rid of CSS everytime you wanted to play something).

[rago88]

Understand..
Was just making sure..
thanks.......

[Budreaux]

Well, Blu-Ray may have won the format battle, but the format will be short lived anyways.
Personally, I think the Blu-ray players will go the way of the Laser Disk players.
Great concepts for their time, but ahead of it;s time. The cost for Blu-ray players and disks just aren't acceptable right now. Especially with the current state of the economy.
The only avenue worth taking with blu-ray is through a pc based media center.

my $0.02