best dvd player for my needs?

[cgray]

Here's the deal:

My dvd player recently stopped working (it's really old), and I have to replace. I was hoping it would hold out for another couple months, because I plan to replace my CRT t.v. with an 60" HD t.v. in 8 months or so.

I had basically decided to get the new Oppo DV-981 HD for the new t.v., but I can't get it now because it won't work with my current t.v. From what I understand, the player only has an HDMI out, so can't connect to a CRT t.v., right?

So... what about that DV-970HD? Well, "the DV-970HD is only recommended for HDTVs smaller than 50-inches." So, this might not produce the results I want with my new t.v. ... As long as I'm eventually getting the t.v., I want the upconversion to be as good as possible (thus, the 1080p upconversion on the 981HD)

Anybody have any suggestions?

Buying the HD t.v. now isn't an option because we're saving for a down payment for a house.

I'm thinking about just throwing down $45 for the Phillips DVP642, and then selling it off in eight months and getting the Oppo 981HD.

[rkndkn]

You could get the Oppo 981 and use the S-video connections until you upgrade to the HDTV with HDMI connections -- or the composite even if your TV doesn't have S-Video. The 981 has
S-Video, composite and HDMI -- they omitted the component connections.

[cgray]

I didn't realize the player still had those outputs. Thank you: S-video it is!

[cgray]

Thanks for that advice, viper.

It is relevant, because the t.v. I was looking at is the Sony 55" SXRD Rear Projection HDTV (KDS-55A2020)...

Anybody have the Oppo 981 going into this, and can comment about the macro blocking?

If that's going to be an issue (sounds like it is, though maybe not as much with the LCD as the DLP), anybody else have dvd player recommendations that address the original question as well?

Thanks again, viper and rkndkn.

[Jake77444]

I got a question about this player. If I still buy an HD-A20 for HD-DVD do I still want to buy an OPPO DV-981HD for upconverting my standard dvd's

[SexualPudding]

Nope. The A20 will upconvert, and do a better job of it than the Oppo.