Don't know if anyone's been to their website recently, but both the 980 and 981 now include HDMI. I'm certain the 981 previously only went as high as component out, and I assume this is being offered now because the 983 is about to be replaced with the BDP 83 Blu-ray player. Both are still being sold direct from Oppo at the same previous price point. I went to Amazon to see if free shipping was being offered for either, and to my surprise they both include free shipping.

The price for the 980 @ Oppo = $169.00, the price @ Amazon = $169.99.




So I bought one.