OPPO Bluray

**SteveCallas** · **04-12-09, 01:01 AM**

There's a fair chunk of "NO" votes, so I don't think it will be released for a while until they go back and fix the DVD-A and SACD issues. Customer beta testing is potentially highly rewarding as well as potentially disasterous.

**CharlieU** · **04-13-09, 07:21 AM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

I was told mid-April when griping to customer service about the EAP, which I learned was completely random and not first come first serve. Although I thought it hinged on EAP voting.

I'm not all that certain that it hinges on EAP voting. I hope not. The last email from Oppo encouraged people to vote, but I'm not seeing much happen. I don't know what they are waiting for since you are allowed to change your vote if a new firmware update takes care of your concerns. (or breaks something important to you)

**CharlieU** · **04-13-09, 07:33 AM**

Quote:

SteveCallas wrote:

There's a fair chunk of "NO" votes, so I don't think it will be released for a while until they go back and fix the DVD-A and SACD issues. Customer beta testing is potentially highly rewarding as well as potentially disasterous.

I'm not aware of any SACD issues. There are issues with HDCD's, but I don't have any to confirm this. I hear there is a beta firmware that takes care of the track to track transitions on DVD-A. I think one more firmware update and they should start selling them.

I'm sure Oppo is rethinking the EAP process. Considering that they found some new bugs along with construction problems with some of the players makes me think that this isn't a total disaster for them. Once the player is released the complaints will change from "why is it taking so long" and "why couldn't I be selected for the EAP" to "why can't Oppo produce enough of these to keep them in stock".

**SteveCallas** · **04-18-09, 12:36 PM**

Just so I'm clear, I was by no means saying this testing was distasterous, not at all. All signs point to this being a success.

Rather, by having this type of testing, if a single vocal person finds one bug and a company releases the product without fixing it, citing the bug as a minor issue, they stand to lose big time. It may be pointed out that the issue was brought up before and the impression might be that the company doesn't care about its customers. In reality, any company who allows beta testing probably cares quite a bit about its customers.

**CharlieU** · **04-18-09, 01:23 PM**

Quote:

SteveCallas wrote:

Just so I'm clear, I was by no means saying this testing was distasterous, not at all. All signs point to this being a success.

Rather, by having this type of testing, if a single vocal person finds one bug and a company releases the product without fixing it, citing the bug as a minor issue, they stand to lose big time. It may be pointed out that the issue was brought up before and the impression might be that the company doesn't care about its customers. In reality, any company who allows beta testing probably cares quite a bit about its customers.

I didn't take it as you saying it was a disaster. What made the EAP distasteful to most was the selection process. I have to agree with those that specifically signed up for the EAP and did it early, that Oppo should have gone in order of the requests received.

After I answered your last post on problems with SACD, I started hear pops on one of my discs sending DSD to the receiver. Oppo seems to think it's a cable problem. The pops don't always happen and aren't severe, but irritating none the less. I have to spend some time switching cables and listening to SACDs this weekend.

I don't believe Oppo has anything to lose if there are specific discs having problems. If a particular format that the player is supposed to play doesn't, then that is a different story. Unfortunately some disc manufacturers stray from the standards or they screw up mastering the disc.

**devicente** · **05-15-09, 05:06 PM**

I just got off the phone with OPPO and they are taking preorders next week and will be posting it for $499.00 Check the web site by the end of next week is my guess!

**tonyvdb** · **05-15-09, 05:09 PM**

$500 US for a BluRay player, I know Oppo is good but thats way to high a price.

**SteveCallas** · **05-16-09, 04:45 AM**

It's more than I was hoping for.

**CharlieU** · **05-18-09, 07:01 AM**

Quote:

tonyvdb wrote:

$500 US for a BluRay player, I know Oppo is good but thats way to high a price.

If all a person is looking for is Blu-ray playback, then you are absolutely right. Any player that can pull all the bits off a BD will be equal in video quality to the Oppo. It's the "universal player" features that make the player worth it's asking price. Maybe Oppo will come out with just a Blu-ray player down the road to address the customers that don't need the added functionality.

**Kal Rubinson** · **05-18-09, 09:16 AM**

Quote:

CharlieU wrote:

If all a person is looking for is Blu-ray playback, then you are absolutely right. Any player that can pull all the bits off a BD will be equal in video quality to the Oppo. It's the "universal player" features that make the player worth it's asking price. Maybe Oppo will come out with just a Blu-ray player down the road to address the customers that don't need the added functionality.

I really doubt that they can (or want to) compete in that end of the business. All their products have had "added" features which make them unique at their price points.

Kal

**Sonnie** · **05-18-09, 12:12 PM**

It does have a couple of other advantages that I have read about (per current users)...

1. It loads faster than other players (other than possibly the PS3 game console).
2. It upconverts SD-DVD better than anything else out there.

Are those worth a couple hundred bucks? Not sure for everyone, but for me they are certainly important.

**devicente** · **05-18-09, 07:22 PM**

How does the SD-Upconvert compare to HD-XA2?

**CharlieU** · **05-18-09, 11:05 PM**

Quote:

Kal Rubinson wrote:

I really doubt that they can (or want to) compete in that end of the business. All their products have had "added" features which make them unique at their price points.

Kal

They always seemed to have a couple of players at different price points in their line up. I'm just basing my guess of a lower cost BD player on that.

**CharlieU** · **05-18-09, 11:24 PM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

It does have a couple of other advantages that I have read about (per current users)...

1. It loads faster than other players (other than possibly the PS3 game console).
2. It upconverts SD-DVD better than anything else out there.

Are those worth a couple hundred bucks? Not sure for everyone, but for me they are certainly important.

I know the guys with stopwatches make the same statement you do about load times, but as someone with a PS3 and no stopwatch, I'd say you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference in load times between the PS3 and the Oppo.

One other factor is the quality of construction. It does not look or feel cheap. Oppo appears to have put the same effort into all aspects of this player. Nothing makes you say "Oh, they cut back on this in order to give me that".

**Sonnie** · **05-19-09, 09:57 AM**

Quote:

devicente wrote:

How does the SD-Upconvert compare to HD-XA2?

My Oppo 983 upconverts as well if not better than the XA2, so I would believe the 83 would do as well or better. Maybe someone can confirm.

**htaddikt** · **06-01-09, 07:33 PM**

I am glad I signed up for the EAP..even though I was not picked I did get an opportunity to buy the player early. And glad I did, it is awesome!
Here's the pluses:
My receiver can not do HDMI video, so I rely on analog for lossless audio, plus SACD and DVD-A which is also important to me. So the analog setup was essential, and having a default xover setting of 80 Hz which I find more appropriate than 100 or 120.
The BD load time is quite impressive, really. Sure, if you use a stop watch against a PS3 or other player, several seconds difference is hardly earth-shattering, but in the scheme of things it IS noticeable and certainly a plus. Kind of like waiting for your wife to get ready, and just as you lift your arm to look at your watch one more time, she is standing there. LOL
As has been said, up-conversion is great in the Oppo tradition. Some may think the difference there is also exaggerated, and some players have done very well in that regard. In fact, most have improved significantly with the latest models. But from what I've seen so far, the Oppo is still the one to beat, not to say others are not breathing down their neck.

Having a good analog setup was important to me, and this is one of the slickest, like the rest of the setup menu, very easy to read, nice clear graphics, and very complete. The same goes for the written manual, a class act. The packaging is impressive as hell, but since it has no effect on function I'll gloss over it, except IMO it shows pride in the product.
Build is excellent, for the price range. The tray is plastic, like most, but well supported and moves very quickly, not sounding cheap at all.

The setup menu is extraordinary, and not likely to be exploited by many unless they have displays capable of using all the features. For most, simply setting it to 'Auto' will likely give you all you need.
Another big plus to me, is the display. Not overly bright even at the highest setting, and it does need to be because the digits are big enough to read very easily from a 'normal' seating distance.

The Spears and Munsil video cal disk is great! The best video calibration disk I have ever seen.
Very easy to navigate, and the included text gives excellent explanations for each test.

Oppo support: Legendary..of course, right now they are up to their necks in busy work but always answer emails, if not the same day.

Speaking of analog, there are 2 dedicated stereo outputs isolated from analog muti-channel processing.
CDs sound wonderful on this player!

Some minuses:
There is no audio test tone for bass management (you would need to use a test disk).

The power cord feels a loose in the IEC socket. But it only has 2 blades, no ground pin.
Some seem very bothered by this. I'm not. It goes in just fine, and stays there.
It is a heavy cord, 14ga. something you rarely see even on higher end components, except maybe amps.
(The included HDMI cable is also very robust. Very good retention at the connectors.)

I experienced a 'drop' in analog audio output level across all channels yesterday. After resetting the player, and doing another setup everything is wonderful again. Hopefully, this is not a sign of things to come, but a few folks have had similar complaints. I suspect there will be more firmware on the way in the near future.

For those who have ventured over to avs forum, you know about other issues a few have had, as well as the continuing praise most have given this player.

Bottom line, if you value the multi-disk capability, the best upconversion for std. DVD, fast loading, and a quality build with great support, this is the one to get IMO.

If just a very good BD player is important to you, with very good upconversion, and decent audio reproduction, there are several to choose from that are better values. And they include models who prices will drop over the next several months, not the case with Oppo gear.

It is always nice to have options!

**Bob_99** · **06-03-09, 07:44 AM**

Quote:

Oppo support: Legendary..of course, right now they are up to their necks in busy work but always answer emails, if not the same day.

One of the reasons why I went with Oppo. I checked into higher price units but found that the bugs in them were fixed very slowly. Amazing that they could sell something for $2,000 and over that doesn't work as advertised.

Quote:

The power cord feels a loose in the IEC socket. But it only has 2 blades, no ground pin.
Some seem very bothered by this. I'm not. It goes in just fine, and stays there.
It is a heavy cord, 14ga. something you rarely see even on higher end components, except maybe amps.

A little electrical tape around the end worked for me. Some users have no problems with a loose fit.

Quote:

Bottom line, if you value the multi-disk capability, the best upconversion for std. DVD, fast loading, and a quality build with great support, this is the one to get IMO.

I agree.

One thing not mentioned that I like is the fact that I have been able to play DVDs not in the best of condition with no problem.

Lastly, I have yet to read about any player at any price that has not had quirks and drawbacks and I think that Oppo offers a lot for the money.

**moblsv** · **06-14-09, 02:27 PM**

I've been using my Oppo for about two weeks now. Everything seems great, lots of praise from me.

The one "glitch", so far: I was watching a movie and stopped it for several minutes to let the girlfriend take care of something. When I restarted, it was in French. A stop and start put the movie back in English.

**weeZ** · **06-14-09, 03:01 PM**

I've had the player for just over a month and the player has been great! No issues, easy setup and best packaging I've ever seen!

Did some side-by-side with the PS3 picture some improvement but the audio is where I really notice the difference! Not sure if it's the bitstream feed or the processing of the 83. LFE is most noticeable, more impact and faster attack, in comparison the PS3 sounds boomy.

**Spankey** · **06-24-09, 12:29 PM**

I pulled the trigger on the Oppo. Should be here in a week. All the reviews and positive feedback I have gotten made this a no brainer. Can't wait.

**htaddikt** · **06-24-09, 12:36 PM**

Quote:

Spankey wrote:

I pulled the trigger on the Oppo. Should be here in a week. All the reviews and positive feedback I have gotten made this a no brainer. Can't wait.

Great choice, love it, it will love ya back!

**devicente** · **06-24-09, 12:55 PM**

Got mine a week ago. Very pleased with it. Any one want to buy a PS3?

**Spankey** · **06-25-09, 01:14 PM**

Took the slow boat delivery. It's half way across the country now.

Confused about one thing in the manual. This player will not convert PAL to NTSC or vice versa, will it?

If I use the video direct pass through, I am assuming DVD's will not be upscaled?

**RUSS** · **06-27-09, 12:53 PM**

Received my Oppo BDP-83 a few weeks ago and have greatly enjoyed it from the moment I first opened the box.

I won't repeat other poster's positive comments, but there are none that have been made I would disagree with to be sure.

I will add these comments though:

I believe the 1080p video output from the Oppo beats my Pioneer BDP-05FD, Sony BDP-S301 and PS3 easily. To my eyes and all of my family members, we see much more vibrant detail and resolution from the Oppo. I suspect the Oppo has better below black capability. It certainly bests the other players in SD playback upscaling to 1080p, SD and HD pulldown conversions resulting in better judder control and sharpness of detail. The Oppo also has better color control meaning no over-saturation, unlike the 05FD and S301. Even the blu-ray of The French Connection looks almost tolerable on the Oppo.

Uncompressed Audio from the Oppo seems a bit more natural than from my PS3 or even from my Pioneer BDP-05FD blu-ray player when playing Blu-ray discs of movies and concerts. But that could possibly be a result of afterglow still from the initial elation of receiving an early release of this new player. Plus I admit to some partiality for Oppo. I have been using Oppo DVD players since the company's very first product line was introduced on the market.

I had some hybrid SACDs on hand at delivery, but the Oppo BDP-83 is my first SACD/DVD-A capable player so my prior listening experience is nil as regards enhanced audio discs. I have since added to my stock of SACD and DVD-A discs because the BDP-83 makes listening to the HD audio so much more enjoyable than I have previously experienced with CDs out of my Denon 3808ci AVR; especially Miles Davis Kind Of Blue, Dave Brubeck Time Out/Take Five, Allman Bothers Eat A Peach, Kinks Muswell Hillbillies, all SACDs, and John Coltrane Love Supreme on DVD-A. I would very much like to hear the SACD of ELP Brain Salad Surgery, and I might make the purchase though the import price is very steep.

The only negative I have found has already been mentioned. The HDMI connector seems to not accept the cable insert firmly enough. But that has not developed into any issues in performance. Therefore, I doubt the connection would be problematic unless you need to move your equipment rack frequently or clean behind it and knock the cable from time to time.

The look of the BDP-83 player is very pleasing and the build quality is quite satisfactory for the price. The build quality is certainly no less, and perhaps even better, than the Pioneer 05FD which cost me much more than the Oppo, although now the 05FD is near the same price point.

Not only is the Oppo disc load times faster as mentioned by others, but it accesses root-menu commands and responds on the fly to subtitle and audio changes more quickly than my other Blu-ray players. And the Oppo restarts a disc where you stopped it previously, even when ejected and re-inserted later, unlike the 05FD and S301.

To sum up, I am very pleased with the Oppo BDP-83 and feel I have gotten more than enough bang for the buck.

**Sonnie** · **06-27-09, 01:12 PM**

Thanks for the info Russell... and welcome to the Shack...

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