OPPO BDP-83 Blu-Ray Disc Player

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

I need more SACDs/DVDAs...it's a shame most are OOP. For instance, I would love to have Beck's Sea Change SACD or DVDA but both are insanely priced.

I have the SACD and it is really good. I don't know much about your music tastes based on that one but there are hundreds of reasonably priced SACD's and DVD-A's that can still be found. Beck "Guero" DVD-A is budget priced although it is nothing at all like "Sea Change".

Chris

[vinnie97]

My tastes are pretty broad, though I have a special affinity for electronic. And yes, I also liked Guero...where is your primary purchasing source of these discs at reasonable costs?

I got Pink Floyd at Fry's for a decent cost.

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

My tastes are pretty broad, though I have a special affinity for electronic. And yes, I also liked Guero...where is your primary purchasing source of these discs at reasonable costs?

I got Pink Floyd at Fry's for a decent cost.

Amazon including Marketplace sellers, eBay, Yourmusic.com, Buy.com and local stores are where I have purchased the majority of my collection. Right now, I am considering purchasing the Kinks RCA Years SACD box set, it is only stereo and I am not familiar with much from that era of their catalog but I am a big Kinks fan. Buy.com has that 6-disc set for $40 delivered and it qualifies for Bing.com Cashback if I am not mistaken. Yourmusic.com still has a few SACD's and maybe a couple DVD-A's left but I must have purchased over 50 from that service, mostly in 2004 and 2005. Wal-Mart had Jackson Browne "Running on Empty" DVD-A/CD for $5 and Dollar Tree had a Barenaked Ladies DVD-A/CD for $1 recently. Obviously there is no one source that makes this easy.

Chris

[HDTV1080P]

Someone showed me the December 2009 Consumer Reports. The OPPO BDP-83 is listed as the number #1 BLU-RAY player with the Panasonic DMP-BD80 as a close second.

[krammer]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Someone showed me the December 2009 Consumer Reports. The OPPO BDP-83 is listed as the number #1 BLU-RAY player with the Panasonic DMP-BD80 as a close second.

Thats a bold statement.

[PETMIC]

Oppo has just introduced a special edition BDP83. It appears to enhance
the analog capabilities of the unit.

For those who use hdmi, no worries.


http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-b...omparison.aspx

[jg14]

One of the things I had an issue with on the standard model is the inability to do individual channel adjustments and it says that the new model has this ability. I use the analog outs so there is a good chance I will do the upgrade (plus they are local, so I am hoping I can drop it off/pick it up).

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83SE/

[HDTV1080P]

4 different versions of the OPPO BDP-83 players to choose from

1. Standard OPPO BDP-83 ($499): For the average consumer that plans on only using the digital outputs on the player. Has lower quality analog output performance compared to some high-end BLU-RAY players costing around $4,500.
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-b...omparison.aspx

2. Standard OPPO BDP-83 with RS-232 option ($588): For consumers that want to use special home automation devices with special remote controls. All the other features are exactly the same as number 1.
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-b...omparison.aspx

3. OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition ($899): Includes RS-232 interface, better quality power supply and DAC's for improved analog audio performance when using the analog outputs. All other features are exactly the same as number 2.
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-b...omparison.aspx

4. (Flagship) OPPO BDP-83SE Nu Force Edition ($1295): Includes RS-232 interface, Critical analog components are replaced to make even greater audio improvements over the OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition player in the area of analog output connections.
http://www.nuforce.com/hi/products/o...3se/index.php#


The new OPPO BDP-83SE NuForce Edition is scheduled to start shipping on November 18th.

Quote
"The standard Oppo BDP-83SE offers exemplary audio performance. The Nuforce Edition goes a step further in transparency, dynamics, and detail retrieval. As is typical of all Nuforce products, these benefits relate directly to our high-end product line in the preservation of musical truth."

http://www.nuforce.com/hi/products/o...3se/index.php#

Upgrade option for existing OPPO owners:

For consumers that own the basic OPPO BDP-83 for $499. Nuforce is authorized to upgrade the OPPO BDP-83 to a Special Edition model for $400 upgrade price. Or the OPPO BDP-83 can be upgraded to the Flagship Nu Force Edition for $796. All upgraded players are covered by Nuforces one year warranty.

http://www.nuforce.com/hi/products/o...83-upgrade.php

The original OPPO BDP83 with a RS-232 option installed at the factory was $588. The new OPPO BDP-83 Special Edition comes with RS-232 built in for $311 more and the only improvement is for people that plan on using the analog audio outputs on the OPPO player instead of digital connections like HDMI and optical. Adding a better DAC's and power supply is ideal for some people that want the best analog output performance. At $899 the OPPO Special Edition is still a bargain when compared to a $4,500 BLU-RAY player that also has excellent analog outputs. The other day I purchased 3 more OPPO BDP-83's with the optional RS-232 jack installed for $588 each since I did not know OPPO was going to release a better and improved player. Since I plan on installing these 3 players for family members who are going to use HDMI connections to high-end receivers there would be no real reason for me to purchase the Special Edition since the analog audio section most likely will not even be used in the future for the installations. If one does not need better analog output performance and plans on only using the digital outputs, one can save $311 per player. Also if one does not want a RS-232 feature on the player they can save $400 total.

Wired networking is the best for speed, reliability, and security

I and many other people I know have a 100% wired CAT5E 1GB per second home network or CAT6A 10GB per second home network. Most houses built in the last 10 years have CAT5E or higher quality CAT6 cable installed in all or most rooms. Wired network is better then wireless for security, speed, and reliability. All brands of profile 2.0 BLU-RAY players have an option to add wireless with a optional external wireless network adapter. Some of the best quality BLU-RAY players do not have built in wireless. OPPO, Denon and Panasonic do not offer any BLU-RAY players with built in wireless. Also Pioneer does not offer wireless. Wireless option built in a player can increase EMI/RFI noise and is one of the main reasons high-end players do not include a wireless option built in. Special expensive shielding would be needed to offer wireless option built in for high-end BLU-RAY players.

Many people that have a house that is no more then 10 years old have a wired network but they do not have it connected since they do not realize they even have CAT5E or CAT6 installed in most rooms of their house.

Some consumers choose to go 100% wired while others with portable handheld computers have a hybrid wired and wireless network in their house. For me I decided to do 100% wired networking for the greatest security when using computers. With a 1GB per second wired router file transfers between computers is super fast Also a wired network works great for BLU-RAY firmware updates.

[HDTV1080P]

More OPPO upgrade info

The NuForce version is a third party company that is authorized to sell a exclusive Nuforce Edition and perform upgrades to OPPO BDP-83 players. When Nuforce upgrades a standard OPPO BDP-83 player to Special Edition or Nuforce Edition the warranty is no longer with OPPO but now with NuForce. NuForce offers a 1 year warranty on all upgrades.


Also OPPO Digital will perform the Special Edition upgrade on the standard OPPO BDP-83 for only $299 for owners that purchased the players before November 9th. That is a $100 savings compared to NuForces $400 Special Edition upgrade price. The RS-232 option costs $89. With the $299 Special Edition Upgrade one gets the RS-232 upgrade included. The following parts are included in the $299 Special Edition upgrade. That is a good deal.

1. Audio Board
2. Power Supply Board
3. Back Panel with RS232 port.

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83SE/blu-ray-BDP-83SE-UpgradeOption.aspx

quote

"With the upgrade, the audio performance will be identical to the Special Edition player. However, the upgrade does not include replacing the front panel since it does not affect audio performance. As a result, there will be no “Special Edition” mark printed on the front panel. A Special Edition decal sticker will be provided for you to optionally place on the front panel."

"This represents a $100 saving for existing BDP-83 customers willing to accept the non-replaceable front panel."

[HDTV1080P]

Nu Force website updated with latest OPPO upgrade info

Nu Force offers two different OPPO BDP-83 hardware upgrades:


1. $796 Ultimate NuForce Edition upgrade: For those that want to turn their $499 OPPO BDP-83 player into a OPPO BDP-83SE NuForce Edition that uses special high quality analog components. Upgrade includes RS-232 interface, better power supply for audio, and better analog circuit board, plus key critical audio components are replaced with high end components.

2. $400 Special Edition upgrade: NuForce just updated their website and mentioned that they will only upgrade standard OPPO BDP-83 players to Special Edition players if the player was purchased after November 9th. As mentioned before Special Edition players receive a new audio board, power supply, and RS-232 interface.
http://www.nuforce.com/hi/products/oppo_bdp83se/bdp83-upgrade.php

3. $299 Special Edition upgrade: OPPO Digital will only upgrade OPPO BDP-83 players to Special Edition status if the player was purchased before November 9th.

"This option is only for BDP-83 users who purchased their player before November 9, 2009."

"The cost of the upgrade is $299 while a brand new BDP-83SE costs $899. This represents a $100 saving for existing BDP-83 customers willing to accept the non-replaceable front panel. "
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83SE/blu-ray-BDP-83SE-UpgradeOption.aspx

[urbeenjammin]

has anyone ordered from 220-electronics.com before? they have an advertised region free hardware mod for only $599.00 shipped.

[HDTV1080P]

OPPO BDP-83 comments and info

My first OPPO BDP-83 player with a RS-232 interface installed was back in early August 2009 ($588). I purchased another 3 OPPO BDP-83's with RS-232 interface jack and just finished installing 2 of the players for family members.

Back in August when purchasing directly from OPPO Digital Inc one would get Spears & Munsil HD benchmark BLU-RAY test disc included with the player and then about a week later a thank you letter from OPPO Digital Inc with a Audio Calibration BLU-RAY disc. The total value for the two BLU-RAY discs is around $50 if purchased separately. Some people purchasing the OPPO player from Amazon instead of OPPO directly complained that they were not getting the second free disc. Now OPPO Digital is including both BLU-RAY discs with the player instead of only including one disc and mailing the other disc later. Consumers purchasing the players directly from Amazon will in theory now get both BLU-RAY discs at the time of purchase. Of course Amazon only carries the basic $499 model. There are 4 different versions of the OPPO BDP-83 players to choose from. See link for more details http://forums.highdefdigest.com/1744656-post1.html

When ordering OPPO BLU-RAY players directly from OPPO Digital Inc they are always shipped in the original display box when a single player is ordered. If one orders 2 OPPO players at the same time OPPO will then double box the players. To receive players double boxed they need to be ordered in pairs like 2,4,6, etc.

The OPPO BDP-83 has around a 12 second power on time once the power button is pushed or open button is pushed. The design of the firmware in the OPPO for powering on is excellent. For example even though it takes 12 seconds for the player to power on and finish the self test it seems like only 2 seconds. When the OPPO player is completely turned off and the open button is pushed the player within only 2 seconds powers on and opens the disc tray. By the time someone gets a disc in the BLU-RAY player and pushes the close button the 12 second power on is completed already. There are some older BLU-RAY players from other companies that would not allow the disc tray to be open until the power on start up was completed. So even though the power on time is around 12 seconds on the OPPO it feels more like 2 seconds since as soon as that open button is pushed the tray opens in 2 seconds.

The PAL video output on the OPPO worked good when testing a PAL DVD encoded as region free. The Pioneer PRO-141FD detected the signal was PAL.

There are some features that OPPO Digital Inc could add on a future firmware update to improve the product. Some BLU-RAY players from other companies have a light that informs people when the player is outputting 24P. I wish the display button when pushed on the OPPO would have a feature where it would display on the screen the frame rate of the signal being outputted to the display. Seeing info like 24fps, 60fps, and 50fps on the screen from the OPPO player would be a nice feature to have.

So far BLU-RAY playback, SACD, CD, and DVD-Audio has worked fine with no problems yet with the titles I tested on the machine.

Some DVD playback problems I have noticed with the OPPO BDP-83

(I am currently using the latest firmware: (Main Version: BDP83-40-0925)

I seem to find bugs or problems in just about everything I own or install. The higher end brands and models of products almost always have less bugs compared to lower priced items. Over all the following problems are minor. OPPO so far is a high quality product and also the best standalone BLU-RAY player I have every used so far.

1. The first issue is most likely not a problem and is the way the player's 16:9 Wide/Auto feature software was designed to function when the source direct feature is turned on. I would like to see a firmware update in the future to improve on the 16:9 Wide/Auto feature. When Source direct is being used in the OPPO BDP-83 the 16:9 Wide/Auto feature under TV Aspect Ratio does not work. If possible it would be ideal to have this feature also work with source direct. Currently to make this 16:9 Wide/Auto feature work I have to turn off source direct in the OPPO player. I like the 16:9 Wide/Auto feature, when playing 4:3 DVD's it will properly output 4:3 to the display and 16:9 Widescreen DVD's are outputted as 16:9. But when source direct is on one has to manually change the TV ratio on the display since the OPPO player is no longer adjusting the TV ratio inside the player.

2. I had problems playing back Sabrina on DVD. When the menu title for the DVD appears the OPPO player will not allow me to select play or any other menu selections since the red underline to select play is missing. This Sabrina DVD works fine on all other DVD players that I have tried accept for the OPPO BDP-83. I found a work around to get past the OPPO software glitch with this DVD title. I have to press the "TOP Menu" or "Stop" button on the remote then the main menu for the Sabina DVD is bypassed and the title continues to play just fine. Sabrina UPC Code: 097363304340 .

3. There was another DVD I had trouble with where the Theatrical Trailer would not play. Of course the DVD used was a challenging DVD that most other DVD players fail to play. Only some old high end DVD players and a Pioneer Elite Laserdisc/DVD combo player has been able to play the Theatrical Trailer on a challenging DVD with difficult branching.

It's possible that maybe 1 or 2 DVD titles played on the OPPO out of a 100 titles might have playback issues. I do not have the time to go through my entire DVD collection to see which other DVD's might have minor issues on the OPPO. The OPPO player is not perfect and hopefully they will improve on DVD playback compatibility with future software updates.

[krammer]

Ya know I enjoy watching BDs on My Oppo BDP-83

These above posts are looking more & more like spam to me.

[vinnie97]

I don't think so...it's just his own verbose, elaborate thoughts/comments represented in HDTV's customary posting style (he's commenting on player faults after all).

[Lordoftherings]

And besides, nothing is inscribed on rock forever.

* There is always room for improvement, right?

P.S. Personally, I'll wait for the next 3D Oppo player. Gotta love it.