Oppo versus all the rest

[bikemig]

So I need a blu ray player. Oppo seems to be pretty much considered the best. I'd rather not pay $500 which is what the Oppo 93 is selling for on Amazon. I don't know a heck of a lot about blu ray players. Who else makes a good player? I've been thinking about a PS-3 as well. I'm not much of a gamer, though. I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Edit: Ideally, I'd like to spend between $200 to $300. I'm indifferent to whether it does netflix or not or whether it has wifi since it will be placed next to my router.

 

[macddmac]

For a budget bdp, I'd go with Panasonic (bdt-220) less then 150.00 and pretty much bullet proof- I've had their players since 1999- and all 3 are still going strong! Also have a Sammy bd player that's a little sketchy.. Next up is an Oppo 93

 

[PENG]

a

So I need a blu ray player. Oppo seems to be pretty much considered the best. I'd rather not pay $500 which is what the Oppo 93 is selling for on Amazon. I don't know a heck of a lot about blu ray players. Who else makes a good player? I've been thinking about a PS-3 as well. I'm not much of a gamer, though. I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Edit: Ideally, I'd like to spend between $200 to $300. I'm indifferent to whether it does netflix or not or whether it has wifi since it will be placed next to my router.

Do you need 3D?

 

[bikemig]

a

Do you need 3D?

I do not need 3D.

 

[PENG]

I do not need 3D.

Well then I must tell you I bought a Sony BDP380 from Costco for $69. It comes with Netflix, Crackle and many more online streaming options where you need/like them or not. I have an Oppo but now only use it for two channel music enjoyment. I found the cheap Sony can do everything including DVD just as good. Those so call superior upscaling qualities are imo exaggerated, no doubt they show much better results on test patterns/videos but very little gain in real world material. The only complain I have on the Sony is the remote, it is short, easy to press the wrong button, just terrible overall but you can download an app and use your tablet, ipod, iphone or an univeral remote so no big deal.

 

[bikemig]

Well then I must tell you I bought a Sony BDP380 from Costco for $69. It comes with Netflix, Crackle and many more online streaming options where you need/like them or not. I have an Oppo but now only use it for two channel music enjoyment. I found the cheap Sony can do everything including DVD just as good. Those so call superior upscaling qualities are imo exaggerated, no doubt they show much better results on test patterns/videos but very little gain in real world material. The only complain I have on the Sony is the remote, it is short, easy to press the wrong button, just terrible overall but you can download an app and use your tablet, ipod, iphone or an univeral remote so no big deal.

I was thinking of picking up a cheap blu ray player. Actually Amazon has pretty good prices right now on Panasonic blu ray players; I think I need to snap one up while it's on sale.

 

[j_garcia]

Sonys are OK, but I'd go with a Panasonic first. Though the Oppos certainly are excellent, you probably won't notice a huge jump in PQ with one of them if that is a concern. Audio you might find a difference, but if you intend to only use HDMI, there will be zero difference. I agree with Peng that even the inexpensive players are already quite good at upscaling as well and have been for a while; the Oppos are better at it, but the Sonys and Pannys are not going to disappoint IMO.

The PS3 is an excellent player and is a good choice if you intend to play games. If not, then a stand alone player should be able to handle everything else. I should mention though, if you intend to stream, the PS3 tends to be better at it than a lot of stand alone players because it buffers better. A memory card for a stand alone might help though, it did on my Roku.

 

[Hocky]

The Oppo isn't all it is cracked up to be. Just go buy one of the cheaper recommended players.

 

[j_garcia]

The Oppos are all they are cracked up to be. They are excellent players, but not everyone needs a Ferrari to get to work

 

[Hocky]

The Oppos are all they are cracked up to be. They are excellent players, but not everyone needs a Ferrari to get to work

I bought one just because that is what I do, but it doesn't perform any better than anything else that I have. It looks cooler and is heavier, though.

 

[j_garcia]

Do you have it connected analog as well as HDMI or HDMI only? For video and audio, you won't see a difference via HDMI only, but for audio I would expect an improvement over HDMI in most cases - except that your pre/pro likely has DACs as good as the Oppo. My Marantz has nice DACs too, but the 83SE easily sounds better. PQ wise, I don't see any difference between my Oppo and the PS3.

 

[Hocky]

It is only HDMI. I played with it both ways for giggles, but it doesn't make a difference.

 

[markw]

Agree with the Ferrari analogy. I have two Sony's (580 & 390) and love them. Nary a problem with them.

I bought a Panny BD-85 and, after three months, had a problem and sent it in under warranty. I had so many problems with it that, after three exchanges, all with different problems, I "downgraded" to a lesser featured Panny just to recoup my losses. If it works from the get-go, fine, but heaven forbid if you ever need service, even under warranty. Three screwed up refubs isjust too much.

 

[Tomorrow]

Agree with the Ferrari analogy. I have two Sony's (580 & 390) and love them. Nary a problem with them.

I bought a Panny BD-85 and, after three months, had a problem and sent it in under warranty. I had so many problems with it that, after three exchanges, all with different problems, I "downgraded" to a lesser featured Panny just to recoup my losses. If it works from the get-go, fine, but heaven forbid if you ever need service, even under warranty. Three screwed up refubs isjust too much.

Mark,

Was the original a refurb? If so, that might explain your issues. I've had great luck with a string of Panasonics...currently a BD-85. Love it. I've had nary a problem with a history of 4 different (new, not refurbs) Panny players.

 

[billy p]

If I had a Ferrari I'd drive it to work BUT I still wouldn't buy an OPPO...I had one of the original units DV971 and sold it after a few months and bought a panny. Since, I've purchased the same unit that Peng recommended (bdp bx38)and I'll second that recomendtion.

 

[markw]

Mark,

Was the original a refurb? If so, that might explain your issues. I've had great luck with a string of Panasonics...currently a BD-85. Love it. I've had nary a problem with a history of 4 different (new, not refurbs) Panny players.

The first was not a refurb. It was a NIB unit I brought home from the local 6th Avenue Electronics.

 

[Tomorrow]

The first was not a refurb. It was a NIB unit I brought home from the local 6th Avenue Electronics.

In that case....OUCH!

 

[j_garcia]

If I had a Ferrari I'd drive it to work BUT I still wouldn't buy an OPPO...I had one of the original units DV971 and sold it after a few months and bought a panny. Since, I've purchased the same unit that Peng recommended (bdp bx38)and I'll second that recomendtion.

If I had a Ferrari, I would have a different car to drive to work because I could afford to have a second car that all those morons out there could door ding instead.

I owned the 970 and 980 prior to my 83SE and they were very good players. Of the upscaling players I owned, the 980 was actually the best one at the time. The PS3 and the 83SE are better than the 980 was at upscaling though. I previously had a Panny BD-60 and currently have a BD-65 and I think they both did/do very well with everything as well.

 

[billy p]

If I had a Ferrari, I would have a different car to drive to work because I could afford to have a second car that all those morons out there could door ding instead.

I owned the 970 and 980 prior to my 83SE and they were very good players. Of the upscaling players I owned, the 980 was actually the best one at the time. The PS3 and the 83SE are better than the 980 was at upscaling though. I previously had a Panny BD-60 and currently have a BD-65 and I think they both did/do very well with everything as well.

In all honesty...if we owned Ferrari's we wouldn't have to work...unless we wanted too.....

 

[j_garcia]

In all honesty...if we owned Ferrari's we wouldn't have to work...unless we wanted too.....

LOL. Yesterday the help desk girl asked "is that your car?" about my background (Mansory Vincero Veyron, $2.5 mil each, only 3 were built). I said the same thing: "yeah right, if I drove that car, I wouldn't be working here...or working."