Oppo BDP-103D Blu-ray Player with Darbee Visual Presence Review

[RichB]

I put Darbee in a similar category to Audyssey.
You can measure the results before and after and prove there is flattening with sweeps and that is valid, although I do not believe that tells the whole story.

The same is true for video, I use the less aggressive HD settings and max out at about 30%.
If you are running test patterns, do one could argue that Darbee is more accurate to the source.
But depending on your display and source, it may in fact produce a result that looks better.

For example, contrast enhancement could look better on a low contrast display or during daytime viewing.
Especially, if the enhancement restores apparent contrast that is lost.
Much the same way that THX bright-room looks better during the daytime in a bright room that a movie mode.

Since I am stickler for accuracy, I would rather put my money into a better display.

If you want it for TV, and have a lot of sources, an outboard unit might make more sense.
They are popular, so if you do not like it, you can always sell at a decent price.

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

I put Darbee in a similar category to Audyssey.
You can measure the results before and after and prove there is flattening with sweeps and that is valid, although I do not believe that tells the whole story.

The same is true for video, I use the less aggressive HD settings and max out at about 30%.
If you are running test patterns, do one could argue that Darbee is more accurate to the source.
But depending on your display and source, it may in fact produce a result that looks better.

For example, contrast enhancement could look better on a low contrast display or during daytime viewing.
Especially, if the enhancement restores apparent contrast that is lost.
Much the same way that THX bright-room looks better during the daytime in a bright room that a movie mode.

Since I am stickler for accuracy, I would rather put my money into a better display.

If you want it for TV, and have a lot of sources, an outboard unit might make more sense.
They are popular, so if you do not like it, you can always sell at a decent price.

- Rich

I don't agree with that comparison, only because Audyssey is more about taking something and moving it, objectively, to a recognized standard. Whether or not you like it is the subjective part. Whereas Darbee isn't using any standard or objective point of reference per se. They are taking what is there and altering in a way they see fit and that they think people will appreciate.

The Oppo can be used as such since it has an HDMI in and dual HDMI outs if I'm not mistaken.

 

[RichB]

I don't agree with that comparison, only because Audyssey is more about taking something and moving it, objectively, to a recognized standard. Whether or not you like it is the subjective part. Whereas Darbee isn't using any standard or objective point of reference per se. They are taking what is there and altering in a way they see fit and that they think people will appreciate.

The Oppo can be used as such since it has an HDMI in and dual HDMI outs if I'm not mistaken.

Agreed. But in a brighter room, enhancing contrast might be perceived as more accurate.
So, the room may alter an otherwise accurate display.
Gamma 2.4 is more accurate but in a bright room 2.0 may permit you to perceive more of the picture detail.
OK, maybe its a stretch

Since I am all about accuracy and like analog, I tend to use the BDP-105 without any processing.
I am not a projector person so I do not know what to recommend there and so many rave about the results.

For my ZT60, it is unnecessary and I prefer a correctly calibrated picture with no additional processing.

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

Both my projector and TV were calibrated using the original Spears and Munsil disc, but I'm thinking of someday getting the Calman software and hardware to really dial them in. For the life of me I can't hear a difference between the analog outputs on the 95 and HDMI so I'll probably ditch the 95 in favor of the 103 or 103d. Since I have a PJ I'm thinking of getting the 103D to see if it helps regular TV, which looks pretty fuzzy on a screen that big. That's definitely a situation where the original signal could use some touching up. If you (the figurative you, not you personally) are so obsessed with the original signal that you would rather watch a 90+ inch fuzzy screen, then I think you just may have taken it a bit too far.

 

[Pyrrho]

In all cases, it is changing the video from what was intended. The effect may or may not be liked by you, but it is not giving you more real detail than is in the signal simply upconverted. It is analogous to (but obviously not identical to) turning up the sharpness control on your TV. You may or may not like it, but either way, it is changing the image from what was originally intended.

That's all fine and well, but for Television and DVD's which don't have the resolution of BD's, the Darbee processing may provide a visible improvement on the picture, getting you something that appears to have have better resolution or a sharper image. Not liking the processing because you don't like how it looks is one thing. Dismissing it simply because it's not the original signal is something else entirely.

You seem to be forgetting my earlier post (with emphasis added):

Whether one likes it or dislikes it, the Darbee processing is giving one something different from what is on the disc, and is different from what the filmmakers intended. From looking at samples online (and varying the effect), I am not a fan of it, but if others like it, it is fine with me if they buy it.

If people like the effect, and wish to pay an extra $100 for it, then they should do so. I do not like the effect, and so I am not willing to pay the extra $100.

The comment about it altering the video from what was intended is there to keep things in perspective. If accuracy is desired, then the Darbee processing should be off. (This is true regardless of the source; but, if you like to alter some sources but not others, that is fine; you should feel free to do so.) Accuracy is not what everyone wants, in video or in audio, and they are free to alter the signal in any way they please, as long as their equipment is capable of it. This is analogous to someone artificially boosting the bass or otherwise changing the sound from what was recorded. One may like it that way or not, and one should do what one wants regarding such things (as long as one is not bothering others, like the neighbors with excessive bass). But one should also not be deluded about what it is that one is doing. It is fine to alter things from what is recorded, but one should know that that is what one is doing.

Darbee makes the picture less accurate. One may like it that way, and if one does, then one should feel free to use it. And if someone wants to turn up the color control beyond what is the standard, one should feel free to do that, or the contrast, or any other control one has. But, again, in such cases, one should not pretend that deviating from a properly calibrated image is more accurate, and one should realize what it is that one is doing. That in no way is a suggestion that people not do it, if that is what they really want.

 

[RichB]

I use a Calman and a D3 and I1Pro with a Lumagen Radiance.
This did not work very well on my GT30 because it already had some false contouring and the extra processing seems to add more.

It is interesting that you could hear no difference. Does your AVR/Preamp have a true analog path without re-digitizing?

I am not completely sure what Darbee does, but it appears to operate more as a contrast enhancer, but when you turn it way up it add some ringing so it looks like sharpening as well.
I use a Lumagen Radiance and its scaling even at zero does enhance the sharpness without ringing and the results are excellent with SD and 720P source material.

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

I use a Calman and a D3 and I1Pro with a Lumagen Radiance.
This did not work very well on my GT30 because it already had some false contouring and the extra processing seems to add more.

It is interesting that you could hear no difference. Does your AVR/Preamp have a true analog path without re-digitizing?

I am not completely sure what Darbee does, but it appears to operate more as a contrast enhancer, but when you turn it way up it add some ringing so it looks like sharpening as well.
I use a Lumagen Radiance and its scaling even at zero does enhance the sharpness without ringing and the results are excellent with SD and 720P source material.

- Rich

AFAIK the Onkyo did and so does the Marantz 8801. The changes aren't down to within a couple seconds, but any differences I heard either weren't meaningful or could very well be chalked up to knowing one was analog and one was digital via HDMI. This was done with pure direct on both. I feel confident that if I heard them both blind I wouldn't hear a difference, or very much of one.

It would appear the newest Lumagen 20XX series has Darbee as well. Must be something to it, if the product you have and like decided to add it. I may give it a shot, if nothing else I can always return it for the regular version.

 

[RichB]

Bill McClain's FAQ has very good information about the BDP-103D and all BDP-10x players:

Unofficial OPPO BDP-103 Frequently Asked Questions

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

From what I've ready on the AVS owners thread, the Darbee edition may be more desirable than the regular version to some because the Qdeo has an undefeatable sharpness/edge enhancement built in that isn't there with the VRS chip. In reality I have no idea if or how much of a difference there is, but I thought that was interesting. They also seem to think that deinterlacing and upscaling will look identical on both.

 

[RichB]

From what I've ready on the AVS owners thread, the Darbee edition may be more desirable than the regular version to some because the Qdeo has an undefeatable sharpness/edge enhancement built in that isn't there with the VRS chip. In reality I have no idea if or how much of a difference there is, but I thought that was interesting. They also seem to think that deinterlacing and upscaling will look identical on both.

There is non-defeat able processing on QDEO.
Many recommend sharpness +1 with the QDEO and that seems to be born out when examining sharpness patterns which does work well with DVD's.

Darbee has such a strong following, that I think everyone wonders about it even if you prefer the most accurate picture.
I have liked the effect, but it would not be a decision maker for me; That may be because I have a Plasma with excellent native contrast.

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

There is non-defeat able processing on QDEO.
Many recommend sharpness +1 with the QDEO and that seems to be born out when examining sharpness patterns which does work well with DVD's.

Darbee has such a strong following, that I think everyone wonders about it even if you prefer the most accurate picture.
I have liked the effect, but it would not be a decision maker for me; That may be because I have a Plasma with excellent native contrast.

- Rich

Found it. It was a DNR issue on HDMI out 1, but most seem to think the issue was over blown, or at least that's what the thread said.

Well, there's accurate to the source signal, and then there's accuracy in terms of what looks the most natural and sharp to your own person eyes. I think the Darbee processing gets the following it has because it helps DVD's and TV look more natural and have better clarity to the eye, even if the display is reproducing an extremely accurate to the source image. At least that's my takeaway from reading reviews about it.

My plasma and PJ both have excellent contrast and look great, but if it helps it helps. I'm curious. Something else for others to keep in mind is that when the move or TV show goes to the editing room before it hits your screen, they may adjust some things to get the image looking natural and sharp. Do we know for sure video editors wouldn't use something like this to improve image quality? So if something like this was inserted into the video before it went out into the world, it would be part of the source signal and on an on, no? Then again I have no idea what goes on during the editing stages other than the cut stuff out so I could totally be talking out of my a$$.

 

[RichB]

^^^

Since video and audio is manipulated, my personal choice is to get the best resolved accurate sound and picture.
I cannot deal with attempting to attempt to reconstruct the proper image any more that you can reconstruct the lost resolution in an MP3.


For Video, I have chosen to calibrate the display directly because there seem to less artifacts introduced.
The ZT Plasma is very good. After I have more hours on the display, I will do another calibration and then see if the Lumagen can offer an improvement.

IMO, Darbee would be best used selectively. Either set for SD only or defaulted to off and active by a programmable remote.

Just to rant a bit, I am disgusted by the color post processing. So many movies are from "Planet Teal". Sky blue and white like snow are now teal. Skin tones are sallow and colored orange.
Most action movies are doing this now, and it looks terrible. If movies are all colorized the same way, how can that be called creative?
It reminds me of watching the colorized version of "It's a Wonderful Life" Yuck.

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

^^^

Since video and audio is manipulated, my personal choice is to get the best resolved accurate sound and picture.
I cannot deal with attempting to attempt to reconstruct the proper image any more that you can reconstruct the lost resolution in an MP3.

I agree, however I don't see this as equivalent to reconstructing the lost resolution in an MP3, but rather adjusting the tone controls or equalizer to make what you've got suit your ears/eyes to make something that's ok, good or maybe even very good.

For Video, I have chosen to calibrate the display directly because there seem to less artifacts introduced.
The ZT Plasma is very good. After I have more hours on the display, I will do another calibration and then see if the Lumagen can offer an improvement.

The lumagen looks interesting, but I honestly don't think it will do a better, or significantly better job than the 8801 would do at the same task (upscaling to 4K for instance). Even if it did, I'm not sure it would do a good enough job to warrant a purchase. Then again, I'm only guessing and will wait to see what you think.

IMO, Darbee would be best used selectively. Either set for SD only or defaulted to off and active by a programmable remote.

I agree, I wouldn't use it for BD's, but would use it for DVD's and TV.

Just to rant a bit, I am disgusted by the color post processing. So many movies are from "Planet Teal". Sky blue and white like snow are now teal. Skin tones are sallow and colored orange.
Most action movies are doing this now, and it looks terrible. If movies are all colorized the same way, how can that be called creative?
It reminds me of watching the colorized version of "It's a Wonderful Life" Yuck.

- Rich

I've found the coloring in a few movies I've seen recently a little odd. I'm not sure why they're going in this direction, but I'm not altogether thrilled with it. However, some movies are still being done well, so at least there are still some editing studios out there who've got it.

 

[RichB]

The lumagen looks interesting, but I honestly don't think it will do a better, or significantly better job than the 8801 would do at the same task (upscaling to 4K for instance). Even if it did, I'm not sure it would do a good enough job to warrant a purchase. Then again, I'm only guessing and will wait to see what you think.

I use the Lumagen mini primarily for scaling but I also use it to create gray masks for tickers when watching news to avoid burn in.
I have not done any direct comparisons but I suspect they are subtle. I accidently recorded the Pilot of Almost Human in SD.
Using programmed aspect, I was able to correct and scale the SD letterboxed image. It looked pretty good. Only the station lettering reminded me that it was SD.

I've found the coloring in a few movies I've seen recently a little odd. I'm not sure why they're going in this direction, but I'm not altogether thrilled with it. However, some movies are still being done well, so at least there are still some editing studios out there who've got it.

Here is an interesting article. At some point, you may not forgive me for pointing it out.

Into The Abyss: Teal and Orange - Hollywood, Please Stop the Madness

- Rich

 

[fuzz092888]

That point is right now

 

[RichB]

Here is an interesting article. At some point, you may not forgive me for pointing it out.

Into The Abyss: Teal and Orange - Hollywood, Please Stop the Madness

- Rich

That point is right now

Consider yourself part of the ground-swell.

Look at the bright side.
My kids watched Nim's Island the other day and natural color found in lower budget movies is really beautiful.
Older movies can be a rare treat as well.

- Rich

 

[coop]

pioneer elite 62 fd

Do you think it would be a benefit switching to this OPPO vs. the Pioneer elite 62 fd i am currently using

 

[davzway]

OPPO 103D (Darbee) BluRay player

Have you actually tried this feature first hand before criticizing it? I saw the demo at CEDIA and was very impressed. I have an individual Darbee unit I will be testing next month as well.

Also checked all the reviews, professional and owners, finding all 5-Star reviews. When retired, spending MORE money on something MUST be justified. Its ONLY a BluRay players- Right? There are some differences in BluRay player; however, none affect picture quality to any great degree today and most of the difference are 'quality' and 'durability'. ...... Until the OPPO unit with Darbee... OPPO 103 was a real good player, competitive with high end players from Marantz, Denon and etc. Personally, due to the great SERVICE by OPPO for their products, would have gone with OPPO even though I have a long standing love for Marantz products. DARBEE! Now this is a game changer. You can buy a stand alone Darbee unit (5000 series) for about $300. With the OPPO 103 BR player and an extra $100 you can purchase the OPPO 103D (D- the Darbee is built into the BR player). Look at the unit in practice. It is easy to modify the Darbee setting on the fly, from nothing to 120% (my preference is 50%, but it's a personal choice). I SPENT MY HARD EARNED $$$$$ AND OWN THE 103D. Best money spent on a piece of electronics in a LONG LONG time. Criticize when you own the product

 

[walter duque]

Oppo Digital
Chinese manufacturer that specialises in selling budget and mid end multi-format optical disk players, some of which have networking abilities as well. The company started operating around 2004 and did originally distribute a wider range of Asian sourced consumer audio and AV products including TV's, portable DVD players and music systems but primarily found success with their comparatively more upmarket DVD players and slowly shed their other product lines.

I own the 83, which is an old model. Great player and well worth the money. Customer service is excellent.

 

[davzway]

OPPO is a GREAT company and Darbee is a GAME changer for wathcing your Videos

OPPO is great company who go the extra mile in assisting their customers, promptly/in English/ with real Technical Expertise- NOT someone in another country reading from a list of problems in their script.

OPPO 103d has the BEST manual I've seen in a LONG LONG time; again in English and without seven other languages mixed in. Nothing against anyone from another country; it's just that the op manual should be in YOUR language. Compare to Denon who make great AV receivers and BluRay players,, my X2000 In-command doesn't even HAVE a manual or even a good quick start- you get a CD and if you want the printed word- buy a lot of ink or toner for the 100++pages.

DARBEE- cannot say enough as it is a NOTICEABLE and EASY to use system which IMPROVES the quality of even BluRay. Even ran a separate HDMI from PS3 to OPPO-103D to take advantage of Darbee when playing a game (103D needs to be on, as well as Denon AV receiver which everything goes through anyway).... but with a switch of HDMI cable, turning on Darbee in OPPO 103D -, you can select 'GAME' and then change to % of Darbee processing that meets YOUR tastes.

Audioholics was dead on with their review, one of three reviewed in researching for a good BR player; and despite the extra cost. Well worth every $$$$ spent. davzway