Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray Player Review

[j_garcia]

I tried to make a question.... let's try again:

If I connect my BDP (I'll receive it in a couple of weeks, I'm at Argentina...) trough HDMI 1.3 for video an lossles audio, Will it be better if I also connect it for stereo by RCA (analog output)....?????

Thanks...

If your receiver decodes the audio you only need the HDMI.

 

[supervij]

Well, I've just come across my first problem with a BD, specifically Ratatouille. The disc is brand new, never used by anyone until just now.

My 83 started some stuttering playback at three different points during chapters 18, 19 and 20. Then, on a second spot in chapter 20, playback froze completely. Skipping ahead to further chapters did nothing. Going back to the menu, I selected each chapter to see what would be the first to play after number 20, and it turns out chapter 27 will play fine. So chapters 18 and 19 have freezing problems, and chapters 20 through 26 are completely unwatchable.

I did wipe the disc to make sure there was no dust, and I inspected it for any scratches. Being a brand new disc, there wasn't any. My Oppo 83 has the latest firmware upgrade, so I'm stymied: is the problem with the player or with the disc? Anyone have any suggestions?

cheers,
supervij

EDIT: I just tried reverting back to the original firmware, and the problems are still present. AND it turns out I threw out my receipt for Ratatouille! Argh! When will I learn to hang on to these things until after I watch the movie?!

 

[dodgeboy]

Audio Hookup

I'll be hooking my bdp-83 upto a Pioneer Elite A/V Receiver with TOS LINK Optical, no HDMI Connector, the HDMI cable will be connected to the TV. What can I expect as far as Audio Playback what features will be available to me? Thank You.




Jack

 

[dodgeboy]

Well, I've just come across my first problem with a BD, specifically Ratatouille. The disc is brand new, never used by anyone until just now.

My 83 started some stuttering playback at three different points during chapters 18, 19 and 20. Then, on a second spot in chapter 20, playback froze completely. Skipping ahead to further chapters did nothing. Going back to the menu, I selected each chapter to see what would be the first to play after number 20, and it turns out chapter 27 will play fine. So chapters 18 and 19 have freezing problems, and chapters 20 through 26 are completely unwatchable.

I did wipe the disc to make sure there was no dust, and I inspected it for any scratches. Being a brand new disc, there wasn't any. My Oppo 83 has the latest firmware upgrade, so I'm stymied: is the problem with the player or with the disc? Anyone have any suggestions?

cheers,
supervij

EDIT: I just tried reverting back to the original firmware, and the problems are still present. AND it turns out I threw out my receipt for Ratatouille! Argh! When will I learn to hang on to these things until after I watch the movie?!

If you used a credit card they should have record of the transaction. If not by another copy and return the first one as being defective.

 

[supervij]

I'll be hooking my bdp-83 upto a Pioneer Elite A/V Receiver with TOS LINK Optical, no HDMI Connector, the HDMI cable will be connected to the TV. What can I expect as far as Audio Playback what features will be available to me? Thank You.

Jack

With optical only connected to your receiver, you won't hear the new audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA) in their full glory. They'll be downgraded to their core codecs (Dolby Digital, DTS). But then again, you may not hear any difference between the new codecs and the core, depending on your ears and on your system. The sound will still be very, very good, to be sure. Make sure in the set up menu, to enable bitstreaming through your optical.

If you used a credit card they should have record of the transaction. If not by another copy and return the first one as being defective.

dodgeboy, your plan is both clever and cunning. I just may do it!

cheers,
supervij

 

[PENG]

If you used a credit card they should have record of the transaction. If not by another copy and return the first one as being defective.

I thought you can only get a refund if it is still sealed, unless the rules are different in the U.S.

 

[supervij]

Depends on the store, I wager. I'm sure there are some where they understand that one can't determine if a disc is defective until after it's been opened! And if they refuse a refund and instead give me store credit, that's okay; I'll use it to buy another BD.

Update: Oppo recently asked me, "Can you send us this disc for compatibility testing? We had another customer experience issues with Madagascar II and when we compared it to our copy, we found his copy to be defective." I'm inclined to send it to them; for all I know, this could help with further development of the 83. And whether I get a replacement disc now or later isn't terribly important, I suppose.

cheers,
supervij

 

[dodgeboy]

With optical only connected to your receiver, you won't hear the new audio codecs (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD MA) in their full glory. They'll be downgraded to their core codecs (Dolby Digital, DTS). But then again, you may not hear any difference between the new codecs and the core, depending on your ears and on your system. The sound will still be very, very good, to be sure. Make sure in the set up menu, to enable bitstreaming through your optical.



cheers,
supervij

Super,

If I hook up the Audio using the 7.1 Muti channel and not use the TOSLINK, will I then get the TrueHD and DTS-HD? Will I get any sound at all? My Receiver is a Pioneer Elite VSX-49THi. Which is around 6 Years old.




Jack

 

[MinusTheBear]

Well, I've just come across my first problem with a BD, specifically Ratatouille. The disc is brand new, never used by anyone until just now.

My 83 started some stuttering playback at three different points during chapters 18, 19 and 20. Then, on a second spot in chapter 20, playback froze completely. Skipping ahead to further chapters did nothing. Going back to the menu, I selected each chapter to see what would be the first to play after number 20, and it turns out chapter 27 will play fine. So chapters 18 and 19 have freezing problems, and chapters 20 through 26 are completely unwatchable.

I did wipe the disc to make sure there was no dust, and I inspected it for any scratches. Being a brand new disc, there wasn't any. My Oppo 83 has the latest firmware upgrade, so I'm stymied: is the problem with the player or with the disc? Anyone have any suggestions?

cheers,
supervij

EDIT: I just tried reverting back to the original firmware, and the problems are still present. AND it turns out I threw out my receipt for Ratatouille! Argh! When will I learn to hang on to these things until after I watch the movie?!

Sounds like a defective disk. I had the exact same symptoms with a rental copy of the dark night . I ended up buying a retail version to test this theory and there were no issues. I am not using a OPPO BD player btw.

 

[supervij]

Super, if I hook up the Audio using the 7.1 Muti channel and not use the TOSLINK, will I then get the TrueHD and DTS-HD? Will I get any sound at all? My Receiver is a Pioneer Elite VSX-49THi. Which is around 6 Years old.
Jack

If you don't have a receiver with HDMI, that's the only way to get Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. That's how I have my player hooked up, in fact, I have it hooked up with 8-channel analog audio, optical, two-channel stereo analog. All outputs are simultaneously active, so you can switch from one to the other to make sure you're getting sound.

And just to clarify, the 8-channel analog is for TrueHD and DTS-HD, the optical is for DD and DTS and the 2-channel is for CDs -- apparently, Oppo did something special with the 2-channel output to give it more clarity and better sound for CD-listening.

Minus, you're right, the disc probably is defective, but in the interest in the possibility of helping Oppo out, I'll send it in.
cheers,
supervij

 

[MinusTheBear]

Thats a good idea to send it to Oppo. You can't get through the entire without issues anyways so the disk is basically useless. Let us know the results of their testing.

 

[supervij]

Actually, now I'm holding off on sending it to them. Disney actually responded to my e-mail to them about the issue! They asked for a bunch of info about the disc and even my mailing address (!), and I gave it to them, and now I'm waiting to see if they'll do something extraordinary. If so, I may not be sending the disc to Oppo after all.

Sorry to be drifting so off topic, everyone, by the way!

cheers,
supervij

 

[termin8ted314]

Im still undecided on whether im going to grab the oppo or the panny 60. I have hundereds of standard dvd's so i want the best possibly upscaling i can get. I will only be replacing certain ones with blu ray. My current tv is a samsung dlp hl-s5088 but will most likely be upgrading to an lcd soon

 

[jostenmeat]

Im still undecided on whether im going to grab the oppo or the panny 60. I have hundereds of standard dvd's so i want the best possibly upscaling i can get. I will only be replacing certain ones with blu ray. My current tv is a samsung dlp hl-s5088 but will most likely be upgrading to an lcd soon

My take on it: I certainly expect the Oppo to be at least a bit better. I also have ABT processing in my Tosh HDA35, and I've compared the DVD playback with my Pana 30. Here, the difference is definitely there, however, once you experience bluray, one might not care nearly as much. See, the Pana 60 will be considerably better with DVD than the BD30. A lot better. So, in your case, this difference will be further reduced.

I am all for getting fine equipment, but the real point I wanted to make was this: If you get to put that roughly $250-300 savings directly into a better display, get the Pana. If it is a completely independent choice of the display, well, the Oppo is really nice!

If you really care about PQ, I cannot recommend LCD. Plasma is a must for a flat panel, IMO. I've never owned either, and only have a projector as my sole display, just so you know it's not some sort of owner-fanboyism.

IOW, I will take a bottom of the line BD/DVD player with fantastic display, over top of the line BD/DVD player with a compromised display, every day of the week. Catch my drift? Even if you were set on the exact display line, perhaps that $300 could get you the next 5" of display size, etc.

 

[j_garcia]

Ratatouille was one of the first discs I tried with the Oppo when I got it a few months back and I tested it again when I saw this thread. I have no issues with the disc.

 

[termin8ted314]

Well it seems there is a lot of hype around the Oppo. i myself have never used one so i dont know if it is worth the extra money or how good the upscaling it. I could put the saved money towards a receiver and speakers as well since im replacing them before my tv. I dont need to spend extra money to have fine equipment i just want whats best for my needs. If the panny would be better with standard dvd and just as good with blu ray then ill save some money and get that.

 

[Ron Temple]

Well it seems there is a lot of hype around the Oppo. i myself have never used one so i dont know if it is worth the extra money or how good the upscaling it. I could put the saved money towards a receiver and speakers as well since im replacing them before my tv. I dont need to spend extra money to have fine equipment i just want whats best for my needs. If the panny would be better with standard dvd and just as good with blu ray then ill save some money and get that.

You've got legitimate questions and concerns about the money you spend. From my perspective the Oppo is a no brainer. It's a better SD upscaler than the previous Oppo 980, a better BD player than my previous Sony S300 in speed, tweakability and yes, PQ and it's by far a better audio player, both hi-rez formats and redbook CDs. So I replaced 2 players with one for about the same cost.

 

[termin8ted314]

You've got legitimate questions and concerns about the money you spend. From my perspective the Oppo is a no brainer. It's a better SD upscaler than the previous Oppo 980, a better BD player than my previous Sony S300 in speed, tweakability and yes, PQ and it's by far a better audio player, both hi-rez formats and redbook CDs. So I replaced 2 players with one for about the same cost.

I have never seen the upscaling of an oppo player. right now im using a samsung upscaler. I dont listen to many cd's. if anything i stream my music through my xbox or use my ipod.

 

[j_garcia]

I have never seen the upscaling of an oppo player. right now im using a samsung upscaler. I dont listen to many cd's. if anything i stream my music through my xbox or use my ipod.

If you are not a critical listener in terms of music, then this player probably isn't for you audio wise. Video wise, it is right up there with the best of them and I haven't seen an upscaling player this good. I've owned the 980, own the PS3 and a Toshiba HDA2, all of which are good upscalers. The BDP-83 is better, but I also watch very few SD DVDs anymore. If you are listening to standard MP3 on the iPod, then you probably aren't in need of the SACD/DVD-A capabilities either, so I would say your assessment of where your money should be spent is a good idea.

 

[supervij]

My concerns with Ratatouille were NOT for this thread, as the fault, I think, is NOT with the Oppo player, but with the disc. But I just thought I'd let everyone know that Disney is sending me a free replacement disc. I'll still send the problem disc to Oppo -- maybe they can find a workaround or something, who knows. Then I'll give it someone so long as it'll work in their player.

Sorry for bogging up this thread with stuff that didn't belong here, everyone.

cheers,
supervij