Official OPPO BDP-83 Owner's Thread [technical talk only] - Page 66

After reading the past two pages this afternoon, there appears to be little doubt that this player is ready for launch and will be arguably one of the best players in the market even in its slightly adolescent form.

Therefore, I hope that EAPers will vote as they have posted and get the second roll-out done quickly so more little bugs can be identified and addressed from a larger samplesize.

I'm one of those who has read lots of the notes posted about the Oppo 83 in this and the previous discussions and have decided that it's probably the best choice for my particular situation. - I'm already an OPPO customer, having purchased the 980 last year, so I trust the company; I don't have a Blu-ray; and I'm also interested in the SACD and CD audio functions of the new unit. I'm also on the list of customers to be noticed by email regarding new test groups. - So, when the first units are released to the public, I expect that I'll be one of the first to place an order.

While this is a great discussion, there is an issue that, as far as I know, has not been addressed. - As more and more positive reviews and opinions such as the one above are posted, one can logically conclude that the pent-up demand for the '83 is being enhanced even further. (In fact, the Oppo 83 has been discussed positively on this and the previous group for about a year!) The result, unfortunately, may be that when the unit is finally released for sale, the demand may be so great that our wait is even further extended (unless we happen to win a primary position in the waiting list), beyond the initial "on sale" date. Several more months possibly? - Of course, we may get some advance notice by email, but there are lots of others on the list as well.

Is that what you want to happen?

- - - But, you say, nothing can be done about it at this late date anyway? - Maybe. Maybe not. For example, one suggestion is that those posting further notes praising the '83 to high heaven might consider adding to their comments something like: "While I like what I hear about the OPPO 83, there are several other soon-to-be-released models, such as Models xxx and yyyy from Panasonic, and the zzzz to be released by from Sony, that also sound interesting. So I may wait until I have a chance to check out these other promising new models before I decide." (Note that that the qualification - you MAY wait to look at other models - gives you an out if you don't actually wait for the new Pannys and Sonys.)

Just a thought. - For those of us who weren't Beta testers, weren't included among the "fortunate fifty," and who may not be among the additional "happy hundred" group, if there is one.

Jim

The usual tactic taken on threads covering the other manufacturers is to immediately start talking up the *NEXT* player from that manufacturer -- still not shipping of course. That diverts some of the pent up demand for whatever has just started shipping. Not to mention that any problem reports can be answered by, "But that's fixed in the next player!"


--Bob

Well, there are some bugs that would block a formal launch, in my opinion. They are not bugs I can't live with for the time being, but I would expect them to be polished out before public release for the level of quality one would expect not only from OPPO, but any reputable company.

That said, I'm certainly enjoying using the thing. But I anxiously await the first firmware update (as far as the EAPers are concerned).

For all those demanding/begging for more SD-DVD picture-quality feedback... I think probably a lot of people are glossing over it because there's little to be said that hasn't already been said in the threads on the 983. No need to be endlessly redundant in this thread as far as that topic goes. I'll join the others in suggesting that anyone interested in how well the BDP-83 upscales SD DVDs to simply read any of the threads on the 983 covering this topic. You'll find more than enough information there.

Let's get back to the topic and tech. discussion of this player. The topic of trolling is has nothing to do with the purpose of this thread. If you have a problem with a post, focus on the content of the post, not the member posting. As always, the report post icon in the lower left corner is to be used to bring a post to attention of the moderator...instead of attacking the member.

Become part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Factors similar to what haunted the first pioneer 05/51s? Said in seriousness - do not want to evoke the ire of ruined! jk

+1

I haven't voted yet because I promised myself at least one week
with the player before I cast my vote. That would be this Tuesday
for those interested.

Not even close to what the Pioneer's were like, at least with my
83.

The lack of internal test tones for the multichannel outputs is a definite showstopper for me. I really can't believe they didn't include this extremely handy, user friendly feature. I will call Oppo tomorrow but I may be the first "No" vote.

Sorry guys, but I must be honest about my feelings, that is what the EAP program is about.

Could this not be added by firmware.

Fair enough.

But, isn't the voting supposed to be based on whether you feel
the player is ready to be extended to an additional 100 EAP
participants?

The lack of a feature you require does not mean the player is
less ready to be distributed.

I would love to have the ability to save multiple picture adjustment
settings instead of them being global. Currently, not having that
option would not invoke a vote of "No".

Just my .02

Isn't this normally done by the AVR? That's what I'm used to at least. I don't expect them to come from my DVD/BD player.

What I'm concerned about is the DTS-HD MA bug. Not sure if this should block an EAP expansion, but definitely blocks release.

My current two DVD players don't provide test tones - they come from my processor!

This sounds like lacking featureset, not a hardware or software problem or glitch. The player cannot be all things to all people.

Ditto... Every piece of gear I own has internal test tones... but I always use a calibration disc. I didn't think anyone would bother with internal tones..

I did some 2-channel listening tonight:

Diana Krall, Tony Bennett Duets, and BNL (my fav group )

My setup so you don't have to flip back to the first page:
I am going to my Marantz 8002 in direct mode. From the oppo I am using Encore II interconnects from StraightWire. My speakers are Triangle Esprits (Celius's new ones) they are connected via Encore II interconnects from StraightWire also.

I bounced back and forth between HDMI over super 22 AWG HDMI's also.

BNL sounded great. "Maybe Katie" is one of my fav songs on this disk along with For You. I really have grown to like Diana Krall. My parents got me into her. "Peel me a Grape" had some really nice tight bass. Finally, Tony Bennett's Duets is also a well recorded disk IMO. Really loved the sound of Sting's duet with Tony. Imaging was how I hoped. The speakers disappeared in the room. The soundstage was as wide as it is through the Marantz doing the DAC. Separation was good. Bass was deep. A little deeper than the Marantz's DAC. Midrange was just as good as the Marantz. Treble was crisp but not bright. The Triangle's are fast speakers. That deff came through with the Oppo.

Just my thoughts,

Not the highest end 2-channel setup but it's good enough for me. I'm happy with it.

jimi

I really wish you would get off of this Pioneer 09 rant. It's becoming a little tiresome. You have your 83 enjoy it and let other prople enjoy their choices.

Apparently you didn't mind spending 2K on a denon, why not just bump it up a few (a lot) more and get the DVD-A1UDCI. I hear that is truly the one 2 rule them all. At least until next week.

I'm sorry, I'm only on page 28 of this thread, but I have a question.

Has anybody tested Component Video vs. HDMI? HDMI should be the better of the 2 is that correct?

I have an older Panny 6UY 50 in. Plasma and an older Denon 1930 DVD Player, through HDMI. I do not use the Denon's upscaling because I get motion artifacts so I use strictly 480P. One thing I do not like about HDMI is that I can't calibrate my Panny (using Digital Essetials or Avia), all calibration is done on the DVD player. I've been too busy / lazy to experiment w/ going back to component on the DVD player.

My AVR which is a Yamaha RX-V2500 doesn't do any processing to the analog inputs.

My Toshiba XA-1 and my Panny BD-55 both have internal test tones.
Remember I am strictly speaking of the Multichannel analog outputs.

I want to keep the Oppo, maybe this is my only opportunity to get their attention. At least it worth a try.

Jeff,
I have read many of your posts the the lasts many years and I have the greatest respect for your opinion (not necessary during the HD-DVD-Vs BR wars). But please remember that not everyone has the time or the resources for this HT hobby. Simple internal test tones with a R/S SPL meter is more than adequate for a lot of us humble HT novices.

+1

Hal,

I sent Oppo an email today relating to this, because I wanted confirmation that sound was coming from ALL 7 (plus sub) speakers in my 7.1 analog setup. While I respect your position to vote No; the absence of a feature that you require in my opinion is not reason to vote No. If this feature is really important to you then the Oppo may not be for you. Test tones would be nice and that is why I sent Oppo email, but the lack of this feature alone would not yield a No vote from Me considering there are workarounds.

Just another $.02

Theoretically......

R

+2¢ for not voting NO for the test tone issue.

Although I have to admit if I read the Oppo voting instructions, they say,

A "Yes" vote means that the features and stability of the BDP-83 player are suitable for my home theater. Please expand the Early Adoption Program so more users can benefit from the player.

No Votes: 0 (0.0 %)
A "No" vote means that the player still has too many issues. Please get the issues resolved before expanding the Early Adoption Program.

It's a shame, really, because I doubt Oppo had in mind a purchaser-specific feature in mind when they wrote the instructions for the YES and NO voting.

SD DVD & BLU-RAY PLAYBACK (Oppo BDP-83 & Pioneer BDP-51FD)

BLU-RAY PLAYBACK
I used the blu-ray disc the Dark Knight. Both players did a great job with this movie and I could not see a discernable difference between the two. For blu-ray playback either player would suffice. I thought about looking at other movies, but I didn’t think expanding my blu-ray viewing would have yielded any significant differences one way or the other in my opinion.

SD DVD PLAYBACK
For SD DVD playback I used the disks from Star Trek The Next Generation Season 1. I chose this disc because I know is doesn’t have the best rendering. I wanted to challenge the up-converting of the 2 players. The Oppo handled these discs better than the Pioneer. While it wasn’t night and day it was definitely visible to my eyes. The picture was smoother with less noise. I also looked at other dvd’s and while the Oppo was better the Pioneer held its own. I stumbled across another difference between the 2 players. I noticed that when the movie (Star Trek The Next Generation) is scrolling through the credits if you pause the Pioneer the letters would partially break-up, but this did not occur when performing the same test with the Oppo. For you beta testers or anybody in the know; is this the VRS by Anchor Bay at work?

7.1 Audio over Analog (Denon AVR-3802)
7.1 over analog sounded fantastic once I tweaked my settings.


RESPONSE FROM OPPO CONCERNING A “TEST TONE:“There is no built in functionality in the DVD player to send out a test tone. This is something that has been on our request list since the design of the BDP-83, but so far the engineers have not implemented this kind of control due to their resources being spent on higher priority content fixes and enhancements.”

FINAL IMPRESSIONS:

I’ve voted YES to expand the EAP. This unit is more than stable enough to extend the EAP to the next 100. I’ve bought FINAL production players from several other manufacturers and none of them was as stable as the Oppo BDP-83 is in its current state. The more hands on the deck; the better the FINAL product.

I stated in my post (post #1521) “While the speed is impressive; that alone is not enough reason for me to return the Pioneer.” However, you learn to appreciate the speed of the Oppo while doing comparisons with 1 monitor for SD DVD and Blu-ray playback (loading and unloading from one player to the other) and thus speed has moved up the food chain for me. The multiple zoom settings for both SD DVD and Blu-ray are fantastic as well as the backlit remote, which is laid out nicely. While I have not made a decision on whether or not to keep the Pioneer; the Oppo is a keeper. I thought the Oppo menu structure was a little easier to navigate than the Pioneer. The Oppo does so much more (see the specs) than the Pioneer and that for me justifies the additional $’s. Pioneer has some lingering promises (performance upgrade & DTS-HD MA decoding) that I hope they keep. As it stands right now I plan on keeping both players. The Pioneer does exactly what I bought it for well and it will do that in another part of the house.

I think you're absolutely incorrect about this. A "No" vote is supposed to mean there are too many bugs in the current feature set of the player. It should NOT mean that you're unhappy because a feature you'd like isn't present. Would you vote no because DVD-A isn't implemented yet.

Totally agree. I wish it played HD DVDs, lowered my taxes, and increased my wife's libido, but that has nothing to do with the its stability and operability - the two stated goals of the EAP. I am afraid a NO vote based upon the lack of test tones is not in spirit with the EAP.