Official OPPO BDP-83 Owner's Thread [technical talk only] - Page 269

Smarty/Neuromancer;

I have swapped cables out. The Oppo did play. I put the "bad" cable back in, the Oppo did play. I put in a much more expensive cable, about half the cost of the Oppo and it played. Yesterday the Oppo quit playing with that cable - for a while - then it started playing again with the same cable. This is the second time it has done this.

Now Oppo says because its the second time its done it, it proves its the cable and not their unit. To me it proves the opposite. If a bad "cable" works again then something is not right somewhere. So I swap those inputs on my processor and I try other equipment. I still have my 983 and 980 and they plus my DVR work fine with the "bad" cable. The input used now for the Oppo is a different input from the time it failed before.

I've swapped cables and check the inputs on my processor as best I can and things work fine - the only time they don't is when the Oppo is connected.

So, if I'm following correctly, what you're saying is:

• You had intermittent problems with two different HDMI cables.
• You had the intermittent problems on two different processor inputs.
• The two cables connected during the intermittent problems have not shown any issues with any other HDMI gear.

If that is correct then I'd say fingers point towards the Oppo. If part of that is not true then I'd say you have to rule it out before pointing the finger towards the Oppo.

i don't own an 83 (yet)... however...

if the 3 items that geof listed have been proven "true", then it sure sounds like to me that the hdmi port on the oppo is wonky...

I haven't been following closely, but if there is a video processor or receiver involved, I would first try to simplify the diagnosis by eliminating it and connecting directly to the display.

-Bill

i want my oppo does anyone have a updated release date or idea when this beast will be available?

You can't have it both ways here. On the one hand you say "you should never assume anything is working properly just because it was working properly" and on the other hand you say "assuming defects doesn't help any of the parties involved".

Too true.

However, I'm wondering if there is a problem with dts HD MA 7.1 discs. I think this may have been the first dts HD MA 7.1 disc I've tried with this player.

Too often asked, with the same response...when's it's ready! Read the first post of this thread!

I to want my Oppo 83 so throw me under the bus I will take it for everyone.
I want to be able to act like I'm an entitlest also.

Don't hesatate to delete at any time.

+1

Take that AVR out of the picture and test.

I watched Rambo last night, I am pretty sure it is 7.1 and I had no problems.

Well this worked but with out pleasing results. I disconnected the LF RF leads from the BDP-83 and attached them to the L & R audio out, leaving the balance of the 5.1 connected appropriately.
I was able to achieve a center channel as the L & R have the entire audio tracks down mixed to “stereo”. The sounds stage I experienced in 4.1 (no center speaker, which causes this whole issue) was, at best, a lame attempt of an old Fisher Receiver in Dobly Surround mode from a stereo source. Ugh. The front stage seamed flat and lacking fidelity of which I still question why. Add to that though, the high res LFE SL & SR and the image became quite interesting. I used the fader on the DENON AVR-3805 to try and balance out but became board with the result.

I put everything back together to begin my next test. See post #8069

Thank you
mopar

Good Morning


In search of a Center Channel:

All 5.1 Analog connections from BDP-83 to DENON AVR-3805 connected.
Each test starts with BDP-83 off with no disc in player.
Test disc is Dark Knight.

Test 1: Original Configuration. My current system w/ no Physical Center Channel Speaker.

DENON AVR-3805 SET @ 4.1, Power on throughout test.
BDP-83 SET @ 4.1, prior to removing disc and powering down.
No physical Center Channel Speaker so Actual Center Sound is N/A.

1. Power on BDP-83 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, NO.
2. In BDP-83 audio set up, turn on C to activate 5.1 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, NO.
3. In BDP-83 audio set up, turn off C to activate 4.1 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, YES.


Test 2: Connected Center Channel Speaker to DENON AVR-3805 binding posts.

DENON AVR-3805 SET @ 5.1, Power on throughout test
BDP-83 SET @ 4.1, prior to removing disc and powering down.
Center Channel Speaker now connected

1. Power on BDP-83 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, NO. Actual Center Channel Sound, YES.
2. In BDP-83 audio set up, turn on C to activate 5.1 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, NO. Actual Center Channel Sound, YES.
3. In BDP-83 audio set up, turn off C to activate 4.1 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, YES. Actual Center Channel Sound, NO.


Test 3: Connected Center Channel Speaker to DENON AVR-3805 binding posts.

DENON AVR-3805 SET @ 5.1, Power on throughout test
BDP-83 SET @ 5.1, prior to removing disc and powering down.
Center Channel Speaker still connected

1. Power on BDP-83 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, NO. Actual Center Channel Sound, YES.
2. In BDP-83 audio set up, turn off C to activate 4.1 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, YES. Actual Center Channel Sound, NO.
3. In BDP-83 audio set up, turn on C to activate 5.1 = Phantom Center Channel Sound, NO. Actual Center Channel Sound, YES.


From this test alone the trend I am seeing is that the quasi default internal setting for 5.1 down mixing is 5.1. When changed in the audio set up menu to 4.1 the desired result is achieved. When changed back to 5.1 the desired result is achieved. However the unit is failing to keep the down mix settings in memory upon powering off, even though menu is still in the state it was left when powered off. The menu is correct but the setting defaults back to 5.1.

Oppo has been sent this information as well.

Thank you
mopar

Frustrating ain't it. It's not enough you're having issues but you have to sustain the harassment from "Gang Oppo". I know the feeling.

That said, it seems just from reading this thread that HDMI is a technology that has never been ready for prime time. I have no issues but I only connect my video directly to my TV.

"Gang Oppo?"??? How about you elaborate on how you "know the feeling?"

By the way, how is Moulin Rogue lip sync problems? Did the latest firmware fix those issues?

HDMI plugs are only friction fit. It only takes a little bit of looseness to lose the connection. And of course pulling the plug and putting it back in again cures that -- even with the same cable.

If the problem recurs, try the "wiggle test": Grasp the HDMI cord about one inch from the socket, press gently STRAIGHT IN towards the socket, and give a gentle wiggle. Try both ends of the cable. If that cures the problem then the most likely cause is that the weight or bending of the cable near the socket is causing the plug to shift in the socket just enough to make the electrical connection marginal.

If that doesn't work, get a flashlight and carefully inspect the socket and the plug for signs off bent pins. Again, check the sockets and plugs at both ends. If there is any mechanical damage at either end then that too can cause a marginal connection.

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You didn't say what length cables you are using but I'm presuming they are the same sort of length as the one included with the player. If not, then cable length may be an issue. And of course if you are daisy-chaining HDMI cables (any cable in the path from the player all the way to the display) or using wall plates, then THAT can be the problem.

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Some devices begin the HDMI handshake too soon after the power up -- before they are really ready to do what needs to be done. If your receiver or display is like that, then changing the order in which you power things up, or adding a little delay between powering up each device, is the usual cure.

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The latest firmware includes improvements in HDMI in the Oppo. Be sure you are testing with that installed.

Keep in mind that the Oppo is a 1080p device, an HDMI V1.3 device, a "Deep Color" device, and an HDMI CEC device. All of these put more demands on the next device in the HDMI chain -- and on the cable quality.

To see if THAT'S the problem temporarily do this:

1) Turn off Deep Color and HDMI CEC in the Oppo.
2) Set the Oppo to 480p output (not 480i). This is the "simplest" resolution for HDMI devices.
3) Set an explicit HDMI color space choice instead of using Auto. Typically you will use YCbCr 4:4:4.
4) Set the video system in the Oppo to NTSC instead of Multi System.
5) Set audio output from the Oppo to HDMI LPCM.

With those temporary settings, see if the HDMI handshake works more reliably when you turn things on. If so, you can start changing them back one by one to what you normally use to see which might be causing the problem.

For example, if you find that 1080i output works reliably but 1080p output doesn't work reliably, that indicates either a marginal cable or a marginal socket at one end or the other. 1080p is higher bandwidth and puts more demands on cable/socket quality.

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Another test is to take your Oppo to a friend's house or perhaps to your favorite store, and try it with another receiver. If it works reliably on the other receiver, then that indicates a problem either in your receiver or your display -- again, probably triggered by the higher bandwidth stuff the Oppo does compared to your other source devices.

Sorting out HDMI issues can be frustrating. But if you approach it logically, you will soon be able to isolate what's giving you the problem.
--Bob

That's been intuitively obvious to me since I bought my first HDMI equipment last year. In the time since, all the reading and discussion about issues with HDMI, as well as experience connecting it and using it, have convinced me that HDMI is, first and foremost, a copy-protection system (yes, I know that's actually HDCP) and only secondarily, if even that high in priority, a means for delivery of problem-free HD content. As far as the companies behind the standard are concerned, it's pretty clear they are willing to accept myriad problems in video delivery if it makes content more secure. I certainly don't lay the blame for that at the feet of OPPO, but knowing that makes me want to support the efforts of companies like those that produce the HDFury2 all the more.

I think the biggest single problem with HDMI is the stupid, underdesigned connector. I have solved this with the very nice PPC latching cables from bettercables.com. Under $45 for 3 feet. There are a few other less elegant but cheaper solutions out there, as well. It's worth it to me for the peace of mind, and with it most HDMI related issues disappear.

Some people have had good luck using the Monoprice port savers:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

These are spec'd so they are a tight fit, making it hard for the cables to come loose. They are very inexpensive so it's worth a try.

Current status.

Total Votes: 350
Pending Votes: 134 (38.3 %)
Yes Votes: 175 (50.0 %)
No Votes: 41 (11.7 %)

Approval is at 81.0% currently with votes taken.

Wally,

Swapping cables out weekly is not an option, especially since these same cables seem to work with other components. I don't recall anyone else in the EAP reporting a similar problem. There is a possibility that the problem could be hardware related. The only remedy I see at this point is to either swap the player for a replacement or return it for a refund. I would probably try the former 1st.

Just my $.02.


Willie

Neuromancer


Night at the Opera finally plays correctly with out drop outs using the new firmware. I did have the OPPO completely lock up when I tried to switch from "audio" to "video with audio" using the visual menu on the screen. I selected pcm and then selected "video" which should have given me 2 channel audio with video and the OPPO completely locked up;. I had to shut of and restart the machine. Its on to checking other issues now. So far much happier with the results.

You don't mention what the problem is that concerns you.

In any case, I've played a few DTS HD MA 7.1 disks in the 83 with no problems.

Bill,

No, what I would like to do is while bitstreaming and secondary
audio turned OFF have the ability to push the SAP button on the
remote and have the OPPO switch to PCM(decode internally) and
turn secondary audio ON automatically.

Basically, in the middle of a movie if you decide you want to
watch some PIP while bitstreaming, you can at the push of a
single button.

I don't think any Blu-ray players can do this. It would be
nice but definately not a must.

Is it even possible? It doesn't seem so based on the FAQ guide.

Thanks,
Mike

The problem is random pops and crackles on Repo, the Genetic Opera.

Any more recent ETA for this unit for the general public? Est MSRP?

Thanks for the detailed report mopar426 and for sending the information to Oppo. I'm sure that everybody in the same boat as us will appreciate it.

From the tests you've performed, your conclusion appears inescapable. It appears to be an initialization issue when the player is started. Luckily for the time being, cycling the CC setup from 5.1 to 4.1 engages the phantom feature; it's a work around until Oppo addresses the issue. I'm sure they'll fix this issue quickly as initialization bugs are fairly easy to correct.

Most BD-JAVA and BD-Live discs will over-ride the player's setting for SAP as soon as you select an SAP option in the disc's software. There are some that turn on SAP as soon as you load the menu. There's really no standard on BD discs for this.