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OPPO's long-awaited BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player now shipping

by Darren Murph posted Jul 7th 2009 at 10:21AM


It's been a long (long!) time coming, but we're thrilled to finally be able to say that OPPO's multifaceted BDP-83 is shipping en masse to those willing to part with five bills (or $500, for those working without conversion tables). During our time with the player, we were duly impressed with most every aspect, and if you're still on the hunt for a Blu-ray player that can spin DVD-Audio and SACD on the side, you'll be hard pressed to find a better option than this. So, who's taking the plunge?

[Via High-Def Digest]

Oppo BDP-83 pre-orders now open for all (in North America)

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 30th 2009 at 4:23PM


Weren't on the invited pre-order list for the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player? Our tipster Mike gave us the heads up that those not on the initial list can now go ahead and lay down $499 to pre-order one of the universal players, expected to ship sometime between July 1 - 3. All you have to do is check out our hands on or the comments from some previous owners to see why this fast loading, SACD & DVD-Audio playing box is so highly regarded already.

[Thanks, Mike]

Oppo BDP-83 completes second round of testing, pre-order invites going out

by Richard Lawler posted May 14th 2009 at 9:13AM


On the list for the Oppo BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player? With responses from the second round of beta testers showing over 90% approving of release to the general public, our tipster reports those invited to pre-order should already have their emails giving an opportunity to complete their $499 purchase and get one shipped home later this month. While we double check our spam filters just in case, you can check Oppo's site or the accompanying AVS Forum thread for more details on exactly what people love, really love, or are still experiencing glitches with this BD / DVD / SACD and DVD-Audio playing powerhouse.

[Thanks, Jesse]

OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray players shipping to invited customers

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 29th 2009 at 7:44PM


Haven't nabbed one of OPPO's well put together BDP-83 Blu-ray players yet? Those who signed up early and got on the invitation list should be getting their hands on one very soon for $499 with an expected ship date of May 4. Everyone else? Read through our first impressions again (high build quality, fast loads, great audio decoding and easy to use menus) and wait for a wider release.

[Thanks, Dhomas]

Gallery: OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player hands-on

Spears & Munsil ships Blu-ray High Definition Benchmark calibration disc

by Darren Murph posted Mar 23rd 2009 at 7:47PM


Until now, Digital Video Essentials was pretty much the only legitimate option when it came to calibrating via Blu-ray player. At long last, a little competition has stepped into the field. Stacey Spears and Don Munsil -- creators of the DVD Player Benchmark and Progressive Scan Shootout at Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity -- has just released the Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark: Blu-ray Edition. The disc is chock full of test material and calibration patterns to help HD junkies adjust their home theater systems for optimal playback, and according to co-creator Stacey Spears, all of the material was created from scratch. Coincidentally enough, this very disc was bundled with our OPPO BDP-83 test deck, but given that it's on sale now at Amazon and direct from OPPO, we suppose that's not too terribly shocking. MSRP is pegged at $24.99, and you'll find lots more details waiting in the read link.

Gallery: Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark tunes up your Blu-ray player

OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player first impressions

by Darren Murph posted Mar 23rd 2009 at 10:25AM Featured Story


We were fortunate enough to get one of OPPO's new universal Blu-ray players (the BDP-83) in for the weekend, and while we were cordially asked to withhold a "full review" due to the beta firmware loaded on, we were allowed to pass along less formal informational pieces. Right from the start, we adored the solid build quality and the simplistic styling. After firing it up and going through the basic setup process (which was very well laid out, might we add), we were presented with an OPPO Blu-ray screen that was just begging for us to insert a movie. And so we did. Follow us past the break for a rundown of our initial impressions.

Continue reading OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player first impressions

OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player hands-on

by Darren Murph posted Mar 20th 2009 at 11:01AM Featured Story


Here she is -- the world's very first universal Blu-ray player. Oh sure, we may have heard of Denon's absurdly expensive DVD-A1UD first, but that bad boy just got delayed for a second time over in Japan. OPPO, on the other hand, has managed to push out a few hundred of these BDP-83 decks to brave beta testers across America, and we were fortunate enough to score one. The player came boxed in what was far and away the most elaborate packaging we'd seen for a BD player -- particularly one that's priced at just $499 for the beta users (an MSRP for production units has yet to be finalized).

All the goods you want are here, including Blu-ray Profile 2.0 support, internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats, SACD playback and the promise of DVD-Audio compatibility in the future. Upon unboxing the unit, we were pleased with the rigid chassis and felt the design was simple yet classy. The remote seemed accommodating enough, and the port selection 'round back was admirable. We're planning to fire it up this weekend to see just how far along this beta firmware is, but 'til then, hit the gallery below to have a look at what's sure to become a favorite amongst well informed home theater aficionados.

Gallery: OPPO BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player hands-on

OPPO to start BDP-83 Early Adoption Program

by Darren Murph posted Feb 25th 2009 at 8:27AM Breaking News


Seriously, why aren't more companies like this? In a somewhat unprecedented move, OPPO Digital has decided to let the people choose how it will proceed with the production of its highly anticipated universal Blu-ray player. Its Early Adoption Program will allow 50 randomly selected customers to purchase the BDP-83 for $499 before the official release; after those 50 have tested things out for a week or so, they'll be required to vote on whether the program should be extended or suspended. If 70 percent or more votes to expand, OPPO will select another 100 individuals to join the original 50 in testing. We're told that the deck will be shipped with a pre-production firmware version that will be updated "from time to time." Also of note, OPPO has confirmed Profile 2.0 support, internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats and that DVD-Audio playback is still in the works. Needless to say, we'll be doing our best to become one of those lucky 50. OPPO's full email on the matter is after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading OPPO to start BDP-83 Early Adoption Program

Oppo coughs up BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player details

by Darren Murph posted Dec 11th 2008 at 9:57AM Breaking News


Lookie, lookie -- we just might have a winner on our hands here. While Denon just announced the world's first universal Blu-ray player at $3,800, the highly respected Oppo is looking to trump said offering with a low-cost version of its own. The heretofore elusive BDP-83 has finally been detailed, as consumers who signed up to know more have received an email (posted in full after the break) with oodles of delicious information. For starters, the player will indeed be fully universal -- a Profile 2.0 BD deck with SACD, DVD and DVD-Audio support -- and for SACD playback, it will support DSD over HDMI and DSD-to-analog without any PCM conversion. As of now, the unit is currently undergoing "an extensive and thorough beta test program," and Oppo is considering opening up an "Early Adoption Program" later this month to give a limited number to mere mortals for feedback. Obviously, there's no finalized date for release, but the anticipated price will hover between $499 and $599.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Oppo coughs up BDP-83 universal Blu-ray player details

Oppo teases BDP-83 Blu-ray player, offers no vital information

by Darren Murph posted Nov 12th 2008 at 8:37PM


It's not that Oppo's BDP-83 is completely unexpected or anything, but this marks the first time the company is publicly admitting that the device is more than a show floor spectacle. Oppo has created a placeholder for the BD deck in order to give prospective buyers a chance to be notified of the unit's release. Unfortunately, all that we're given to chew on now is a pair of high-res images, so feel free to jump past the break and peek the other if the one above just isn't doing it for you. C'mon Oppo -- drop this puppy for under $150 and make yourself some new friends.

[Thanks, mostly a lurker]

Continue reading Oppo teases BDP-83 Blu-ray player, offers no vital information

Oppo joins the Blu-ray revolution with BDP S83 deck

by Darren Murph posted Sep 5th 2008 at 10:44PM


Oppo, best known for its upconverting DVD players and universal decks, has apparently decided to join the BD camp with little to no fuss. The BDP S83 was spotted over at the company's CEDIA booth, and while no real details were provided ("it's loaded" is all we have to go on), we can't see any harm in having yet another alternative. Unless it's $350+, in which case we'll roll our eyes and stomp away with our arms crossed.

OPPO pushes DV-980H upconverting DVD player for Mother's Day

by Darren Murph posted May 8th 2008 at 9:35PM


Mum a little overwhelmed with digiframes? Fret not, as OPPO Digital is telling you straight up that a brand new upconverting DVD player is sure to make this Sunday one to remember. C'mon, even you know your mother wouldn't approve of spending a mortgage payment or two on a hamstrung Blu-ray player, and that much newer (and nicer) DV-983H just isn't worth the coin. Our only question is how desperate must you be (or overran with excess inventory) to pimp a 9-month old upscaling DVD player for Mom's Day? Ah well, we've certainly seen worse.

Oppo's DV-983H universal player gets reviewed

by Darren Murph posted Apr 18th 2008 at 1:11PM


When Oppo decided to exit the DVD deck business with a bang, it actually did precisely that. According to a recent review of the firm's last DVD spinner over at CNET, the DV-983H was summed up as practically the "ultimate standard-def disc player," with excellent image quality on DVDs, great upconverting abilities, included DVD-Audio / SACD support and 7.1-channel analog outs to boot. Reviewers were even able to make the unit region-free courtesy of a simple remote code hack, and it was said to have handled PAL discs like a champ. On the downside, the exorbitantly high price tag ($399) really makes it unattractive to most everyone, but the impeccable feature set still enabled it to net a solid 8.4 out of 10 rating. In all actuality, there's a slim chance you'll be picking this up before a serious price drop, but if you're not quite ready to go Blu, this here is apparently the player to own.

Oppo's DV-983H upconverting DVD deck marks the end of the line

by Steven Kim posted Mar 11th 2008 at 3:16PM

Oppo's DV-983H its last DVD playerIf you like to hang on until hardware tech is EOL-ed (End of Life) maximally polished to jump in, now may be the time for you to score a DVD player. The Oppo DV-983H upscaling DVD player announced last week is now officially available. Oppo's going out with a bang, for sure -- the unit has some good looking specs, especially the built in Anchor Bay (a.k.a DVDO) VRS processing. But what's more significant is a bit of info we gleaned from the PR email accompanying the DV-983H release: the unit is the last DVD player that Oppo will be making. The company that made its name in upscaling DVD is moving whole hog into something else, and we're all-in on a Blu-ray spinner. Bring it on, Oppo! Full PR email after the jump.

Continue reading Oppo's DV-983H upconverting DVD deck marks the end of the line

Oppo's upscaling DV-983H universal player up for pre-order

by Darren Murph posted Mar 3rd 2008 at 1:57PM


Though it's not the elusive Blu-ray player we're anxiously awaiting, Oppo's latest standalone deck is finally up for pre-order. The DV-983H universal player features 1080p upscaling of DVDs, SACD / Redbook CD / HDCD playback (no DVD-A?), optical / coaxial digital audio outputs, a USB 2.0 port, support for DTS, Dolby and Dolby Pro-Logic II, HDMI audio output supporting bit-stream and uncompressed multi-channel high resolution audio and a design that's actually not half bad. You'll also get a one-year warranty and a six-foot HDMI cable for $399, but we've got to say, picking this one up will be hard to do with knowledge of what's on the way.

[Via AudioJunkies]




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