Oppo S83 review

PFC5 · 05-14-2009, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Marlowe

So, is there any "concrete concensus" in which we can specify whether a new Panasonic or possibly the Oppo would be better in DVD upscaling? This is an important buying factor for me, so I would be interested in knowing if these two mid-priced competitors are close in the upconversion performance, or if the Oppo comes out a bit ahead...

Further, are there any other brands in this price category I should be considering for solid DVD upconversion? Isn't there a Samsung model that carries the Realta chip, or am I mistaken? In the past, I never would have considered a Samsung product based on their reliability reports, but I would consider a player in that sub-$1000 range if one of theirs carried the Realta or Reon chip for upconversion...

I would avoid a Samsung as their record with BD playback given their record of playing new BD movies is spotty at best. AFAIK, the last Samsung player to have a S/O HCV chip was the BD-P1200 with the REON chip. I know Chris has one and has not been very happy with his for these very reasons. Maybe he can sell it to you if you want to risk buying a Samsung to get the REON upscaling ability, but I wouldn't recommend this.

It sounds like the Oppo can do about 5% better upscaling SD DVDs, but you pay twice the price for it over the Panasonic BD60. Is that 5% more worth the extra money to you? If the answer is yes, then go with the Oppo. If the answer is no, then get the BD60.

I would say for you needs/wants Peter I would just leave your choice between these two players.

**bruceames** · 05-14-2009, 10:45 PM

I wouldn't recommend the Samsung BD-P1200 either. It's an older 1.0 Profile player and has been neglected by Samsung regarding FW updates. Although it recently received one, it couldn't play any Criterion titles for about 3 months until that update. It does have the Reon, but even so it does not pillarbox 4:3 content and frankly I think any HD DVD player upscales just as well and the XA2 even better (it also has the Reon). It has been selling on ebay on average used for about $100.

I don't know much about the Oppo or Panasonic BD players, but if the Oppo only offers a 5% improvement in upscaling PQ and none in HD over the Panny, I would get the Panny and sit tight for a year or two and then you have a much better selection and price when you upgrade again. Blu-ray players are still pricey and it's best not to overspend now and watch prices plummet before they stabalize after a few more years.

Techlord · 05-15-2009, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoob

What retailers will sell this new Oppo player?

He didn't specify which retailers would receive the units.

daleb · 05-15-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoob

What retailers will sell this new Oppo player?

Typically you buy from Oppo Digital Direct. Amazon and Music Direct are other popular retailers.
You can get more info on their website.
Keep in mind their prices do not change as long as their products are in production.
You can wait a few months, the prices will be same.

daleb · 05-15-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruceames

I wouldn't recommend the Samsung BD-P1200 either. It's an older 1.0 Profile player and has been neglected by Samsung regarding FW updates. Although it recently received one, it couldn't play any Criterion titles for about 3 months until that update. It does have the Reon, but even so it does not pillarbox 4:3 content and frankly I think any HD DVD player upscales just as well and the XA2 even better (it also has the Reon). It has been selling on ebay on average used for about $100.

I don't know much about the Oppo or Panasonic BD players, but if the Oppo only offers a 5% improvement in upscaling PQ and none in HD over the Panny, I would get the Panny and sit tight for a year or two and then you have a much better selection and price when you upgrade again. Blu-ray players are still pricey and it's best not to overspend now and watch prices plummet before they stabalize after a few more years.

Well, 5% is certainly a WAG. The improvement is definitely there..it's hard to say if someone would see 'more'. Keeping in mind it is subjective, I tend to be conservative in my assessment.

You are still getting a player you can virtually tailor match to any display or disk (including color space settings).
Plus, a player no one can match in audio quality at the given price range not to mention the multi-disk capability, and such things as customer service and build quality.

Even at that, I don't think I am over-selling it..

But I would agree, the Panasonics are the best to 'while I wait' players.

Stew4HD · 05-15-2009, 11:53 AM

... sitting waiting for the FedEx guy to ring the doorbell.. checked delivery status.. it "Out for delivery"... New toy, new toy!, new toy!! Oh Boy, oh boy, oh boy LOL

PFC5 · 05-15-2009, 11:56 AM

Oh the excitement huh Stew?

Enjoy!

Stew4HD · 05-15-2009, 12:49 PM

It just arrived.. so now I'll unpack it and set it up

daleb · 05-15-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4HD

It just arrived.. so now I'll unpack it and set it up

Ahhh! Relish the moment!!!!

Stew4HD · 05-15-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleb

Ahhh! Relish the moment!!!!

I did.. even took pictures of the unveiling!

I do believe the audio side is better, brighter and crisper than the BD35. I immediately noticed more sound delivered to the surrounds. I just started watching the series "The Tudors" on BD. I was watching episode 1 when the Oppo arrived. I slipped the Oppo in place of the BD35 and started at episode 2. The Oppo definatley delivers better sound on this disc but I will do further testing on some other material, including SACD, DVD-A and SD.

**bruceames** · 05-15-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4HD

I did.. even took pictures of the unveiling!

I do believe the audio side is better, brighter and crisper than the BD35. I immediately noticed more sound delivered to the surrounds. I just started watching the series "The Tudors" on BD. I was watching episode 1 when the Oppo arrived. I slipped the Oppo in place of the BD35 and started at episode 2. The Oppo definatley delivers better sound on this disc but I will do further testing on some other material, including SACD, DVD-A and SD.

Glad to hear it, but not as much as you, of course.

Certainly sounds like it's off to a good start, impression-wise.

PFC5 · 05-15-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stew4HD

I did.. even took pictures of the unveiling!

I do believe the audio side is better, brighter and crisper than the BD35. I immediately noticed more sound delivered to the surrounds. I just started watching the series "The Tudors" on BD. I was watching episode 1 when the Oppo arrived. I slipped the Oppo in place of the BD35 and started at episode 2. The Oppo definatley delivers better sound on this disc but I will do further testing on some other material, including SACD, DVD-A and SD.

Did you check to see if the SPL readings were the same on both to compare them fairly? Now I am real curious about this as sound is very important to me, but if it is just because the output levels are higher on the Oppo then just raising the volume to even them out will likely reduce the improvement you initially heard quite a bit.

Maybe you can do an A/B test with both still connected? I am sure you would want to know the results also.

rubystone1111 · 05-15-2009, 03:38 PM

what reciever do you have? are you using HDMI?

Jacob

Stew4HD · 05-15-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFC5

Did you check to see if the SPL readings were the same on both to compare them fairly? Now I am real curious about this as sound is very important to me, but if it is just because the output levels are higher on the Oppo then just raising the volume to even them out will likely reduce the improvement you initially heard quite a bit.

Maybe you can do an A/B test with both still connected? I am sure you would want to know the results also.

What I'll do is run the test disc that came with the unit. The SPL should not have changed since the receiver set the levels of each channel (thinking logically).

I have disconnected the BD35 but I can certainly do a side by side test against the PS3.

Stew4HD · 05-15-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubystone1111

what reciever do you have? are you using HDMI?

Jacob

I have the Denon 4806CI via HDMI.

05-15-2009, 11:53 AM	#126
Stew4HD SD HURTS MY EYES Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tejas Baby Posts: 9,989	... sitting waiting for the FedEx guy to ring the doorbell.. checked delivery status.. it "Out for delivery"... New toy, new toy!, new toy!! Oh Boy, oh boy, oh boy LOL __________________ ___________________________________ For PFC5 I miss ya, buddy WB L2W! Living Room: JVC DLA-RS40 3D projector Da-Lite wall mounted screen 110" diag. DirecTV DVR Sony PlayStation 3 60GB (first gen) Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Denon AVR-A100 Magnepan MMGW L/R Magnepan MMGC center Aperion 5DB surrounds Aperion 10D sub Oppo BDP-83SE Panny DMP-BDT100 XBOX 360 (first gen) HTPC WII special thanks to Robert at valueelectronics.com, you are great to work with!

05-15-2009, 11:56 AM	#127
PFC5 Former Super Moderator - RIP Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mass Posts: 38,295	Oh the excitement huh Stew? Enjoy! __________________ Denon AVR-887 Klipsch RP-5 Pwred Towers (mains) (525 watts peak each 12"Subs) All Klipsch RC-25(ctr),(2)SS1(surr),(2)SS1(rearSurr) Toshiba (2)HD-A20,PS3,BD35 For SACD/DVD-A Samsung HD-841 Panny 50pz80u plasma SETTINGS RCA HD50LPW162 50"DLP w/HD2+ SA 3250HD 47" LCD+Yamaha5790+HD-A1(bedroom) Harmony 680 + (2) 670s (amazing remote/support) Game room with Onkyo receiver & B&W Speakers The_Cable_Game Take the high ground and be happier PSN: PFC5

05-15-2009, 12:49 PM	#128
Stew4HD SD HURTS MY EYES Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Tejas Baby Posts: 9,989	It just arrived.. so now I'll unpack it and set it up __________________ ___________________________________ For PFC5 I miss ya, buddy WB L2W! Living Room: JVC DLA-RS40 3D projector Da-Lite wall mounted screen 110" diag. DirecTV DVR Sony PlayStation 3 60GB (first gen) Toshiba HD-XA2 HD DVD Denon AVR-A100 Magnepan MMGW L/R Magnepan MMGC center Aperion 5DB surrounds Aperion 10D sub Oppo BDP-83SE Panny DMP-BDT100 XBOX 360 (first gen) HTPC WII special thanks to Robert at valueelectronics.com, you are great to work with!

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05-14-2009, 10:45 PM	#122
bruceames Super Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Novato, CA Posts: 15,388	I wouldn't recommend the Samsung BD-P1200 either. It's an older 1.0 Profile player and has been neglected by Samsung regarding FW updates. Although it recently received one, it couldn't play any Criterion titles for about 3 months until that update. It does have the Reon, but even so it does not pillarbox 4:3 content and frankly I think any HD DVD player upscales just as well and the XA2 even better (it also has the Reon). It has been selling on ebay on average used for about $100. I don't know much about the Oppo or Panasonic BD players, but if the Oppo only offers a 5% improvement in upscaling PQ and none in HD over the Panny, I would get the Panny and sit tight for a year or two and then you have a much better selection and price when you upgrade again. Blu-ray players are still pricey and it's best not to overspend now and watch prices plummet before they stabalize after a few more years.

05-15-2009, 03:38 PM	#133
rubystone1111 High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 398	what reciever do you have? are you using HDMI? Jacob