Topic: Oppo Unveils Sub-$300 Blu-ray Player

[Mouldingo]

On Monday, January 25, Oppo Digital is launching the BDP-80, the "lower-cost" Blu-ray player model the company recently hinted at (see blu-ray.com, December 22). It is a BD-Live (profile 2.0) player, based on the same decoder chipset and firmware as the acclaimed BDP-83. It also supports DVD-Audio and SACD playback, and multichannel analog audio output. It is priced at $289 and will soon be available for purchase on the Oppo website.

Overview

The BDP-80 is a full-featured universal Blu-ray Disc player that supports BD Profile 2.0 (BD-Live and BonusView), DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD (SACD), HDCD, CD and other popular media formats such as AVCHD, MKV video files, digital photos and music.

For video, the BDP-80 features an HDMI 1.3 port that supports 1080p Full HD, 1080p 24Hz, Deep Color (30-bit and 36-bit) and Source Direct modes. Component video, S-Video and Composite video connections are also available for legacy analog displays. The player can upconvert DVD from standard definition up to 1080p. Unique features such as subtitle shift and vertical stretch zoom mode makes the player an ideal source component for home theaters with 2.35:1 CIH (Constant Image Height) displays.

For audio, the BDP-80 supports internal decoding and bitstream output of the latest sound formats including Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master audio. The BDP-80 also features a configurable 7.1-channel analog output that can be set as 7.1-channel, 5.1-channel, or stereo. When playing SACD, the BDP-80 can output DSD (Direct Stream Digital) over HDMI in its native format or convert it into high-resolution PCM. For compatibility with many legacy A/V receivers and DACs, the BDP-80 also provides an optical and coaxial digital audio output.

The initial setup features an Easy Setup Wizard. Setup menus on the player can be accessed without interruption to disc playback. The front and back USB 2.0 ports enable easy access to music, photo and video files. The BDP-80 comes standard with 1GB of internal storage built-in so that no additional memory card or flash drive is needed to use BD-Live and BonusView features.

The BDP-80 supports NTSC and PAL, and NTSC/PAL conversion. Like the BDP-83, it as a universal power supply, and HDMI CEC.

BDP-80 and BDP-83 compared
The main differences between the two models can be found on a product comparison page:

Video:
Video processor: the BDP-80 doesn't have the ABT2010 video processing, and handles all video processing tasks using its main decoder chip.
DVD upconversion: the BDP-80 doesn't support 24p upconversion of DVD material.

Audio:
Analog audio:
Digital-to-analog converters and analog driving stage: the BDP-80 uses the same components as on the (now discontinued) DV-983H up-converting DVD player; on the BDP-83 and BDP-83SE, the DACs and analog driving stage are more "sophisticated."
Outputs: the BDP-80 features a configurable 7.1-channel output that can be set as 7.1-channel, 5.1-channel or stereo; the BDP-83 has a dedicated stereo output in addition to the 7.1-channel output.
SACD output over analog: the BDP-80 outputs PCM over analog for SACD playback, while the BDP-83 supports PCM and DSD.
Digital audio: over digital connections, the BDP-80 and BDP-83 have "very similar capabilities and performances."

Other features:
Front panel appearance: the BDP-80 is plastic with black brushed metal appearance; the BDP-83 is heavy-gauge black brushed aluminum.
IR in/out ports: featured only on the BDP-83.
RS-232 remote control: featured only (as an option) on the BDP-83.
Remote control: glow-in-the-dark on the BDP-80; backlit on the BDP-83.
Dimensions: the BDP-80 loses 55mm (2.2in) in depth and 24mm (0.9in) in height versus the BDP-83.
Weight: the BDP-80 is 1.6kg (3.5lbs) lighter than the BDP-83.
Oppo Digital recommends the BDP-83 for users with very large projection screen or having a large DVD collection that needs the best up-conversion. On the other hand, it states that the BDP-80 is "incredibly well suited as a digital transport to feed into an external video processor, a high-end A/V receiver or display device with built-in video processing," and is also recommended "as a stand-alone Blu-ray/DVD/CD-player that offers higher video and audio quality than many mass-market players," and " for smaller home theaters as a standalone player where universal media support and speedy operations are the most ideal." The BDP-83 is Oppo's recommendation for home theaters with large screens.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=4074

[oReOsHaKe]

What does this mean?  Does this mean that DVD playback with this is inferior with that of the stand-alone OPPO 983?

DVD upconversion: the BDP-80 doesn't support 24p upconversion of DVD material. 

[barrister]

Thanks for the heads-up!  I want something cheaper than the BDP-83.

What does this mean?  Does this mean that DVD playback with this is inferior with that of the stand-alone OPPO 983?

Yes, I'm guessing that DVD upscaling on the BDP-80 will be worse than on the old DV-983.

Instead of an ABT (Anchor Bay Technologies) chip, the BDP-80 will use a customized MTK (Mediatek) SoC.  So the upscaling performance will probably be similar to the lower-end DV-980.

DVD upconversion: the BDP-80 doesn't support 24p upconversion of DVD material.  

I'm not too concerned about 24p playback.  I don't think any currently available TV can display 24p without flicker anyway.    

[Mouldingo]

Yummm!!!

Oppo adds a second, cheaper, Blu-ray player option with the $289 BDP-80







After wisely avoiding being drowned out by the din of CES product launches Oppo has made official its new BDP-80 Blu-ray player. A lower priced version of the existing BDP-83 hardware (a comparison that should be familiar to owners of the company's DV-980H/DV-983H DVD players,) it still features BD-Live compatibility, DVD-Audio and SACD playback but drops the ABT2010 video processor, aluminum faceplate and some of the audio capabilities of its big brother. Other items sliced to get the price down to $289 from $499 are IR in/out, RS-232 control interfaces, and a backlit remote. Assuming one doesn't want to wait for the rebadged $2,500 Lexicon edition, it should be on sale "soon." Universal player fans looking to save a couple of bucks or bring their own video processor to the party can check Oppo's comparison page.


http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-80/blu-ray-BDP-80-Compare.aspx

[oReOsHaKe]

It would have been cheaper if they consider making versions of it but with the ABT processor still:

1. Digital connectivity only (most, I think, use HDMI connection)
2. Analog connectivity only
3. Versions without SACD playback (most do not have SACD)

Dunno if this is feasible marketwise.. 

[pchin]

That's indeed a good news from Oppo for those who opt for a cheaper BD player alternative.

It would have been cheaper if they consider making versions of it but with the ABT processor still:

1. Digital connectivity only (most, I think, use HDMI connection)
2. Analog connectivity only
3. Versions without SACD playback (most do not have SACD)

Yes, many won't mind a player without the SACD playback but without the Anchor Bay Video Processor chip is like playing baseball without using the eyes... well I suppose this chip is the main reason for the high price...

Yes, I'm guessing that DVD upscaling on the BDP-80 will be worse than on the old DV-983.
Instead of an ABT (Anchor Bay Technologies) chip, the BDP-80 will use a customized MTK (Mediatek) SoC.  So the upscaling performance will probably be similar to the lower-end DV-980.

After getting used to my DV-983 upscale capability, I won't want to have any other lower version. Let's hope the customized chip can output similar quality result at least as per the old DV-983 otherwise this will be tough luck for those who also want to use it to play their huge DVD collections.

Hmm...the comparison chart mentions this new model isn't recommended "For home theaters with large screens" Problem is it never say how big is "large screen".

Overall, it seems like a good dedicated BD player package at a much affordable price & "wallet friendly"

[barrister]

BDP-80 review from a beta tester:


OPPO Digital BDP-80 User Review
Last updated 1/25/2010

http://www.prillaman.net/oppobdp80_review.html

[pchin]

Tnx for the link barrister. Now that there's a user's review those who are thinking of getting this new model can give a sigh of relief & sleep soundly at night.

My only gripe (nitpicking) is the user's 40" LCD HDTV. This is relatively a "small display" to compare effectively for the video processing capability esp for regular DVD.