Oppo BDP-95

It may be priced for those for whom money is no object, but the Oppo BDP-95 vastly outperforms 99 percent of the Blu-ray players on the market, delivering best-in-class video with audiophile-level sound and an abundance of connectivity options. The machine's loading times are the fastest around, as well.

Picture quality

The best picture of any Blu-ray player. Reviewers say the Oppo BDP-95's video performance is second to none; the Marvell Qdeo chip handling the main HDMI port processes video flawlessly, while the Mediatek processor powering the other connections outshines standard Blu-ray players as well. DVD upconversion is as good as it gets. Dual HDMI ports allow you to connect to multiple devices simultaneously.

Performance

It literally doesn't get any better than this. The Oppo BDP-95 flat-out speeds through boot-up and menu navigation, posting the fastest times in every test it's touched.

Usability

As simple as a premium player should be. The Oppo BDP-95's menus are well laid-out and the initial setup is made simple thanks to Oppo's built-in Easy Setup Wizard, though reviewers warn that configuring analog setups requires a lengthier time commitment than setting up digital output. The remote's backlit keyboard is sturdy and straightforward, while RS232 and infrared ports let you integrate the Blu-ray player into your existing universal remote control solutions.

Features

It's all about the audio. The Oppo BDP-95 includes both wireless and wired network support, but its built-in Internet apps are limited to Vudu, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube Leanback, which is YouTube optimized for TV viewing. The biggest feature is its dedication to delivering audiophile-quality sound, with 7.1-channel, XLR and RCA analog connections, enthusiast-level digital-to-analog converters (DACs) and HD audio codecs, and a custom Rotel-made toroidal power transformer designed to provide a clean, noise-free power supply to the audio components. All those extra bits bring the weight of the Oppo BDP-95 up to an entertainment stand-crushing 16 lbs.

Blu-ray-wise, there's 3D support and 2 GB of onboard storage for BD-Live activities.

Value

Do you need the best possible sound? It all boils down to your priorities; $1,000 is a lot for a Blu-ray player, but the Oppo BDP-95's audio chops are on par with enthusiast audio equipment that can go for thousands of dollars more. On the other hand, if you don't mind skipping the analog connections and can settle for "nearly flawless" rather than "flawless" performance, perfectly fine Blu-ray players like the LG BP620 (*Est. $120) can be had for a fraction of the cost.

The Bottom Line

The Oppo BDP-95 is as good as it gets and delivers best-in-class audio that is rivaled only by the even more expensive Cambridge Audio Azur 751D (*Est. $1,150). Unless you're an audiophile with deep pockets, however, you'd be better off buying a more conventional Blu-ray player.