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Oppo Digital BDP-83

Discontinued
Reviewed
August 2010
by ConsumerSearch
Oppo Digital BDP-83

Pros
  • Terrific image quality
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Fast performance
  • Compatibility with many different disc formats
Cons
  • Expensive
  • No streaming capabilities
  • No built-in Wi-Fi
Where to Buy
 

Reviewers agree that when it comes to picture quality, the Oppo Digital BDP-83 is the most impressive Blu-ray player to date, even though it's more expensive than most. Blu-ray Disc and DVD performance approach perfection, typically putting players that cost more -- sometimes much more -- to shame. This universal player offers compatibility with a wide variety of disc formats, including Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio. Audio performance is outstanding, holding its own against even high-end dedicated CD players. That said, audiophiles with the finest of ears might want to spring for a special edition version of the Oppo player; the Oppo BDP-83SE (*Est. $920) adds very high-end audio processing technology to the "basic" BDP-83SE, but also adds lots to the bottom line. Build quality is exceptionally solid, though that also results in a player that's a bit heftier than the norm. The BDP-83 is also among the fastest Blu-ray players around when it comes to loading discs and navigating menus.

Reviewers do have quibbles, however. One complaint is that the Oppo BDP-83 costs more than most popular Blu-ray players. Also, a few features are missing. This BD-Live-compliant player lacks built-in Wi-Fi, though you can get it as an extra-cost accessory (*Est. $80). You also won't find any kind of streaming features or support for 3D. If those issues are important to you, the Sony BDP-S570 (*Est. $225) is more moderately priced and includes built-in Wi-Fi, 3D support, and Internet streaming from Netflix and other content providers. It's also even a hair faster than the BDP-83. Blu-ray image quality is top-notch for players in its price range, though the pickiest of videophiles will still give the BDP-83 the edge, and DVD playback is nearly as good in most reviewers' eyes.

The Oppo Digital BDP-83 has received extensive editorial coverage. You can find very detailed reports at Home Theater magazine, UltimateAVmag.com, CNET, Audioholics.com, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, AVGuide.com and elsewhere. It is also included in the current report at ConsumerReports.org. User feedback can be found at AVSForum.com and Amazon.com.

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OPPO BDP-83SE - Blu-ray disc player - upscaling - black
Buy from Amazon.com
from Amazon.com
Average Customer Review:  
Where To Buy
OPPO BDP-93 Universal Network 3D Blu-ray Disc Player

 (292 reviews)
Buy new: $499.99   7 Used & new from $525.00

 

Our Sources

1. Home Theater Magazine

Home Theater magazine subjects the Oppo Digital BDP-83 to an extensive battery of tests and details the results in this long article. Kris Deering is clearly impressed, calling the BDP-83 "a reference video and audio transport" for any format. He adds that it is the most user-friendly stand-alone player he's ever tested.

Review: Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray Player, Kris Deering, July 2009

2. Ultimate AV Magazine

UltimateAVmag.com also weighs in with a detailed testing-based report on the Oppo BDP-83. David Vaughn is so impressed that he says the player has "found a permanent home in my reference system." Speed, image quality with Blu-rays and DVDs, and compatibility with a wide variety of disc formats are factors in his endorsement.

Review: Oppo BDP-83 Universal Disc Player, David Vaughn, July 2009

3. Audioholics.com

This testing-based review examines the video and audio prowess of the Oppo Digital BDP-83. Clint DeBoer says, "The BDP-83 combines excellent video quality, advanced features and pristine audio performance into one slick package that is coming out at exactly the right time." He adds that for a universal player with Blu-ray, the BDP-83's pricing makes it "a steal."

Review: Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray Player Review, Clint DeBoer, October 1, 2009

4. CNET

While CNET says that many will balk at the price, it also says the Oppo BDP-83 offers terrific picture quality and is a speedy performer. Though some negatives -- such as the lack of Wi-Fi or network streaming -- are noted, the BDP-83 does well enough to be among the highest-rated Blu-ray Disc players at the site.

Review: Oppo BDP-83, Matthew Moskovciak, Sept. 2, 2009

5. Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

While lots of reviewers conduct thorough testing, most pale in comparison to the extensive testing and detailed reporting presented here. The downside, however, is that the level of technical minutia delivered will leave most nonvideophiles scratching their heads. That said, Adrian Wittenberg unambiguously states the review's conclusions: "Oppo has an out-of-the-ballpark grand slam home run. Highly Recommended."

Review: Oppo BDP-83 Universal Blu-ray Player -- Benchmark, Adrian Wittenberg, June 25, 2009

6. AVGuide.com

The title of this report more or less gives away AVGuide's opinion of the Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player. While the report is a touch thinner than some others, testing is still comprehensive, and the results are presented in a way that won't insult the technically savvy or confuse those who are less experienced. Chris Martens says that the player "offers better picture and sound quality than anything I've seen or heard at, or even remotely close to, its price."

Review: The Biggest Bargain in Home Theater, Chris Martens, July 30, 2009

7. ConsumerReports.org

The Oppo Digital BDP-83 is among the Blu-ray players tested by ConsumerReports.org for its current update. While testing is competent, the brief discussion each player receives falls short of any other top-rated reviewer. Additionally, you must be a subscriber to read the editors' conclusions.

Review: Blu-ray Players, Editors of ConsumerReports.org

8. AVSForum.com

The Oppo BDP-83 gets tons of discussion here, including this 125-page (and growing) thread asking posters to compare the player with others. Lots of observations, comparisons, and questions and answers can be found. The Oppo BDP-83 is also discussed in numerous other threads at this busy site, including an owners' thread that has more than 33,000 posts.

Review: Oppo BDP-83 versus Other Blu Ray Players Thread, Contributors to AVSForum.com

9. Amazon.com

Amazon.com is home to more than 260 user-written reviews of the Oppo BDP-83. That's enough feedback to see how pleased owners are with their player, and most are. Impressively, less than 15 owners give it less than 4 stars, and the vast majority grant it a perfect score.

Review: Oppo BDP-83, Contributors to Amazon.com

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