Oppo BDP-831?

[Anonymous]

Really? Don't our opinions and experiences influence you at all?

I'm guessing that when questions of functionality and performance are raised on the forums and answered, it all adds to the knowledge base. Sure, the WHF verdict is useful, but I certainly find the forum process of discussion and knowledge sharing to be a really significant part of my decision making process. Of course, I can only speak for myself.

W

 

[The_Lhc]

Will Harris:Really? Don't our opinions and experiences influence you at all?

Only the first time Will, when you come on and say "I've just bought this great BD player, which also plays SACD and DVD-Audio, the picture's great, the sound's great, it's good value, etc" then I pay attention.

But when yourself or anyone else comes on over and over again banging on at WHF as to why they won't review it, for ten pages, when they've already answered the question and then bringing up stupid conspiracy theories that they're being paid not to review it, at that point, no, you're not influencing me. Actually, tell a lie, you are, you're making me seriously consider NOT buying it.

I'm guessing that when questions of functionality and performance are raised on the forums and answered, it all adds to the knowledge base.

Yes it does, but the kind of "discussion" I mentioned above, doesn't. It doesn't add anything, it's just hot air.

Sure, the WHF verdict is useful, but I certainly find the forum process of discussion and knowledge sharing to be a really significant part of my decision making process. Of course, I can only speak for myself.

W

I'm more inclined to listen to WHF because I'll be considering a number of different choices and it simply isn't possible for non-WHF members to have seen and compared all the available options in a given price point (apart from those members in the industry of course), I'm expecting WHF to say "actually this is a pretty good player", but what I'm really interested in is "This player is better than that one, and that one, but not that one". That's of far more use to me at the moment.

 

[jase fox]

the_lhc:
Will Harris:Really? Don't our opinions and experiences influence you at all?

Only the first time Will, when you come on and say "I've just bought this great BD player, which also plays SACD and DVD-Audio, the picture's great, the sound's great, it's good value, etc" then I pay attention.

But when yourself or anyone else comes on over and over again banging on at WHF as to why they won't review it, for ten pages, when they've already answered the question and then bringing up stupid conspiracy theories that they're being paid not to review it, at that point, no, you're not influencing me. Actually, tell a lie, you are, you're making me seriously consider NOT buying it.

I'm guessing that when questions of functionality and performance are raised on the forums and answered, it all adds to the knowledge base.

Yes it does, but the kind of "discussion" I mentioned above, doesn't. It doesn't add anything, it's just hot air.

Sure, the WHF verdict is useful, but I certainly find the forum process of discussion and knowledge sharing to be a really significant part of my decision making process. Of course, I can only speak for myself.

W

I'm more inclined to listen to WHF because I'll be considering a number of different choices and it simply isn't possible for non-WHF members to have seen and compared all the available options in a given price point (apart from those members in the industry of course), I'm expecting WHF to say "actually this is a pretty good player", but what I'm really interested in is "This player is better than that one, and that one, but not that one". That's of far more use to me at the moment.

the-lhc, i have to say i agree with you on this & can you imagine the revolution its going to cause with the oppo fans if WHSAV only give it say 2 stars!!? If they did i'm sure there gonna come out in full force, that'd sure be interesting..

 

[Anonymous]

Giving it 2 stars would make whathifi look bad not Oppo!

 

[The_Lhc]

bennyben:Giving it 2 stars would make whathifi look bad not Oppo!

What, even if it's only worth two stars?

I don't think for one minute it'll get two stars, but I'm not expecting it to get 5.

 

[jase fox]

bennyben:Giving it 2 stars would make whathifi look bad not Oppo!
mmmm

 

[jase fox]

the_lhc:
bennyben:Giving it 2 stars would make whathifi look bad not Oppo!

What, even if it's only worth two stars?

I don't think for one minute it'll get two stars, but I'm not expecting it to get 5.

Neither do i think it'll get 2 stars at the very minimum it'll get 3 but the oppo fans are certainly expecting 5 with it being an award winner!!

We shall see...

 

[Anonymous]

Why would be people be saying it is so good if it isn't? Every website review i have seen has been very positive so it's not just forum talk.

Here's a couple of reviews

EDITED BY MODS for House Rules infringements

 

[HD Elvis]

Andrew Everard:

No conspiracy, no pouring of cold water - just want to make sure I do a thorough job before presenting any opinions, and believe it or not I do have other things to do, just as the magazine has other products to review.

We're not going to put everything else on hold just to review one Blu-ray player, however good or otherwise it may be.

Am I likely to notice a difference in HD pq over my ps3 on my 428xd?

 

[The_Lhc]

bennyben: Why would be people be saying it is so good if it isn't?

Are you from Devon? (Editor's Note: I'm allowed to say that, I live there...)

Every website review i have seen has been very positive so it's not just forum talk.

Which is why I'm not expecting it to get 2 stars. People need to remember that a 4 star review is still a positive one.

Actually it could get 5 stars, if it's good enough, purely for the fact that it's the cheapest universal player on the market, I think the next cheapest is in 4 figures, so if it's reviewed on that basis it could get 5 stars on the value for money ticket. For me though, the SACD/DVD-A bit is a bonus, I'll be primarily interested in the BD performance. If it's up to spec on that front it might get the nod and maybe I'll pick up a couple of SACDs somewhere down the line, but the universality (made up word!) of the player isn't going to be the primary reason for buying it.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Blimey, we haven't had the thing in our test rooms yet and you're already pre-judging the outcome!

Thankfully we take no such preconceptions into our reviews - just like every other product, the Oppo will be assessed against both reference kit and price-comparable rivals.

Yes, it looks very strong on paper, and is well-priced - but the proof will be an in-depth comparative test.

 

[The_Lhc]

Clare Newsome: Blimey, we haven't had the thing in our test rooms yet and you're already pre-judging the outcome!

Thankfully we take no such preconceptions into our reviews - just like every other product, the Oppo will be assessed against both reference kit and price-comparable rivals.

Yes, it looks very strong on paper, and is well-priced - but the proof will be an in-depth comparative test.

Sorry about that! It just occured to me that the review score could be different depending on whether it's tested purely as a BD player or if it's tested as a universal player. As the former it has plenty of competition, as the latter, very little, and none at this price point, that I know of, so it could be a 4-star BDP but a 5-star Universal Player (or a 3-star BDP and a 4-star UP, or any other combination thereof), if you see what I mean?

 

[pete321]

I must admit, I'm not particularly interested how the Oppo gets reviewed now cos I've already bought one!

I've owned/still own 2 previous WHF 5 star blu-ray players, the Sony BDP-S350 and the Denon DVD-2500BT. To my eyes and ears, the Sony warranted the 5 stars at it's price range, the Denon certainly did not. Whatever rating the Oppo gets from WHF, for me it's far better than the Sony or Denon. To qualify that, slight improvement in HD playback over the Sony, as least as good as the Denon with HD. Far better than both with SD. Equal to Sony for useability unlike the Denon which spat quite a few discs out for me. Other factors for me are SACD/DVD-A/MKV playback. They have to be taken into account at the price range, if it's tested as the_lhc suggests, just as a BD player, no player over £250-£300 would get 5 stars because I don't think there's much improvement in HD playback beyond that pricepoint.

.

 

[Anonymous]

I agree with the earlier post made by the LHC. But I'm hoping that the Oppo will be reviewed against both it's BR player competitors and then it's universal player competitor, for what it is. I hope the verdict takes it all into account but I'd certainly like to see a breakdown.

For instance,

I'd like to know where it stacks up purely on BD + DVD performance. This is where the majority of the competition is based.

I'd then like to know how it does as a CD player. We're always hearing how DVD/BD players are the equivalent of a 1/3 the price CD player, so let's see how the Oppo fairs there.

Finally as an SACD / DVD-A player.

Of course, it's also worth taking into account that there are 2 significantly different ways that you can hook this player up, that being via digital (HDMI and Coaxial/Optical) and analogues, both 8 channel and 2 channel.

The comparison with other players is where the interest really lies for me. Sure I think at £450 it's hard to imagine how it would get anything other than 5 stars, but that's only in my experience and based on specification. Of course, it's now up to WHF to work out what it deserves. Frankly, I'm more interested in their view of where it sits in the pecking order based on the different comparisons I've listed above.

Oppo are in the business of making what I'd call a "spoiler". They design, manufacture and sell the whole thing themselves and therefore take a huge amount of mark-up out of the price. This means that comparing it on price alone, like for like, means you need to make some adjustments to compare it with machines sold via retailers. It's not meant to compete with players worth £450 in the shops, it's quite possible that the true competition is in the range above this; £700 - £1000.

Used as a transport (i.e. all over HDMI) I'd be keen to see how it fairs against the Sony BDP-S5000, the Denon DVD A1UD and the Pioneer BDP-LX91. Because over HDMI into a receiver like the Arcam AVR600 I found I couldn't tell them apart. But I know that WHF will have better equipment to test with than I have access to, and that's why the review is so exciting to me. Sure, I've bought it already, but hey, it's always nice to read about the kit you've adopted early.

Not looking to send this thread onto old ground, so hope you'll all find my post acceptable and meant to cover the upcoming test and not old innuendo. All the best folks, Will

 

[pete321]

Will Harris:It's not meant to compete with players worth £450 in the shops, it's quite possible that the true competition is in the range above this £700 - £1000. Quite honestly, used as a transport (i.e. all over HDMI) I'd be keen to see how it fairs against the Sony BDP-S5000, the Denon DVD A1UD and the Pioneer BDP-LX91. Because over HDMI into a receiver like the Arcam AVR600 I found I couldn't tell them apart. But I know that WHF will have better equipment to test with than I have access to.

I honestly don't think that there would be much difference in HD material at normal viewing distances to a good budget player from Panasonic or Sony. If you want a good blu-ray player only and aren't concerned about DVD upscaling because you're using your AV amp, I think you'd be better off buying a Sony or Panasonic. I'm not saying there aren't differences, but they're more subtle unless you stand infront of the screen with a magnifying glass. Players over this pricepoint have to offer more, the Denon DVD-2500BT didn't, the Oppo does.

 

[Anonymous]

Well mate, I guess we'll find out won't we. I'm just looking forward to reading about it. We have indeed been round in circles predicting and trying to pre-empt even the WHF outcome. I'm just going to be patient and wait and see. Either way, it'll make a cracking read I'm sure!

 

[Big Aura]

I expect they'll unveil a new 6 star standard...

 

[Clare Newsome]

Well we're getting prepared - i've had a good look here but can't seem to download a beatification request form

 

[pete321]

Big Aura:I expect they'll unveil a new 6 star standard...

Either that, or dock the Denon 2500BT a star or 2!

 

[Big Aura]

Clare Newsome:Well we're getting prepared - i've had a good look here but can't seem to download a beatification request form

perhaps 5 stars and a halo?

(although I always thought that was a cheeky-chappie in a staw-boater hat....

Does four in a row make an effective barbershop quartet?

 

[Alec]

pete321:no player over £250-£300 would get 5 stars because I don't think there's much improvement in HD playback beyond that pricepoint.

.

Well, they sometimes do...

 

[Anonymous]

Hahaha, no, no need to dock the 2500 any stars. The whole point of the test results, (rather like valuations of property) is that they provide a rating for the product "at that time" only. So long as the review date is also listed alongside the rating, you have all you need to understand the context and judge for yourself the continuing relevance of the score.

But I do like the idea of a halo. The are 5* products and there are 5* products. Occasionally a gold medal winner emerges and deserves a halo. Perhaps something the Pioneer Kuro plasmas would have won? Or perhaps a 5 gold * rating. To mark out the award winner for the year? Something to indicate the reference product in it's class would be useful indeed.

 

[Clare Newsome]

Will Harris:Something to indicate the reference product in it's class would be useful indeed.

Like these, you mean

 

[Anonymous]

Clare Newsome:
Will Harris:Something to indicate the reference product in it's class would be useful indeed.

Like these, you mean

Well well, I guess so!

But as there are various places that these products get listed, is there a lasting marker that could be applied to signify a product of greatness? Not that 5*s are in any way inadequate of course!

 

[HD Elvis]

So any idea when we can expect an early impressions blog on the 831?