Oppo's Facebook page announces UHD 4K player: UDP-203*

I've played about 10 movie discs so far and the only freeze/hiccup was on the first one. I played the BD's of The Conspirator and From Here To Eternity this morning...no burfs, no barfs, no problemas....nein, nil.

 

I'm looking forward to getting a 203. I'm currently running the Samsung 4k player through my LG OLEDE65P. I want the Dolby Vision functionality for the future. Plus, I'm extremely happy OPPO has traded in ESS for AKM. AKM chips tend to sound much smoother than Sabre-based solutions.

 

More like traded in Cirrus Logic for AKM. The entry players have typically used CL while the step up models usually have ESS.

 

The 203 uses the AK4458VM chip for decoding
Edit: yeah, the 103 used a CL chip. And I still dislike ESS ever since I owned my oppo HA-1. It tended to have an edgy sound.

 

Yes, of course. The xx3 players never used ESS.

 

Gotcha. Edited above

 

I've played near 20 videodiscs now and have not had a freeze since the first disc played.

 

"Houston, we have a problem" The Deepwater Horizon UHD-BD would not load last night. The 203 called it an "Unknown Disc".

 

I read on the AVS forum that there is a known problem with triple-layer discs like that one. Apparently, Oppo is working on a potential fix that may appear in a future firmware update.

 

Deepwater Horizon isn't even a long flick....triple layer....like a Whopper with a bacon roof... ....hmnnn. I'll have to try it in the Samsung 8500.

 

Try firmware UDP20X-33-1229B. But that disc may have some manufacturing issues.

 

I'll try the firmware. I'm also gonna try it in the Samsung 8500. If neither player can make it, snap, crackle, and pop, well. I may return the disc.

 

It was post #7688 here: Official OPPO UDP-203 Owner's Thread - Page 257 - AVS Forum | Home Theater Discussions And Reviews »

That page and several of the following pages mentioned problems with that title. Some people don't have problems with it and some do - even with the latest beta firmware.

 

My UDP quit reading discs over the weekend and the eject button only worked intermittently. I upgraded to the latest beta firmware release and it fixed the issue. I suspect others who have disc issues may benefit from upgrading the firmware.

 

Hey guys and gals, I just received my Christmas gift from the wife, the UDP 203. I'm beyond excited. As I begin set-up, I'm here wondering if my receiver is up to snuff in regards to optimizing my new Oppo.

I've got a Denon AVR 1613 which has served me well the past few years in my TV/SACD set-up but is it good enough for this new component? Outside of my turntable, this is my most expensive unit.

My TV is a five year old Phillips which I know needs an upgrade but if my Denon isn't good enough, what should I look at as an upgrade?

Thanks!

 

Your receiver is good to go right now. HDMI connex, modern codec capability. However, any sound you hear will be by way of the receiver's processing, and not the Oppo. If you want to hear any difference the Oppo makes, you would need an AVR with multichannel analog connections. Anymore, that's restricted to the more expensive AVRs. Again, you can enjoy hi-res audio right now.

I presume your 5-yr old TV has HDMI connex and is 1080p. Hook up and enjoy. You can get a 4K TV later when there is more content available.

 

Very helpful response. Thank you!

My tv is indeed 1080p and has a few hdmi ports. When I do look to upgrade my receiver, now I'll be looking for multichannel analog connections.

 

If you're buying new, you're probably looking at $2K for such a feature.

 

Stop!

 

I see no need to use the 5/7.1 analog output of the 203. If you decide to get a new AVR use HDMI and focus on better features (room correction, power etc.) than spending additional money to get a 5/7.1 analog input.

 

I never have changed my firmware in my 203. I hooked my Samsung 8500 up to see if it would play Deepwater Horizon. It did not. After I took the disc out, I looked at the play-side. The clear coat over the disc was split and peeling off in one area. I didn't see that when I last removed the disc from the 203. The lights might have been dimmed at the time, but I do recall checking the play side. I didn't notice anything then.

I'll try the replacement copy tonight.

 

My Oppo 203 arrived last week and it has exceeded my expectations. My previous CD/DVD players were fairly cheap and almost ten years old. The difference in sound and picture quality is simply striking. It's been fun finally listening to the SACD layers of the hybrid discs I've had for years. I wish I could have gotten this machine sooner. It really does almost everything I've wanted in a disc player.

 

Agreed. It's a cut above every player I've ever owned. Enjoy!

 

I was pleasantly surprised by how well my 203 played my In Harm's Way DVD last night.

 

Same here. It turns out that I already owned about 75 SACD hybrid titles, but I never had a player for them until now.