OPPO Digital BDP-80 Blu-ray Disc Player - Review

The OPPO BDP-80 is a feature-packed Blu-ray Disc player that really delivers. Blu-ray playback is excellent. Also upscaling for standard DVD playback is very good. In addition, other features, such as SACD and DVD-Audio playback, as well as 2 USB ports for importing images and sound from flash drives, add great audio and video flexibility. The OPPO BDP-80 takes Blu-ray Disc player flexibility and performance to a high level at reasonable price. After reading this review also check out a supplementary Photo Profile and Video Performance Test Results.

Blu-ray is one of the two major High Definition disc formats that were vying to replace the current DVD standard in the U.S. market. The other format was HD-DVD. However, as of February 19, 2008, HD-DVD was discontinued and since that time Blu-ray is the remaining high definition disc format available to consumers in the U.S.

Blu-ray utilizes Blue Laser and sophisticated video compression technology to achieve high definition video playback on the same size disc as a standard DVD. For a more details on Blu-ray, as well as historical information on HD-DVD, check out my Guide to Blu-ray and Blu-ray Disc Players.

Overview of DVD Upscaling

In addition to the ability to play Blu-ray Discs, the BDP-80 can also upscale standard DVDs to 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (in addition to 480p) to your HDTV, provided you are using the HDMI connection option.

720p is 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 720 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another.

1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 1,080 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately. In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines.

1080p represents the same pixel resolution as 1080i, however, the lines are displayed progressively, rather than alternately, providing a better visual look. Check out more details on 1080p.

The Practical Side Of Video Upscaling

The capability of the BDP-80 to upscale standard DVDs in 720p, 1080i, or 1080p format allows a closer match to the capabilities of today's HDTVs.

Although this is not the same as watching your DVDs in true-high definition, such as the results you get when watching Blu-ray Discs, it does provide a better DVD viewing experience on an HDTV, especially with today's larger screen sizes.

OPPO BDP-80 Product Features

1. The BDP-80 features Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) functionality with 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 Resolution output capability via HDMI 1.3a audio/video output.

2. The BDP-80 can play the following discs and formats: BD-Video, DVD-Video, AVCHD, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE, and MKV files.

3. The BDP-80 also provides DVD video upscaling to 720p, 1080i, 1080p output via HDMI connection (adaptable to DVI- HDCP).

4. High definition video outputs include: HDMI, DVI-HDCP video output compatibility with adapter.

5. Standard definition video outputs include: component video (progressive or interlaced), and composite video.

6. Besides audio output via HDMI, additional audio output options include: Digital Optical, Digital Coaxial, and a set of 7.1 channel analog audio outputs.

7. DVD-Audio and SACD are accessible by both 5.1 channel analog and HDMI outputs.

8. On-board adjustments are provided for Sharpness/Contrast/Brightness/Saturation.

9. The BDP-80 provides switchable NTSC/PAL output - automatic PAL/NTSC bi-directional conversion (non-region coded discs only).

10. Front and Rear mounted USB 2.0 ports for digital photo, video, and music content access via flash drive are also provided.

11. 1 GB of internal memory is included for access to BD-Live functions. However, memory capacity can be expanded via flash drive if desired using one of the two USB ports.

12. A Wireless Infrared Remote Control and full color high definition onscreen GUI (Graphical User Interface) is provided for easy setup and function access. The onscreen menu is thorough and easy to navigate.

For an additional look at the features and connections of the BDP-80, check out my supplementary Photo Gallery.

Hardware Used

The additional home theater hardware used in this review included:

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705, Harman Kardon AVR147.

Source Components: OPPO BDP-83 and Sony BD-PS350 Blu-ray Disc players.

Loudspeaker/Subwoofer System 1 (7.1 channels): 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s, Klipsch Synergy Sub10.

Loudspeaker/Subwoofer System 2 (5.1 channels): EMP Tek E5Ci center channel speaker, four E5Bi compact bookshelf speakers for left and right main and surrounds, and an ES10i 100 watt powered subwoofer.

TV/Monitor: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor.

Video Projector: Optoma HD20 (on review loan from Optoma)

DVDO EDGE Video Scaler used for baseline video upscaling comparisons.

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.

Level checks made using a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter

Software Used

The software used in this review included the following titles:

Blu-ray Discs used included scenes from from the following: 300, Across The Universe, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Hairspray, Iron Man, , Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, The Dark Knight, Tropic Thunder, Transporter 3, and UP.

Standard DVDs used included scenes from the following: The Cave, House of the Flying Daggers, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Kingdom of Heaven (Director's Cut), Lord of Rings Trilogy, Moulin Rouge, and V For Vendetta.

CDs: Al Stewart - Sparks of Ancient Light, Beatles - LOVE, Blue Man Group - The Complex, Joshua Bell - Bernstein - West Side Story Suite, Eric Kunzel - 1812 Overture, HEART - Dreamboat Annie, Lisa Loeb - Firecracker, Nora Jones - Come Away With Me, Sade - Soldier of Love.

DVD-Audio discs included: Queen - Night At The Opera/The Game, Eagles - Hotel California, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood - Uninvisible, Sheila Nicholls - Wake.

SACD discs used included: Pink Floyd - Dark Side Of The Moon, Steely Dan - Gaucho, The Who - Tommy.

Proceed to Page 2: Evaluation and Final Take