OPPO BDP-93 NuForce Edition. Test of a universal 3D Blu-ray player.

Worth a closer look

It's quite difficult to repeat the success of previous models, and OPPO has done it twice in the last 3 years.

When they released their BDP-93 Blu-Ray player in 2011, the expectations of the vast majority of users were met. By offering a truly versatile all-in-one player, OPPO has gained a positive reputation. In terms of performance, functionality and build quality, Oppo's Blu-ray player hits the sweet spot. Oppo then released the BDP-103. This player has all the functions that were in the BDP-93 and added some more relevant ones: HDMI inputs/outputs, 4K upscaling, etc. OPPO also paid attention to the minor complaints that BDP-93 owners had and worked on the mistakes when designing the BDP-103.

BDP-93(top) and 103(bottom)

BDP-93(top) and 103(bottom) - rear panel

Continuing the success of previous models, Oppo has released the BDP-103D, which is essentially identical to the BDP-103 but with an upgraded video processor and Darbee image post-processing - hence the "D". Is this latest iteration of the BDP-103 a worthy successor or nothing more than a marketing gimmick? Let's find out...

Let's sum it up

TEST WINNER

Marantz UD7006 $1950

Universal players have come a very long way in a short time. The pinnacle of progress is the Marantz UD7006, and its combination of audio brilliance and incredible picture quality

If you've been waiting for the best time to buy a mid-priced Blu-ray player, your time has come. All participants in the test are very strong, but the Marantz UD7006 was not equal in it.

Budget models do a good job, but they pale in comparison to these sharpened professionals. Serious business begins in this sector of the market.

The Arcam BDP100 may have the most wonderful picture and the smoothest, most refined sound of our test group, but the Marantz beats it with energy and enthusiasm. And due to the fact that Arcam did not correct all the previously noted flaws of the BDP100, and the price was too high, the rating remained the same.

Conspiracy theorists will be suspicious that the Orro and Cambridge Audio models share so many similarities; but we are prepared to confirm under oath that they are not completely identical. Although they have almost the same video playback quality, they sound completely different. Cambridge Audio respects power and strength, while Orro prefers a more balanced approach. In addition, Orro has a more solid appearance and a clear remote control. On the other hand, the 751BD sounds more serious and costs $350 less. However, both of these players are very good and deserve the highest rating.

However, the Group Test prize and the envy of other participants goes to the Marantz model. The UD7006 is one of the most talented and worthy devices in this price category.

OPPO BDP-103D Design and Connectivity

The 103D uses exactly the same chassis as the previous model, which is quite rigid and solid with an attractive brushed aluminum front panel, uncluttered buttons, tray and display, resulting in a minimalist and elegant appearance. On/off button on the left side, some basic controls on the right side. A tiny light illuminates above the tray release button, which is convenient for use in the dark. The disc tray operates smoothly and quietly thanks to its excellent design. The display is informative and easy to read and, if necessary, can be dimmed or even turned off. There's also a pair of LED indicators to the right of the upload button, one to let you know if the player is playing 3D and another when upscaling to 4K. On the front right side of the 103D there is a USB 2.0 port and an MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) compatible HDMI input. As always, a well-written and informative manual is included in English and Russian. Inside the box you will find the 103D packaged in its original carrying case and a separate box for the player's accessories. Besides the remote, other accessories include a high-speed HDMI cable, a Wi-Fi transmitter with a USB extender, and a power cable.

OPPO BDP-103D

OPPO BDP-103D - Front Panel Control Buttons

OPPO BDP-103D - Rear Panel

Continuing this tradition, the 103D has an impressive array of patch connectors on the rear panel. Two HDMI outputs and an additional HDMI input, which allows you to connect any device and use the player as an external video processor. There are also two more USB ports, a LAN port, a connector for connecting an external infrared sensor, a digital audio output (optical or coaxial), and an RS-232C connector. And of course the 103D has 7.1-channel analog audio outputs with RCA connectors. The remote control is the standard Oppo model with large buttons, an intuitive layout and backlighting that make it easier to use in the dark. The remote feels solid and comfortable, while the buttons themselves are easy to identify and have a good tactile response when pressed. Buttons include all the standard controls for disc playback and menu navigation, as well as buttons for accessing the home page, Netflix, and Darbee processing. There's also a Pure Audio button that bypasses the video circuitry for those who only want to listen to music.

Like its predecessor, the 103D is a beautifully made and well thought out player that goes beyond being just a disc player.

Cambridge Audio 751BD

$1600

Compared to the huge Arcam or the tall Marantz, the 751BD looks like a baby, but don't be too quick to judge by its appearance.

Its high level of equipment can be envied: this 3D-compatible universal player has analog outputs, a gigabyte of built-in memory to support BD-Live content, is capable of connecting to a home network and the Internet both via an Ethernet port and wirelessly and broadcasting media files over the network or via one of two USB ports. It even has an eSATA input on the back that accepts a compatible external hard drive.

It supports AVI, MKV and Xvid video file formats, as well as uncompressed FLAC and WAV audio. The only drawback is the lack of special “smart” functions: applications and video-on-demand services; however, in this case it is not such a big loss.

The 751BD is equipped with two HDMI outputs, and, funnily enough, two video processors. The Marvell chipset and QDEO upscaling processor look after HDM1 1, while the Mediatek chipset handles HDMI 2. Not only does this save you from having to buy a 3D-compatible DC amplifier, but you can also output the signal to two screens.

Music sounds richer and more powerful on the 751BD than on other players. The Gladiator soundtrack on CD seems to be more powerful than Maximus himself. More weighty sound enhances the impression, especially when watching action films, but somewhat reduces the speed. However, the sound stage is very spacious, voices are absolutely intelligible, and the treble is clear and controlled.

Analog sound is a plus. Pressing the "Rige Direct" button on the slim remote control or on the front panel of the player will disable all video processing functions when listening to music output through the analog output. This operation results in a not very significant, but noticeable increase in sound transparency. There is also a button on the front panel to select one of three filters for the analog output. We found that the linear filter produced better results, although the difference in sound was barely noticeable.

The image quality is worthy of the most sincere compliments. The picture, in both 2D and 3D, is incredibly clear; In the 3D Avatar movie, the foreground characters are clearly defined, appear completely three-dimensional, and are visually separated from the background. Bright and rich colors are perfectly balanced.

Use HDMI 1 as your main output whenever possible; it guarantees better image quality and allows you to change a greater number of picture parameters, which is useful when playing DVDs. By slightly lowering the noise reduction and clarity levels, you will get a slightly denser and more detailed picture.

So, there is no doubt about the high quality of the 75IBD - but will it be enough to win?

RATING

FOR Equipment; two HDMI outputs; excellent picture and sound; high-quality scaling.

CONS : Banal appearance; LFs are sometimes too dominant.

VERDICT Perfect for those for whom the quality of a budget Blu-ray player is no longer enough.

OPPO BDP-103D Menu and Settings

The player's operating system is built under a special version of LINUX. Oppo has been using the same menu system for three years now. The Settings menu is divided into six submenus - Playback , Video settings , Format settings , Sound settings, Player settings and Network settings.

The difference between the 103D and 103 is in the picture settings , where along with the existing picture control settings, you'll also find new ones - Darbee Visual Presence and Silicon Image VRS ClearView processor. The processor is installed on only one video output - HDMI 1. Thus, to see Darbee in action, the TV should be connected to it. Darbee processing has three operating modes: 1.High resolution; 2. Game; 3. Pop Art You can create and save up to three different picture modes.

OPPO BDP-103D Features

The BDP-103D has significantly improved its ability to handle Internet streaming content compared to previous players. Currently, it supports 11 different Internet services, but not all of them will work in Russia. The player also has the ability to organize access to media files on a home network that supports connection with DLNA and SMB/CIFS client. The BDP-103D can be a great streamer when it comes to streaming content over your home network. It can connect to the local network using one of three possible options:

• As a digital media player (DMP): the player can search and access content from local media servers that comply with the DLNA standard.
• As a digital media renderer (DMR): The player can play content from a digital media controller (DMC). A DMC-compatible server is required. Details on configuration are available in the instructions for these servers.
• The player can directly access files that are available on SMB/CIFS clients via a local network. Most PCs that come pre-installed with Windows have a built-in SMB client. Setup details are available in Windows OS.

The 103D supports most formats, including JPEG, AVCHD, MP3, MP4, DivX, MKV, FLAC and WAV files. All audio, video and photo files can be accessed via your home network, CD or USB drives.

The player can play HDCD: Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio discs. For both SACD and DVD-Audio formats, the player supports stereo and multi-channel playback. Users can choose whether to output DSD (Direct Stream Digital) in their native format or convert it to PCM. Oppo also has an app for remote control from a smartphone or tablet. This application works very well, without any visible lag and is neatly designed.

OPPO BDP-103D Audio Playback

The 103D is an excellent audio player. Since most people will use the HDMI connector for connection, the playback quality largely depends on the other components of the system, and the player in this case will work as a transport. If your receiver or external DAC does not support HDMI, you can connect via analog RCA outputs. In this case, the DAC of the player itself will be used. The player easily reads SACD and DVD-Audio in mono-channel and stereo modes. But to listen to music, it is preferable to use it as transport .

Marantz UD7006

$1950

Marantz's mid- and high-end Blu-ray players made waves in their respective categories last year and easily earned five-star ratings.

UD7006 is the first model of 2011 in our laboratories; judging by it, this year will be no less fruitful for the company.

This is the first Marantz device to support 3D. Like previous models, this is a universal player - it also likes SACD. and DVD - Audio. It is equipped with a built-in audio decoder and eight-channel analog output, so owners of older AV receivers without HDMI inputs can enjoy multi-channel sound. This will also help improve your relationship with a non-3D-capable DC amplifier: instead of lamenting the lack of a second HDMI output, you can send images via HDMI to the display and audio to the multi-channel output. This is not as convenient as two HDMI outputs, but it still solves the problem.

Thanks to DLNA certification, the UD7006 can be trusted to play music, videos and photos from your home network. The disc loading speed is slightly slower than Cambridge Audio and Orro.

The picture quality right out of the box is great. The picture in the film “Gender: The Secret File” from the Blu-ray disc is incredibly detailed and meticulous. Despite the fact that the main character is created on a computer, Marantz creates such realistic flesh tones, textures and colors that the alien appears completely alive. The contours of objects remain flawless in any situation, details are scattered with a generous hand.

Stunning 3D picture

When switching to 3D, the excitement does not decrease. In Avatar, the depth of the image makes it realistic and authentic, and its sophistication is the envy of its most powerful competitors.

And with DVD, Marantz is not giving up its position. We didn't even have to turn to the image adjustment functions - it was already flawless. The UD7006's ability to provide minimal noise and maximum detail is unmatched at this price point.

It is equally good at playing soundtracks, which is helped by its lively and cheerful character. The on-screen action is accompanied by straightforward and clear sound; shots and explosions reach the viewer at the right moment, without delays or overlaps.

The energetic character of the sound extends to DVD-A, SACD and regular CDs. The musicality and rhythm of Marantz will captivate any music lover. Hearing Re/ax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood from SACD. Hardly anyone will be able to follow the advice contained in the title: it is absolutely impossible to relax under this infectiously fiery enthusiasm.

Press the Riga Directs button on the remote control to turn off the signal output to the display and video processing circuits - this will further increase the resolution and detail of the sound.

The UD7006 is a great debut for the new Marantz series; to surpass it would require something absolutely incredible.

RATING

FOR Wonderful images from 2D and 3D Blu-ray discs; skillful DVD scaling; dynamic and rhythmic sound.

CONS Few smart features; Not the fastest download.

VERDICT A serious contender for leadership in its category.

OPPO BDP-103D Video Playback

While playing an optical disc, the player allows you to: View information about the playback status - this shows the current chapter, time and total duration of the content, the type of audio track or subtitle stream being played, the type of video stream and its frame rate, as well as the current aspect ratio of the screen. You can immediately go to the desired chapter, or specify the exact required time value. The video output resolution can be changed on the fly by pressing the Resolution button on the remote control. Selecting the desired mode from the list leads to a short-term disappearance of the picture and sound; Changing the video mode occurs surprisingly quickly, in two to three seconds. The most interesting option, Darbee, is launched by a separate button on the remote control and will be extremely useful when playing low-resolution and highly compressed video content. In some cases, ClearView's VRS processing can be a big help, especially if you plan to watch a lot of streaming video content on the 103D or want to take advantage of the HDMI input and use the OPPO as an external video processor.

conclusions

The BDP-103D is another outstanding Blu-ray player from Oppo! It combines excellent build quality and excellent performance. It's beautifully designed and built, with fast loading times, responsive navigation, and quiet operation. The menu is intuitive and easy to use. Wide switching capabilities and excellent audio playback when using the player as a transport. Video playback and upscaling to 4K at the highest level. The only difference between the BDP-103D and the previous BDP-103 is the addition of Darbee Visual Presence processing and VRS ClearView. Currently, OPPO Digital (https://www.oppodigital.com) is not discontinuing the BDP-103, which is $100 cheaper and can also be purchased on Amazon. But only BDP-103D is officially supplied to Russia with a warranty, service and technical support. So there is not much point in saving.

Specifications

*Compatibility with user-encrypted content or user-created discs is based on optimal performance and is not guaranteed due to the diversity of media, software and technology. **Nominal Specifications

universal player OPPO BDP-93 NuForce Edition

As we have written more than once, with each new generation of technology the degree of its unification and standardization increases. The process, in general, is natural and takes place not only in the field of consumer electronics, but also in the automotive industry and other industries specializing in consumer goods. The reason is the natural desire of manufacturers to reduce the costs of developing trivial products. A limited number of “platforms” are being created, and on their basis there are a great many models of different brands. In principle, nothing bad, and since this leads to cheaper products, it’s completely good. Moreover, even products from different companies that are very similar in design can differ in appearance, components, quality of setup and fine-tuning, as well as the level of after-sales service.

The practice of “finishing” has also come into everyday use, when not even a standard design is taken as a basis, but a ready-made device from another company - individual components, circuits and components are changed in it in order to transfer the model to a higher class. The only problem is that standard or other people's products are sometimes presented to the public as completely original and even unique. Where the border lies between crafty silence and primitive deception is an extremely complex question, and it lies not in the sphere of technology, but of ethics. Let us recall, for example, the high-profile story with an expensive universal player of one prestigious brand, which turned out to be actually an OPPO BDP-83 Blu-ray player in a different case. Probably, it was improved and improved, and therefore the multiple increase in price was completely justified, but... an unpleasant aftertaste still remained.

The American company NuForce, well known to our readers, also had in its assortment a modified OPPO BDP-83 player, but its origin was in no way hidden, the device was offered in its “native” case (by the way, very high quality), and it was known exactly how it differs from original "material". We tested the OPPO BDP-83 NuForce Edition* and made an extremely favorable impression on me.

However, technology does not stand still; a lot has changed since then, in particular, 3D video has come to the home theater. OPPO has released a new model, and NuForce has released a “tuning” version - OPPO BDP-93 NuForce Edition.

To my taste, the new product looks more solid than its predecessor, but the most significant improvements are still on the inside. First of all, this is 3D support and a video path with the Marvell Qdeo Kyoto-G2 processor - this chip allows you to get exceptionally high image quality. Although in the end everything depends not on the microcircuit alone, but also on the circuits of the video path as a whole and even on the player’s power supply.

The player has two displays: the first, main, is located to the left of the loader tray, the second, additional, on the right - it displays all the information regarding video and sound formats, indication of the wireless network and Internet access, as well as the number of enabled HDMI interfaces - There are two players, and version 1.4. Both support 3D video output, but the former is preferred for connecting to a TV as it is powered by the Marvell QDeo processor. The hierarchy of HDMI interfaces is set in the setup menu, but in any case, video is output to the second connector by the player’s decoder, bypassing the QDeo processor. Moreover, the first HDMI can be set to Video Only mode.

There are many options for using two interfaces, in particular, connecting a pair of TVs at the same time or connecting one cable to the screen and the other to the receiver. The connector selected as Primary can output a digital signal of HD audio formats, so it is best suited for connecting to an AV receiver. The user manual recommends assigning the role of primary to the second connector, and setting the “Video Only” mode on the first and connecting it to the TV - in this case, the best image and sound quality is achieved.

When playing music discs (CD-Audio, SACD, DVD-Audio), the video path can be turned off - the PURE AUDIO mode is provided for this. True, the image for HDMI outputs does not completely turn off - a black frame is transmitted, which is due to the original features of the interface, through which video and sound are sent in the same stream.

Like its predecessor, the BDP-93 NE plays DVD-Audio and SACD, which made the presence of analog multi-channel outputs inevitable (in this case, 7.1), but there are no separate stereo outputs, like the BDP-83 model. Which somewhat complicates switching in those rare cases when you need to connect the player to the receiver via analog and at the same time to a stereo amplifier.

Here it would be timely to note that the main difference between the BDP-93 NuForce Edition player and the original OPPO is precisely the board with a DAC and analog stages - the modified model has a completely different one. Moreover, it has its own power stabilizer. When developing this board, the designers set themselves a non-trivial task: not only to raise the sound quality to a higher level, but also to recreate the sound signature characteristic of tube technology using 12AX7 triodes. Another improvement, for obvious reasons, is not advertised - the ability to select Blu-ray zones from the remote control and the complete absence of regional restrictions for DVDs.

The device is capable of playing multimedia content from external media - they are connected via USB or eSATA, and the FAT/FAT32 and NTFS file systems are supported, that is, there are no restrictions on the size of files. The player easily and confidently plays “heavy” Blu-ray rips from external HDDs, as well as MP4, DivX, DivX Plus HD, MKV, FLAC, WAV files. By the way, with the firmware released in August of this year, the device received support for Blu-ray 3D images.

Connection to the network - both regular wired and via Wi-Fi - an external USB adapter with support for IEEE 802.11b/g is included in the kit. Set up without problems, connection is stable. Playback of multimedia content over the network using the DLNA protocol. There is access to network services, but in Russia only Netflix and Picassa are available - the Russian IP address prevents everyone else from opening.

The customization options are comprehensive, especially with regard to image parameters and multi-channel acoustics configuration. In particular, there is crossover frequency switching, dynamic range control, adjustable or fixed output.

The loader pleasantly surprises with its speed: Blu-ray discs start 17 - 23 seconds after closing the tray - the time depends on the generation of protection.

The picture is magnificent, both from Blu-ray and DVD. As my experience shows, this is the merit of not only the Marvell Qdeo processor, but also the entire video path in general and the power supply in particular. I mentally compare the BDP-93 NE with the participants in recent Blu-ray tests and do not find a device there that could “beat” it in image quality.

The music test program includes recordings of different genres: classical, rock, jazz. I’m starting with the collection “Burmeister II” - there’s nothing to complain about: compression does not appear, dynamics are maximum, the scene is built extremely accurately. Next is “Machine Head” by Deep Purple in DVD-Audio format (2002 anniversary remaster). The bass is clearly emphasized, but this is unlikely to upset anyone. Japanese jazz pianist Chie Ayado's CD "Good Life" (DVD-Audio), on the contrary, plays too strictly and dryly. However, if you activate the PURE AUDIO function, this “severity” goes away, impressiveness appears, the singer’s voice becomes lively and natural...

* See No. 6/2010: https://www.salonav.com/arch/2010/06/086.htm.

Objective data

• Plays Blu-ray, DVD-Video, AVCHD, DVD-Audio, SACD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, CD Audio, DivX HD, JPEG
• Blu-ray zone no
• DVD zone no
• Scaling (DVD-Video) up to 1080p
• 1080/24p support yes
• xvColour support yes
• BONUSVIEW support yes
• BD-Live support (BD profile 2.0) yes
• Work with Java applications yes
• Audio formats PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS HD Master, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD
• Video outputs Composite, Component (RCA), HDMI
• Audio outputs analog 7.1, digital coaxial and optical & HDMI
• Ethernet (LAN) interface, IEEE 802.11b/g/n
• USB interface yes
• Network playback yes
• DLNA protocol yes
• Dimensions, mm 430 x 336 x 79
• Weight, kg 4.9

OPPO BDP-93 NuForce Edition RUB 99,000

+ Excellent picture and sound quality. Two HDMI. Function to disable the video path. Ability to play multimedia files from drives connected via USB or eSATA. Reading disks of any zones.

- High price.

= The versatility of this player goes beyond DVD-Audio and SACD support - it can truly act as the sole source in a high-end system.

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