Oppo UDP-203 user review

  • Don't believe the hype. It has major problems.

    The new Oppo 203 has major problems. One of main problems is that for many owners it simply cannot play 2D, 3D or 4K discs without the unit completely freezing during play back. This is my current situation and it happens with every disc I put in the unit. Reinstalling the latest firmware doesn't resolve the issue. Sound drop outs are also a big issue with the Oppo 203, as is 3D and 2D judder. Oppo itself seem to be rather nonchalant about bringing out firmware updates to resolve any of these issues.

    I find it utterly astonishing that the writer of this review https://www.avforums.com/review/oppo-udp-203-4k-ultra-hd-blu-ray-player-review.13335 gives this new 4K player from Oppo a 9. Its brushed aluminium box that houses the componemts looks very nice, it's just a pity that the components are not working properly for many buyers. You could call the Oppo 203 4K blu-ray player a case of 'fur coat and no knickers'.
    This item was purchased for €969 from www.jvbdigital.com in 2017 . The reviewer still owns this product.
    Likes: alebonau

    Pros

    • Looks nice

    Cons

    • Refuses to play back 2D, 3D and 4K discs without the unit locking up
    • Sound drop outs, 3d and 2D judder.
    • Items listed in the settings do not work (eg. Altering lip synch settings)
    • Lack of updates from Oppo to get the player working as it should.

    Scores

    3
    9
    9
    1
    7
    9
    4

    Comments

    Update: I have written to Oppo about the problem, and they have sent me a beta firmware which has eradicated the problem, at least at my end. Very glad Oppo could fix this, great customer support, too. @HP Deskjet: I'd suggest you also try to contact them to give it a try.
     
    Tech Addict, are you from North America or from Europe?
    Is yours the special request 36-0122b firmware version? ...Which is only avail in North America.
    And Oppo said that it is "mainly" to fix the 3D framing issue (lost of frames, stuttering...).
    It has other stuff too but it's not working properly, yet.

    In the UK, here, there is no firmware fix yet for the 3D issue, and other issues too for some but not all, depending of the 4K BR discs quality, authored, encoding protected, manufacturing, other audio/video components of the chain (kit), the order they are turn (powered On), with delay, the HDMI cables quality, HDMI handshakes, audio/video settings from the player and display, etc., etc., etc.

    Some 4K players (Samsung, Panasonic, ...) have less issues in the same circumstances, as compared to the 203, from all average owners. It's a work in progress. With those products firmares are part of the ball game, because of Hollywood's paranoia on piracy...my best guess. So the 4K Blu-ray discs are encoded more or less to play good with the 4K displays and 4K players. There are some more or less good batches as well. The error correction from some 4K players have better performance, more experience, solider implementation, now.

    Brief, today some players are more reliable. And tomorrow nobody knows exactly what will happen. If we knew we'll be all rich...stock market.

    I hope this helps, I hope it's ok to share here, I hope I can say this, I hope it's all good, I oppe for a better world for everyone. Peace and Love. :)

    BTW, I love BR movies, in 3D.

    Best cheers,
    ~B
     
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Oppo UDP-203

Comments
7
Author
HP Deskjet
Review score
3 / 10
Average score
7.8 / 10
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