Oppo BDP-831?

Plus we're waiting on a firmware update from Oppo - once that's with us and installed and checked, we should be good to go. No biggie, but - as ever - want to make sure we're talking about the full UK spec product people will be able to buy next month.

Clare Newsome:

Plus we're waiting on a firmware update from Oppo - once that's with us
and installed and checked, we should be good to go. No biggie, but - as
ever - want to make sure we're talking about the full UK spec product
people will be able to buy next month.

Which firmware is currently installed? Is it running the experimental? Or the last main release; 0620?

Not expecting there to be any differences in firmware or spec between the 83 and 831 other than the different region designation, but be interested to hear if that's not the case. You guys will know more I'm sure.

Did have a look at the firmware details on the player, but it didn't seem to conform to any of the numbers I've seen bandied about so far.

As Clare says, we want to be absolutely sure that the model we're testing is exactly as the one you'll be able to buy: the sample we have didn't even come with an instruction book.

Andrew Everard:

As Clare says, we want to be absolutely sure that the model we're testing is exactly as the one you'll be able to buy: the sample we have didn't even come with an instruction book.

Good point, though every player released has been updated on the firmware front through it's product lifecycle and although it's a pain, at least on the Oppo it's a mind bogglingly simple task of download, unzip, transfer to memory stick, stick in player, and hey presto. But I guess you need to be sure.

Oppo update the manual on-line whenever they upgrade the firmware, as it's understood that as features evolve the old manual becomes out of date. Though, having said that, you have to start with "something"!

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/blu-ray-BDP-83-Support.aspx

Latest firmware and supporting docs here. Can't say whether they'll be the same for 831 as for 83, but would expect so. Will have to wait and see!

Will Harris:

http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/blu-ray-BDP-83-Support.aspx

Latest firmware and supporting docs here.

No, those are for the BDP-83.

But thanks for the lesson: I'm sure my egg-sucking skills will be greatly improved now.

Let's just leave it like this: we'll post something when we're good and ready.

Andrew Everard:

Thanks for the lesson: I'm sure my egg-sucking skills will be greatly improved now.

Let's just leave it like this: we'll post something when we're good and ready.

Errrr, sorry. Didn't mean to offend.

Clare Newsome:

Plus we're waiting on a firmware update from Oppo - once that's with us and installed and checked, we should be good to go. No biggie, but - as ever - want to make sure we're talking about the full UK spec product people will be able to buy next month.

 Have you ever had as much hype pn the forum over a Blu Ray spinner?? lol

HD Elvis:

Have you ever had as much hype pn the forum over a Blu Ray spinner?? lol

The Harris-hype is beginning to stray into the red zone on the Annoyometer again...

Will Harris:

Errrr, sorry. Didn't mean to offend.

OK you've had your fun - put the real Will Harris back on the line now...

Andrew Everard:

Will Harris:

Errrr, sorry. Didn't mean to offend.

OK you've had your fun - put the real Will Harris back on the line now...

Haha, I promised Clare I'd try to play nicely. Honest. I've turned over a new leaf. There's nothing to be gained by baiting you guys, so I'm doing my best. Must be something I ate

Will Harris:

[But I guess you need to be sure.

Damn straight. Imagine if we criticised the player for something Oppo actually had covered by the firmware that'll ship with the finished UK product. That's just an example, by the way, before someone jumps to yet another half-baked theory

So who's organising the coaches to go to the airport and wave and cheer the first models as they land into the UK?

 

And anyway, want to make sure we have all the angles covered in the review, because the fanbois will no doubt have a million questions most of the 'normal' users won't ever worry about.

Just to give you an idea, I've started roughing out a blog piece based on my initial feelings about the player, and it already runs to some 1700 words. Or about six times the length of a normal first test.

Not promising - or indeed threatening - that you'll get all that online, but just thought I'd give you an idea of how much is going on behind the scenes.

After all, in the face of such ferocious overhyping - none of it coming from Oppo itself, you'll note - we want to make sure we get it absolutely right before we pronounce.

And that includes being aware of how the UK operation will be run, what the exact price will be - at the moment we just have an 'about' number - and so on.