Oops, sorry. No, I got the unit in fine shape. I like it very much! That said, I don't use it a lot as I haven't been playing DVDs/Blurays much lately.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve spun a disc on my oppo 103. I’m basically using it as a video hdmi upscaler for my little xfinity flex streamer and essentially as a preamp for the 2nd rig 

Is this where I mention all the Amazon Prime Day Blu-Ray deals going on today? 

https://www.amazon.com/Alfred-Hitchcock-Classics-Collection-Blu-ray/dp/B08CPLM17C/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1WXJIM6W2RCWR&dchild=1&keywords=hitchcock+collection&qid=1624296829&s=movies-tv&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sprefix=Hitchcock%2Coffice-products%2C211&sr=1-5 

 

On 7/18/2008 at 6:16 PM, boomana said:

Totally OT, since I don't even know what a blu-ray player really is, but this is really my pet peeve: recommend me. That's just soooo wrong. Recommend you to what? Recommend you to whom? Here are better option: Recommend a blu-ray player for me, or recommend a blu-ray player to me, or even please make a recommendation, blah blah blah.

 

I feel much better now

So I'm lookin' for a Blu-ray player with 4K playback in 2024. I'm kind of afraid to ask , but anyone fond of a 4K player that I should take a look at? The leading contender seems to be the Panasonic DP-UB820-K (aka "The UB820"). 

The video game consoles (Xbox or PlayStation) both work great for the occasional movie on 4k blu ray. 

Good round up here

https://www.techradar.com/news/video/the-best-4k-blu-ray-players-you-can-buy-right-now-1321481

But wouldn't you rather scratch that retro tech collectors itch and track down a discontinued Oppo ?

Say the UDP.205 

Imagine if Leica used to make a 4K blu ray player.

 1 hour ago, TMoney said:

The video game consoles (Xbox or PlayStation) both work great for the occasional movie on 4k blu ray. 

Thanks. I'll likely never use gaming side though (last system was ColecoVision). 

39 minutes ago, Grahame said:

Good round up here

https://www.techradar.com/news/video/the-best-4k-blu-ray-players-you-can-buy-right-now-1321481

But wouldn't you rather scratch that retro tech collectors itch and track down a discontinued Oppo ?

Say the UDP.205 

Imagine if Leica used to make a 4K blu ray player.

Thanks for the breakdown. 

The Oppo is like the Rio Karma of Blu-ray players, right?  

Edited November 25, 20241 yr by blessingx

For sure, but because it is a gaming console with tens of millions of units in the field manufacturer support will be first class. They also make nice streaming boxes for TVs without built in apps. 

Mine is basically a streaming boxes at this point as I do my gaming on PC. 

On 11/25/2024 at 3:42 PM, blessingx said:

So I'm lookin' for a Blu-ray player with 4K playback in 2024. I'm kind of afraid to ask , but anyone fond of a 4K player that I should take a look at? The leading contender seems to be the Panasonic DP-UB820-K (aka "The UB820"). 

have an 820, use it a lot, easy recommendation. from what i recall the gaming consoles either have incompatibility (PS5 with Dolby Vision) and/or experience the 100GB playback issues. 820 remains the best value player that handles everything from playback format to disc type/size.

Edited November 27, 20241 yr by Aura

 @blessingx When you have decided on your player, you may want to stock up on physical disks, before they go up by 25%

https://www.reddit.com/r/4kbluray/s/KTp3KdbUzJ

 

Assuming they aren't scratched.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=357027

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=343923&page=3

 

Did this same search a couple of years ago, and the Panasonic UB820 for $400 (ish) seemed to be the clear winner from a value perspective. But they also make a reference-level player for $1k (ish), Panasonic UB9000.

Essentially is has the same video and audio quality as the 820, but said to maybe be slightly better in certain nebulous ways, forget which and why. The main difference is that it's built like a tank and looks and feels like a proper high end audio system component.

Of course I bought one of each, like I do. But they're in totally different locations and connected to totally different TVs and systems. I never did A/B them. Duh!!

Those who have compared them seem to think that the 9000 may be slightly better. Which likely means better at feeding your placebo and ego needs. But the 9000 sure is a nice piece of gear, and probably worth an extra $100 or $200 for that. If it was $600, maybe a logical case could be made for it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q2GXYRG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1#customerReviews

Edited November 27, 20241 yr by Wmcmanus

Thanks all of you. It seems unless you go up to $1K+ (that UB9000, Magnetar Oppo clone, etc.) it really comes down to the Panny UB820 or Sony X800M2. Unless Sony's better build quality or additional audio support like SACDs are the goals, everyone is leaning Panasonic for auto-Dolby Vision and more reliable 4K playback. And Black Friday (everyday!) sales bring them closer together in price. If anyone has any thoughts on I having that all wrong please let me know. 

I hereby swear I have zero interest collecting Blu-rays (I'm saying this as much for myself as to you), but will pick up career box sets of favorite directors or films missing from streaming. Plus I have a bunch of old Criterion DVDs* and no way to play them. Now to see as we approach Xmas and my birthday if my family has caught on to all the not exactly subtle hints about that Akio Jissoji set. 

 

*

The now-discontinued Sony UBP-X1100ES is supposed to be quite good, too, with a few quirks regarding HDR10+ support (I have the previous non-4K version, the Sony UHP-H1). Worth looking for used in good condition or new old stock - it has SACD playback and analog outputs with excellent sound quality.

Edited November 28, 20241 yr by HiWire

@blessingx

"The Holy Grail of Blu Ray Players Is Finally on Sale and I'm Not Waiting Until Cyber Monday to Buy It" https://www.cnet.com/deals/the-holy-grail-of-blu-ray-players-is-finally-on-sale-and-im-not-waiting-until-cyber-monday-to-buy-it/

18 hours ago, Grahame said:

@blessingx

"The Holy Grail of Blu Ray Players Is Finally on Sale and I'm Not Waiting Until Cyber Monday to Buy It" https://www.cnet.com/deals/the-holy-grail-of-blu-ray-players-is-finally-on-sale-and-im-not-waiting-until-cyber-monday-to-buy-it/

Thanks much. I actually picked it up yesterday, along with three Michelangelo Antonioni films (they'll probably never release a Blu-ray box set at this point), but that makes me feel even better (was still debating on the Sony UBP-X800M2 and its SACD support). Now to plug it into my old 1080 TV. Kinda strange it dropped another $50 from Friday. 

Edited December 3, 20241 yr by blessingx

4K or "4K" ? 

https://www.howtogeek.com/4k-blu-rays-have-an-ai-upscaling-problem-buyer-beware/

Discs, we don't need no stinkin' Discs! 

https://www.techradar.com/televisions/home-theater/kaleidescape-strato-v-movie-player-review

 

https://gizmodo.com/im-tired-of-pretending-physical-media-isnt-still-better-than-streaming-digital-2000543458

https://www.reddit.com/r/4kbluray/s/Fp35NFGCnL

Well @blessingx (and other physical media fans) ?

I took a look online and I think the Panasonic DP-UB450P-K (previously only available in Europe) and the optional disc drive on the Sony PS5 Pro (the same one they used for the PS5 Digital, about $80 USD) might be the last "new" 4K Blu-ray players selling.

Most of the other models (you may have heard LG just discontinued Blu-ray) are old and the newest 4K players were first released 5 or 6 years ago.

Edited December 28, 20241 yr by HiWire

If you are willing to shell out the cash, there are also the options of the Magnetar players... 

https://www.magnetarusa.com/ 

At least it's not a lexicon 

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/lexicon-bd-30-blu-ray-oppo-clone

EDIT:

Or should that be lexi-con?

Edited January 12, 20251 yr by Grahame

2 minutes ago, Grahame said:

At least it's not a lexicon 

https://www.audioholics.com/blu-ray-and-dvd-player-reviews/lexicon-bd-30-blu-ray-oppo-clone

I am exhilarated.  I have an Oppo BDP-83.  Good to know it's worth $3500. Anyone interested? 

#1 reason to consider buying any Blu-ray player - the oldest film currently streaming on Netflix is The Sting from 1973! That's like yesterday! 

https://www.techspot.com/news/106477-sony-cease-blu-ray-production-leaving-physical-media.html

Sony heard about @blessingx's Blu Ray player purchase?

 

Damn. Okay, just need to buy every desired disc that may leave streaming in the next 20+ years. Wait, Sony is ceasing MiniDiscs too? Betamax is still safe though, right?