Oppo has just unveiled its new Blu-ray player, model
BDP-93, the successor to the acclaimed
BDP-83. The BDP-93 will have all the functionalities of the 83, plus Blu-ray 3D support (with dual HDMI outputs), Netflix and CinemaNow streaming, wireless-N networking, and eSATA port. It will carry the same retail price of $499 as the BDP-83. No specific availability date was given, but the manufacturer expects to have it out by November, in time for the holiday shopping season.
In the video processing area, it will use the Marvell KYOTO G2 chipset with Qdeo video processing, even though prototypes were also built with the Anchor Bay ABT2015.
Cosmetically, the BDP-93 is very similar to the 83, only less deep. Transport rigidity and mechanical noise reduction have been improved. The transport is now a custom-built loader made by Tohei Group of Japan, and Oppo has worked closely with Tohei to control and isolate the vibration caused by the high rotation speed and heavy motor parts of the Sony laser pickup.
Oppo is also working on a higher-end model. However, unlike the BDP-83SE (which was based on the BDP-83), this new flagship player will be built from the ground up. It isn't yet scheduled for release, so it will come well after the BDP-93 is well on the market.
Oppo has not commented on what will happen with the BDP-83. Going from what they said recently, it's not being discontinued, unlike the
BDP-80, which was just discontinued (see Blu-ray.com,
September 22).