5.0 out of 5 stars the best blu-ray player I have ever owned

2026-02-06    -John Adams

The oppo UDP-203 is, hands down, the best blu-ray player I have ever owned. Yes, it is expensive. No, it doesn't have built-in apps. No, I don't care. I have put the unit through its paces for 30 days before reviewing and it has never faltered. This thing is built like a tank.The player supports Dolby Atmos and Vision, and, coupled with the right AV components, provides the clearest, detailed picture and immersive sound that I have ever experienced in a consumer grade player. The disc load speed is lightning fast and error free. I have thrown everything at it, including 4K UHD Atmos and Vision discs and it handles them all with aplomb. The 4K upscaling is especially good. I have watched several DVDs and am amazed at the definition that can be rung out of these old discs.Two channel analog audio is also quite good. My old guy ears cannot pick up any real discernible difference between the UDP-203 and another manufacturers audiophile grade CD player I own.The interface is thoughtful in design and execution. It is quite elegant in its simplicity and ease of use. Not to mention that it looks really nice.Set up is a breeze and very straight forward, unlike the Japanese manufacturers that, apparently, believe the more complicated the menus and set up are, the better the product. The one firmware upgrade I have done was downloaded and installed with no errors. Oh, and oppo also includes an actual complete PAPER owners manual. Shocking.Bottom line? When you combine the features, unparalleled picture and sound, ease of use, and build quality, the price of admission is so worth it. Think of the UDP-203 as an investment. One that you will enjoy for many years to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars OPPO UDP-203 Review

2026-02-01    -Xavier Zavala Heras

I got this player on October 2017. I paid about $550 for it at the time.I'm all about picture and audio quality in my films, so I was ok with paying the steep price for it. Great rating, BTW. When I tried it, it completely blew me away. Every movie looked fantastic and sound was bombastic. I know some movies look better than others but that depends on the transfer. Suffice to say that I was MORE than happy with my investment.Is September 2024, a little over 6 year since I got it. This still runs like a charm. Haven't lost speed nor quality.I have noticed though that lately (about 5 or 6 months ago), some movies that I was previously able to watch now comes out as "unknown disc". Some others stop and jump in the middle of the movie (like the disc was scratched or something), and more recent, discs start to get stuck inside, so much so, that I had to open the thing to be able to take it out.I'm not sure if this is the way of the device is saying "I'm tired, boss" or if the discs are to blame because (MIND YOU), not all movies have this same issue, specifically talking about the disc that are not playable or with issues during the watch. The stuck disc thing does threw me away though. That might be the OPPO, but maybe it was just a thing inside?Anyway, that's the current update.I really hope this work the long run, because if it damages on me, there is no OPPPO customer service anymore, and I couldn't handle losing my lovingly hardworking pal.I love you OOPO UDP-203.I'll never let you go, OPPO... I'll never let you go!

5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive, but the Best

2026-02-09    -Dave D

It doesn't take long to understand and justify the ridiculously high price tag. Built like a tank with every sound and video connectivity an AV enthusiast requires, the unparalleled picture quality brings a level of satisfaction that leaves one grinning from ear to ear every time its powered on. My review is limited in scope, as I am only watching UHD Blu Rays via only one of OPPO's many connectivity options, but I have zero reason to think the experience will be any less amazing no matter what your configuration entails. I am using the OPPO UDP-203 in a streamlined manner, connecting one HDMI cable directly into a SONY HT-ST5000 soundbar, which connects to a 65 inch LG OLED B6P65 TV. I had it up and running within an hour, including connecting to my 5GHz wireless network and updating to the latest firmware.The only missing feature that may disappoint some buyers, especially at its high price point, is built in streaming to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other favorite home streaming options. I have no shortage of streaming capabilities since every other device in my home theater setup has this capability; the LG TV, Sony soundbar and Apple TV are just some of the components that already satisfy my need for watching Stranger Things on Netflix, so I did not need yet another.Overall, the OPPO player is impressive. I also own the Sony UBP-X800 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player and the overall quality of the build and picture is not matched by the Sony player. I do admit the picture quality is very close in comparison, but it is no question the OPPO player is a luxury item and one or two levels above the Sony. The inclusion of Dolby Vision compatibility sealed the deal for me in terms of choosing a winner. Is it worth the double price tag? For most people, probably not. If having the most cutting edge technology and best picture possible today are important to you, the OPPO is a no brainer.The only negative I have experienced is the OPPO player freezes up a few times when watching the Passenger. I have watched about 10 UHD discs and this movie is the only one that has frozen up on me. When frozen, I had to power the device off and on to get it to start playing again. I believe it may be something in the disc itself; the problem does not seem to be systemic or caused by a defect in the player itself.I recommend purchasing this player if stunning picture and audio is something you cannot live without, even though it may break the bank.

5.0 out of 5 stars Expensive, but the Best

2025-12-31    -Dave D

It doesn't take long to understand and justify the ridiculously high price tag. Built like a tank with every sound and video connectivity an AV enthusiast requires, the unparalleled picture quality brings a level of satisfaction that leaves one grinning from ear to ear every time its powered on. My review is limited in scope, as I am only watching UHD Blu Rays via only one of OPPO's many connectivity options, but I have zero reason to think the experience will be any less amazing no matter what your configuration entails. I am using the OPPO UDP-203 in a streamlined manner, connecting one HDMI cable directly into a SONY HT-ST5000 soundbar, which connects to a 65 inch LG OLED B6P65 TV. I had it up and running within an hour, including connecting to my 5GHz wireless network and updating to the latest firmware.The only missing feature that may disappoint some buyers, especially at its high price point, is built in streaming to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other favorite home streaming options. I have no shortage of streaming capabilities since every other device in my home theater setup has this capability; the LG TV, Sony soundbar and Apple TV are just some of the components that already satisfy my need for watching Stranger Things on Netflix, so I did not need yet another.Overall, the OPPO player is impressive. I also own the Sony UBP-X800 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player and the overall quality of the build and picture is not matched by the Sony player. I do admit the picture quality is very close in comparison, but it is no question the OPPO player is a luxury item and one or two levels above the Sony. The inclusion of Dolby Vision compatibility sealed the deal for me in terms of choosing a winner. Is it worth the double price tag? For most people, probably not. If having the most cutting edge technology and best picture possible today are important to you, the OPPO is a no brainer.The only negative I have experienced is the OPPO player freezes up a few times when watching the Passenger. I have watched about 10 UHD discs and this movie is the only one that has frozen up on me. When frozen, I had to power the device off and on to get it to start playing again. I believe it may be something in the disc itself; the problem does not seem to be systemic or caused by a defect in the player itself.I recommend purchasing this player if stunning picture and audio is something you cannot live without, even though it may break the bank.

5.0 out of 5 stars the best blu-ray player I have ever owned

2026-01-21    -John Adams

The oppo UDP-203 is, hands down, the best blu-ray player I have ever owned. Yes, it is expensive. No, it doesn't have built-in apps. No, I don't care. I have put the unit through its paces for 30 days before reviewing and it has never faltered. This thing is built like a tank.The player supports Dolby Atmos and Vision, and, coupled with the right AV components, provides the clearest, detailed picture and immersive sound that I have ever experienced in a consumer grade player. The disc load speed is lightning fast and error free. I have thrown everything at it, including 4K UHD Atmos and Vision discs and it handles them all with aplomb. The 4K upscaling is especially good. I have watched several DVDs and am amazed at the definition that can be rung out of these old discs.Two channel analog audio is also quite good. My old guy ears cannot pick up any real discernible difference between the UDP-203 and another manufacturers audiophile grade CD player I own.The interface is thoughtful in design and execution. It is quite elegant in its simplicity and ease of use. Not to mention that it looks really nice.Set up is a breeze and very straight forward, unlike the Japanese manufacturers that, apparently, believe the more complicated the menus and set up are, the better the product. The one firmware upgrade I have done was downloaded and installed with no errors. Oh, and oppo also includes an actual complete PAPER owners manual. Shocking.Bottom line? When you combine the features, unparalleled picture and sound, ease of use, and build quality, the price of admission is so worth it. Think of the UDP-203 as an investment. One that you will enjoy for many years to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars OPPO UDP-203 Review

2025-12-23    -Xavier Zavala Heras

I got this player on October 2017. I paid about $550 for it at the time.I'm all about picture and audio quality in my films, so I was ok with paying the steep price for it. Great rating, BTW. When I tried it, it completely blew me away. Every movie looked fantastic and sound was bombastic. I know some movies look better than others but that depends on the transfer. Suffice to say that I was MORE than happy with my investment.Is September 2024, a little over 6 year since I got it. This still runs like a charm. Haven't lost speed nor quality.I have noticed though that lately (about 5 or 6 months ago), some movies that I was previously able to watch now comes out as "unknown disc". Some others stop and jump in the middle of the movie (like the disc was scratched or something), and more recent, discs start to get stuck inside, so much so, that I had to open the thing to be able to take it out.I'm not sure if this is the way of the device is saying "I'm tired, boss" or if the discs are to blame because (MIND YOU), not all movies have this same issue, specifically talking about the disc that are not playable or with issues during the watch. The stuck disc thing does threw me away though. That might be the OPPO, but maybe it was just a thing inside?Anyway, that's the current update.I really hope this work the long run, because if it damages on me, there is no OPPPO customer service anymore, and I couldn't handle losing my lovingly hardworking pal.I love you OOPO UDP-203.I'll never let you go, OPPO... I'll never let you go!