Oppo Bdp-93

[flixyflox]

I would rather be obliged to perform surgery on myself without aneasthetic than have to deal with Interdyn.

I had the misfortune to have to deal with them over faulty transport issues in a Meridian CD player (506) more than four times without successful resolution, and finally through one of their "authorized" service agents in Adelaide with thom I ended up having to call the police to retreive the player from his premises.

Alex Encel himself - I would be banned for life from this forum if I posted what I think of this "gentleman". "Dinosaur" is probably the politest term I can use here.

I would assume Australians can still order Oppo direct from the manufacturer?

[djOS]

I would assume Australians can still order Oppo direct from the manufacturer?

Perhaps Oppo's current Aussie customers should all email them expressing our concerns and requesting that we no be barred from Purchasing direct? As a proud 83 owner I'm very concerned!!!

EDIT: Just Sent this email to Oppo Service, feel free to recycle it:

Subject: Concerns re newly appointed Australian Oppo Distributor

Hi Guy's, as a proud Oppo BD-83 Owner and AV enthusiast, Im very concerned to learn that Oppo have signed on an Australian Distributor - this is due to the typical 30%+ markup Australian distro's usually add to international MSRP's!

As a loyal Oppo customer (who recommends Oppo to all his friends and family and to readers of the Aus DTV Forums), I am very concerned that I will no longer be able to order direct from Oppo in the USA or even Amazon.com! Can you please advise if you have at the very least put in place an agreement with the aus distro to prevent overcharging?

Our Local tax's are only 10% (GST) but even when this is removed our local pricing is usually at least 30% dearer than the US and Asia when independent distros are involved. A classic example is my Denon AVR-4311 Amp; the MSRP in the US and Asia is $1,999 USD, vs in Aus it is $2,999 AUD - I bought mine from Hong Kong for $1,770 USD and had it shipped to my door for less than $2,000 AUD (Currently $1.00 Aus dollar buys $1.03 USD).

--

Regards,

Edited January 5, 2012 by dJOS

[mts]

Perhaps Oppo's current Aussie customers should all email them expressing our concerns and requesting that we no be barred from Purchasing direct? As a proud 83 owner I'm very concerned!!!

EDIT: Just Sent this email to Oppo Service, feel free to recycle it:

Hello to all OPPO lovers on DTV forum. Michael here from International Dynamics Australasia (IDA), who will be handling OPPO in Australia and New Zealand from March, when the first "AU" versions of the BDP-93 and BDP-95 arrive.

I'd like to reassure forum members that IDA will be committing significant resources to the OPPO brand. This will include factory-trained support personnel, promotion and marketing of the brand, appointment of authorised specialist dealers, and most importantly, development of local online features that simply would never happen under the current arrangement. We wil lseek to add features such as ABC iview and other TV station catch-up services, Quickflix movie streaming, and any other online content that may become available.

Regarding local content services, we welcome any suggestions and feedback you'd like to provide. We certainly acknowledge all the loyal OPPO owners in Australia and New Zealand, and understand the wealth of knowledge and experience you have with OPPO products.

Regarding pricing, we understand this is an area of concern, and have agreed with OPPO to keep local pricing as competitive as possible. Our target RRPs for the two models are $649 for BDP-93AU, and $1299 for BDP-95AU. Compared to Merlin Audio Design's pricing, you'll note ours are significantly cheaper. Compared to buying from OPPO Digital or Amazon in the USA, once freight and insurance are taken into account, you'll see that our prices are pretty close. OPPO and IDA will work closely to ensure local pricing remains as competitive as possible.

I'd also like to acknowledge any concerns about dealing with IDA, and specifically Alex Encel. IDA is proud of its history in the AV industry in Australia, and like its competitors, seeks to move towards the kind of products that people want to buy and use. OPPO is a great example of this, however IDA's other old and new brands are also continuously developing new products to meet market expectations. This would not be possible without the stewardship and great support from Alex Encel. Regardless of any opinions on Alex's position on DTV or 3D in the past, he has a position in the industry that many competitors would aspire to.

I'd also like to point out another important feature that comes with IDA's appointment as OPPO distributor. Unlike all our other imported lines, IDA will offer service on products already in the market. IDA will not offer under-warranty labour, however OPPO has agreed to provide support on parts for any existing OPPO owners still within their 1 year warranty period, regardless of where they purchased their player. Our understanding is that Merlin Audio did not support players purchased direct from Amazon or OPPO Digital in the USA, so this is a win for existing owners.

Apologies for the long post. Feel free to get in touch with any queries.

Michael Thornton-Smith

Product Manager

International Dynamics Australasia

[SDL]

What about multi-region support? What region are they, can they be chipped? Warranty support? Firmware upgrades? I think you will find that the experience of many people on here that are enthusiasts is that when a distributor steps in the price tends to go up and the support is improved little and often goes backwards as our contact direct with the people who make the things is hampered by sales staff and people on phones who have little to no knowledge of the issues. How does IDA really improve things?

It is fine to talk about iView etc. we mostly all know how to stream more than just local content already and have access to a myriad of things. Also OPPO is not the average BDP that will be bought by the mums and dads just looking for one of these new DVD thingies, it is bought by enthusiasts who prefer multi region, better picture, better sound and have invested a lot in Home Theatres - what exactly is the value add here?

This also worries me: "IDA will not offer under-warranty labour" is this just on existing players? As you have a legal obligation on new players sold if you are the distributor. You can't choose not to meet your legal obligations, or have I misintepreted what you are saying and you only mean on players already purchased?

Edited January 6, 2012 by SDL

[Quark]

Michael,

Thanks for your post - it's good to see industry participants engaged with consumers.

With the pricing you mentioned, does that include region free kits installed? If not, could you please advise if will these be officially available through ID and if so, at what cost?

Rob

Edit: SDL, you beat me to it!

Edited January 6, 2012 by Quark

[mts]

What about multi-region support? What region are they, can they be chipped? Warranty support? Firmware upgrades? I think you will find that the experience of many people on here that are enthusiasts is that when a distributor steps in the price tends to go up and the support is improved little and often goes backwards as our contact direct with the people who make the things is hampered by sales staff and people on phones who have little to no knowledge of the issues. How does IDA really improve things?

It is fine to talk about iView etc. we mostly all know how to stream more than just local content already and have access to a myriad of things. Also OPPO is not the average BDP that will be bought by the mums and dads just looking for one of these new DVD thingies, it is bought by enthusiasts who prefer multi region, better picture, better sound and have invested a lot in Home Theatres - what exactly is the value add here?

This also worries me: "IDA will not offer under-warranty labour" is this just on existing players? As you have a legal obligation on new players sold if you are the distributor. You can't choose not to meet your legal obligations, or have I misintepreted what you are saying and you only mean on players already purchased?

SDL,

As an official distributor of Blu-ray players, IDA will supply OPPO players as DVD region 4, BD region B. Authorised OPPO retailers will be able to help you with queries on chipping etc.

Firmware updates will be available from our website (a new IDA website will be launched in the coming month or so).

Given the lack of local support currently for OPPO owners who have purchased from the USA, I think you'll find IDA support will be a marked improvement from current arrangements. We ask that you wait and see on the issue of customer support - an area that is of primary concern to OPPO, and I'm sure one of the key reasons for their appointment of IDA as their local distributor.

IDA will not offer under-warranty labour on units already purchased from USA, or units purchased from USA in future. We will of course provide full under-warranty service and support for the products we import and distribute, as we do for all our other brands. Please don't underestimate the commitment that service and customer support requires. OPPO will be taken beyond the realm of an enthusiast-only brand, with wider distribution and promotion. We agree that it is not a mums & dads product, however there is much potential for the brand to grow here. Even enthusiasts will need support from time to time, and this is where IDA can really add value. Adding local content features to the products will mean that buyers do not need to be enthusiasts to get the most from their OPPO player.

Cconomies of scale mean that with higher sales in our market, the costs of distribution, service and customer support will reduce on a per-unit basis, which will have benefits for all OPPO buyers.

Thanks for your comments.

Michael

[mts]

Michael,

Thanks for your post - it's good to see industry participants engaged with consumers.

With the pricing you mentioned, does that include region free kits installed? If not, could you please advise if will these be officially available through ID and if so, at what cost?

Rob

Edit: SDL, you beat me to it!

Rob,

Thanks for that.

As mentioned in my reply to SDL, IDA cannot sell region free kits for the players. The RRPs mentioned are for unmodded players. Further details on this will be available from retailers closer to arrival of the first shipment in early March.

Michael

[David Williams]

With the pricing you mentioned, does that include region free kits installed? If not, could you please advise if will these be officially available through ID and if so, at what cost?

+1 I'd say 'not supported' will be the answer here.

Also interested to know if the extra local features will be available on imported players - will the AU firmware be able to be loaded onto existing players and will it screw up the pro mod chip installed?

[pbouzaid]

hmmm, I was going to get a BDP-93 in a few months time for the 3D capability. I might have to get one sooner rather than later it would appear

[mts]

+1 I'd say 'not supported' will be the answer here.

Also interested to know if the extra local features will be available on imported players - will the AU firmware be able to be loaded onto existing players and will it screw up the pro mod chip installed?

David,

My understanding is that AU firmware is not compatible with US or EU models, but I'll check this OPPO. We'll certainly make clear on our website whether this is the case.

Michael

[Quark]

Rob,

Thanks for that.

As mentioned in my reply to SDL, IDA cannot sell region free kits for the players. The RRPs mentioned are for unmodded players. Further details on this will be available from retailers closer to arrival of the first shipment in early March.

Michael

Thanks Michael,

Even after allowing say $100 for the supply and installation of the basic mod kits included in Merlin's pricing, it does appear to be a small drop in local RRP for both the 93 and the 95. I won't complain about that.

As for service, you have a mighty high target to aim for - Ken at Merlin has been sensational.

Rob

[mts]

hmmm, I was going to get a BDP-93 in a few months time for the 3D capability. I might have to get one sooner rather than later it would appear

pbouzaid,

The AU models will continue to be 3D capable. There will be no "dumbing-down" of features on AU models.

Michael

[SDL]

Thanks Michael,

Even after allowing say $100 for the supply and installation of the basic mod kits included in Merlin's pricing, it does appear to be a small drop in local RRP for both the 93 and the 95. I won't complain about that.

As for service, you have a mighty high target to aim for - Ken at Merlin has been sensational.

Rob

But is the product still under warranty after the installation of a mod chip? As many people wanted Oppos for the Region A and mod chip as wanted the better player I am sure.

Edited January 6, 2012 by SDL

[djOS]

Michael Thornton-Smith

Product Manager

International Dynamics Australasia

Thanks for the reply Michael, your pricing on the 93/95 seems very reasonable, it's a shame other independent Distro's feel the need to gouge Aussie Customers as per my earlier example!

PS, Oppo's support for Aussie customers has always been stellar despite the distance and timezones etc!

Edited January 6, 2012 by dJOS

[IanD1503559705]

As I understand it, currently Oppo USA are very good with warranty support of their products in Australia, including covering the cost of postage (which apparently is much cheaper than the equivalent Aus Post carriage costs).

Once an Australian distributor is appointed, I expect Oppo will subsequently direct warranty support issues to that company for all Oppo products purchased prior to and subsequent to the appointment.

If my own experience with local warranty support is anything to go by, postage to and from the distributor is often not included: for an item the size of the Oppo, I would expect insured postage across the continent to be approx $30 each way. To hear that International Dynamics will not honour labour costs for warranty issues for previously purchased Oppo products is additionally concerning. If my concerns pan out, repairs to currently purchased Oppo products could go from roughly $0 with Oppo in the current arrangement to likely $150+ minimum under a new distributorship. Oppo USA has also historically been very generous about supporting repair of out of warranty products: I would not expect to see this maintained from a new distributorship.

Personally, I think the introduction of an official distributor will be a costly backward step for existing Oppo owners.

We will seek to add features such as ABC iview and other TV station catch-up services, Quickflix movie streaming, and any other online content that may become available.

If a specific AU version of the Oppo is being considered, I would have hoped that the above features would have already been implemented at launch, otherwise an AU Oppo simply becomes a Region 4/B locked USA Oppo with Aussie PC power cable and vapourware.

Edited January 6, 2012 by IanD

[David Williams]

My understanding is that AU firmware is not compatible with US or EU models, but I'll check this OPPO. We'll certainly make clear on our website whether this is the case.

Thanks Michael.

[mts]

But is the product still under warranty after the installation of a mod chip? As many people wanted Oppos for the Region A and mod chip as wanted the better player I am sure.

I'm sorry I can't provide an answer to this yet, but we certainly acknowledge your point. We will definitely seek a solution that makes customers no worse off than buying elsewhere, and will ensure the options are clear to all at point of purchase.

Michael

[mts]

Thanks Michael.

David,

Have had confirmation from OPPO that AU firmware will not load on US or EU models, and vice versa.

Michael

[mts]

As I understand it, currently Oppo USA are very good with warranty support of their products in Australia, including covering the cost of postage (which apparently is much cheaper than the equivalent Aus Post carriage costs).

Once an Australian distributor is appointed, I expect Oppo will subsequently direct warranty support issues to that company for all Oppo products purchased prior to and subsequent to the appointment.

If my own experience with local warranty support is anything to go by, postage to and from the distributor is often not included: for an item the size of the Oppo, I would expect insured postage across the continent to be approx $30 each way. To hear that International Dynamics will not honour labour costs for warranty issues for previously purchased Oppo products is additionally concerning. If my concerns pan out, repairs to currently purchased Oppo products could go from roughly $0 with Oppo in the current arrangement to likely $150+ minimum under a new distributorship. Oppo USA has also historically been very generous about supporting repair of out of warranty products: I would not expect to see this maintained from a new distributorship.

Personally, I think the introduction of an official distributor will be a costly backward step for existing Oppo owners.

If a specific AU version of the Oppo is being considered, I would have hoped that the above features would have already been implemented at launch, otherwise an AU Oppo simply becomes a Region 4/B locked USA Oppo with Aussie PC power cable and vapourware.

Ian,

We are discussing this situation with OPPO, and will announce any change to our proposed arrangements for existing owners. If OPPO USA does redirect warranty support issues for existing owners to IDA, OPPO will not want these customers disadvantaged. Thanks for raising this point.

Regarding the AU players, OPPO would have needed more lead time to develop local content features than has been possible. The negotiations with content service providers, R&D for OPPO software development, and testing & approval processes will not happen overnight. We will do all we can to expedite this.

Michael

[SDL]

I'm sorry I can't provide an answer to this yet, but we certainly acknowledge your point. We will definitely seek a solution that makes customers no worse off than buying elsewhere, and will ensure the options are clear to all at point of purchase.

Michael

Thank you for the acknowledgement of this. Many of us want to buy the best bluray disc version of a movie whether it be from Australia,the US or elsewhere and is one of the reasons we buy a player like the OPPO which offers not just great sound and picture quality (as well as in my case and others, the ability to move subtitles) but also the multi region ability once chipped.

Edited January 6, 2012 by SDL

[Anden]

Oh dear.

If OPPO were trying to get a bigger foothold in the AU market, then fair enough, but that's unlikely as we'd only be considered a niche market.

However if OPPO were approached ( which i suspect ) then i suspect, its no more than a way to gouge more from the local market and try and cut out support for our imported players should we have need.

For me it was/has never been about getting my OPPO's cheaper, i have dealt with and will continue to support Gatti ( David ) Whose service, personality, knowledge, reliability, trouble shooting, availability ( ask chops on this one ), SERVICING, parts replacement, would put all bar Merlin to disgraceful shame.

Another thing strikes me as unusual is the statement of locked R4 DVD, i haven't had to deal with a dvd locked player EVER, an i thought it was compulsary for them to be factory DVD R0 these days in AUS, also i'm wondering whether the power supply will be the same switchable or 240 v only.

As for content availability, gimme a break, what gimmicky AU garbage will they put on that we don't already have or can access.

ID, you have your work, trust, ethics cut out for you, and I am not holding my breath, i'll still refer to Gatti and OPPO direct for as long as possible as i have done or till you see it changed to your monopolised advantage.................... :angry: :angry:

[betty boop]

Gents I don't want to get into the Oppo debate here but I can personally say that in my dealings with IDA via two products they no longer distribute that I have had nothing short of extremely professional service............

same here, and for people like myself whom much prefer/much rather just purchase something from a shop and doesnt need modding and is fully supported locally I think something like this a good move.

ps you think it would have to be region free on DVD out the box. every DVD player sold in australia as far as can remember been dvd region free. why someone would revert that have no clue. would seem like shooting self in foot ! region B on blu-ray not an issue to me, and those like me that just buy local blu-ray discs or ones from uk / region free discs. If ever buying an oppo localy I do hope they provide the option of just buying it local regioned blu-ray and region free dvd out of box.

good luck and welcome to the forum ID/michael

[invercom1503559589]

The recent beta firmware is now official.

If you've already got the beta you don't need to upgrade (again) apparently.

Found a glitch in new firmware. Morning Glory blu-ray freezes when loading. Disc is ok as it plays ok in PS3 and Pana 310

[SDL]

No issue with Ida myself, but for those of us who do want region free players, I just don't want to see the option closed off and be told we need to go through the Australian distributor if they don't offer the option, or won't warrant it. It's about choice, not anything against Ida as such.

[David Williams]

R0 out of the box pretty much ended with the DCMA - most DVD players sold here are now R4 locked. There is a disc update you can load on the OPPO to make it R0 - I assume that would still work on the AU model.

I got my BDP95 from Merlin and will use them should I ever need support - warranty or otherwise. Actually I thought Merlin were an authorised distributer. I hope they and Gatti don't get frozen out by this new arrangement.