Oppo Digital has announced the BDP-80 Universal Blu-ray player, a lower-priced companion to its well-reviewed BDP-83.

The BDP-80 maintains most key features of the BDP-83, including DVD-A and SACD playback, Profile 2.0, 7.1 analog audio output, and a full suite of audio decoders.

Features nixed to bring down costs include the removal of the ABT 2010 video processor in favor of a “System-on-Chip,” scaled back materials (the aluminum face plate replaced with plastic), IR in/out, RS-232 control interfaces, and a backlit remote.

Oppo is pushing the BDP-80 as a digital transport with bit-perfect Source Direct output for those who already have a high-end video scaler, either stand-alone, in an AVR, or display. 

To-date, the BDP-80 looks to be the least expensive player to market with Source Direct video output. With high-end video scaling solutions from Anchor Bay and HQV trickling down to more and more AVRs and displays, high-end video processing in a source device can be redundant for many.

The BDP-80 ($289) will also be the least expensive universal Blu-ray player to market, besting the BDP-83 by $210 and other models from Denon and Marantz by upwards of $1700-$4200.

The BDP-80 can be ordered directly from Oppo Digital or from authorized resellers. Availability was not released.

Stephen Hopkins

Stephen Hopkins is chief technology editor for EH Publishing. He writes product reviews, features, and focuses heavily on 3D TV, iPhone and iPad apps, and digital content.