OPPO UDP-205 Blu-Ray Player Review
Steve Scott
Updated on
It seems like it was ages ago when Blu-ray hit the market, and got people all excited about the new, improved video quality, vibrant colors, better frame rates, improved compression, and bit depth. But Ultra HD Blu-Ray is on an even higher level.
It’s not just about the higher resolution, it’s much more. We’re witnessing a dynamic range that’s never been seen in such large videos.
Since OPPO is a company that takes its customers’ feedback and satisfaction seriously, they managed to make an Ultra HD Blu-ray player that has instantly become a fan favorite.
They’ve decided to target a particular audience, those who are videophiles but also want to get an audiophile vibe.
And that’s precisely what the OPPO UDP-205 provides. Read our in-depth guide and find out what makes this model so popular.
See related - Best Blu-ray players
Specifications
- Size: 16.8 x 12.2 x 4.8 inches
- Weight: 22 lbs
Key Features
- 3840 x 2160p resolution
- Plays all optical disc formats: Blu-ray (UHD, HD, 3D), DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD
- Upscales DVDs, Blu-rays, and external sources to Ultra HD
- Two HDMI outputs (HDMI 1.4 and HDMI 2.0)
- HDMI 2.0 comes with HDCP 2.2
- HDR10 support
- BT.2020 color support
- Dolby Vision support
- Streams from home networks via Wi-Fi and USB
- Asynchronous USB DAC
- Headphone amplifier
PROS
CONS
OPPO UDP-205 Blu-Ray Player - Overview
Design
OPPO UDP-205 is not a slender and tiny model. So, if you’re on a hunt for such a piece of equipment, you might want to shift your focus elsewhere.
This is a massive and robust player, standing at 16.8 inches of width, 12.2 inches of depth, and 4.8 inches of height. Combine those numbers with a 22-pounds weight, and you’ve got yourself one hefty model.
But, don’t worry about the size. It’s only a showcase of sturdy and quality build and various top-of-the-line components. Definitely not something you’ll often run into when looking for a Blu-Ray player.
When compared to its predecessor, the UDP-203, this model is even taller and heavier. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer wanted to have enough room for a double-layer chassis, and thus lower the amount of vibration.
For such a robust model, it will most likely take up the majority of your dedicated shelf space. Just make sure to refrain yourself from any items or other components on top of it.
Since it’s an audiophile player, it will perform best when nothing is standing in its way. So make sure to minimize any vibrations.
But, since we’re talking so much about its size and stature, it might seem that the OPPO UDP-205 lacks in visual appeal. On the contrary!
It’s a thing of beauty, and you can simply notice that much thought has gone into designing this player. It’s likely that you’ll want to showcase it to all your visitors proudly. Check out our take on the LG C8.
Setup
The setup process of this model is almost exactly the same as with the UDP-203. And it’s pretty straightforward and easy.
Unlike many other user manuals, the one that you get with this model is quite extensive and offers a lot of set-by-step instructions to help you navigate the system.
In the home menu, you’ll find a place for all your digital media, not only Ultra HD Blu-Ray files. You have your options positioned like icons at the bottom of the screen, positioned from left to right.
There’s also a favorites folder out there, which allows you to access the items you frequently visit quickly. You’ll find the setup shortcut there.
Even though you’ll do most of the set up while installing the player, you can easily access the setup menu just by pressing the setup button on the remote. This makes the entire setup process highly convenient.
The rest of the interface is really intuitive and easy to use since all the options are laid out naturally. The only possible downside is the remote, which looks somewhat out of sync with the rest of the setup.
With its massive size and lots of keys, it looks a bit chunky. It’s not bad at all, it just feels like it could follow the overall quality of the whole unit.
Performance
The video quality of the UDP-205 is nothing short of fantastic. And why shouldn’t it be, since its predecessor is also a top performer? Now they’ve stepped up their game, even for just a bit.
If you really want to check out what this player does best, then you should start playing Ultra HD files, if you can. You’ll be blown away by the magnificent UHD display.
The UDP-205 will not showcase fantastic imagery, but it will process all files with such top-level accuracy as you’ve rarely seen before.
It is capable of providing an incredible amount of depth, paired with a high dynamic range and vibrant color output. The model delivers in these areas every time, without exception.
Once you witness a wide range of colors it presents, you’ll be aware that it’s something you simply cannot get with regular HD video files.
As far as the compatibility of this player goes, it will be capable of handling almost anything you throw at it, no matter what the file type, frame rate, or frames per second is.
The same goes for audio, which is kind of expected since this is an audiophile player. This model supports SACD, DVD audio, and CD.
No matter what piece of equipment you hook it up, the digital audio will be on par with most of the other high-quality players. Its 32-bit ESS Sabre Pro ES9038PRO quality DAC is responsible for this.
Connectivity
Chances are you’ll be more than impressed with the selection of connectivity options with this model. It has a number of inputs and outputs that would satisfy even the pickiest customers.
Just like the previous model, it comes equipped with two HDMI outputs. One is version 1.4, while the other is 2.0. Also, there’s an HDMI 2.0 input that is capable of handling 4K content.
There are three USB ports responsible for playing videos, music, and images. You can even show photos and play music at the same time.
But that’s not all. Some of the other available ports are RS-232C, IR, XLR, RCA analog stereo outputs. Also, networking is made possible with the use of ethernet and Wi-Fi.
In Conclusion
Make no mistake about it, the OPPO UDP-205 is solid as a rock. It’s just so well-built.
However, its performance capabilities don’t fall behind, not even a bit. The usability and interface, video, and audio are at the top of the game. It shines, especially when we talk about the sound.
So, for anyone looking for a high-profile piece of A/V gear, know that this one’s a keeper.
Then again, it comes with a steep price tag. So, in order to see and feel all of its benefits, make sure you combine it with other audiophile and analog equipment. Otherwise, it won’t be worth your while.
My name is Steve Scott. Father of 2 and owner of Outdoor Movie HQ. I’ve been involved in the A/V industry for most of my life and built this blog to help people better understand projector technology. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.