OPPO Digital took their time coming out with a Blu-ray player with network streaming, integrated WiFi and 3D support, but they've finally "gone official" with the BDP-93, the replacement for their highly regarded BDP-83. And somehow we have a feeling that it is going to be the "reference" 3D Blu-ray player to beat in 2011. If it does Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D playback nearly as well as its predecessor does standard Blu-ray, it is going to have no shortage of customers and die-hard fans.
The now retired BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc player (my reference player and hub of my home theater) has been picked apart and copied by everybody -- even rebadged by some who sell it for seven times the price. Shame, shame. If you can find a new BDP-83 at a reduced price and don't need 3D, it smokes everything else out there. The brand new BDP-93 has a gorgeous design and an impressive list of specifications. The best part? The price is still $499.
The BDP-93 retains all the great functionality of the BDP-83 but adds Blu-ray 3D playback, dual HDMI 1.4a outputs, for output to multiple displays or compatibility with HDMI 1.3 receivers, Netflix streaming, Blockbuster Video on Demand, integrated WiFi (802.11n) networking, and an eSATA port. There are also 2 USB 2.0 ports. The BDP-93 is clearly meant as a media hub (aside from its BD playback capabilities) and we suspect it will do the job nicely.
The BDP-93 uses a custom OPPO decoder and a video processor from Marvell called the Kyoto-G2 with Qdeo technology. So long Anchor Bay. The BDP-93 offers several picture enhancement options including video noise reduction, compression artifact reduction, intelligent color, contrast, detail and edge enhancements - all selectable and defeatable, of course. 
The BDP-93 will support 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and up to 1080p 50 or 60Hz. It also supports 1080p 24Hz. The BDP-93 also supports NTSC and PAL systems for both disc playback and video output. If they make this a region free player, it will be the king of Blu-ray players. Even without being region-free, it still looks hard to beat.
The one little piece of information that is still not certain is exactly when the player will become available. We're hoping that it's before the end of the year as this will allow it to escape the analog sunset ruling which prevents players from outputting HD signals over their component outputs (this ruling goes into effect for players manufactured after 12/31/2010). But those who have embraced the power of HDMI won't have anything to worry about. But please, OPPO, don't make us wait TOO long!
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