I have the new Oppo Blu-ray player on the way but want to confirm how I'm going to connect it to my 950. Using the analog connections. What do I do with the switch on the back? I have smaller bookshelf sized speakers.

I'm assuming I leave the switch in the on position. Is there anything else I need to do besides enabling the analog inputs on the 950?

You want to put the switch into the "ON" position, set the BDP-83's speakers to "large", set the BDP-83's subwoofer to "on", and set the BDP-83's downmix to "5.1CH". Once you've done that, you can press the "6CH" button on the 950's remote to select the multichannel analog input.

You might also consider using a coaxial or optical digital audio connection for CD's and DVD's so you have access to the 950's surround processing, although the BDP-83's analog section is good enough that you may end up sticking with the 6CH input all the time for simplicity's sake.

I have the DV-983 and have found that it's DACs do a better job than the 950. If the BDP-83 DACs are of the same quality or better than the DV-983, then I would use the 83's analog outs.

The BDP-83's analog section is better than the 983H's.

I recieved my BDP-83 on Saturday and have noticed that the new codecs from the BD movies sound much better than their SD DVD counterparts. Although, I have not see much of a difference in video quality. The only BD movie that I have a SD DVD version of, is the Fifth Element Superbit.

The lossless formats can definitely sound better than the lossy ones we've been listening to on DVD for so long now, but you should still expect there to be a good bit of variation from title to title (the quality of the original mix being at least as critical as ever).

Video performance depends on a number of factors, including screen size and viewing distance. The BDP-83 does such a good job of scaling that there will be cases where it can rival the HD disc if your screen size is small enough. (I ran into this with the hybrid HD-DVD of the last Bourne movie and my 983H, where the DVD side looked almost indistinguishable from the HD-DVD side when watching a 32" 1080i HDTV). There are some discs, though, where Blu-ray can really startle you with the picture quality - even on a modest screen size. I remember being taken aback at the picture quality and vibrant colors of Man on Fire when I first got Blu-ray.

I will add Man on Fire to my NF que. Do you have any other suggestions as to great quality BD for video and/or audio?

Also, I have a 50in plasma.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by gonk:
[QB] You want to put the switch into the "ON" position, set the BDP-83's speakers to "large", set the BDP-83's subwoofer to "on", and set the BDP-83's downmix to "5.1CH". Once you've done that, you can press the "6CH" button on the 950's remote to select the multichannel analog input.
Just for clarification in case people are still checking this thread. this is exactly how I have my Sony 550 set up. I recently purchased the Oppo BD83 and will continue with this set up. But my question is when I purchase the 997 for my final upgrade and I use the 997's HDMI connection for audio/video I should reset my speakers to small since the digital connection takes care of the bass management, correct? That is the way I used to have my system set up when using the coaxial connection on the 950. Thanks for any reply and yes, I still love the 950 but things do change.

The speaker settings in the BDP-83 only affect the multichannel analog output. Those settings have no influence on the HDMI and coaxial/optical audio outputs. Thus, you don't need to worry about it when you upgrade to an HDMI processor.

but I would, or should, use my SPL meter to set speaker distances and level setting in the 997 when I eventually upgrade to it if using its HDMI in from the oppo and its out to my display because of the digital connection, correct? I would only use the oppo's settings if I wanted to use the multichannel analog output in the 997 in which case the speakers would stay set to large, sub on, any bass management on, like with the 950 right now, and just bypass the 997. that's why I wondered if the speaker settings in the 997 would be set to small if using HDMI. sorry if this is confusing. I've been using the 950's analog out and set up like you said and everything is great. just not clear on when speakers should be small or large.

When you pair the 997 with the BDP-83, you will use the Trinnov setup to calibrate things and you will use the HDMI connection from the BDP-83 to the 997. The BDP-83's settings for bass management, channel trims, and distances only apply to the multichannel analog output, which you will likely not be using, so their settings are completely irrelevant when using the HDMI output.

Yes, you probably will want your speakers set to small in the 997 and to large in the BDP-83, though as gonk noted, as long as you aren't using the 7.1 connections, the BDP-83's speaker size settings won't matter.

I've just now set up my oppo and I certainly agree with your statement. Even to my untrained ears, the sound is so much fuller when watching blu-rays. but then again, you are the expert. my only question is again to the whole small, large fiasco. I printed out the 83 settings checklist from the AVS oppo thread and they are recommending setting all the speakers to small and you have told me to set them to large when using the multichannel outs. This is why I'm confused at what would be best. I have been using them set to large with my now moved Sony 550. I'm going to do a complete trim, distance re-do with my meter on thursday so was wondering what you think. thanks.

When you set the speakers to small in the DVD player, you are instructing it to apply bass management. Your DVD player probably won't do as good a job of that as your pre/pro will. That is why we suggest setting the speakers to large in the DVD player thus instructing it to pass a full range signal for each channel to the pre/pro, then set the speakers to small in the prepro, allowing it to manage the bass.
The only times it would make sense to set the speakers to small in the DVD player would be when the pre/pro doesn't have the ability to apply bass management to the analog signal or if you are not using a pre/pro but going straight from the analog outs of the DVD player to your amp.
As gonk mentioned earlier in the thread, if your only using the digial outs on the DVD player, the speaker setting doesn't come into play anyway.

The AVS recommendations are for the typical receiver, and since the typical receiver has no bass management for the multichannel analog input the standard advise is to set speakers to small so the BDP-83 provides bass management. The Model 950's analog bass management is very unusual. It is going to be better to use its bass management, which means disabling the BDP-83's bass management. You may want to take a look at the Model 950 link under my Outlaw/BDP-83 Setup Guides .

well after continued searching and reading posts by many of you I think I finally understand. (your last post helped clear away the bass management fog). So I've set my speakers to large in the BDP-83 and set the trims to zero, except for +10 for the sub, which is on and will redo the distances in the 83 and I have the bass management switch in the up position. I didn't understand the nature of what the 950 did as far as applying bass management with the multichannel analogs. hopefully, I've seen the light, if not I'm sure you all will set me straight. but boy does this thing sound great. played the opening scene of Quantum of Solace and wow.

Be aware that there are TWO BR versions out there of the "Fifth Element". The first version, as reviewed by all publications, said the video was inferior to DVD. Maybe you have that verson. The remastered version can be bought here:
http://www.amazon.com/Fifth-Element-Rema...51914390&sr=1-1

was just curious what volume level on the 950 people are using when watching blu-rays? II'm using the multichannel analogs and 've got my unit set up according to gonk's very helpful info page and find I'm running around -12 to -14 on discs with HD soundtracks. I know it depends on the room, etc. but was just curious.

I had my 950 calibrated at -10 and would watch most BRs around -25 to -30. So, very similar to your settings.

I just received my HSU VTF-2 sub today (boy is it big and looks beautiful) and wanted to ask for some advice. I am running it into my Outlaw 950 and I am using the OPPO BDP-83 analog outs into the Outlaw and I am using the settings in the OPPO that the experts over here at the Saloon have recommended i.e: my speakers are set to large in the OPPO, with the sub on and all trims set to 0. My question would be what would be the recommended settings on the VTF-2 as far as crossover, phase switch etc. I am 99.9% movies so I was going to turn off the Maximum Output. Waiting for my new set of Mythos speakers to arrive before doing a new calibration with my SPL meter. Thanks so much for your time.

I believe you will want your sub trim at +10bps on the Oppo.

On the sub, you will want to bypass the crossover since you will likely use the 950's bass management. The phase will take some experimenting. Once you get your SPL meter, take measurements of your frequency response, if you find a null, play with the phase to see if it helps it. It may or may not. If not, you may need to try different locations in the room for the sub to sit.

The volume should be under 50%, use the 950 trim to find the right level relative to your mains using the spl meter and test tones.

Have fun!

Thanks for the reply. I do have the sub trim at +10 on the OPPO but the HSU doesn't have a bypass per say for the crossover. It does have a crossover defeat switch which reads: "if you are using a subwoofer of LFE output, you can disengage the crossover by switching it to OUT. The crossover should be switched to IN when using high level inputs or two channel low level inputs." so since I have the bass management on in the 950 this switch should be set to OUT. Correct? Hopefully with this fine info I will get everything up, running and sounding great. I do love this hobby and especially upgrading. thanks again.

Sounds like you have it. I would agree on switching it to "Out" to bypass.

I have a quick question just to be safe. I have my OPPO BDP-83 set up according to Gonk's instructions (speakers set to large in 83, trims at 0, sub on) and have bass management turned on in my 950. Now I just bought a new Def Tech speaker system, Mythos 4's (l/r), Mythos 8 (c) and Mythos BPX for sides. In their literature they are recommending that if I am using a pre/pro or receiver with bass management and a separate sub (which I am) that I set all the speakers to small. Was just looking for a clarification on these two apparent opposing viewpoints (though I have had great sound quality with my system set up according to Gonk's recommendations). Hoping for a little peace of mind before letting things go here. thanks so much.

The small speaker settings should be set but only in the 950, not the Oppo. This engages the bass management in the 950 based on the xover settings also in the 950. The point being to have the Oppo pass the full signal via large speaker setting and then let the 950 do the bass management via small speaker setting. I hope this helps.

thanks for that tip. It seems that I was doing it right all along. Have always had the speaker settings in the 950 on small since getting the OPPO. I guess that's why it has always sounded so good. One other question that did come to mind, should all the crossovers in the 950 be left at 80 since that is what Def Tech recommends or can they be tweaked a bit. Never really clear on crossover settings for example if I was to set my center higher than 80 does that mean any bass under that number is sent to the sub? But I have to say, it sure feels good to upgrade after 15 years. The Def Techs sound so good (especially the BPX bipole surrounds; never had em before and listening to them was a totally new sound experience, at least for my non-professional ears). And for the first time I've experienced house rattling bass. Also invested in a Hsu VTF-2 MK3 and when I went upstairs while Cars was playing, rattling and rumbling were flowing through my kitchen. Sorry for the gushing but it's just a lot of fun to have the HT experience change SO much. And the good old 950 just keeps chugging along. Was seriously thinking about selling it to my sister for her basement but now I'm not so sure. It always is rock solid. anyway, thanks for the help, will be getting out the old SPL meter this weekend and testing.

Yes any thing below the crossover frequency will be diverted to the subs. With your Mythos Speakers, 80 should be plenty high.
Sounds like your having fun.
Keep on truckin'.

thanks for clearing that up. sometimes it can all be so confusing but yes, I am having fun and looking forward to watching my old movies (and the ones I just bought the last two days) on the new system. I noticed you have the Pioneer DV-47A. My first dvd player was the DV-47Ai which I still have in my living room (bought the OPPO 983H for my theater) but it's still a damn fine player.