Thank you very much Tocinillo!
Need to knows (all models using RU firmware including the original OPPO):
The OPPO and its clones store settings at power-off only:
- Changing things and unplugging will result in a loss of those changes.
- Some setting changes become active only after a power cycle (incl. factory reset)
- The network standby mode does not save settings!
- For external subs: create a directory "sub" in root and put the desired file there renamed to "sub.srt". You can select it is as "other" when playing a video. Keep in mind this was designed (and works with) playing physical discs!
- Multiple remote control buttons have special functions doing a long press: Power, Info, Resolution, Subtitles, Audio.
- The player is DVD region free. BD regions can be changed by changing the BD menu language setting to: English (1), French (2) and Russian(3).
Specifics about the M9203:
Got my M9203 too today. See attachments for pictures. It has a functional USB2 host port on the right side. It was packaged very well in a neutral box.
Nice sturdy unit with very much the same build quality, size and even weight as my Egreat A11 (or a Zidoo 1000) with aluminium side panels and cover. It measures 30x22x7 including feet and looks very nice. The housing build quality is a world of difference compared with my M9702v3. Due to also using an internal Linear PSU the box gets mildly warm with the total unit acting as one big heatsink. I am not really impressed with the design of that Linear PSU as it is designed as simple as possible, but it includes a toroidal transformer.
The M9205 Linear PSU shown on page-10 post #192 is a far better one. Also the M9205 housing seems to be bigger (42cm) with front print, power switch etc. That ought to be the real M9205 unit being sold explaining some more of the price difference!
Strange enough a led was not implemented for indicating standby/on (real OPPO has a dual color red/blue led for that). I added one myself already and sooner or later may add also a 220V fuse and grid filter. This will make it a true high end housing. Power consumption measured: Operation 8W and <1W during standby (don't ask me how that actually is achieved with the toroidal transformer being connected permanently to the grid). A power switch hence is not really needed but could be added too (the earthed power cord is detachable).
The VFD display is really nice indicating running/remaining time and chapter/track/title + various useful ICON's. It 100% matches the original OPPO display and it can be dimmed, switched off and goes off automatically in pure audio mode (also the TV output is put on black then). Just read the original OPPO 203 manual for full VFD functionality (manual is too big to be attached here). The only difference is that it is green instead of white on the OPPO.
About M9201/M9203 versus M9703v3:
About M9702 versus M9201 motherboard and physical differences (WiFi, HDMI-IN and extra USB ports). M9702 uses a clone of the Pioneer UDP LX500/LX800 motherboard and M9201/M9203/M9205 a clone of the OPPO motherboard. Connectivity for both original players is slightly different and matches 1:1 on the respective clones.
The remote control is the same as coming with my old M9702v3 (and M9201 shown here) which is regarded excellent by me. It seems to be slightly faster on the remote control and the OPPO APP seems to work faster and very relevant more stable.
The Oppo manual gives very little information about HDMI Input!
Tested with my STB gives images when in a Menu or Setup but never with a Live Picture. So it is HDCP restricted which makes it useless for most applications. For me it gets the status not practically usable.
Tested the HDMI-IN both with M7203 and a real OPPO UDP-203 and it works on the OPPO but not on M7203 using the same settings.
Pressing the INFO button gives identical values on both players.
As I am using an AMP with exactly the same AKM DAC build in, as the original OPPO 203 includes, the sound is close to identical on any unit including the original OPPO 203 via Analog Outputs. I use this box mainly for playing music in all common 2CH/MCH formats (MP3, FLAC, DTS-CD, DVD-Audio, SACD and BD Pure Audio) from a HDD which are all handled perfectly. This capability is unique as far as I am aware.
For playing movies I use a separate Media Player mostly as it has multiple essential additional features for me.
Tried HDMI-CEC and it works like with the original Oppo but it does not do anything for me. I like CEC switching to the designated AMP HDMI port to happen automatically when being powered on. It powers on/off synchronized with a TV for those who like that (but not the AMP in between).
Final verdict:
For me it is definitely worth the extra money compared with M9702v3. Above all the choice going for M9203 turned out to be the right one for me.
Questions in Spanish/English are welcome and will be answered accordingly.