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Post by jpwoodbu on Apr 11, 2024 1:30:44 GMT -5
After making a remote control Android app for Emotiva processors, I decided to build a remote control app for my Oppo UDP-203 Blu-ray player. But the capabilities of the Oppo API fell short of what I had hoped. I've got an app that replaces all the functionality of the IR remote and includes a display for things like elapsed time, but the main feature I wanted was to mirror the network browser so I could play music without turning on my projector. But the API just can't pull that off in the state where they left it. Granted, Oppo hasn't sold this player in the US since 2018 and firmware updates probably stopped around that same time. Nonetheless, I have the app, and I'm debating whether to publish it. Aside from the things I mentioned above, the network implementation, at least on my player, seems fairly brittle. It's easy for the player to lock up and/or the API to just stop working. So I'm curious, does anyone here use an Oppo UDP-203 or UDP-205? Would you find any utility in a smart phone remote for it? Attachments:
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Post by marcl on Apr 11, 2024 7:24:02 GMT -5
After making a remote control Android app for Emotiva processors, I decided to build a remote control app for my Oppo UDP-203 Blu-ray player. But the capabilities of the Oppo API fell short of what I had hoped. I've got an app that replaces all the functionality of the IR remote and includes a display for things like elapsed time, but the main feature I wanted was to mirror the network browser so I could play music without turning on my projector. But the API just can't pull that off in the state where they left it. Granted, Oppo hasn't sold this player in the US since 2018 and firmware updates probably stopped around that same time. Nonetheless, I have the app, and I'm debating whether to publish it. Aside from the things I mentioned above, the network implementation, at least on my player, seems fairly brittle. It's easy for the player to lock up and/or the API to just stop working. So I'm curious, does anyone here use an Oppo UDP-203 or UDP-205? Would you find any utility in a smart phone remote for it? I use a 205 and it actually would be very useful for me because the location of my player vs my listening position makes for an awkward over-the back blind aim with the regular remote. |
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Post by audiosyndrome on Apr 11, 2024 10:01:22 GMT -5
I would like an iOS remote as a backup for my 205 physical remote which my granddaughter likes to hide on me. 😂
Russ
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Post by Boomzilla on Apr 11, 2024 12:32:02 GMT -5
Oppo players are approaching the tail end of their bathtub curve of reliability. Should even one idiot’s player fail after he begins using your controller program, what are the odds that that idiot might sue you, claiming that your program CAUSED his player’s failure? Anyone with a three-digit IQ realizes that the scenario is virtually impossible, but there are plenty of mouth-breathers out there who might be seeking anybody else to blame for their vintage equipment finally wearing out… Just sayin’, but thanks for your expertise, efforts, and generosity!
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 11, 2024 13:54:00 GMT -5
Whoever heard of needing to go to an outside source (Especially a homemade one) To control an electronic device as important as a Blu-ray player…… Sounds Ludacris what’s the deal here?
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Post by jpwoodbu on Apr 11, 2024 17:30:01 GMT -5
Whoever heard of needing to go to an outside source (Especially a homemade one) To control an electronic device as important as a Blu-ray player…… Sounds Ludacris what’s the deal here? As far as I know, Oppo never made a mobile app for the UDP-20X line of UHD BD players. They did have a mobile app for the BDP-83, which was my first Blu-ray player, but the app was very unreliable. Perhaps its API had problems similar to what I'm seeing on my UDP-203. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 11, 2024 18:27:09 GMT -5
Whoever heard of needing to go to an outside source (Especially a homemade one) To control an electronic device as important as a Blu-ray player…… Sounds Ludacris what’s the deal here? They did have a mobile app for the BDP-83, which was my first Blu-ray player, but the app was very unreliable. Perhaps its API had problems similar to what I'm seeing on my UDP-203. Actually I think they did, and I tried it, but didn't use it because my Harmony Hub controls them pretty well. Just searched my iPhone for it and it's not there, but do see I had two of them at some point, one probably for my BRP-93, and one for my UDP-203, from the little cloud it looks like both are still available in the App Store (yes, just re-downloaded the 20X app). I don't know if anything was available for Android.  |
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 12, 2024 8:34:38 GMT -5
One of the host of good reasons to stick with a mainstream player such as Sony/Panasonic…… Remote control for such a device is something no one should even have to give a second thought to
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 12, 2024 11:58:52 GMT -5
One of the host of good reasons to stick with a mainstream player such as Sony/Panasonic…… Remote control for such a device is something no one should even have to give a second thought to Besides the fact that Oppo was a mainstream player (and probably the most lauded on the market), and that it came with a good IR remote control, and an App, and that quite a few of us still use these players, happily, many years after they were discontinued; I think you’re missing the entire point of the value of IP control in some situations. I wont go into it other than to say with my RMC-1 (and XMC-1 before that), I use the App almost exclusively. Be happy with what you do, but don’t knock others who want something different. |
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Post by 405x5 on Apr 12, 2024 12:07:49 GMT -5
One of the host of good reasons to stick with a mainstream player such as Sony/Panasonic…… Remote control for such a device is something no one should even have to give a second thought to Besides the fact that Oppo was a mainstream player (and probably the most lauded on the market), and that it came with a good IR remote control, and an App, and that quite a few of us still use these players, happily, many years after they were discontinued; I think you’re missing the entire point of the value of IP control in some situations. I wont go into it other than to say with my RMC-1 (and XMC-1 before that), I use the App almost exclusively. Be happy with what you do, but don’t knock others who want something different. Go back and read nobody knocked anyone |
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Post by jpwoodbu on Apr 12, 2024 12:19:53 GMT -5
Actually I think they did, and I tried it, but didn't use it because my Harmony Hub controls them pretty well. Just searched my iPhone for it and it's not there, but do see I had two of them at some point, one probably for my BRP-93, and one for my UDP-203, from the little cloud it looks like both are still available in the App Store (yes, just re-downloaded the 20X app). I don't know if anything was available for Android. View AttachmentI should have searched a little harder  . Oppo still has this support page for my player. And on that page, they have links to their iOS app and several links to their Android app, including a downloadable APK! I tried installing that APK on my Android 14 phone but it's "not compatible". It probably would need to be rebuilt to support later Android versions. It's tempting to buy a cheap used iPad just to try their iOS app. It claims to be able to browse media, which, at least using the API features I've found documentation for, is borderline impossible (e.g. names are severely truncated, no direct item selection API... only up/down/left/right/enter commands would work). They very well could be using a later version of the API I don't have docs for. With an iPad I could capture the network traffic and see what they're doing. |
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Post by marcl on Apr 12, 2024 13:24:25 GMT -5
Actually I think they did, and I tried it, but didn't use it because my Harmony Hub controls them pretty well. Just searched my iPhone for it and it's not there, but do see I had two of them at some point, one probably for my BRP-93, and one for my UDP-203, from the little cloud it looks like both are still available in the App Store (yes, just re-downloaded the 20X app). I don't know if anything was available for Android. View AttachmentI should have searched a little harder . Oppo still has this support page for my player. And on that page, they have links to their iOS app and several links to their Android app, including a downloadable APK! I tried installing that APK on my Android 14 phone but it's "not compatible". It probably would need to be rebuilt to support later Android versions. It's tempting to buy a cheap used iPad just to try their iOS app. It claims to be able to browse media, which, at least using the API features I've found documentation for, is borderline impossible (e.g. names are severely truncated, no direct item selection API... only up/down/left/right/enter commands would work). They very well could be using a later version of the API I don't have docs for. With an iPad I could capture the network traffic and see what they're doing. Funny ... another one of those "oh wow I didn't know about this app" ... go to download it "oh wow, I already have it ... so where is it!?"  |
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Post by jpwoodbu on Apr 13, 2024 15:57:30 GMT -5
For those that would find a smart phone remote for their Oppo useful, but only if it's for iOS, are you already using the official remote app from Oppo? Or is there a reason you're not using it?
From the poll results so far, publishing my app for Android doesn't seem like it would be useful to many. But unfortunately, I don't have the necessary hardware (or the $99/y subscription) to publish to the Apple Store. On the other hand, if the official iOS app works well, there's no need for my app on the Apple Store.
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 13, 2024 18:59:23 GMT -5
For those that would find a smart phone remote for their Oppo useful, but only if it's for iOS, are you already using the official remote app from Oppo? Or is there a reason you're not using it? From the poll results so far, publishing my app for Android doesn't seem like it would be useful to many. But unfortunately, I don't have the necessary hardware (or the $99/y subscription) to publish to the Apple Store. On the other hand, if the official iOS app works well, there's no need for my app on the Apple Store. Though I already mentioned that I don’t use the iOS Oppo App because my Harmony meets my needs, I will give it another whirl and report back about how well it works, and if there’s any functionality that’s lacking. I’d agree that if it does what most need, adding another option isn’t worth your time and money. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 15, 2024 16:04:34 GMT -5
As promised, I’ve spent some time trying to test the Oppo 20X App. So far I have not been able to get the App to see my 203, either using a direct IP address, or using the discovery method. The player shows it has an address, and it passes the player’s connectivity test, I can also ping it from other devices on the network. I may play with it some more, and possibly try WiFi (wired now), but for now it’s a no go for me. Doing some Googling, this App seems to be hit and miss with many users.
Test System: Oppo-UDP203 w/Wired Ethernet, iPhone 13 Pro w/iOS 17.4.1, Oppo 20X MediaContol App version 1.1.2
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Post by jpwoodbu on Apr 15, 2024 16:28:13 GMT -5
As promised, I’ve spent some time trying to test the Oppo 20X App. So far I have not been able to get the App to see my 203, either using a direct IP address, or using the discovery method. The player shows it has an address, and it passes the player’s connectivity test, I can also ping it from other devices on the network. I may play with it some more, and possibly try WiFi (wired now), but for now it’s a no go for me. Doing some Googling, this App seems to be hit and miss with many users. Test System: Oppo-UDP203 w/Wired Ethernet, iPhone 13 Pro w/iOS 17.4.1, Oppo 20X MediaContol App version 1.1.2 Thanks for doing that testing! Sounds like the app may be a dud. There is a place in the Oppo settings for turning on/off IP control. If that's off that could also explain it. |
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Post by AudioHTIT on Apr 15, 2024 17:32:30 GMT -5
As promised, I’ve spent some time trying to test the Oppo 20X App. So far I have not been able to get the App to see my 203, either using a direct IP address, or using the discovery method. The player shows it has an address, and it passes the player’s connectivity test, I can also ping it from other devices on the network. I may play with it some more, and possibly try WiFi (wired now), but for now it’s a no go for me. Doing some Googling, this App seems to be hit and miss with many users. Test System: Oppo-UDP203 w/Wired Ethernet, iPhone 13 Pro w/iOS 17.4.1, Oppo 20X MediaContol App version 1.1.2 Thanks for doing that testing! Sounds like the app may be a dud. There is a place in the Oppo settings for turning on/off IP control. If that's off that could also explain it. Yes, at one point I went into settings and looked it over, IP Control was turned on, but I also changed Standby to Network. All this should do, is allow an IP Remote / App to turn the unit on by leaving the NIC running in standby, it didn’t help either. I’ve now also tried WiFi without success. The Oppo does see other devices on the network for SMB, but maybe the port advertising the remote service isn’t opening, though it does show Ping and UPnP (edit: and a port scan shows 23 & 49152). I’ll come back to it later or tomorrow, but for now I’d concur, it’s a dud! |
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Post by jpwoodbu on May 17, 2024 14:52:28 GMT -5
My app is now in public beta on the Play Store. If you care to try it out, you can find it here: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=one.woodbury.oppo_remoteIt's fairly stable when I'm using it with my player. But there have been many difficulties using their documented API. I was able to get the Oppo MediaControl app running on an old phone and I did some snooping of its network traffic. They appear to use an undocumented API between their app and the player. I was able to make some use of it to improve a few features in my app, but I've not gone so far as to implement a file/directory browser. What their app does for file/directory actions is surprisingly complex. I'm able to get most of what I wanted in terms of file/directory browsing using the BubbleUPnP app. So I'm not sure I'll bother going down the file/directory browser rabbit hole any further. |
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. Oppo still has this 
