well I sent an email (on a Sunday) to the service email address listed for Oppo...I fully expected to get a non deliverable or similar response since I thought Oppo was out of the USA entirely (at least for DVD/Blu-Ray)...to my surprise I received a response and information to send my Oppo back for service...I'll have to pay the flat rate repair service ($99) but they should be able to get my BDP-83 up and running again...
I appreciate the responses here too as I am sure I'll be wanting something newer soon enough but the repair will buy me some time yet...
Bill