First 4k Player - Recommendations - Blu-ray Forum

JFS3 · 03-22-2022, 05:41 PM

While I have been buying new titles and historical rereleases in 4K I have yet to get a player. Looking to dive in and looking for recommendations. Current Tv is a Vizio 4k M70-C3 and current receiver is a similar vintage Sony 5.1. Theatre area setup with 5.1. Current Sony Blu-Ray feeds directly to receiver and receiver to TV. Looking to get into 4k without breaking the bank. Do I need a new receiver as well? Will the player need to have a direct connection to the TV instead of the receiver? Have traditionally bought Sony but I understand their 4k players have limitations. Receiver is NOT 4k.

Thanks

BijouMan · 03-22-2022, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFS3

While I have been buying new titles and historical rereleases in 4K I have yet to get a player. Looking to dive in and looking for recommendations. Current Tv is a Vizio 4k M70-C3 and current receiver is a similar vintage Sony 5.1. Theatre area setup with 5.1. Current Sony Blu-Ray feeds directly to receiver and receiver to TV. Looking to get into 4k without breaking the bank. Do I need a new receiver as well? Will the player need to have a direct connection to the TV instead of the receiver? Have traditionally bought Sony but I understand their 4k players have limitations. Receiver is NOT 4k.

Thanks

I would recommend Panasonic's DP-UB820. I also advise connecting the player directly to both your display and sound device to ensure the best possible video and audio quality. You will need an HDMI 2.0 or later cable to connect to the display, but for the sound device, you can use one of your existing HDMI 1.3 or later cables.

garyd97 · 03-25-2022, 02:15 PM

If you don't care about streaming options, Panasonic 820.

bhampton · 03-25-2022, 03:19 PM

I ordered the new version of the Panasonic UB9000.

It's twice the cost of the 820 but It's built very differently and I think worth the upgrade.

[Show spoiler]

My Panasonic 420 was great but was damaged while in storage so I'm sure the 820 or even the 150 is good.

It's just relatively not that much more for the best available. I think.

I won't stream with my disc player. I never give the disc player network access apart from getting Firmware on occasion. Streaming boxes do it
better.

Just don't get the Sony. (in this case.... I didn't have luck with x700 and lots of folks have trouble with x800 and X800M2)

-Brian

Yogi6807 · 03-25-2022, 03:44 PM

Don’t buy the Panasonic 150. Anything else is better than that. So pick a player in your budget just not that one.

tcripe · 03-25-2022, 04:26 PM

Since your TV supports Dolby Vision, make sure you buy a player that supports that feature.

meckel · 03-25-2022, 05:07 PM

As other have said the Panasonic DP-UB820 is a very good unit. I own it and I'm very happy with it. As I'm sure sure what you budget is another option would be the Sony UBPX800M2. I also own the Sony and it's a solid player. Both support Dolby Vision and have 2 HDMI outputs. This will allow you to run video directly to your TV and audio to your receiver without having to to updated the receiver.

I'm not as familiar with the Panasonic 420, but it does not support Dolby Vision HDR and you TV does so that would be a limitation of the player IMO

blakninja · 03-26-2022, 05:45 PM

Does a MacBook Pro M1 counts as a 4k player?

cminer72 · 03-26-2022, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcripe

Since your TV supports Dolby Vision, make sure you buy a player that supports that feature.

Dolby Vision is overrated and a gimmick. The Panasonic 420 is a great buy. It's half the price of the 820 and with the HDR optimizer, Dolby Vision is pointless. Don't spend twice as much for Dolby Vision licensing.

tcripe · 03-26-2022, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cminer72

Dolby Vision is overrated and a gimmick

Questionable and non factual opinion.

Penton-Man · 03-26-2022, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cminer72

Dolby Vision is overrated and a gimmick. The Panasonic 420 is a great buy. It's half the price of the 820 and with the HDR optimizer, Dolby Vision is pointless. Don't spend twice as much for Dolby Vision licensing.

reminder for Monday

BijouMan · 03-27-2022, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakninja

Does a MacBook Pro M1 counts as a 4k player?

That's something I've been wanting for a long time but sadly it still doesn't.

Zoodles95 · 03-27-2022, 01:29 AM

Can I join in for suggestions?

Recently new to 4k capability. Got a Samsung 75" Q70A so I have HDR 10+ capability but no Dolby Vision. Right now the leading contender is the Panasonic 420. However, there are used Samsung M8500 and M9500 available nearby. Worth a flier to get me into the game? Did they add HDR 10+ to the M8500 and M9500 later on?

Yogi6807 · 03-27-2022, 02:48 AM

Get the Panasonic 420. I have the 8500 it is really buggy. It also has the worst upscaling of all the players I have tried. The remote might not work on the used ones you buy. Somebody could be wanting to just dump it. It is a problem with that unit.

03-22-2022, 05:41 PM	#1
JFS3 Active Member Member since:Jan 2019 4K collection:101 Blu-ray collection:375 DVD collection:350 MA collection:646 Digital collection:942 iTunes collection:683	First 4k Player - Recommendations While I have been buying new titles and historical rereleases in 4K I have yet to get a player. Looking to dive in and looking for recommendations. Current Tv is a Vizio 4k M70-C3 and current receiver is a similar vintage Sony 5.1. Theatre area setup with 5.1. Current Sony Blu-Ray feeds directly to receiver and receiver to TV. Looking to get into 4k without breaking the bank. Do I need a new receiver as well? Will the player need to have a direct connection to the TV instead of the receiver? Have traditionally bought Sony but I understand their 4k players have limitations. Receiver is NOT 4k. Thanks Last edited by JFS3; 03-22-2022 at 05:48 PM.

03-25-2022, 02:15 PM	#3
garyd97 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Apr 2013 4K collection:93 Blu-ray collection:214 Trading Score:198	If you don't care about streaming options, Panasonic 820.

03-25-2022, 03:19 PM	#4
bhampton Blu-ray Count Member since:Aug 2007 4K collection:981 Blu-ray collection:2537 DVD collection:67 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:18	I ordered the new version of the Panasonic UB9000. It's twice the cost of the 820 but It's built very differently and I think worth the upgrade. [Show spoiler] My Panasonic 420 was great but was damaged while in storage so I'm sure the 820 or even the 150 is good. It's just relatively not that much more for the best available. I think. I won't stream with my disc player. I never give the disc player network access apart from getting Firmware on occasion. Streaming boxes do it better. Just don't get the Sony. (in this case.... I didn't have luck with x700 and lots of folks have trouble with x800 and X800M2) -Brian

03-25-2022, 03:44 PM	#5
Yogi6807 Member Member since:Feb 2021 Location:Florida	Don’t buy the Panasonic 150. Anything else is better than that. So pick a player in your budget just not that one.

03-25-2022, 04:26 PM	#6
tcripe Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jul 2018 Location:Seattle	Since your TV supports Dolby Vision, make sure you buy a player that supports that feature.

03-25-2022, 05:07 PM	#7
meckel Senior Member Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Nashville, TN 4K collection:775 Blu-ray collection:3056	As other have said the Panasonic DP-UB820 is a very good unit. I own it and I'm very happy with it. As I'm sure sure what you budget is another option would be the Sony UBPX800M2. I also own the Sony and it's a solid player. Both support Dolby Vision and have 2 HDMI outputs. This will allow you to run video directly to your TV and audio to your receiver without having to to updated the receiver. I'm not as familiar with the Panasonic 420, but it does not support Dolby Vision HDR and you TV does so that would be a limitation of the player IMO

03-26-2022, 05:45 PM	#8
blakninja Expert Member Member since:Nov 2014	Does a MacBook Pro M1 counts as a 4k player?

03-27-2022, 01:29 AM	#13
Zoodles95 Active Member Member since:Jan 2011 4K collection:125 Blu-ray collection:977 DVD collection:42 Trading Score:3	Can I join in for suggestions? Recently new to 4k capability. Got a Samsung 75" Q70A so I have HDR 10+ capability but no Dolby Vision. Right now the leading contender is the Panasonic 420. However, there are used Samsung M8500 and M9500 available nearby. Worth a flier to get me into the game? Did they add HDR 10+ to the M8500 and M9500 later on?

03-27-2022, 02:48 AM	#14
Yogi6807 Member Member since:Feb 2021 Location:Florida	Get the Panasonic 420. I have the 8500 it is really buggy. It also has the worst upscaling of all the players I have tried. The remote might not work on the used ones you buy. Somebody could be wanting to just dump it. It is a problem with that unit.

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