UHD player for Christmas - need advice

[mar3o]

I don't yet own a UHD player but now that I've been buying some discs I'm thinking it's time to consider one. I have the possibility to ask for one for a Christmas gift this year, but the budget has to be reasonable. We don't have the budget for a $400 player. $200-$250 is more what we can handle. I'd love a Panasonic as they look very high-quality but they are expensive. I need Dolby Vision - which is one of the reasons I skipped the Sony x800. The X700 is made so cheap in comparison and has some goofy settings issues I don't love. I'll never buy another Samsung player, ever. I've had issues and hated every Samsung disc player I've ever owned. I'd consider LG if they are good. My TV is a 2016 LG LCD UHD/3D 55" with Dolby Vision.

There's also my concern over dependability. There isn't a single UHD disc thread it seems where there aren't people saying player X freezes up on disc Y. I see it mentioned all the time. It really makes me wonder if UHD players are not yet up to snuff. My blu-ray players never freeze on a DVD or blu-ray - ever. I do not want to jump into this format if I have to fear every other disc I pop in could freeze at some point. I don't know if UHD discs are problematic (more prone to freezing due to small scratches), or if they have production issues, or if the players are still buggy and they need another generation or two to iron out playback issues. But I do not want to ask for a player for Christmas if I'm going to be cursing it later. I'd rather wait until players are better.

Any advice? I hate buying UHD discs and not even being able to watch them or being able to check if they play ok, but I don't know if now is the time to buy a player or if I should wait. As mentioned Dolby Vision is a must.