Sony launches its first new 4K Blu-ray player in over five years

[HDTV1080P]

Important update: It appears the online article was wrong about HDR10+ and the new Sony UBP-X700/K will not have HDR10+ and instead only standard HDR10 and manual Dolby Vision HDR.

Update: Also, UBP-X700K is for the Japan market and UBP-X700U is for the USA market. There is also a rumor that the UBP-X800U might be released. The K and U models drop streaming apps and WI-FI. Its been verified that there is also a BDP-S1700U 2K Blu-ray player that drops streaming and that series of players never had Wi-Fi.


Rumors are that Sony might be coming out with new 4K Blu-ray players. While all Blu-ray players since the year 2010 from both Panasonic and Sony have had built in streaming apps. The latest Panasonic and Sony 4K Blu-ray players are dropping the 4K streaming apps and all streaming apps which is a bad thing for people with some very old TV’s more then 15 years old and people with projectors (but in many ways that is not a big deal since most people either have streaming built into their TV or purchase a external streaming box like the Roku Ultra if they want streaming).

While in theory the existing Sony UBP-X700 and Sony UBP-X800M2 chipset might be able to offer HDR10+ with a firmware update, however since there is some fees with HDR10+, Sony might decide consumers need to purchase a new 4K Blu-ray player if one wants HDR10+ instead of issuing a firmware update for older 4K Blu-ray players.

According to the latest article if correct, the new Sony UBP-X700/K model will have no streaming apps built in, no WI-FI, however it will still offer RJ45 ethernet jack. Also according to the latest article the new Sony UBP-X700/K will offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vison HDR. If this article is correct, it will be the very first time Sony has supported HDR10+. Possible new Sony LCOS SXRD projectors and OLED TV’s might offer the HDR10+ feature in the future and some models may get a HDR10+ firmware update. This is all speculation but according to the article this new coming soon Sony UBP-X700/K 4K Blu-ray player is offering both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR (Hopefully not fake news). The big question on audiophile minds is, well the Sony UBP-X800M2 get a new model like UBP-X800/K and offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR? Hopefully the UBP-X800 series will still remain in production since it’s a much better player in terms of build quality, DVD-Audio, and a better audio like DSD, etc. Hopefully Sony might start offering auto Dolby Vision HDR instead of offering manual Dolby Vison HDR (but that needs to be verified). It is also reported by the article the new Sony player might cost 25% more in price even though features like WI-FI and streaming are being removed. Adding HDR10+ would add a little bit more to the price. Could be inflation or maybe when items lack streaming apps the item ends up costing around 25% more in price for various reasons.

The following are select quotes from article

“The UBP-X700/K is an updated version of the UBP-X700, which we awarded five stars back when it was released in 2018. This new model doesn't appear to be a radical departure; it sports an almost identical design, support for both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, and it features DTS:X and Dolby Atmos audio support. It even comes with the same remote as the original version, and it supports Bravia Centre Sync audio if you have a compatible Sony Bravia TV.”

“However, in some ways, this new player looks like a downgrade from the original. It's reportedly losing network functions entirely, including video streaming services, Spotify Connect, and screen mirroring. These downgrades have been reported by Japanese publication Monohika (via FlatpanelsHD), and Sony's official website also lists that the UBP-X700/K does not have wi-fi built in.”

“Curiously, the player still features an ethernet socket for wired network connectivity, though this could be for firmware updates rather than accessing streaming services.”

“What's looking less promising regarding this new disc player is the pricing. Officially speaking, pricing is yet to be revealed, however, the player is available in Japan now with a reportedly 25 per cent higher retail price than the original model. Will we see this price rise translate to other markets? Only time will tell, as this player is set to release this April or May, depending on the region.”



https://www.whathifi.com/tv-home-cin...d-and-bad-news

[Cortiz]

Knowing Sony, this will most likely be the same old model, just strip of some features. Hope i'm wrong.

[Juvefan01]

I just hope it can auto switch to Dolby Vision and back.

[MrHT]

At least it’s nice to hear that Sony will continue to release 4K players and has no plans to abandon the format.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Rumors are that Sony might be coming out with new 4K Blu-ray players. While all Blu-ray players since the year 2010 from both Panasonic and Sony have had built in streaming apps. The latest Panasonic and Sony 4K Blu-ray players are dropping the 4K streaming apps and all streaming apps which is a bad thing for people with some very old TV’s more then 15 years old and people with projectors (but in many ways that is not a big deal since most people either have streaming built into their TV or purchase a external streaming box like the Roku Ultra if they want streaming).

While in theory the existing Sony UBP-X700 and Sony UBP-X800M2 chipset might be able to offer HDR10+ with a firmware update, however since there is some fees with HDR10+, Sony might decide consumers need to purchase a new 4K Blu-ray player if one wants HDR10+ instead of issuing a firmware update for older 4K Blu-ray players.

According to the latest article if correct, the new Sony UBP-X700/K model will have no streaming apps built in, no WI-FI, however it will still offer RJ45 ethernet jack. Also according to the latest article the new Sony UBP-X700/K will offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vison HDR. If this article is correct, it will be the very first time Sony has supported HDR10+. Possible new Sony LCOS SXRD projectors and OLED TV’s might offer the HDR10+ feature in the future and some models may get a HDR10+ firmware update. This is all speculation but according to the article this new coming soon Sony UBP-X700/K 4K Blu-ray player is offering both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR (Hopefully not fake news). The big question on audiophile minds is, well the Sony UBP-X800M2 get a new model like UBP-X800/K and offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR? Hopefully the UBP-X800 series will still remain in production since it’s a much better player in terms of build quality, DVD-Audio, and a better audio like DSD, etc. Hopefully Sony might start offering auto Dolby Vision HDR instead of offering manual Dolby Vison HDR (but that needs to be verified). It is also reported by the article the new Sony player might cost 25% more in price even though features like WI-FI and streaming are being removed. Adding HDR10+ would add a little bit more to the price. Could be inflation or maybe when items lack streaming apps the item ends up costing around 25% more in price for various reasons.

The following are select quotes from article

“The UBP-X700/K is an updated version of the UBP-X700, which we awarded five stars back when it was released in 2018. This new model doesn't appear to be a radical departure; it sports an almost identical design, support for both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, and it features DTS:X and Dolby Atmos audio support. It even comes with the same remote as the original version, and it supports Bravia Centre Sync audio if you have a compatible Sony Bravia TV.”

“However, in some ways, this new player looks like a downgrade from the original. It's reportedly losing network functions entirely, including video streaming services, Spotify Connect, and screen mirroring. These downgrades have been reported by Japanese publication Monohika (via FlatpanelsHD), and Sony's official website also lists that the UBP-X700/K does not have wi-fi built in.”

“Curiously, the player still features an ethernet socket for wired network connectivity, though this could be for firmware updates rather than accessing streaming services.”

“What's looking less promising regarding this new disc player is the pricing. Officially speaking, pricing is yet to be revealed, however, the player is available in Japan now with a reportedly 25 per cent higher retail price than the original model. Will we see this price rise translate to other markets? Only time will tell, as this player is set to release this April or May, depending on the region.”



https://www.whathifi.com/tv-home-cin...d-and-bad-news

They have already put the manual up. No HDR10+ or automatic Dolby Vision.

[mx77]

The price of this player in Finland seems to be 330€. Not that cheap, but bearable. If they have fixed the layer change problem (new drive model needed for that, or is it a software issue?), I will certainly buy one.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by MrHT

At least it’s nice to hear that Sony will continue to release 4K players and has no plans to abandon the format.

They might just discontinue the X800M2 and all Blu-ray and DVD players and just make only the X700K available. It cuts production costs a ton if they did that. So while it's not abandoning the format for now it's getting close enough. Still this is good news even if it winds up being the only Sony disc player they sell. It's not like anyone would need to buy a Blu-ray or DVD player by them if they got the X700K it does the same thing.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by danny24

They might just discontinue the X800M2 and all Blu-ray and DVD players and just make only the X700K available. It cuts production costs a ton if they did that. So while it's not abandoning the format for now it's getting close enough. Still this is good news even if it winds up being the only Sony disc player they sell. It's not like anyone would need to buy a Blu-ray or DVD player by them if they got the X700K it does the same thing.

If it’s just a stripped down 700 that’s still bad news. That’s widely considered a problematic player.

Surely even if they strip some features for cost cutting, they’d at least “fix” the 2 major flaws (lack of automatic HDR/DV detection and the playback issues… esp with 100GB discs). Without those very basic fixes they may as well leave the space. IMO.

[Cortiz]

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

If it’s just a stripped down 700 that’s still bad news. That’s widely considered a problematic player.

Surely even if they strip some features for cost cutting, they’d at least “fix” the 2 major flaws (lack of automatic HDR/DV detection and the playback issues… esp with 100GB discs). Without those very basic fixes they may as well leave the space. IMO.

If they indeed fix the playback issues and add dv auto detection, they better provide a firmware update for their existing players. It's the right thing to do for all those years of crappy performance customers had to endure.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by Cortiz

If they indeed fix the playback issues and add dv auto detection, they better provide a firmware update for their existing players. It's the right thing to do for all those years of crappy performance customers had to endure.

The "Dolby Vision" setting is still the same manual setting according to the manual.

[Telemachus]

I bet this is exactly the same unit with no wifi or apps, so it still freezes on 100gb discs unless some ghost design improvements are made. But at least physical media is saved!

[Cortiz]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

The "Dolby Vision" setting is still the same manual setting according to the manual.

They can keep it then.

[AgentOrange]

Originally Posted by Cortiz

They can keep it then.

I had the 800m2, the manual toggle (and “always on”) Dolby Vision wasn’t a deal breaker. I just find it a ridiculous thing to leave unaddressed.

What was a dealbreaker was the # of UHD disks that it choked on, and somehow that was the better player? It played regular blu rays without issues.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

They have already put the manual up. No HDR10+ or automatic Dolby Vision.

Originally Posted by BijouMan

The "Dolby Vision" setting is still the same manual setting according to the manual.

If that is true then the article was wrong about HDR10+, and this player is a downgrade with streaming and WI-FI removed and possible a 25% higher price. On the USA website I do not see the owner's manual. Where can I download the owner's manual from an official Sony source? I will correct my post if HDR10+ is not really offered. When I purchased the OPPO UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player in December 2016 it only offered HDR10, the company came out with a free firmware update to auto Dolby Vision HDR in 2017, and then another free firmware update in 2018 offered HDR10+. Both Magnetar and Panasonic offer Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ from the same player. Also streaming boxes like Roku Ultra in the last few years offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR. It does not make any sense why Sony does no HDR10+ and manual Dolby Vision HDR.

Low-cost optical disc players were needed back in the days when people could rent movies on optical disc. But when REDBOX and Netflix stopped offering optical disc rentals like Blu-ray and DVD, the need for lower cost players went away. Renting of movies are now done by streaming, cable TV, and satellite TV (most the time low bit rate 4K and always lossy audio).

The average person that is into collecting physical media most likely spends a minimum of $1,000 a year buying movies and TV series. Many people spend several thousands of dollars a year buying 4K Blu-ray discs and 2K Blu-ray discs. My point is people do not want a low cost player anymore since the rental market is no more for optical discs, if one is spending $2,000 a year on movies, they are going to want a 4K Blu-ray player that costs $500 or more. While I was all for low priced, medium priced, and high priced players in the past. Now high end top of the line models are needed and maybe some medium priced models.

A 2K Blu-ray player for $50 was needed back in the day when someone was only making $7 an hour in their career and was able to rent a movie on optical disc for $2. We are in a buyers only market now for optical discs since the rental market was lost. We are in the days of the Laserdisc prices for movies but at least in the Laserdisc days the rental market lasted around two decades.

The Magnetar UDP900 looks like a attractive player to own especially since we are in a buyers only market for optical discs.

https://magnetar-audio.com/bluray-player-udp900/

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

If that is true then the article was wrong about HDR10+, and this player is a downgrade with streaming and WI-FI removed and possible a 25% higher price. On the USA website I do not see the owner's manual. Where can I download the owner's manual from an official Sony source? I will correct my post if HDR10+ is not really offered. When I purchased the OPPO UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player in December 2016 it only offered HDR10, the company came out with a free firmware update to auto Dolby Vision HDR in 2017, and then another free firmware update in 2018 offered HDR10+. Both Magnetar and Panasonic offer Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ from the same player. Also streaming boxes like Roku Ultra in the last few years offer both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR. It does not make any sense why Sony does no HDR10+ and manual Dolby Vision HDR.

Low-cost optical disc players were needed back in the days when people could rent movies on optical disc. But when REDBOX and Netflix stopped offering optical disc rentals like Blu-ray and DVD, the need for lower cost players went away. Renting of movies are now done by streaming, cable TV, and satellite TV (most the time low bit rate 4K and always lossy audio).

The average person that is into collecting physical media most likely spends a minimum of $1,000 a year buying movies and TV series. Many people spend several thousands of dollars a year buying 4K Blu-ray discs and 2K Blu-ray discs. My point is people do not want a low cost player anymore since the rental market is no more for optical discs, if one is spending $2,000 a year on movies, they are going to want a 4K Blu-ray player that costs $500 or more. While I was all for low priced, medium priced, and high priced players in the past. Now high end top of the line models are needed and maybe some medium priced models.

A 2K Blu-ray player for $50 was needed back in the day when someone was only making $7 an hour in their career and was able to rent a movie on optical disc for $2. We are in a buyers only market now for optical discs since the rental market was lost. We are in the days of the Laserdisc prices for movies but at least in the Laserdisc days the rental market lasted around two decades.

The Magnetar UDP900 looks like a attractive player to own especially since we are in a buyers only market for optical discs.

https://magnetar-audio.com/bluray-player-udp900/

https://www.sony.com/electronics/sup.../50458701M.pdf

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by danny24

They might just discontinue the X800M2 and all Blu-ray and DVD players and just make only the X700K available. It cuts production costs a ton if they did that. So while it's not abandoning the format for now it's getting close enough. Still this is good news even if it winds up being the only Sony disc player they sell. It's not like anyone would need to buy a Blu-ray or DVD player by them if they got the X700K it does the same thing.

The Sony store in the USA shows two standard definition DVD players are in production. One model out of stock and one DVD player the DVP-SR210P model for $34.99 in stock.

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide.../c/dvd-players

When it comes to Sony 2K Blu-ray players they have stopped production on all models except the entry level Sony BDP-S1700U for $74.99 or higher. However, it appears that the BDP-S1700 that had wired ethernet with streaming was replaced with a newer model called Sony BDP-S1700U that drops the streaming features, and the price might be higher but not sure since player is out of stock.

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide...yers/c/blu-ray

For Sony 4K Blu-ray players the top of the line Sony UBP-X800M2 for $249.99 with ethernet, WI-FI, and streaming appears to be out of stock. However, the 4K Blu-ray Sony UBP-X700/M is still in stock for $179.99 and offers ethernet, WI-FI, and streaming. But there appears to be a coming soon UBP-X700U that is out of stock and WI-FI and streaming are not mentioned and maybe a higher price when it arrives.

https://electronics.sony.com/tv-vide...y-disc-players

Instead of stopping production on all Sony optical disc players. It would make sense to just stop production on the Sony DVD players and Sony 2K Blu-ray players, and make at least one or two 4K Blu-ray players that play all optical discs. But that is something the Sony executives are going to need to decide.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Cortiz

If they indeed fix the playback issues and add dv auto detection, they better provide a firmware update for their existing players. It's the right thing to do for all those years of crappy performance customers had to endure.

Originally Posted by AgentOrange

If it’s just a stripped down 700 that’s still bad news. That’s widely considered a problematic player.

Surely even if they strip some features for cost cutting, they’d at least “fix” the 2 major flaws (lack of automatic HDR/DV detection and the playback issues… esp with 100GB discs). Without those very basic fixes they may as well leave the space. IMO.

Originally Posted by Telemachus

I bet this is exactly the same unit with no wifi or apps, so it still freezes on 100gb discs unless some ghost design improvements are made. But at least physical media is saved!

I know people complain about the Sony 700 and 800 series of players. However other people love the performance of the Sony players.

A family member that I know has been using the first-generation year 2017 Sony UBP-X800 with many 4K Blu-ray BD-100 discs and has never once reported a problem. I know the improved second-generation year 2019 Sony UBP-X800M2 4K Blu-ray player just adds Dolby Vision HDR and maybe some improved 4K apps. But the optical drive is the same in both players, and unless the chipset is radically changed for the worse, the second generation UBP-X800M2 should be just as reliable or better then the first generation UBP-X800. But since I have never opened and played around with the year 2019 Sony UBP-X800M2 I cannot say for sure. But many people with the Sony UBP-X800M2 have reported no or very little problems when playing 4K Blu-ray discs.

Many online websites offer a 30 day return policy on the Sony UBP-X800M2, and I suggest people purchase many BD-100 discs within the first 30 days to make sure their player is working correctly. One then has 30 days to exchange or return the 4K Blu-ray player. Crutchfield has a 60 day return policy and the Sony UBP-X800M2 only costs $248 on their website (60-day price guarantee and the company double boxes most items).

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158X80...BP-X800M2.html

[Vilya]

So, the title of this thread is misleading. There are no new 4K disc players from Sony. None.

All Sony has done is to strip a couple of features from the Sony UBP-X700, namely streaming aps and wifi connectivity. Sony is simply going to offer a stripped down model and rename it the UBP-X700U. It will likely be offered at an even higher price than the original version. Pay more, get less.

If we're lucky, it will be the same price. Pay same, get less. Either way, there's not a lot to here.

[Telemachus]

Yeah higher price for less features is bunk, this thing should be like $149 or something which is how much you can get the other one nearly when it was on sale, I got mine for $159 one Christmas

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by Vilya

So, the title of this thread is misleading. There are no new 4K disc players from Sony. None.

All Sony has done is to strip a couple of features from the Sony UBP-X700, namely streaming aps and wifi connectivity. Sony is simply going to offer a stripped down model and rename it the UBP-X700K. It will likely be offered at an even higher price than the original version. Pay more, get less.

If we're lucky, it will be the same price. Pay same, get less. Either way, there's not a lot to here.

Well technically this is a new model 4K Blu-ray player from Sony and may have different chips and components on the printed circuit board. You and I might not like the fact that it offers less features at a possible higher price. I do wish Sony would change the complete model number when offering new models to avoid consumer confusion. Why not call the player Sony UBP-X690 since streaming apps and WI-FI was removed. If the player added features like HDR10+ or something else it could be called a Sony UBP-X710. If I was in charge at Sony optical disc department, I would have three new models of 4K Blu-ray players and I would engineer the hardware to beyond the specs needed for good performance using new powerful long lasting CPU’s with low heat, and many other engineering changes on the hardware and software side.