Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Ben_UK]

Originally Posted by TinGeek

Maybe a cable issue. It's a cheap fix if that's what it turns out to be.
Just to be sure I'm replacing my old cables with Monoprice certified premium cables to eliminate cable issues when I setup my new stuff (Oled TV, sound system, speakers, 4K BD player, etc).

I found the issue, its almost too embarrassing to say what it was.

I was inserting the BD disc.

[Fat Phil]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

I found the issue, its almost too embarrassing to say what it was.

I was inserting the BD disc.

My friend..... I am no stranger to such a mistake

[ChicagoMike]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMike

Ok, I am not happy with Sony right now. For weeks I have been trying to get them to resolve a problem with my X800 not playing The Hitman's Bodyguard 4K disc (tried three brand new copies, all locked up the player). At first they told me "if other 4K movies play, then the player is fine." Eventually they agreed that the player should be able to play the Hitman's Bodyguard 4K disc. Then I spent another week trying to get them to either repair or replace my player. They finally called me today and said I can ship my player back to them, and I will get a check for what I paid for the player. The problem is that I bought the player when it was on sale for $150. I told the rep on the phone that I can't replace the player for that amount (I see it for $279 online). I asked him to either repair or replace my player. He said "sorry, this is the only option."

They have spent so much time and effort making sure that I don't get a player that works without spending more money. Unbelievable!

Ok, not sure why Sony has repeatedly told me that they can't replace or repair my unit (only refund me what I paid). Maybe because I only paid $150? They asked for a receipt before they told me what the next step would be.

Well, the story gets better. Frustrated that I will only get $150 back for my player, I decide to take the player and the 4K Hitman's Bodyguard disc to Best Buy to see if they can verify whether it's the disc or the player (even though I didn't buy either there). Geek Squad quickly confirms that the disc won't play, but can't tell me if it's the disc or the player. I bring the disc back to their home theater section and ask if I can play it in one of their players. Mind you, this is the 3rd copy of the movie that I have obtained from Target, so I am assuming the movie is good. They put the movie in an LG player, and it won't read! So the manufacturer must have made a whole batch of unreadable discs! I go back to Target to exchange the movie, and find one that has a HDR sticker that wasn't on my other copies. I'm hoping this one was from a new batch. Get the player home and fire it up... and it works! I am so glad I didn't return my player to Sony, only to get $150 back and then have to spend about $280 to get a replacement player!

[JTWfan77]

I'm contemplating getting one of these but plan to use it on a legacy 1080p television until I succumb to upgrading, as I'm hesitant to lose my 3D capability (I still have lots of 3D BDs). My question is this: would a UHD BD scaled down to 1080p (and obviously not having HDR playback capability on my set) look the same, better or worse than the equivalent BD of the same film (assuming the same transfer)? The reason I want this player is it plays SACD, DVD-Audio, 3D BD and UHD, so I'm future-proofed but still able to enjoy my legacy media.

[jibucha]

i too have been curious :: although i have not had a HD display for many years now :: so, a friend of mine, also curious, borrowed one of my UHD players to do comparisons on his HD display

he played both HD & UHD discs, successfully, with the expected improvements to both audio and video

reason for the improvements? :: does it matter? :: fact is that using a UHD player is an improvement to performance, and a good investment in preparing for the future (display)

'his conclusion' :: although he's not purchasing either a player or display at this point in time, he's 'definitely purchasing UHD content' as he sees it as sensible

conclusion (mine) :: it would be quite beneficial to you to acquire this player, so long as Dolby Vision (which i highly prefer) is not of interest to you

'do it' and be 'happy' :: 'the improvements will be obvious' and 'you will appreciate them'

Originally Posted by JTWfan77

I'm contemplating getting one of these but plan to use it on a legacy 1080p television until I succumb to upgrading, as I'm hesitant to lose my 3D capability (I still have lots of 3D BDs). My question is this: would a UHD BD scaled down to 1080p (and obviously not having HDR playback capability on my set) look the same, better or worse than the equivalent BD of the same film (assuming the same transfer)? The reason I want this player is it plays SACD, DVD-Audio, 3D BD and UHD, so I'm future-proofed but still able to enjoy my legacy media.

[JTWfan77]

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I'll be adding this to my wishlist.

Do we know for sure that Dolby Vision won't be possible via firmware update in the future?

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by JTWfan77

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I'll be adding this to my wishlist.



Do we know for sure that Dolby Vision won't be possible via firmware update in the future?

It won’t ever come, unfortunately.

[jibucha]

definite :: Sony has been quite clear (in many ways)

note :: they 'thought' they could, but without the Dolby Vision (graphics chip) cannot :: this applies to their displays/players, although with regards to the displays, they are indicating, using a special implementation of Dolby Vision designed for Sony (exclusive?) which allows a player, with the Dolby Vision (graphics chipset) to do the Dolby Vision video processing for the display (at least this is the most current information)

for this reason, i currently have two Sony UBP-X800's (purchased primarily when Dolby Vision was 'unofficially' indicated as supported via a firmware update)

additionally, now my primary player, i have two LG UP970's specifically as the picture quality is improved over the Sony (in every application), especially with regards to Dolby Vision

both have their strengths, so - picture quality goes to the LG, especially Dolby Vision :: build quality, remote performance, audio - goes to the Sony

Originally Posted by JTWfan77

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like I'll be adding this to my wishlist.

Do we know for sure that Dolby Vision won't be possible via firmware update in the future?

[Iain-]

Originally Posted by jibucha

i too have been curious :: although i have not had a HD display for many years now :: so, a friend of mine, also curious, borrowed one of my UHD players to do comparisons on his HD display

he played both HD & UHD discs, successfully, with the expected improvements to both audio and video

reason for the improvements? :: does it matter? :: fact is that using a UHD player is an improvement to performance, and a good investment in preparing for the future (display)

'his conclusion' :: although he's not purchasing either a player or display at this point in time, he's 'definitely purchasing UHD content' as he sees it as sensible

conclusion (mine) :: it would be quite beneficial to you to acquire this player, so long as Dolby Vision (which i highly prefer) is not of interest to you

'do it' and be 'happy' :: 'the improvements will be obvious' and 'you will appreciate them'

With appropriately fast network infrastructure and UHD interface, I came to the same conclusion with streaming UHD content on:

1. Netflix
2. Amazon Prime Video
3. Curiosity Stream

I firmly believe that physical and streaming media will coexist well.

[Ben_UK]

Its been near 6 months since the last firmware update. Whats happening Sony? People have discs they can't play without encountering issues...

Pull your bloody finger out.

[Tornado Red]

Originally Posted by Fat Phil

My friend..... I am no stranger to such a mistake

Same here. I only have about 15 UHD discs so far, and at least 3 of them had the UHD on the left side of the case under the digital code paper work. I've switched them around and will now watch for this with new purchases so I don't continue to feel like a dork for putting in the BD

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

Its been near 6 months since the last firmware update. Whats happening Sony? People have discs they can't play without encountering issues...

Pull your bloody finger out.

I haven't had any issues with my UHDs.

[HDTV1080P]

Also a firmware update could update the VUDU streaming app from 1080P to 4K Ultra HD. Plus the Netflix app could be updated to support Dolby ATMOS with a Dolby Digital Plus core (Right now Netflix is only Dolby Digital).


So far no issues playing optical discs on the Sony.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Also a firmware update could update the VUDU streaming app from 1080P to 4K Ultra HD. Plus the Netflix app could be updated to support Dolby ATMOS with a Dolby Digital Plus core (Right now Netflix is only Dolby Digital).

So far no issues playing optical discs on the Sony.

Yes to all of the above, plus Dolby Vision support....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8cE...ature=youtu.be

[RustinCohle]

So if it’s true that Sony will never update this player to have DV, but the X700 will, could someone do a YouTube tutorial on how to take apart the internals of the X700 and put them in the X800’s shell?

I just hate how cheap the X700 looks..

[Bobby Boo]

If you have issues with this player, take my advice and write down the date, time, etc. that you call/chat with Sony customer service. Also (and most importantly) ask them for a reference number before you end the call, even if they solve your problem. Mine froze completely, no picture no sound, twice. I ran through the usual suggested solves (unplug for awhile, check/change cables, check/change inputs on your TV) BEFORE calling a second time but they will still ask you to do that while they are on the line. The good news is that my original player is on the way back to Sony, and they're replacing it! Once we got to that point, the process was pretty smooth, other than having to make a separate call to the warranty folks (odd that they couldn't at least transfer me). Love the player (watching "Dunkirk" using this and a Sony 4K TV was nearly a religious experience), looking forward to having one that works reliably!

[Nice Guy Eddie]

I've had mine since October and it's worked without any issues until this morning. It froze and then shut off about 45 minutes into a movie. I turned it back on and was able to finish the film without any other problems. Hopefully it's a one time thing.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by RustinCohle

So if it’s true that Sony will never update this player to have DV, but the X700 will, could someone do a YouTube tutorial on how to take apart the internals of the X700 and put them in the X800’s shell?

I just hate how cheap the X700 looks..

Rusty,

I know the cost is way out of the mid-price range of the Sony spinners, but an Oppo 203 is what you really need. We are getting firmware updates about 3 - 4 times a year to keep up with disc issues and fine tune the hardware.

If you can buy a refurbished unit, they run about $439 ($110 less than a new unit) and come with a new box and all the like new fixin's inside. And a full just like new warranty. If I ever need to buy a second one, this is how I will do it.

And you will have both kinds of DV, after we get the update in a couple of months for the Sony TV's. (no promise by me on the time frame, just repeating what insiders are hinting at)

[jibucha]

most likely (hopefully) - - - i had similar irregularities, last summer with mine also - - - i did as you did for awhile when the issue manifested, and have not had reoccurances since then - - - strange but true

Originally Posted by Nice Guy Eddie

I've had mine since October and it's worked without any issues until this morning. It froze and then shut off about 45 minutes into a movie. I turned it back on and was able to finish the film without any other problems. Hopefully it's a one time thing.

[RustinCohle]

Originally Posted by gkolb

Rusty,

I know the cost is way out of the mid-price range of the Sony spinners, but an Oppo 203 is what you really need. We are getting firmware updates about 3 - 4 times a year to keep up with disc issues and fine tune the hardware.

If you can buy a refurbished unit, they run about $439 ($110 less than a new unit) and come with a new box and all the like new fixin's inside. And a full just like new warranty. If I ever need to buy a second one, this is how I will do it.

And you will have both kinds of DV, after we get the update in a couple of months for the Sony TV's. (no promise by me on the time frame, just repeating what insiders are hinting at)

See the thing is, I’m mostly just curious if DV really looks that much better. The only thing I’ve watched in DV is the new season of Black Mirror streamed through Netflix and it didn’t exactly blow me away, but I didn’t have anything to compare it to.

My X800, now that I’ve tweaked a few of the settings, plays flawlessly. The only ‘downfall’ is that it doesn’t have DV. However, I’ve never watched a disc with DV so I don’t know what the big deal is. I guess it would be cool to have just to see what it’s like, but for $500 (when my $150 player plays great) I don’t NEED it.