Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[eddievanhalen]

What I still don't understand is why a 2017 player can't play music files gapless. It's easy, the player just needs to buffer the beginning of the next track on its RAM memory while playing the current file. My 2012 Pioneer A/V receiver does it and even my inexpensive FiiO X3 MK II from 2016 does it. I think it's lazyness from Sony.

[LordoftheRings]

...Or fear, or lack of faith, or worthiness, or impotence, incompetence, or just a Sony thing; "I'm me and I'm different with a unique egotrip". Could it also be just a simple omission, a moment of inattention, a phase shift, a time warp?

[ryanmcv]

Originally Posted by Frank@Chicago

Too bad the M2 chassis looks super-cheap.

Was hoping for something in the lineage of the tank-like X800.

I'll probably wait for PS5 reveal and see what's going on with that.

Huh? The X800M2 chassis is identical to the X800. Same dimensions, same weight, same everything. Not sure what you're talking about. The X800 is by far the quietest and most solidly-built player in its price range. If you like the build quality of the X800, then there's no reason to dislike the X800M2.

[Frank@Chicago]

Originally Posted by ryanmcv

Huh? The X800M2 chassis is identical to the X800. Same dimensions, same weight, same everything. Not sure what you're talking about. The X800 is by far the quietest and most solidly-built player in its price range. If you like the build quality of the X800, then there's no reason to dislike the X800M2.

My bad, I remembered it (X800) being more square than rectangle.

I had to look inside my A/V rack and run my hands around it.

I'm quite delighted to be wrong, so many players now are feather-weights.

[spider-neil]

Originally Posted by ryanmcv

Huh? The X800M2 chassis is identical to the X800. Same dimensions, same weight, same everything. Not sure what you're talking about. The X800 is by far the quietest and most solidly-built player in its price range. If you like the build quality of the X800, then there's no reason to dislike the X800M2.

Picking this up when it comes out in May. Play 4K and 3D and has Dolby Vision. I used to own the LG 4k player (also with Dolby Vision) but got rid because it sounded like a plane taking off when playing movies.

[HDTV1080P]

A thread has been created for the new 2019 Sony UBP-X800M2 with Dolby Vision HDR. That is the only known difference at this time between the 2017 UBP-X800 and the 2019 UBP-X800M2.


For those consumers that have Dolby Vision HDR compatible displays, then it is strongly recommend to upgrade.


https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?t=316337

[LordoftheRings]

If only Dolby Vision was included with 4K/3D front projectors ...

And, if it was better implemented and supported by all 4K UHD flat panel manufacturers ...

So, the X800M2 is not necessarily better for all customers, over the already splendid, marvelous X800.
See what I'm sayin' ...

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

If only Dolby Vision was included with 4K/3D front projectors ...

And, if it was better implemented and supported by all 4K UHD flat panel manufacturers ...

So, the X800M2 is not necessarily better for all customers, over the already splendid, marvelous X800.
See what I'm sayin' ...

IF you only want to spin disks, the current X800 should continue to be fine.

IF you want better, newer streaming options (and DV) then the step up to a new updated player seems the better way to go. The newer device will get the better streaming app updates. I think Sony kinda forgets about the older devices and discontinues firmware updates fairly quickly.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by gkolb

IF you only want to spin disks, the current X800 should continue to be fine.

IF you want better, newer streaming options (and DV) then the step up to a new updated player seems the better way to go. The newer device will get the better streaming app updates. I think Sony kinda forgets about the older devices and discontinues firmware updates fairly quickly.

Both Panasonic and Sony have been really good with offering firmware updates when it comes to the latest encryption keys so consumers can play the latest new releases. I have family members that are still using some 2010 model Blu-ray players that are 9 years old and they play all the new release standard 1080P Blu-ray discs just fine.


However both Panasonic and Sony offer poor streaming app firmware updates. When it comes to streaming apps both Panasonic and Sony offer very little in terms of firmware updates for the apps. Therefore the new models in general do offer better streaming performance over the old models.


If one wants the best streaming performance then they well just go and purchase a Roku Ultra or use the built in streaming in their current flat panel. Its nice that many Blu-ray players still offer streaming services but in the years to come streaming might be dropped completely from Blu-ray players.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by gkolb

IF you only want to spin disks, the current X800 should continue to be fine.

IF you want better, newer streaming options (and DV) then the step up to a new updated player seems the better way to go. The newer device will get the better streaming app updates. I think Sony kinda forgets about the older devices and discontinues firmware updates fairly quickly.

Streaming from updated apps; I completely forget about that.
That's because I never use them, but others do.

True, if you want more up-to-date apps buy a new player; don't wait for a firmware update to do it with the player you bought twelve months ago...it just won't happen.

Dolby Vision, now few people who have a flat panel well implemented and well supported with it....that's the ticket. Plus, it should be more futureproofing. DV is slowly but surely getting more traction in the players. One day Dolby Vision is going to rule the video world...maybe.

* You changed your avatar? It stinks.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

* You changed your avatar? It stinks.

Yup, I'm kind of a stinker, eh?

[LordoftheRings]

No gkolb, you're the nicest person.

[cupboy]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

When I get a chance today I well update the firmware over a Ethernet connection.




About this 3-12-19 firmware download

Benefits and improvements from the latest update

• Removes the Gracenote® function

Previous Benefits and Improvements

• Improves HDMI connection stability
• Enables HDR10 for Prime Video content
• Solves playback issue for specific Blu-ray titles
• Extends Ultra HD Blu-ray compatibility (Japan and North America)
• Improves the stability of network service
• Solves possible disc playback issues
• Improved intense color quality on HDR Content playback
• Improved compatibility with OLED TVs from other brands
• Supports additional network services (YouTube, Spotify Connect)
• Extends 4K UHD content availability on some TVs
• UI (background) has been changed
• Supports some network services

You overlooked the enhancement that down-rezzes SACDs to 44.1 when output through the coaxial output. The players came with 172khz. Fortunately I did not "update" mine.

[eddievanhalen]

Originally Posted by cupboy

You overlooked the enhancement that down-rezzes SACDs to 44.1 when output through the coaxial output. The players came with 172khz. Fortunately I did not "update" mine.

You don't know how mad I went when I updated mine and checked what it did to SACD output over its digital coaxial output.
That's not updating, that's downgrading.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by eddievanhalen

You don't know how mad I went when I updated mine and checked what it did to SACD output over its digital coaxial output.
That's not updating, that's downgrading.

This became a non issue for me since the 11 year old Pioneer A/V receiver from 2008 accepts DSD over HDMI from the Sony. Yes if one has a older A/V receiver that is around 15 years old and it does not use HDMI then I can see why people would be unhappy.


Firmware updates are required to play the latest Blu-ray new releases since new encryption keys need downloaded. But I do agree when features are removed that were there when purchasing the player, then the firmware update could be considered a downgrade. GraceNote was removed.


The reason for the reduced sound quality over digital coaxial and optical for the ES model is because those are not protected outputs. With HDMI since HDCP is used the SACD DSD signal is protected from people that are trying to make a perfect bit for bit copy of the SACD image.

[eddievanhalen]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

This became a non issue for me since the 11 year old Pioneer A/V receiver from 2008 accepts DSD over HDMI from the Sony. Yes if one has a older A/V receiver that is around 15 years old and it does not use HDMI then I can see why people would be unhappy.


Firmware updates are required to play the latest Blu-ray new releases since new encryption keys need downloaded. But I do agree when features are removed that were there when purchasing the player, then the firmware update could be considered a downgrade. GraceNote was removed.


The reason for the reduced sound quality over digital coaxial and optical for the ES model is because those are not protected outputs. With HDMI since HDCP is used the SACD DSD signal is protected from people that are trying to make a perfect bit for bit copy of the SACD image.

I have a Pioneer SC LX-76 A/V receiver that has 6 HDMI inputs and 3 HDMI outputs so I can play SACD's over HDMI to the receiver. But the Pioneer SC LX-76 does not convert DSD natively, it converts it to Hi Res PCM, that's why I bought an inexpensive Topping D50 D/A converter that can do native DSD conversion. I have all my SACD's ripped and their tracks stracted with ISO2DSD. I later get the native DSD files ripped from SACD's into an DSD over PCM (DoP) container with dBPoweramp which puts the original DSD data stream into a wav container as 176.4/24 and it's played by the X-800 as that, and it's recognized by the Topping D50 as DSD.
I went mad because I had a Topping D30 before that sounds great but can't do DSD over PCM by its digital coaxial or optical inputs, only via USB.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by cupboy

You overlooked the enhancement that down-rezzes SACDs to 44.1 when output through the coaxial output. The players came with 172khz. Fortunately I did not "update" mine.

Ah, I've never checked that (nice from Sony). ...Too late now.

* You didn't update because you knew it or because if it ain't broke why take a chance?

** Some companies they force you to update, like Microsoft for example.
Sony doesn't force anyone to update, that's nice.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

In the future when the 2019 Sony UBP-X800M2 is released in theory someone should be creating a users thread for that player. The 2019 Sony UBP-X800M2 is exactly the same as the 2017 Sony UBP-X800 except for faster processor that supports Dolby Vision HDR and a $100 higher list price.


When the Sony UBP-X800M2 is released it well have a $400 list price and most likely a $400 street price for a few months. Maybe one day the Sony could see a $299 to $349 retail price. Also logically a November 2019 price of $199 is possible if inflation does not kick in and if Sony is trying to clear out inventory. However the Sony UBP-X800M2 might be Sony's last Blu-ray player and made in smaller QTY's which could result in the player being priced locked at $400. Its hard to predict the future accurately and one well just have to wait and see what happens. It is not a good sign that Sony did not design a new Blu-ray player from the ground up and made small changes to the existing 2017 UBP-X800 when creating the 2019 UBP-X800M2. From what I read it is my understanding that there well be no new ES Sony Blu-ray player this year either. Hopefully that info is wrong.

UPDATE the new 2019 Sony UBP-X800M2 official list price is $300.


https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...7&postcount=49

I thought the Sony website mentioned a $400 list price and many people were talking about it costing $400, however the Sony UBP-X800M2 is scheduled for a mid May release with a official $300 list price.

[LordoftheRings]

• https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=4167

[jeffm2016]

Any chance sony will offer firmware upgrade for x800 m1 for Dolbyvision? Or is that a gan ship period?