Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[RageGamer]

I don't normally do updates on these players. I've got around 2000 movies including a dozen or so UHDs. So far, the only disc that has given me trouble was the UHD of King Kong. I noticed a couple other mentions of it in this thread but nobody seemed to identify a specific problem that causes it to stutter. I was tempted to update the player, but I can't actually find a link to the file on Sony's garbage website.

[Noremac Mij]

Sony UHD players in general are horrible IME. In performance and also in build quality. They’re only marginally better than Samsung. LG players are more of the same. Owned multiple players from all three companies, will never again. Panasonic and Xbox is really the only way to go these days.

[Frank@Chicago]

After losing it's mind for about 2 weeks, my x800 seems to have stabilized.

I went thru two factory resets inorder to try and get clear of the problems.

It's almost like the unit had been affected by a computer virus.

Switched player to 2ghz WiFi, because one other device was choking on 5ghz.

Reseated all HDMI connections, my cables are good but maybe reseating them helped.

Also switched to the Quick Power-On, so it can keep working when it's working (which it has).

When it was starting from scratch everytime, it seemed to get lost far too often...

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by Noremac Mij

Sony UHD players in general are horrible IME. In performance and also in build quality. They’re only marginally better than Samsung. LG players are more of the same. Owned multiple players from all three companies, will never again. Panasonic and Xbox is really the only way to go these days.

"Horrible performance and build quality"?!? Come on. Individual experiences will differ and everyone's mileage will vary, of course, but stating that makes little sense (no offence intended). Picture and sound quality don't range from brilliant on a Panasonic to horrible on a Sony. As far as build quality is concerned, if you compare a UB9000 to a x700 or 800, then, yes, okay - but if you're comparing them to a UB820, then, well, er... nah. Well, in any case, as I said, experiences do differ and personally, I am absolutely delighted with my Sony x800m2 and have been so since day one. I really don't think "Xbox is the only way to go these days", and yes I do have one. But if you're happy with it, I say good for you. But Panasonics are indeed excellent players - I agree with you on that.

[Noremac Mij]

Originally Posted by The Admiral

"Horrible performance and build quality"?!? Come on. Individual experiences will differ and everyone's mileage will vary, of course, but stating that makes little sense (no offence intended). Picture and sound quality don't range from brilliant on a Panasonic to horrible on a Sony. As far as build quality is concerned, if you compare a UB9000 to a x700 or 800, then, yes, okay - but if you're comparing them to a UB820, then, well, er... nah. Well, in any case, as I said, experiences do differ and personally, I am absolutely delighted with my Sony x800m2 and have been so since day one. I really don't think "Xbox is the only way to go these days", and yes I do have one. But if you're happy with it, I say good for you. But Panasonics are indeed excellent players - I agree with you on that.

The build quality on 820 is horrible as well. Cheap and ugly. Buttons, remote, clunky drawer, optical drive, and the entire sluggish operating system is bottom of the barrel stuff. It feels like a $50 player, not $500. But it does look exceptionally well in the video department. A little better than Xbox One X. But the build quality on the Xbox is on another level of better comparing to 820.

Panasonic UB9000 has both, the video quality and the build quality. Best player in the world currently.

[The Admiral]

Originally Posted by Noremac Mij

Panasonic UB9000 has both, the video quality and the build quality. Best player in the world currently.

I don't think I'll disagree with that - it's just that I can't afford it

[TAC]

You can get 2 PS5's for the price of the panny in a little over 3 months

[Noremac Mij]

Originally Posted by TAC

You can get 2 PS5's for the price of the panny in a little over 3 months

PS5 and Xbox SeX are both on my radar. No doubt about that.

[goldenarm84]

Panasonic and Pioneer make great premium UHD players but lets' be honest here the disc format is a dying format and meant for serious enthusiasts. Streaming is here and is the standard now...My day 1 Sony UBP-X800 is still going strong without hiccups and I've thrown hundreds of discs at it. What is the follow up from Sony when members on here have issues with their players?

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by goldenarm84

Panasonic and Pioneer make great premium UHD players but lets' be honest here the disc format is a dying format and meant for serious enthusiasts. Streaming is here and is the standard now...My day 1 Sony UBP-X800 is still going strong without hiccups and I've thrown hundreds of discs at it. What is the follow up from Sony when members on here have issues with their players?

Dying format ?

E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future, Wizard of Oz, 2001, The Shining, Game of a Thrones, all is see is more good titles being released .... I object to the notion it’s dying.

I had a Sony X700 that I tried everything to make work reliably but ultimately replaced with a Panasonic UB420 which has been perfect. I kept the Sony as I don’t have a back up player but considering it’s so bad I decided to go ahead and throw it out.

[The Admiral]

Vinyls died 25 years ago too... So there's hope!

[goldenarm84]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Dying format ?

E.T., Jaws, Back to the Future, Wizard of Oz, 2001, The Shining, Game of a Thrones, all is see is more good titles being released .... I object to the notion it’s dying.

I had a Sony X700 that I tried everything to make work reliably but ultimately replaced with a Panasonic UB420 which has been perfect. I kept the Sony as I don’t have a back up player but considering it’s so bad I decided to go ahead and throw it out.

Trust me I love and prefer the disc format and have over thousands of discs but if the aisles at Best Buy, Wal Mart, Barnes & Nobles and other retailers are any indication, they are getting smaller and smaller. Not one person I know besides myself goes out and buys movies on disc. I literally get laughed at when I say that I buy UHD's at Best Buy...Their response "why don't you just save your money and stream/download the movie instead or wait for it on netflix..." Either way I love this hobby and will continue to support it by purchasing physical over digital..

Knock on wood my UBP-X800 is still going strong then. The next player I purchase will be a Panny.

[bhampton]

My X700 must have been possessed because it was fine for weeks any only acted up when I hosted guests.

All said it only acted up a handful of times actually but it was always when I had guests.

[CompleteCount]

Originally Posted by bhampton

All said it only acted up a handful of times actually but it was always when I had guests.

Just like kids, really...

[2-J]

Bought this model when it came out, the UK 'version'. Had some minor issues very early on, at least a couple of firmwares back. Since then has played everything I've thrown at it (DVDs, CDs, BDs, UHD BDs) flawlessly including recent releases. There hasn't been a firmware update for ages which worries me a little bit (don't these players need to keep updating for the latest discs?) but as it's playing everything fine maybe I shouldn't worry.

[goldenarm84]

Originally Posted by 2-J

Bought this model when it came out, the UK 'version'. Had some minor issues very early on, at least a couple of firmwares back. Since then has played everything I've thrown at it (DVDs, CDs, BDs, UHD BDs) flawlessly including recent releases. There hasn't been a firmware update for ages which worries me a little bit (don't these players need to keep updating for the latest discs?) but as it's playing everything fine maybe I shouldn't worry.

There was a firmware update recently that I just did on the player. Along with the update for internet service content. My player is still going smooth no hiccups.

[DavidF]

My Sony X700 worked fine for almost 2 years (apart from a couple of Icon Entertainment Blurays), never had an issue, although plugging in or unplugging a USB stick while a disc was in confused it. I changed it a few months ago for the X800m2 - mainly because I wanted a multi-region player to play ALL my discs (and get rid of my ageing 10myear old Panny), and watch my Region A discs in the same quality as my Region B. Not had one issue with the X800m2 (other than those same Icon Blurays). Build quality and finish are better than the X700, and well worth the change for me. I had previously owned an Oppo Bluray player, and if I’m going to spend £1k on a high-end Bluray player, I need to be fully convinced it’s going to be as solid and reliable as my Oppo was. I’m not convinced. Hence I now buy good quality cheaper players like the Sonys.

[RageGamer]

Originally Posted by DavidF

My Sony X700 worked fine for almost 2 years (apart from a couple of Icon Entertainment Blurays), never had an issue, although plugging in or unplugging a USB stick while a disc was in confused it. I changed it a few months ago for the X800m2 - mainly because I wanted a multi-region player to play ALL my discs (and get rid of my ageing 10myear old Panny), and watch my Region A discs in the same quality as my Region B. Not had one issue with the X800m2 (other than those same Icon Blurays). Build quality and finish are better than the X700, and well worth the change for me. I had previously owned an Oppo Bluray player, and if I’m going to spend £1k on a high-end Bluray player, I need to be fully convinced it’s going to be as solid and reliable as my Oppo was. I’m not convinced. Hence I now buy good quality cheaper players like the Sonys.

Yeah. This Sony player is pissing me off now. Froze on the Starship Troopers 4K disc now for no reason. I can't stand this garbage. All I want is a solid player that plays every disc thrown at it without choking. Everyone keeps mentioning Panasonic. So which player is the best? I only watch discs. I don't care about other features.

[2-J]

Originally Posted by goldenarm84

There was a firmware update recently that I just did on the player. Along with the update for internet service content. My player is still going smooth no hiccups.

Recently? I still have M36.R.0338 which according to the Sony site was released on 12th March 2019. And checking for updates doesn't give me a new firmware. Yes I do get the chance to 'update services' frequently still.

[DavidF]

Originally Posted by RageGamer

Yeah. This Sony player is pissing me off now. Froze on the Starship Troopers 4K disc now for no reason. I can't stand this garbage. All I want is a solid player that plays every disc thrown at it without choking. Everyone keeps mentioning Panasonic. So which player is the best? I only watch discs. I don't care about other features.

I don’t think you’ll find any player that is guaranteed to play every disc. The two Icon movies that won’t play in my X800m2 didn’t work in my X700, nor my old Panasonic BMP-BD60 or my brother’s Oppo 203. It’s a disc issue.