Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[aaronwt2065]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Not "wrong", no. But folks be saying that the HDR output is up-rated to 12-bit instead of being presented at the native 10-bit depth of UHD Blu, this is the same issue which the Panasonic players have. Not that it's a problem for most folks as any decent TV should still be able to handle the 12-bit output BUT some sets have indeed choked on the 12-bit 4:4:4 4K24 output from these players, creating a lot of banding (posterisation) when using that mode. Switching to 12-bit 4:2:2 or 10-bit 4:2:2/4:4:4 usually solves the issue on the affected sets.

Panasonic have since added a 10-bit output option to their 2017 players (see pic) and it should be carried across to the 2016 models via firmware in due course, seeing as they use the same picture processor at their core.

In my tests connected to my Sony 850C TV, with the 10 bit and 8 bit test patterns, I had to turn on Deep color for my X800 to pass the 10 bit patterns. Otherwise with Deep Color off, the 10 bit patterns looked like the 8 bit patterns.

I used the "Spears_Munsil_Quantization_Test_2160p" test patterns.

[Dudley Dawson]

Without scanning the thread for a potential answer, can someone tell me if this has the HBO GO app on it? Much appreciated (looking to buy one soon).

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by aaronwt2065

In my tests connected to my Sony 850C TV, with the 10 bit and 8 bit test patterns, I had to turn on Deep color for my X800 to pass the 10 bit patterns. Otherwise with Deep Color off, the 10 bit patterns looked like the 8 bit patterns.

I used the "Spears_Munsil_Quantization_Test_2160p" test patterns.

Sure, but is it actually passing a native 10-bit or an upsampled 12-bit signal? None of the info screens on the Sony player or Sony TV will show this.

[jibucha]

just a clarification :: Dolby Vision televisions (Sony) process the Dolby Vision relying on the processing power of the powerful X1 Extreme, not by way of a hardware chip :: the X1 processor (X900E Series) cannot for this important reason

Originally Posted by aaronwt2065

Only the TVs with the X1 Extreme processor are supposed get the DV upgrade. And I think the only 2016 Tv that has that chip is the Z series.
And only the upper end 2017 TVs have it. Most of their TVs have the regular X1 processor.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by aaronwt2065

In my tests connected to my Sony 850C TV, with the 10 bit and 8 bit test patterns, I had to turn on Deep color for my X800 to pass the 10 bit patterns. Otherwise with Deep Color off, the 10 bit patterns looked like the 8 bit patterns.

This post made my eyes perk up as my only problem with the Sony so far has been slightly washed out color. I compensated with a color boost in HDR mode but it didn't look quite right, and I kept playing with it. Your post made me check my Deep Color setting and sure enough it was on "off" rather than "auto." I changed it to auto and tried a few discs... color is normal and much better.

Let's ignore the fact I've been watching with messed up color this whole time and focus on the fact this seems to have fixed it. Thanks for that!

[Geoff D]

Time to rewatch everything, Velvet! Starting with STID

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by geoff d

time to rewatch everything, velvet

lol!

[Sky_Captain]

Why, it's almost as if there was no standardization for this wacky 4K business, lol

[anavrin0901]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Why, it's almost as if there was no standardization for this wacky 4K business, lol

EXACTLY. It's very frustrating as I waited until the specs for 4K Blu were published before buying gear and now I feel like all my 2016 equipment is VHS because I have no ability to do Dolby Vision, etc.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Time to rewatch everything, Velvet! Starting with STID

Heh. I never talked about color much because I was messing around with it so I don't think it will change many of my opinions, but I do wonder about Into Darkness since its color changes are a big reason I'm not thrilled with the UHD.

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Why, it's almost as if there was no standardization for this wacky 4K business, lol

Literally everything says deep color should be off. Everything! Arg.

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

This post made my eyes perk up as my only problem with the Sony so far has been slightly washed out color. I compensated with a color boost in HDR mode but it didn't look quite right, and I kept playing with it. Your post made me check my Deep Color setting and sure enough it was on "off" rather than "auto." I changed it to auto and tried a few discs... color is normal and much better.

Let's ignore the fact I've been watching with messed up color this whole time and focus on the fact this seems to have fixed it. Thanks for that!

This explains an awful lot of your posts, lol. Happy watching!

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by mzupeman

This explains an awful lot of your posts, lol. Happy watching!

I doubt it, I never commented much on color gamut because I knew I hadn't figured it out yet. I tested stuff after making the change last night and this morning and nothing really changed in my HDR/detail opinions. The color is just the appropriate intensity now without modifying it in the player settings.

I do hope I see some color gamut improvements now, if I get the energy to do direct screen comparisons with BDs again.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

Why, it's almost as if there was no standardization for this wacky 4K business, lol

The true real 4K BR standards are:

1. Making more money from the studios and 4K TV's/4K receiver's/4K pre-pro's/4K BR player's/4K HDMI cable's manufacturers.
2. Kill 3D in order to pursue that goal in #1 above.

Sure; HDR10, Dolby Vision, better picture resolution (4x), better contrast, better and more colors, all that jazz...to support #1 just above.
...And 3D immersive sound (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D) are also contributing to those new "complicity" 4K BR standards.
Lol, they even made sure that they were excluded from the 3D BR versions and exclusive to the 4K ones. ...Totally mind-boggling!
We all want to live in an improved and more immersive and clearer world with better blacks and whites and chrome colors.

Mad Max: Fury Road - Black & Chrome Trailer (2016) [FM] - YouTube

But nobody can take 3D immersive audio from our 3D immersive picture. Mad Max: Fury Road (in color from Warner), comes with Dolby Atmos on the 3D BR version, and also on the 4K BR version, and also on the regular 1080p BR version, and also on the Black & Chrome BR Edition. That should always be the righteous direction in this crazy and lovely world we live in.
_______

* I remember not long ago (five years) when we could get a premium 3D plasma 65" Class TV from Panasonic and Samsung from between two and three grands (mid tier for one grand).

Now, a premium large LG OLED 4K TV (W7) and Sony large LED 4K flat panel TV (Z9D) is roughly twice to trice those yesterday's prices. And in 2017 3D is no more part of their features...all TV manufacturers.

Ten grands for an 80" 4K TV is nothing:

♦ http://www.strongestinworld.com/most-expensive-led-tv/

That Sony 800 4K BR player for only $250 (when you deduct the two free 4K BR movies that come with it) is peanuts. Great first 4K BR player, and lots of fun knowing that the video chip processor is a great one from MediaTech and that it can support Dolby Vision if ever Sony wants to go in that direction in the future from a firmware update.

Then by Christmas 2017 some' else will come up with a clearer "picture". ...And for less moooney.

And...other companies will get the hang of it too; with less and lesser hiccups. Plus the 4K Blu-ray disc transfer people will also gain more experience. It can only get better from here, and prices will always go higher and lower too.

And...one day 3D will resurface with a vengeance...stronger than ever...the new Blu-ray standard to complement 8K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos (DTS:X). That day isn't that far away in our galaxy.

Life's good.

What a lovely day ! (Mad Max Fury Road) - YouTube

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

Heh. I never talked about color much because I was messing around with it so I don't think it will change many of my opinions, but I do wonder about Into Darkness since its color changes are a big reason I'm not thrilled with the UHD.

It won't turn it into a riot of colour BUT you may finally be able to pick up on all the little differences in colour that I was wibbling about in my re-review. Seriously, there's SO much more variation in the reds in the Nibiru scene on UHD, whereas the BD has this one-note kinda look that's vibrant as hell but trades off all that subtlety.

Literally everything says deep color should be off. Everything! Arg.

It does indeed, there's no blame being apportioned here. FWIW the Panny player will output 12-bit 4:2:2 4K24 regardless of the Deep Colour settings, so it's unusual that the Sony needs it on before it'll pass the proper bit depth and un-fudged colour. But then that may tie into the whole 12-bit issue, that there's no native 10-bit output so if you want the full-fat signal then you need the upsampled bit depth function turned on. It's all a laugh, isn't it?

[Patsfan123]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It won't turn it into a riot of colour BUT you may finally be able to pick up on all the little differences in colour that I was wibbling about in my re-review. Seriously, there's SO much more variation in the reds in the Nibiru scene on UHD, whereas the BD has this one-note kinda look that's vibrant as hell but trades off all that subtlety.


It does indeed, there's no blame being apportioned here. FWIW the Panny player will output 12-bit 4:2:2 4K24 regardless of the Deep Colour settings, so it's unusual that the Sony needs it on before it'll pass the proper bit depth and un-fudged colour. But then that may tie into the whole 12-bit issue, that there's no native 10-bit output so if you want the full-fat signal then you need the upsampled bit depth function turned on. It's all a laugh, isn't it?

The Phillips is 8bit with deep color off and 12 bit with deep color on as well.. no 10 bit output.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

[Geoff D]

Yes, because the Philips uses Panasonic guts. If you set the colour mode to 4:2:2 instead of Auto and leave Deep Colour off then it should output 12-bit 4:2:2 4K24. But if you set the colour mode to Auto or 4:4:4 then it will only kick out 8-bit with Deep Colour turned off, or at least that's the case with the half-fat HDMI 2.0 chips like in my telly.

[StingingVelvet]

Mine is on 4:2:2 for the record.

[HeatEquation]

If it's on 4:2:2 then you aren't getting 10 bit color. HDMI doesn't support 10 bit at 4:2:2.

http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdm...0_faq.aspx#146

[Geoff D]

Good point. What happens if you put colour to 4:4:4 but turn Deep Colour off, Velvet?

[elwaylite]

You get 422 12bit with DC off on UHD.