Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[PCFan]

Originally Posted by MarcinL

No. It doesn't even play HDR. I tried house of cards in Ultra HD and it never found HDR Video. It stayed on Custom input that I have selected for HDMI 1. After switching to HDR Video manually it actually messed up the colors since it switched to WCG. Sad to say between this and lack of any other apps, this is going back to Best Buy tomorrow. This pairing of Sony 800X with 850C is very disappointing. I'm going to wait for Samsung 9500 UHD player. At least my Samsung KS8500 and UHD 8500 work together really well and Netflix House of Cards defaults to HDR and looks gorgeous. Also I was wrong about upscaling of blu-rays. After playing few non Mastered 4K blurays they look worse on this Sony then they did on Samsung. Mastered in 4K look just as good.

Again very disappointed in this. Cant believe Sony would actually release a product half ready. I love the chassis and build but that's about it. Is it a nice UHD player...Yes. Is it worth $299.99? NOPE. It's barely a $179 tops.

In that case streaming is not going to be my primary objective when purchasing a 4k blu-ray player.

[lujan]

Originally Posted by MarcinL

...

Again very disappointed in this. Cant believe Sony would actually release a product half ready. I love the chassis and build but that's about it. Is it a nice UHD player...Yes. Is it worth $299.99? NOPE. It's barely a $179 tops.

Why wouldn't you believe that? I sent back my Oppo 203 because of the very same reason. Lots and lots of issues on the Oppo and it's much more expensive than the Sony.

[lujan]

Originally Posted by MarcinL

So far so good. Few observations

...

4) Amazon app and Vudu app does not work. States it will after firmware update. Outside of Netflix app it really doesn't have anything else. It's barebones to put it mildly

...

Can you post a picture of the Apps that come with this player?

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Yes but shouldn't every player be able to output a signal completely untouched without any processing going on? That way the signal that's being output should be identical whether you play it on a Sony or Panasonic player?

That is not always true. It should be, but it's not.

[HDTV1080P]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Yes but shouldn't every player be able to output a signal completely untouched without any processing going on? That way the signal that's being output should be identical whether you play it on a Sony or Panasonic player?

Yes, when playing native 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, every 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player on the market has the exact same picture and sound quality when using the HDMI output (unless they mess something up in the firmware that reduces the picture and sound quality). Now when it comes to upscaling 480i DVD’s and standard Blu-ray’s to 3840 x 2160P, that is when some 4K Blu-ray players offer a better picture quality. If one hooks the Sony UBP-X800 up to a 1080P display, it should play standard 1080P Blu-rays with the same exact picture quality as a OPPO or Panasonic Blu-ray player. Now downscaling from 4K Ultra HD to 1080P will vary in quality depending on the Blu-ray player.


My point is watching native material on native displays will look the same on all Blu-ray players. Its when consumers start upscaling and downscaling is when the difference in picture quality will sometimes be different since some Blu-ray players do a better job.


Most people purchasing the new Sony are mainly only interested in optical disc playback quality. Sony will improve streaming performance with a firmware update. At least Sony offers some streaming features. The OPPO UDP-203 still has no streaming features at all and possible might never offer streaming unless they work out some deals with Netflix and VUDU.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Yes, when playing native 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, every 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player on the market has the exact same picture and sound quality when using the HDMI output (unless they mess something up in the firmware that reduces the picture and sound quality). Now when it comes to upscaling 480i DVD’s and standard Blu-ray’s to 3840 x 2160P, that is when some 4K Blu-ray players offer a better picture quality. If one hooks the Sony UBP-X800 up to a 1080P display, it should play standard 1080P Blu-rays with the same exact picture quality as a OPPO or Panasonic Blu-ray player. Now downscaling from 4K Ultra HD to 1080P will vary in quality depending on the Blu-ray player.


My point is watching native material on native displays will look the same on all Blu-ray players. Its when consumers start upscaling and downscaling is when the difference in picture quality will sometimes be different since some Blu-ray players do a better job.


Most people purchasing the new Sony are mainly only interested in optical disc playback quality. Sony will improve streaming performance with a firmware update. At least Sony offers some streaming features. The OPPO UDP-203 still has no streaming features at all and possible might never offer streaming unless they work out some deals with Netflix and VUDU.

Don't generalize 4k Blu-ray output. Some players have been shown to mess up in one area or another. The Samsung K8500, for instance, is adding a non-defeatable filtering on the video output, possibly due to chroma conversion.

Some are not reading HDR metadata correctly. Etc.

So, not all players will look exactly the same. Now, audio bitstreaming is another matter. If the stream is altered in any way, you will not get Dolby Atmos or DTS: X data transmission.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by MarcinL

So far so good. Few observations

1) very heavy and sturdy unlike past Sony bluray players and Samsung UHD player

2) much faster user interface than Samsung UHD

3) handshake issue with John Wick. Resolved by turning deep color off just like in Samsung UHD

4) Amazon app and Vudu app does not work. States it will after firmware update. Outside of Netflix app it really doesn't have anything else. It's barebones to put it mildly

5) standard Sony remote that is very similar to other Sony bluray remotes

6) like the side option and being able to customize additional picture settings such as Direct, Auto, Custom 1 and Custom 2 which can add to your TV settings.

Overall I'm impressed with the build quality, amount of settings and picture quality although mostly for more customization than anything else. Not sure if it's a worthy update if you already have a Samsung, I have both and my Samsung is staying in my man cave with the 65 inch KS8500 and this is going into my game/workout room with Sony 850C

Edit: The bluray movies look much better on this Sony than Samsung. Very nice. Might not be upgrading all my movies to 4K now. Blutooth option is very nice as well

Originally Posted by MarcinL

No. It doesn't even play HDR. I tried house of cards in Ultra HD and it never found HDR Video. It stayed on Custom input that I have selected for HDMI 1. After switching to HDR Video manually it actually messed up the colors since it switched to WCG. Sad to say between this and lack of any other apps, this is going back to Best Buy tomorrow. This pairing of Sony 800X with 850C is very disappointing. I'm going to wait for Samsung 9500 UHD player. At least my Samsung KS8500 and UHD 8500 work together really well and Netflix House of Cards defaults to HDR and looks gorgeous. Also I was wrong about upscaling of blu-rays. After playing few non Mastered 4K blurays they look worse on this Sony then they did on Samsung. Mastered in 4K look just as good.

Again very disappointed in this. Cant believe Sony would actually release a product half ready. I love the chassis and build but that's about it. Is it a nice UHD player...Yes. Is it worth $299.99? NOPE. It's barely a $179 tops.

Just a simple remark; your two posts above are only less than two hours apart.

[MarcinL]

I know. I was excited about this player and started testing right away. My first comment I just opened it and played Sully in it which wasn't bad and in fact in par with Samsung, but then it went downhill fast

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Yes but shouldn't every player be able to output a signal completely untouched without any processing going on? That way the signal that's being output should be identical whether you play it on a Sony or Panasonic player?

Different video processors produce different picture qualities?

All the settings of all the players would need to be @ their default selection/position and all the rest on the exact same playing field. And of course the TV is the same and all the settings there too the same for all players, and preferably using the same HDMI input. Who knows from one input to another the micro differences that can be measured with the best measuring video tool.

Doing an ABC test comparison on the fly would require few identical TVs. That's a tough challenge because even from two same TV models there is no 100% guarantee that everything is 100% exactly the same. Variables occur simply from batches of parts with values that can marginally vary.
If we go for maximum accuracy.

In real life, for roughly 97% of people, we take it simple and set the basic parameters to our visual preference and enjoy the movie.
From that view a Sony player compared to a Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Oppo, ...has a signature visual picture reproduction.

And for each person, with each a different set of eyes, and display, it can vary as much as the ocean crossing all borders (way of speech).

For example; in my personal experience of BR players since 2006, I like Sony pictures, and Oppo pictures. But that's me.
{I owned several BR players from all the major players; I've seen their pictures.} It's a personal thing, a visual preference, for our eyes only.

* The Panasonic 900 can be found on discount, I believe.

Good weekend all,

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by PCFan

In that case streaming is not going to be my primary objective when purchasing a 4k blu-ray player.

I think Oppo realized that and adjusted accordingly to that reality; their choice. And it certainly suits few. Now, if only that HDMI input ....

* But! Of course there's always a 'but', the other side of the flip coin, and that but is; many many people (I'd venture to say the vast majority) love to have apps and streaming from their BR players. Am I incorrect to say that?

It's true that 4K is new. It has a long road ahead .... I think.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by MarcinL

I know. I was excited about this player and started testing right away. My first comment I just opened it and played Sully in it which wasn't bad and in fact in par with Samsung, but then it went downhill fast

It's all good Marcin; we are all like that in some periods of time, more or less.
I smiled with good heart after reading your two posts.

It's fun to read and having discussions on the new 4K BR players. Thank you for sharing your experience so far with the Sony 800.

[Spartan123]

just checking for those with 4K non HDR TV if anyone has order this player for a Non HDR 4K TV. Wondering of the HDR to SDR process that sony was promoting this players can do. If you have does it make a difference.

[ray0414]

Originally Posted by MarcinL

No. It doesn't even play HDR. I tried house of cards in Ultra HD and it never found HDR Video. It stayed on Custom input that I have selected for HDMI 1. After switching to HDR Video manually it actually messed up the colors since it switched to WCG. Sad to say between this and lack of any other apps, this is going back to Best Buy tomorrow. This pairing of Sony 800X with 850C is very disappointing. I'm going to wait for Samsung 9500 UHD player. At least my Samsung KS8500 and UHD 8500 work together really well and Netflix House of Cards defaults to HDR and looks gorgeous. Also I was wrong about upscaling of blu-rays. After playing few non Mastered 4K blurays they look worse on this Sony then they did on Samsung. Mastered in 4K look just as good.

Again very disappointed in this. Cant believe Sony would actually release a product half ready. I love the chassis and build but that's about it. Is it a nice UHD player...Yes. Is it worth $299.99? NOPE. It's barely a $179 tops.

House of cards isn't in hdr, just regular 4k.

[lujan]

Originally Posted by lujan

Can you post a picture of the Apps that come with this player?

I found a pic of the apps here:

http://www.avsforum.com/forum/149-bl...rs-thread.html

What choice of movies are they offering for the 2 free movies?

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Yes, when playing native 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, every 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player on the market has the exact same picture and sound quality when using the HDMI output (unless they mess something up in the firmware that reduces the picture and sound quality). Now when it comes to upscaling 480i DVD’s and standard Blu-ray’s to 3840 x 2160P, that is when some 4K Blu-ray players offer a better picture quality. If one hooks the Sony UBP-X800 up to a 1080P display, it should play standard 1080P Blu-rays with the same exact picture quality as a OPPO or Panasonic Blu-ray player. Now downscaling from 4K Ultra HD to 1080P will vary in quality depending on the Blu-ray player.


My point is watching native material on native displays will look the same on all Blu-ray players. Its when consumers start upscaling and downscaling is when the difference in picture quality will sometimes be different since some Blu-ray players do a better job.


Most people purchasing the new Sony are mainly only interested in optical disc playback quality. Sony will improve streaming performance with a firmware update. At least Sony offers some streaming features. The OPPO UDP-203 still has no streaming features at all and possible might never offer streaming unless they work out some deals with Netflix and VUDU.

I know 4k disc playback is all I care about. So, I'm guessing that buying this at the price point it's at will suit me just fine.

[JohnAV]

Sony UBP-X800 4K Blu-Ray Unboxing And Setup Overview - YouTube

[Geoff D]

He's leaving BD Audio Mix on? Rookie mistake.

[MosHighDef]

So what 4k player should i get?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

He's leaving BD Audio Mix on? Rookie mistake.

Maybe he likes those nice little sound effects you'll hear during the menu's?

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by MosHighDef

So what 4k player should i get?

Unless you feel like waiting to see what's going to top what in 2017 - and you may be waiting a few months to get a great overview - you could either buy something really really expensive, or go with something a bit more entry priced for the format.

For me, I'm really leaning towards THIS player. I already have an Xbox One S, but there's a very minor sync issue. Some people may not notice it, but I certainly do (and others, I'm not alone). I believe this is because the Xbox One S is sending a 'bitstream' signal TECHNICALLY, but it still has to decode the UHD audio formats internally before sending the signal out... so you're not getting ACTUAL bitstreamed audio. It's a great way to test out UHD before diving in all the way, but this issue makes it a no-go as far as a dedicated player, at least for me.

This player, on the other hand, is $300, and Sony have a pretty excellent track record as far as their players go in the past. I have an Oppo BDP-83... and I've had it ever since it came out. Still works and all, but it's now a secondary player elsewhere in the house. I just found a Sony I once bought for $100 (some years after the Oppo came along) just has better overall playability/reliability. The thing was supported via firmware for much longer than I had expected, too, so I imagine buying this would be no different.

I guess there are some caveats, as reported, about what the streaming apps actually do. I guess they can do 4K but not HDR currently? If streaming is something you REALLY want in a player, look at something else. If all you care about is quality 4K disc playback... it's too early to tell since not enough people own this yet, but I imagine Sony will iron out any kinks, regardless of what they are. But, going through the whole 'ugh, we have to wait for firmware' process is part of being an early adopter in this format.

This player sounds like a great deal, considering you could spend at least double that amount for other players.