Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by mar3o

...
Now if only I knew if this player would get a Dolby Vision update. That's the other thing that's giving me pause. I could wait until the next model, but I need 3D support for region B blu-rays, and maybe next year's model will drop 3D like Samsung's player. The X800 gives me everything but Dolby Vision, and if it included that, it would have everything I need.

Sorry, but at CEDIA last month (September) insiders were told that the X-800 will not get a DV update (ever). Please pass the word to quash the DV rumors.

No facts on the 2018 models, many are hoping Sony will have a DV player, but that is still unproven, so it's still just rumor at this time.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by slimdude

To be honest, I don't think DV is that big of a deal. I have both compatible DV equipment: The Oppo 203 and the LG 65" UHD, and I can't tell a big difference between DV and HDR. They both look similar to me (that is).

I'm from that line of vision as well; Dolby Vision right now has no real traction.

[maverick22]

How responsive is this player (loading discs, OS, FF, rewind, etc)?

Any freezes or stutters during playback?

Thanks

[LordoftheRings]

It's one of the best, loads very fast.

• https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/be...lu-ray-player/

And only $198 @ Amazon right now / https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4RCPKO...WSMAAAAAWe6Jrg

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

It's one of the best, loads very fast.

• https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/be...lu-ray-player/

And only $198 @ Amazon right now / https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4RCPKO...WSMAAAAAWe6Jrg

Nice...thanks. I see Amz’s 4 year protection is only $12. Anyone have experience with that?

[mar3o]

I would love to get the UK x800 for the region B playback combined with UHD, but I have a couple concerns:

Price: the US x800 is now $198. The UK x800 is $390+ US. For me it's 2 players in one since I need region B playback thanks to my Seiki failing, but still, that's expensive. Will the UK price drop?

Dolby Vision: Should I wait until next year for the x800 replacement hoping maybe it will get DV? But that's an uncertainty, and for all I know, DV may die off due to licening costs and lack of support. And meanwhile, I won't have region B playback ability unless I buy a separate region B blu-ray player.

3D: Right now the x800 supports 3D, so the UK x800 offers me 3D region B playback, plus UHD. I may end up waiting for DV next year, only to find out Sony drops 3D support from their next UHD player, like Samsung did. I'd rather have 3D support than DV.

So I'm trying to factor this all in. If I thought the price would drop to a more reasonable price in the UK near the holidays, I'd hold off and see what happens on Black Friday. Either way, I'll end up with two players:

- Buy the UK x800 for $390, for region B and UHD, and keep my Panasonic blu-ray player for region A content. So the UK x800 would get less use for now, playing just region B content and UHD material.

- Buy the US x800 for $198, for UHD and region A playback, and buy a separate region B blu-ray player from Amazon.uk. Doing this would put a lot more usage on the x800. My current Panasonic player would also end up being retired since I only have 2 HDMI ports available for players.

Any thoughts?

[DJR662]

I haven't even seen any DV content in real life yet, but DV or 3D would be an easy choice for me: 3D all the way!

[HDTV1080P]

I see Amazon now has the Sony UBP-X800 for $198 plus free shipping (plus many other websites are matching that price). I guess one of the reasons for the cheaper price is that the two free 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies that had a value of $50 is no longer offered. That is fine with me, most consumers would rather buy the player at a lower price and decide on what movies to get later.

On the Sony website the new official price for the Sony UBP-X800 is now $199.99. This might be the official price that does not move much until Jan 2nd 2018, or maybe some stores might have a black Friday special for $25-$50 off if they are overstocked. However most likely the existing $148 Philips 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players and the Samsung 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player might see a black Friday price of $99.99. The Sony is much better than the Samsung, with its ability to play legacy Blu-ray 3D discs and support for DVD-Audio and SACD just like the more expensive OPPO Blu-ray players. https://www.sony.com/electronics/blu-ray-disc-players/ubp-x800



I am an OPPO UDP-203 owner with a player that is priced locked at $549 for the entire life of the player. However, the Sony UBP-X800 is looking very attractive as a bedroom player or second room player at this new price, plus the Sony offers streaming applications which the OPPO UDP-203/UDP-205 does not have any streaming features.

Most likely all or most second or third generation 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players in 2018 will have Dolby Vision HDR as standard feature (That is if the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format is still around). However, the big question will be if the new players next year will still support Blu-ray 3D and will Sony still support DVD-AUDIO and SACD’s?

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Most likely all or most second or third generation 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players in 2018 will have Dolby Vision HDR as standard feature (That is if the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format is still around). However, the big question will be if the new players next year will still support Blu-ray 3D and will Sony still support DVD-AUDIO and SACD’s?

Most likely if Sony implements a later version of a SoC to support DV, that is not a leap in technology, just a incremental improved model, same with the other vendors.

I also noted that you are becoming highly speculative with this Walmart not carrying as many UHD 4K disc in their display, so your questioning in this post whether 4K format will still be around in 2018 sounds a bit paranoid IMHO. Look all the chains are seeing higher demand for 4K media and when they sell out, you can still order it to be sent to store or you. In particular product stands change in the weeks before Black Friday, as they retract and prepare for the onslaught of existing and new 4K TV buyers.

Just look at the demand for certain UHD BD's - Blade Runner TFC - sold out on BB and Amazon. Is that because of a format that won't be around?

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Most likely if Sony implements a later version of a SoC to support DV, that is not a leap in technology, just a incremental improved model, same with the other vendors.

I also noted that you are becoming highly speculative with this Walmart not carrying as many UHD 4K disc in their display, so your questioning in this post whether 4K format will still be around in 2018 sounds a bit paranoid IMHO. Look all the chains are seeing higher demand for 4K media and when they sell out, you can still order it to be sent to store or you. In particular product stands change in the weeks before Black Friday, as they retract and prepare for the onslaught of existing and new 4K TV buyers.

Just look at the demand for certain UHD BD's - Blade Runner TFC - sold out on BB and Amazon. Is that because of a format that won't be around?

3D blu-rays sell out quickly these days, but that format has a very uncertain future at the moment.

[mar3o]

Does Amazon UK announce Black Friday sales ahead of time for hardware/players? I think my girlfriend might be ordering this player from the UK as a Christmas gift for both of us, but I'm wondering if we should hold on in case of a good Black Friday sale? The price just dropped though so I doubt it will go any lower, but you never know. On the other hand they might sell out quick on Black Friday anyways since we always seem to miss out on the sales before we have a chance to order.

[Optimus-Prime-Rox]

I would so get this player now that it is $198.00 but I'm worried about how roughly it would be handled during shipping, plus I was holding out for a possible Black Friday Deal which might lower the price another $20.00 or so Dollars.

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by Optimus-Prime-Rox

I would so get this player now that it is $198.00 but I'm worried about how roughly it would be handled during shipping, plus I was holding out for a possible Black Friday Deal which might lower the price another $20.00 or so Dollars.

You don’t have any Best Buys or Targets near you? My Target carries it in store and you could PM BB/Amz.

[mar3o]

There are lots of posts on AVS about this player randomly freezing and needing a reboot. It seems to be happening to a lot of owners over there. How big of an issue is this?

[weberrygt]

No freezing issues for me.

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by mar3o

There are lots of posts on AVS about this player randomly freezing and needing a reboot. It seems to be happening to a lot of owners over there. How big of an issue is this?

A lot of 1 star reviews on Amazon have me concerned as well. Blank screens, freezes, out of sync audio. My LG player is noisy but has none of those issues.

May have to research my next player a little more.

[Omegaice]

I've owned the X800 for almost a year now with ZERO issues. Not sure what others are experiencing but this is a solid player & it is hard to beat @ this price point.

[PaulGo]

Remember people who have problems are a lot more prone to complain. I have three X-800 players with no problems.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by PaulGo

Remember people who have problems are a lot more prone to complain. I have three X-800 players with no problems.

I agree, but hearing so many different people all saying they have this random freezing tells me there might be something to it. It does sound like a very solid player otherwise. Maybe it's related to a recent firmware update? Or maybe it's a hardware issue that only affected some players?

[Geoff D]

Had an X800 for six months, haven't had a single "freeze" on any content.