Sony UBP-X800 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Strictly UHD PQ speaking, would you say the Oppo has any advantage over the Sony in that regard?

For folks using projectors and anamorphic lens the 203 can V stretch UHD content. AFAIK, no other UHD BD player can do this and one must use an expensive outboard processor if they do not have a 203/205.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

BUT the UK player handles 50hz content just fine, as you'd expect. However there is NO kind of standards conversion to 60Hz that I can discern (again, not something I'd expect anyway outside of an OPPO) so I think you're gonna be disappointed.

If this is the case then sadly I have to rule the UK player out completely as it will not work for my needs. I was under the impression based on what I have been reading that it would convert PAL/50Hz to 60Hz. 220electronics lists these features for the x800 (leaving out the region mod stuff):

Internal Pal/NTSC Conversion
3D Playback
Built-in, Dual Bank Wi-Fi
DLNA Compatibility
Upscaling of non-4K Discs to 4K Quality
Streaming Media including Netflix & Streaming 4K
Miracast Screen Sharing
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Dolby Atmos
High-Resolution Audio And DSEE HX
Heavy-Duty, Anti-Vibration Construction
Plays DIVX, MPG4, MKV, and Nearly Every Format Available
USB Input to Play Files from USB Drive
Bluetooth Compatible
HDMI Output
Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTDLS-HD Master Audio

So this is not the case? I need to be sure about this before we order this for Christmas.

[Geoff D]

Maybe that's something they've added/activated on the NA deck (you could hit up dobyblue with a PM) but it's not on the UK version that I can see, and for the very simple reason that it's as useful a concrete parachute to UK owners because our TVs are designed to play back 50Hz content in 50Hz.

[mar3o]

I thought the only thing 220electronics did with these mods is add a chip that makes it region-free? It shouldn't have anything to do with actual video conversion.

If this can't convert 50Hz to 60Hz my entire plan is wrecked and I have to rethink everything, as this player was sounding almost perfect to me. I need a UHD player, and I also need a region B blu-ray player to convert 50Hz to 60Hz. The only other option if this doesn't work out is to buy the US x800 (or likely just wait until next year then to see what the next model will bring since the x800 won't provide my region B needs), and then buy a separate region B player that can convert to 60Hz. I was told the LG players can convert 50Hz to 60Hz, but buying an LG player from amazon.uk with 3D support seems to not be possible from the US, as they are only available from 3rd party sellers that won't ship to the US. Amazon.uk sells the x800 directly.

[Geoff D]

By "they" I meant Sony as much as them 220 folks, the 50Hz compatibility has only recently been activated on the NA models so, again, your best bet is to hit up someone who's got one and aks them.

[mar3o]

Well that's kind of what I was hoping by asking in here. I was hoping somebody in here has a UK player and could test the output options to see if it offers 60Hz and can actually convert between the two.

The player advertises it plays just about anything, and can play PAL content, and can output 60Hz, but can't convert between the two? Very frustrating. How do they make claims like "if it's a disc, it will play"? Of course I can blame LG too, for making TVs that can't accept PAL. In the UK they have no issues playing PAL or NTSC content on their TVs, over here we're much more limited. Vizio TVs display 50Hz, but that doens't help me.

[Geoff D]

No, you're not understanding me: I HAVE THE UK PLAYER. It does not offer 60Hz conversion. This does not violate a claim of "it's a disc, it will play" because IT WILL PLAY on the market this UK deck is aimed at: a market which features 50/60Hz compatibility in its TVs as a matter of course in the digital age.

[mar3o]

I was missing that. Sorry. Well then that settles it for me sadly. Back to square one.

Priority one for me right now is getting a new region B player for my UK discs. I thought this player would kill two birds with one stone, but figures the firmware has to be dumbed down, even though all the necessary hardware is in place. Same as my TV. It can display PAL, but it's disabled in the US firmware. Ridiculous. Extra frustrating because US LG TVs used to display PAL, but my UHD model doesn't. My girlfriend's parent's cheapo 5 year old Vizio they bought for $400 displays PAL.

That leaves me waiting to pick up a UHD player at a later date, since I need a region B player more right now. So I might as well wait to see what the successor to the X800 will be next year before jumping at this one.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

No, you're not understanding me: I HAVE THE UK PLAYER. It does not offer 60Hz conversion. This does not violate a claim of "it's a disc, it will play" because IT WILL PLAY on the market this UK deck is aimed at: a market which features 50/60Hz compatibility in its TVs as a matter of course in the digital age.

Except that's the same marketing used in the US, leading one to believe that it does play all formats. This was mentioned earlier in the thread by dobyblue also. It implies that this player will play anything you throw at it, other than region-locked discs.

What's the point of enabling 50Hz playback in the US player if it can't convert to 60Hz? Since most US TVs can't display 50Hz, playing 50Hz content doesn't matter if it doesn't output the signal in a usable way. If Sony was going to bother enabling 50Hz playback in the US, then it should have enabled outputting 50Hz to 60Hz.

When people in the US say they want 50Hz enabled, it's common sense that they mean they want the option to output 60Hz, otherwise it's useless in the US unless you own a Vizio TV.

[mar3o]

Here's what I don't get - eddievanhalen said a few pages ago,

"Don't worry with the EU version of the Sony X-800, I live in Spain and have the EU X-800 bought on a local store and the menus are by default at 2160p @ 60 Hz when the player's video resolution out is configured to "Auto", "Original Resolution" or "4K"."

If the player is set to output 60Hz, and in fact outputs it by default out of the box in default mode, then why would it not output 60Hz when you play 50Hz? I don't get it:

- the player can play 50Hz content. This is confirmed.
- the player can output 60Hz, and does so by default if connected to a 60Hz set and in default video output.

So then what happens when you put in a region B disc and select a 50Hz extra to play? The player is outputting 60Hz while navigating the menu, so what happens when you play the 50Hz extras? What does it output? If I play the main movie, it will output 24Hz if that is enabled in the settings, otherwise I'm guessing it will output 60Hz. So what does it output when playing 50Hz content?

[dan10017]

Originally Posted by 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?

No coincidence they dropped the price further as the X Box One X and Scorpio boxes come next week. Both have the 4k Blu Ray player and all the audio codecs and plays video games. Both boxes will sell. That's why Sony dropped the price of the player.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Except that's the same marketing used in the US, leading one to believe that it does play all formats. This was mentioned earlier in the thread by dobyblue also. It implies that this player will play anything you throw at it, other than region-locked discs.

What's the point of enabling 50Hz playback in the US player if it can't convert to 60Hz? Since most US TVs can't display 50Hz, playing 50Hz content doesn't matter if it doesn't output the signal in a usable way. If Sony was going to bother enabling 50Hz playback in the US, then it should have enabled outputting 50Hz to 60Hz.

When people in the US say they want 50Hz enabled, it's common sense that they mean they want the option to output 60Hz, otherwise it's useless in the US unless you own a Vizio TV.

Dude, this is why I kept saying that you need to speak to someone who has the US version of the player now that the 50hz compatibility has been enabled on the North American version!!!

[mar3o]

Maybe I'm just being thick, but I still don't get it. The point of me asking about the EU/UK player is because that's the version I wanted to buy, for the region B ability of the blu-ray playback, since I need a region B player. I was told that it does indeed put out 60Hz, by default when on auto and plugged into a 60Hz set. And I know it can play 50Hz material. So then why on Earth would I think that it wouldn't convert 50Hz to 60Hz?

A) it plays 50Hz material
B) it can output 60Hz

What else would I think?

[Geoff D]

And yes, the main menu screens are 60Hz but this is how it's been for YEARS with most UK players, I've got a 6 year old Panny BDT310 which has a 60Hz menu screen. It's not converting anything because that's simply what the main menus natively run at, it doesn't mean anything re: conversion in and of itself.

Pics of my UK X800 in operation. Note the 4K/50p in the top left corner.

Last of the Mohicans R2 PAL DVD:



The Professionals UK 1080i50 Blu-ray:

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Maybe I'm just being thick, but I still don't get it. The point of me asking about the EU/UK player is because that's the version I wanted to buy, for the region B ability of the blu-ray playback, since I need a region B player. I was told that it does indeed put out 60Hz, by default when on auto and plugged into a 60Hz set. And I know it can play 50Hz material. So then why on Earth would I think that it wouldn't convert 50Hz to 60Hz?

A) it plays 50Hz material
B) it can output 60Hz

What else would I think?

Look at what I said before: why would this functionality even be enabled on a player which is specifically available in a TV market which can process 50Hz and 60Hz signals NATIVELY? The cross conversion is not on there because it is simply not needed. At all. Ever. See actual photographic proof above.

But, in a deliciously ironic twist, I messaged David Mackenzie (encoding guru and tech reviewer) about the current slate of Sony players and he confirmed that the regular Sony BD player he got from 220 electronics (the 3700, I think?) automatically converts 50Hz to 60Hz. There's no selectable menu option, no simple on/off toggle, it just does it.

So it seems that while the US versions will do the 50 to 60 conversion automatically - US stock presumably being what 220 start off with, hence them advertising this as a feature - the UK/Euro players do not (again: because they have no need to) so you really are back to square one if you just want to get a UK machine.

All of that said, why don't you just get a modded one from 220 and save all this worrying? I swear you're only happy when you're fretting about something.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

All of that said, why don't you just get a modded one from 220 and save all this worrying? I swear you're only happy when you're fretting about something.

Oh come on, that's not a fair thing to say at all. This is an expensive player for us. $320 from the UK. $450 on 220electronics! I want to make sure I don't misunderstand something and end up needing to return the player. That's what this forum is for - sharing information. I have a specific set of needs and I wanted to verify that this player could meet them.

$450 on 220electronics when the US player is $199! That's just too much for me.

The US player doesn't do me any good, as I need it to be region B. That's why I was excited about the UK player - it seemed like it would do everything I need, but apparently not.

[HDTV1080P]

This has nothing to do with the region selectable hack that some third party companies offer. There are region free Blu-ray discs with native 1080i 50Hz on the disc. Some Blu-ray players can handle both 50Hz and 60Hz material. Making a player region selectable just allows one to play region A, B, and C from one player.

[Geoff D]

I did also aks David if maybe this conversion functionality is detected by the EDID, my thinking being that if you were to plug a UK player (which outputs 50Hz as 50Hz, I'm not making it up, see photos) into a TV which lacked 50Hz capability then it would detect that and activate the conversion - but he didn't think it was, so the conversion simply appears to be a default feature of the US models.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

This has nothing to do with the region selectable hack that some third party companies offer. There are region free Blu-ray discs with native 1080i 50Hz on the disc. Some Blu-ray players can handle both 50Hz and 60Hz material. Making a player region selectable just allows one to play region A, B, and C from one player.

I know this. I have my main US Panasonic player for region A, and I have no need for region C. By importing the X800 form the UK, I was thinking it would take care of my need for a region B blu-ray player and a UHD player all in one, and I'd keep my Panasonic as my region A player since it's still pretty new.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by mar3o

That's not a fair thing to say at all. This is an expensive player for us. $320 from the UK. $450 on 220electronics! I want to make sure I don't misunderstand something and end up needing to return the player. That's what this forum is for - sharing information. I have a specific set of needs and I wanted to verify that this player could meet them.

$450 on 220electronics when the US player is $199! That's just too much for me.

The US player doesn't do me any good, as I need it to be region B. That's why I was excited about the UK player - it seemed like it would do everything I need, but apparently not.

But with a UK one being $320 then that's a hefty premium over the $199 US version you're willing to pay anyway, if you can swallow that you might as well go all in and drop the extra clams on the full-fat modded version which is seemingly the only way you'll get region B AND the 50-60 conversion on a Sony player.

And yeah, I get that you want to verify shit but what's so exasperating is that you don't actually want to believe anyone who tells you something to the contrary.