Samsung 4K UHD Blu-ray Player UBD-K8500

[Stanton]

Originally Posted by Damon33

So the UHD Blu Ray has me salivating, however, I need to assess how screwed I am. Reason being, I bought my 4k Samsung TV and Yamaha AVR at the end of 2014.

What is the easiest way for me to understand what limitations I will have with the new UHD Blu Ray players? I assume there are things from the TV and AvR perspective.

Here's a simple answer to a complicated question (although you may not like the answer): you need HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 ports on all devices in the signal chain to watch UHD (4K); otherwise the best you can do is 1080p.

I suspect your 2014 purchases do not have these ports. That is why I bought the 2015 version of my AVR and TV (see sig). Now there is a new debate about Dolby Vision, but that's for another discussion (and one I'm not getting too worked up about).

[spectre08]

Originally Posted by Stanton

Here's a simple answer to a complicated question (although you may not like the answer): you need HDMI 2.0a / HDCP 2.2 ports on all devices in the signal chain to watch UHD (4K); otherwise the best you can do is 1080p.

I suspect your 2014 purchases do not have these ports. That is why I bought the 2015 version of my AVR and TV (see sig). Now there is a new debate about Dolby Vision, but that's for another discussion (and one I'm not getting too worked up about).

most 2014 equipment has them, but probably only has 1. My LG is a 2014 model and it has HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2 on 1 port.

[Stanton]

Originally Posted by spectre08

most 2014 equipment has them, but probably only has 1. My LG is a 2014 model and it has HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2 on 1 port.

It may have HDMI 2.0, but not 2.0a; the difference is very important (as you probably know) and should be pointed out in these situations.

[spectre08]

Originally Posted by Stanton

It may have HDMI 2.0, but not 2.0a; the difference is very important (as you probably know) and should be pointed out in these situations.

if he bought a tv in late 2014 it probably doesn't support HDR anyways, so the "a" is irrelevant. The "a" is only applicable to the HDR spec, and will not prevent him from watching content in UHD.

[Geoff D]

Agreed, a few folks keep pointing out the "a" part over and over but that only pertains to transmitting HDR metadata, so the lack of it means nothing on a non-HDR 4K set anyway. Damon, as long as you've got HDCP 2.2 and some variant of HDMI 2.0, you're good to go.

(Incidentally my 2014 Sony has two HDCP 2.2/HDMI 2.0 (10.2 Gb/s) ports.)

[ray0414]

Originally Posted by spectre08

if he bought a tv in late 2014 it probably doesn't support HDR anyways, so the "a" is irrelevant. The "a" is only applicable to the HDR spec, and will not prevent him from watching content in UHD.

A 2014 samsung tv with the 2015 sek3500 upgrade box does indeed get hdr decoding. I thought it was underpowered though, so I sold my hu9000 and got the js9500 instead.

[Damon33]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Agreed, a few folks keep pointing out the "a" part over and over but that only pertains to transmitting HDR metadata, so the lack of it means nothing on a non-HDR 4K set anyway. Damon, as long as you've got HDCP 2.2 and some variant of HDMI 2.0, you're good to go.

(Incidentally my 2014 Sony has two HDCP 2.2/HDMI 2.0 (10.2 Gb/s) ports.)

Ok. Thanks all!

My 8550 does support HDMI 2.0 and has at least one HDCP 2.2 port. So if I have this right, while I won't have the most current pretty HDR based picture, I will have a much better than I have now on Blu experience with UHD 4k content.

[spectre08]

Originally Posted by ray0414

A 2014 samsung tv with the 2015 sek3500 upgrade box does indeed get hdr decoding. I thought it was underpowered though, so I sold my hu9000 and got the js9500 instead.

in that case then the sek3500 is handling it anyways, it didn't matter that there's no 2.0a on the tv, because you're not using the tv's HDMI inputs.

[Falaskan]

Should I get a new hdmi cord if I don't have a 4K tv yet (although im sure one will come in the box)...

[ray0414]

Originally Posted by spectre08

in that case then the sek3500 is handling it anyways, it didn't matter that there's no 2.0a on the tv, because you're not using the tv's HDMI inputs.

the new imputs on the sek3500 were upraded to HDMI 2.0a, it has the same inputs as the JS9500. the original inputs from the 2014 tvs without the upgrade box though are not upgradeable to hdmi 2.0a

[elwaylite]

New shipping info:

Samsung Electronics UBD-K8500 3D Wi-Fi 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2016 Model)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$399.99
Release date: Sunday, February 14, 2016

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

New shipping info:

Samsung Electronics UBD-K8500 3D Wi-Fi 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2016 Model)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$399.99
Release date: Sunday, February 14, 2016

Nice. I expected its release date to be in late February(Worst Buy had it at 2/21 when I ordered it), especially with UHD titles being announced for 3/1, but I'm fine with getting it a week earlier.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

New shipping info:

Samsung Electronics UBD-K8500 3D Wi-Fi 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2016 Model)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$399.99
Release date: Sunday, February 14, 2016

That's a month from now. Awesome! Means I'll be able to play those March 1 releases right away.

Now to decide if I want it from BB or Amazon. Already have the Amazon pre-order, so I suppose waiting for shipping is OK.

[Adam_ME]

Originally Posted by JJ

That's a month from now. Awesome! Means I'll be able to play those March 1 releases right away.

Now to decide if I want it from BB or Amazon. Already have the Amazon pre-order, so I suppose waiting for shipping is OK.

I'll stick with the BB preorder unless they don't update the delivery date to a week earlier. Then I'll switch over to Amazon.

[elwaylite]

It was easy for me, I dont pay tax at Amazon

[BMox81]

I want one.

But us UKer's have to wait as per usual....

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Sugnid

I want one.

But us UKer's have to wait as per usual....

'Twas ever thus.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by elwaylite

It was easy for me, I dont pay tax at Amazon

Lucky dog. Since they added Florida I've had to make some BBvsAMZ decisions.

[Falaskan]

No Dolby vision for sure? That's a nice early release date...

[dvdmike]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

'Twas ever thus.