4K Player Advice

[Krypton_Son]

Ok so I'm looking for a region free 4k player with wifi and at least one USB port. It would be nice if it had "smart" options for apps although that's not a must have. I really don't want to pay an arm and a leg, what kind of options do I have?

[Zoland2020]

https://www.220-electronics.com/
On this website, your best option is the Sony UBP-X700 despite the questionable HDR settings. The LG UP970 is fine too as long as you get a good unit & not one of the noisy ones that sound like a airplane taking off so at that point it's like gambling.

[Krypton_Son]

Originally Posted by Zoland2020

https://www.220-electronics.com/
On this website, your best option is the Sony UBP-X700 despite the questionable HDR settings. The LG UP970 is fine too as long as you get a good unit & not one of the noisy ones that sound like a airplane taking off so at that point it's like gambling.

Awesome, I'll check them out.

[Braktastic]

Rather than start another thread, I will piggyback on this one if Krypton_Son doesn't mind. I need a 4K player upgrade for my living room. I recently upgraded my display in there to an LG 55SM9000PUA. I have a Sony UBP-X800 in there currently, but I want to take advantage of Dolby Vision.

What would be the best introductory-level 4K player that would meet my needs? Cost is a consideration because this isn't my primary viewing location. It doesn't have to be a Sony. I've heard good things about Panasonic.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[rech750452]

Originally Posted by Braktastic

Rather than start another thread, I will piggyback on this one if Krypton_Son doesn't mind. I need a 4K player upgrade for my living room. I recently upgraded my display in there to an LG 55SM9000PUA. I have a Sony UBP-X800 in there currently, but I want to take advantage of Dolby Vision.

What would be the best introductory-level 4K player that would meet my needs? Cost is a consideration because this isn't my primary viewing location. It doesn't have to be a Sony. I've heard good things about Panasonic.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Panasonic UB820 is the one to get. It's about $450 currently via Best Buy or Value Electronics (No taxes if you don't live in NY)

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Braktastic

Rather than start another thread, I will piggyback on this one if Krypton_Son doesn't mind. I need a 4K player upgrade for my living room. I recently upgraded my display in there to an LG 55SM9000PUA. I have a Sony UBP-X800 in there currently, but I want to take advantage of Dolby Vision.

What would be the best introductory-level 4K player that would meet my needs? Cost is a consideration because this isn't my primary viewing location. It doesn't have to be a Sony. I've heard good things about Panasonic.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sony x800m2 which supports DV is going for $299 and it doesn’t have the brightness issues with Dolby Vision that Panasonic 820/9000 has. Only negative is the unlike the more expensive x1100es, you have to specially turn on DV mode, but initial reports have said playback is excellent.

https://www.valueelectronics.com/UBP..._BD_player.php

[jibucha]

what about?

• LG UBKM9?
• LG UBKM90?
• note :: both support Dolby Vision
• note :: both are affordable (as low as $149 (US)
• note :: i have two of the original design (LG UP970 - flawed) that i am still quite satisfied after almost two years
• note :: these are improved over the original correcting the flaws (drive mostly)
• note :: if you actually took the time to compare the LG to the Sony, my expectation is that you 'might just be - pleasantly surprised and satisfied, with the overall picture quality'
  
• additionally, i do also own two of the Sony UBP-X800 that i only use intermittently for comparisons, that i am currently in process of selling as i basically never really use them - i easily prefer the picture quality of the LG UP970 (HDR10/Dolby Vision) with Dolby Vision simply outstanding - my display is the LG OLED55C7P
• additionally, i am about to purchase both the LG UBK90 and the Sony UBP-X800M2, specifically to compare Dolby Vision (my guess? - i would bet on the LG - however, i will have to conclude on what i actually see when i do the comparisons -
• of course, i will also be comparing the two LG models against each other, that they 'might differ', or may not - i will have to wait to see what i see -
• furthermore, i will also be comparing the two Sony models against each other, that they 'might also differ', or may not

Originally Posted by Braktastic

I need a 4K player upgrade for my living room. I recently upgraded my display in there to an LG 55SM9000PUA. I have a Sony UBP-X800 in there currently, but I want to take advantage of Dolby Vision.

What would be the best introductory-level 4K player that would meet my needs? Cost is a consideration because this isn't my primary viewing location. It doesn't have to be a Sony. I've heard good things about Panasonic.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

UV and iTunes, only 2 UHD so I would guess no 4K UHD TV. So I would still say look at the UHD Displays, and try to cut your losses. With a good high end Display and Apps, you can access UV, 4K, and use the Apple TV. Then decide if you still need a 4K Player.

Why are you even posting here? The OP asked for advice on purchasing a 4K disc player and you do not own one and you have made it plain many times over that you have no intentions of ever getting one. You have no experience with 4K disc players and you have no basis from which to even have an opinion, yet alone to offer any advice.

You do not need to promote streaming to the OP as it is already clear that he does stream content as evidenced by his UV and iTunes collection alone. That and the fact that he specifically mentions apps as a desired feature.

Odds are that if he is looking to buy a 4K disc player he probably already owns a 4K TV and regardless of whether he does or not, the OP did not ask for advice on buying a 4K TV. You have posted twice here and neither were relevant to his question.

If the OP is on a budget, JohnAV's recommendation of the Sony X800M2 is probably a great option. That is what the OP was asking for: specific 4K disc player recommendations. You don't need to sell the OP on streaming when he already does nor should you offer advice on a subject about which you know nothing.

The real reason you are posting here is to try and dissuade the OP from buying any 4K disc player. You would have everyone become completely reliant upon streaming and their ISP to view content.

[Braktastic]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I think the Panasonic is probably a bit out of my price-range for this room. I'm leaning the LG due to price and not having to manually turn on DV. I assume you don't have to do that with the LG?

Thanks again!

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Braktastic

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! I think the Panasonic is probably a bit out of my price-range for this room. I'm leaning the LG due to price and not having to manually turn on DV. I assume you don't have to do that with the LG?

Thanks again!

Welcome, The LG UBKM90 is $249. The LG UBKM9 is about $178 sold at Walmart, and a few other discount stores. It might work out for you. The earlier LG player (LG UP970) just avoid - inadequate optical loader damping - caused people to complain about hearing noisy disc with the higher RPM associated with UHD BD media. Cheers

[The_Donster]

I’ll also piggy back and ask for advice on a stand alone player. I have a 65” Samsung KS8000. So yes on HDR, no on DV. So that’s not necessarily a priority as much as having a reliable player.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by The_Donster

I’ll also piggy back and ask for advice on a stand alone player. I have a 65” Samsung KS8000. So yes on HDR, no on DV. So that’s not necessarily a priority as much as having a reliable player.

Those 4K disc players that JohnAV mentioned, the Sony X800M2, or the LG UBK90, or even the LG UBKM9, would probably serve you well.

[Krypton_Son]

Originally Posted by Braktastic

Rather than start another thread, I will piggyback on this one if Krypton_Son doesn't mind. I need a 4K player upgrade for my living room. I recently upgraded my display in there to an LG 55SM9000PUA. I have a Sony UBP-X800 in there currently, but I want to take advantage of Dolby Vision.

What would be the best introductory-level 4K player that would meet my needs? Cost is a consideration because this isn't my primary viewing location. It doesn't have to be a Sony. I've heard good things about Panasonic.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Don't mind at all.

[Oniiz86]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Only negative is the unlike the more expensive x1100es, you have to specially turn on DV mode

I believe the Sony UBP-X1100ES is the same in that regard, it still requires the DV mode setting to be enabled/disabled depending on the content according to a recent AV Forums review https://www.avforums.com/review/sony...ionAnchor60629

"One annoying aspect of the player's setup is that for Dolby Vision playback you have to turn that feature on in the menu. However in doing so the player will output HDR10 and Dolby Vision content as Dolby Vision. That is far from ideal, because HDR10 content should be displayed as it was created, and not converted into Dolby Vision. The only way around this problem is to leave the Dolby Vision setting off so that HDR10 is output as HDR10, and then manually turn on Dolby Vision when playing a Dolby Vision disc."

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Oniiz86

I believe the Sony UBP-X1100ES is the same in that regard, it still requires the DV mode setting to be enabled/disabled depending on the content according to a recent AV Forums review https://www.avforums.com/review/sony...ionAnchor60629

"One annoying aspect of the player's setup is that for Dolby Vision playback you have to turn that feature on in the menu. However in doing so the player will output HDR10 and Dolby Vision content as Dolby Vision. That is far from ideal, because HDR10 content should be displayed as it was created, and not converted into Dolby Vision. The only way around this problem is to leave the Dolby Vision setting off so that HDR10 is output as HDR10, and then manually turn on Dolby Vision when playing a Dolby Vision disc."

Thanks for the update/feedback on x1100es. Hopefully they can change that operation in FW eventually to allow it to be automatic, but every vendor codes software differently.

[Darth Helmet]

I'm going to piggy back as well as I currently have a Samsung 55" NU8000 with HDR/HDR10+ but no DV. I'm looking at the LG BPK90 and Sony UBP 800 models. About $200-$300 is my max I'm willing to spend.

[tcripe]

Originally Posted by Darth Helmet

I'm going to piggy back as well as I currently have a Samsung 55" UN8000 with HDR/HDR10+ but no DV. I'm looking at the LG BPK90 and Sony UBP 800 models. About $200-$300 is my max I'm willing to spend.

If you have a samsung tv that supports HDR10+ you should buy a player that does as well. Like the Samsung and Panasonic players.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by tcripe

If you have a samsung tv that supports HDR10+ you should buy a player that does as well. Like the Samsung and Panasonic players.

Samsung is no longer making Blu-ray players.

[tcripe]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Samsung is no longer making Blu-ray players.

Yeah, that’s well known. You can still buy them on Best Buy and amazon though.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by tcripe

Yeah, that’s well known. You can still buy them on Best Buy and amazon though.

Those models were manufactured before Samsung launched HDR10+, so those Blu-ray players may not have HDR10+ compatibility, only standard HDR10.