Best mainstream 4K UHD player with DV (must be region free) - Blu-ray Forum

Muyfa666 · 03-03-2021, 05:41 PM

Well, the title really says it all - what's the best mainstream 4K UHD player with DV to buy right this moment?

I'm gonna need it to be BD region free, but I know there's plenty of options.

My TV is a LG OLED65CX. All my last BD/UHD-players were Sony, doesn't really matter to be thou.

It's nice if it's fan free and mechanical silent.

Any suggestions?

Top of my head I'm thinking Sony Sony X700 or X800M2. Good/bad? I like the gen1 X800, but there's no DV on it, sorry to say.

Auto switch to DV would be nice I guess. Is it standard on any of these two machines now?

thebigcheese3k · 03-04-2021, 12:34 PM

The Sony players you mentioned do not auto switch to DV. I found turning DV on and off to be a major nuisance with my Sony x700.

The Panasonic 820/9000 and LG UBK90 will auto switch to DV. Personally I’d recommend one of the Panasonics but you will need to buy a modded player if you want region free playback. However, most of my region B titles work on my Panasonic with the “top menu trick”

Muyfa666 · 03-04-2021, 12:50 PM

Tnx alot for your input. I was tempted by the Panasonic 820, but in the end I decided to go with the X800M2 after all. The main reason for that was that the Sony was pretty much the only region free player that was being offered locally. While manual DV is not ideal, it's not a deal breaker either.

Waldorf · 03-04-2021, 12:52 PM

I ended up with a modded LG UBK90 here in the US. It does automatically apply Dolby Vision and the remote for my LG CX works with it for the most part. The only downside is that it does not automatically switch from 24p to 50/60i with DVDs.

RBBrittain · 03-04-2021, 04:40 PM

I had the UBP-X700 (not region-free) because it was the cheapest player that supported DV; I ended up using it alongside my old region-free Sherwood (my later region-free LG is in reserve with my old 3DTV). When I decided to replace them both I considered a modded UBP-X700 or UBK90/UBKM9 (the two LGs are basically identical), but I ended up splurging on a modded UB820 from 220 (used sale price, coupon code & no tax to bring it just below $700) because it not only auto-switches DV (like the UBK90/UBKM9) but also HDR10+ (only it & the UB9000, plus the UB450 which isn't sold here, will do so AFAIK), as well as its tone mapping features & superior upscaling.

You might wanna make sure your mod has internal PAL/NTSC conversion (which is really shorthand for 50-to-60 framerate conversion -- PAL & NTSC themselves are mere SD). I understood LG players handled that automatically, but not Panasonic & some Sony models; it was one of the features in my UB820 mod. (It sounded like that might be Waldorf's issue with their UBK90 mod, but that's not quite the same. Even my UB820 is slow switching from 24p to 50i, as with the startup videos on the ITV UK BD of Hamlet (1948); but it had no problem with the BBC's 2012 Olympics BD in 50i.) Edit: Likely lack of PAL/NTSC conversion was a chief reason (along with lack of PQ features) why I didn't import a modded UB450 from TPS in the UK, even though it probably would have been cheaper than the 220-modded UB820 even with international shipping.

Muyfa666 · 03-05-2021, 10:57 AM

I cancelled my order on the Sony and ordered the LG UBKM9 instead from 220-Electronics. Should be fine I think.

wompasaurus · 03-07-2021, 02:55 AM

I have the sony x700, however I'm searching for another option as it doesn't support hdr10+. Hopefully I can find a player that will support DV as well as hdr10+ within the return period for this player.

Grinningcat_o3 · 08-20-2021, 08:35 PM

what's the best for Dolby Vision and HDR10+? Trying to avoid the ub9000 as it's like $1500, anything other than that?

cricepng · 08-21-2021, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

what's the best for Dolby Vision and HDR10+? Trying to avoid the ub9000 as it's like $1500, anything other than that?

If you are wanting to save money, it's cheaper to get two players: one for DV and one for HDR10+

unberechenbar · 08-21-2021, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

what's the best for Dolby Vision and HDR10+? Trying to avoid the ub9000 as it's like $1500, anything other than that?

Why not get the UB820?

Grinningcat_o3 · 08-21-2021, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unberechenbar

Why not get the UB820?

It's $500 compared to $250 for the LG ubk90.

I guess the other issue I'm just now realizing is that I have the LG CX and it doesn't have HDR10+ support so no reason really to get an HDR10+ player.

Is the UB820 better overall than the LG UBK90?

unberechenbar · 08-21-2021, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

It's $500 compared to $250 for the LG ubk90.

I guess the other issue I'm just now realizing is that I have the LG CX and it doesn't have HDR10+ support so no reason really to get an HDR10+ player.

Is the UB820 better overall than the LG UBK90?

It's considered one of the better players especially with its tone mapper. Haven't heard much about the LG. I use a Sony player myself but you have to manually switch Dolby Vision on and off.

Eibon · 08-25-2021, 04:22 PM

I wanted to share my experience of moving to 4K and this seemed like the thread to do it since I purchased a similar TV and wanted to see if I could get some pointers on best setup. If my choice is misplaced, feel free to ignore or delete?

I too got an LG OLED(55)CX as I was impressed with the lovely contrast and handling of black. I wanted to compliment that purchase with a UHD player that could be easily and freely hacked to play all region dvd so I went with the LG UBK90 and I'm delighted with my choice. It seems to upscale DVD marvellously, the TV indicates the input is 2160. Depending on the quality of the DVD compression, it looks really good with no jagged lines or interlacing. I'm assuming that this is best practice for DVD playback rather than output from the player in native resolution?

The main struggle I have is finding a good universal "fit-all" setting for picture. The LG OLED55CX is the most versatile TV I've ever had regarding picture modes and allows each port to have its own setting. However family often watch TV shows that don't lend themselves to a modified FILMMAKER MODE that I've chosen to match what I was previously used to on other setups. This mode turns off most video processing and has a subdued, darkened image. Doesn't seem to be an easy way to toggle between picture modes (but I admit I've only had the TV a couple weeks). So I've been leaving it on this mode for Live TV, Netflix and the UHD player. Does anyone else with this TV concur this is best practice? With my other Samsung, I found a forum that had people post their list of settings that they found best for their model of TV. Given our community leans towards physical discs and movies/anime, is there a resource here where people share their model-specific TV settings?

JWgrayhawk · 08-25-2021, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eibon

I wanted to share my experience of moving to 4K and this seemed like the thread to do it since I purchased a similar TV and wanted to see if I could get some pointers on best setup. If my choice is misplaced, feel free to ignore or delete?

I too got an LG OLED(55)CX as I was impressed with the lovely contrast and handling of black. I wanted to compliment that purchase with a UHD player that could be easily and freely hacked to play all region dvd so I went with the LG UBK90 and I'm delighted with my choice. It seems to upscale DVD marvellously, the TV indicates the input is 2160. Depending on the quality of the DVD compression, it looks really good with no jagged lines or interlacing. I'm assuming that this is best practice for DVD playback rather than output from the player in native resolution?

The main struggle I have is finding a good universal "fit-all" setting for picture. The LG OLED55CX is the most versatile TV I've ever had regarding picture modes and allows each port to have its own setting. However family often watch TV shows that don't lend themselves to a modified FILMMAKER MODE that I've chosen to match what I was previously used to on other setups. This mode turns off most video processing and has a subdued, darkened image. Doesn't seem to be an easy way to toggle between picture modes (but I admit I've only had the TV a couple weeks). So I've been leaving it on this mode for Live TV, Netflix and the UHD player. Does anyone else with this TV concur this is best practice? With my other Samsung, I found a forum that had people post their list of settings that they found best for their model of TV. Given our community leans towards physical discs and movies/anime, is there a resource here where people share their model-specific TV settings?

Try AVSforum.com and locate the thread for your TV

03-03-2021, 05:41 PM	#1
Muyfa666 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2013 Location:Sweden 4K collection:525 Blu-ray collection:863 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:5	Best mainstream 4K UHD player with DV (must be region free) Well, the title really says it all - what's the best mainstream 4K UHD player with DV to buy right this moment? I'm gonna need it to be BD region free, but I know there's plenty of options. My TV is a LG OLED65CX. All my last BD/UHD-players were Sony, doesn't really matter to be thou. It's nice if it's fan free and mechanical silent. Any suggestions? Top of my head I'm thinking Sony Sony X700 or X800M2. Good/bad? I like the gen1 X800, but there's no DV on it, sorry to say. Auto switch to DV would be nice I guess. Is it standard on any of these two machines now? Last edited by Muyfa666; 03-03-2021 at 06:03 PM.

03-04-2021, 04:40 PM	#5
RBBrittain Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Jan 2009 Location:Little Rock, AR 4K collection:767 Blu-ray collection:1870 DVD collection:93 MA collection:989 Digital collection:349 iTunes collection:56 Prime collection:5 Trading Score:6	I had the UBP-X700 (not region-free) because it was the cheapest player that supported DV; I ended up using it alongside my old region-free Sherwood (my later region-free LG is in reserve with my old 3DTV). When I decided to replace them both I considered a modded UBP-X700 or UBK90/UBKM9 (the two LGs are basically identical), but I ended up splurging on a modded UB820 from 220 (used sale price, coupon code & no tax to bring it just below $700) because it not only auto-switches DV (like the UBK90/UBKM9) but also HDR10+ (only it & the UB9000, plus the UB450 which isn't sold here, will do so AFAIK), as well as its tone mapping features & superior upscaling. You might wanna make sure your mod has internal PAL/NTSC conversion (which is really shorthand for 50-to-60 framerate conversion -- PAL & NTSC themselves are mere SD). I understood LG players handled that automatically, but not Panasonic & some Sony models; it was one of the features in my UB820 mod. (It sounded like that might be Waldorf's issue with their UBK90 mod, but that's not quite the same. Even my UB820 is slow switching from 24p to 50i, as with the startup videos on the ITV UK BD of Hamlet (1948); but it had no problem with the BBC's 2012 Olympics BD in 50i.) Edit: Likely lack of PAL/NTSC conversion was a chief reason (along with lack of PQ features) why I didn't import a modded UB450 from TPS in the UK, even though it probably would have been cheaper than the 220-modded UB820 even with international shipping. Last edited by RBBrittain; 03-04-2021 at 04:48 PM. Reason: Expand & clarify

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-04-2021, 12:34 PM	#2
thebigcheese3k Senior Member Member since:Dec 2019 4K collection:348 Blu-ray collection:612 DVD collection:1	The Sony players you mentioned do not auto switch to DV. I found turning DV on and off to be a major nuisance with my Sony x700. The Panasonic 820/9000 and LG UBK90 will auto switch to DV. Personally I’d recommend one of the Panasonics but you will need to buy a modded player if you want region free playback. However, most of my region B titles work on my Panasonic with the “top menu trick”

03-04-2021, 12:50 PM	#3
Muyfa666 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2013 Location:Sweden 4K collection:525 Blu-ray collection:863 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:5	Tnx alot for your input. I was tempted by the Panasonic 820, but in the end I decided to go with the X800M2 after all. The main reason for that was that the Sony was pretty much the only region free player that was being offered locally. While manual DV is not ideal, it's not a deal breaker either.

03-04-2021, 12:52 PM	#4
Waldorf Active Member Member since:Oct 2018	I ended up with a modded LG UBK90 here in the US. It does automatically apply Dolby Vision and the remote for my LG CX works with it for the most part. The only downside is that it does not automatically switch from 24p to 50/60i with DVDs.

03-05-2021, 10:57 AM	#6
Muyfa666 Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Jan 2013 Location:Sweden 4K collection:525 Blu-ray collection:863 DVD collection:1 Trading Score:5	I cancelled my order on the Sony and ordered the LG UBKM9 instead from 220-Electronics. Should be fine I think.

03-07-2021, 02:55 AM	#7
wompasaurus Junior Member Member since:Feb 2021 Location:Michigan, USA 4K collection:28 Blu-ray collection:28	I have the sony x700, however I'm searching for another option as it doesn't support hdr10+. Hopefully I can find a player that will support DV as well as hdr10+ within the return period for this player.

08-20-2021, 08:35 PM	#8
Grinningcat_o3 Active Member Member since:Dec 2020 Location:Austin, Texas 4K collection:121 Blu-ray collection:121	what's the best for Dolby Vision and HDR10+? Trying to avoid the ub9000 as it's like $1500, anything other than that?

08-25-2021, 04:22 PM	#13
Eibon Power Member Member since:Nov 2013 DVD collection:327	I wanted to share my experience of moving to 4K and this seemed like the thread to do it since I purchased a similar TV and wanted to see if I could get some pointers on best setup. If my choice is misplaced, feel free to ignore or delete? I too got an LG OLED(55)CX as I was impressed with the lovely contrast and handling of black. I wanted to compliment that purchase with a UHD player that could be easily and freely hacked to play all region dvd so I went with the LG UBK90 and I'm delighted with my choice. It seems to upscale DVD marvellously, the TV indicates the input is 2160. Depending on the quality of the DVD compression, it looks really good with no jagged lines or interlacing. I'm assuming that this is best practice for DVD playback rather than output from the player in native resolution? The main struggle I have is finding a good universal "fit-all" setting for picture. The LG OLED55CX is the most versatile TV I've ever had regarding picture modes and allows each port to have its own setting. However family often watch TV shows that don't lend themselves to a modified FILMMAKER MODE that I've chosen to match what I was previously used to on other setups. This mode turns off most video processing and has a subdued, darkened image. Doesn't seem to be an easy way to toggle between picture modes (but I admit I've only had the TV a couple weeks). So I've been leaving it on this mode for Live TV, Netflix and the UHD player. Does anyone else with this TV concur this is best practice? With my other Samsung, I found a forum that had people post their list of settings that they found best for their model of TV. Given our community leans towards physical discs and movies/anime, is there a resource here where people share their model-specific TV settings?

Best 4K Blu-ray Deals