These days it's not hard to find streaming services that offer 4K movies and TV shows on-demand - Netflix and Amazon are certainly leading the charge but it's only a matter of time until more follow suit. However, if you're the kind of person who wants the best, uncompressed picture quality from your movie sessions and TV bingers, you need to invest in a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
4k UHD review and screen comparisons with the old Blu-ray. I'm all for supporting UHD blu-ray's, especially horror, but ultimately I'll pass on this one. Some interesting color timing alterations (with screenshot comparisons) between the 4K UHD and the older Blu-ray. Jun 02, 2016 Anyword on screenshots of Ghostbusters UHD Blu-ray release? Ultra HD Blu-ray and 4K Movies. Anyword on screenshots of Ghostbusters UHD Blu-ray release? What are you talking about i saw the color difference on my non hdr 4k tv with a screenshot of the ultra hd blu ray of deadpool, 01:34 AM.
Despite the fact that most of the rest of the world is happy to settling for streaming video, dismissing physical discs, no consumer video stream can get close to the quality of a 4K Blu-ray. At least not at the moment.
If that’s not enough to convince you to upgrade your home cinema experience with a UHD Blu-ray player, then another argument for opting for physical discs over streaming is that your TV might be screaming out for it.
For example, if you've invested in a top-notch television set such as theLG C8 OLED, then it deserves some 4K Blu-ray pampering.
More importantly, gone are days the '4K' tax for high-end AV equipment. Sure, the highest-tier devices may still be on the pricey side, but there are affordable picks out there if your budget is tight. Most will even support 4K Netflix and Amazon Prime, too, allowing you to get the best of both worlds.
Enjoy having your Ultra-HD cake and eating it too? Here are the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player you should go for.
- Don't miss our round-up of the Best 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies
What else do I need to watch a UHD Blu-ray?
Before you get started, remember that in order to get a true 4K experience you’ll need to get a few things in place: You'll need a 4K Blu-ray player, a 4K Blu-ray disc and, of course, a 4K TV in order to watch it. (If you don't have that last one, then check out our guide to thebest 4K TV.)
If you don't have a 4K TV, your 4K Blu-ray player will still work, but it will only display images in 1080p. Buy a regular Blu-ray instead of a 4K version and it will still play in 3840 × 2160 resolution, but it won't be a native 4K image and will be noticeably different to an Ultra HD Blu-ray.
Is your 4K TV all setup and ready to go? Here's a quick look at the best 4K Blu-ray players available to buy today.
1. Panasonic DP-UB9000
The first 4K Blu-ray player to support HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Yes | Dimensions: 430 x 81 x 300 mm | Weight: 7.8 kg | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10, HDR10+
The DP-UB9000 is Panasonic’s latest flagship 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player and, after Oppo started winding down its competing devices, the new model finds itself in one of the top spots in the high-end player market.
That said, beautifully made and enviably specified, this flagship 4K disc spinner is unashamedly premium. The plastic and tin build, familiar on mainstream Blu-ray players, has been replaced with heavy metal and luxe design.
Beyond its good looks, however, the DP-UB9000 is also the first UHD deck from Panasonic to support all key HDR flavours: vanilla HDR10, its dynamic sibling HDR10+, HLG and Dolby Vision. Arduino bootloader rusak. The latter is included, despite the fact that Panasonic isn’t supporting Dolby Vision on any of its 4K TVs.
Not only is the player more than capable with images, it has audiophile aspirations as well, sporting high quality DACs, two-channel and 7.1-channel analogue outputs, and Hi-Res Audio support. Toss in a host of smart features, and the UB9000 ticks nearly every box in the book.
Naturally all these flagship features don’t come cheap - but, for those seeking the ideal replacement Blu-ray player after Oppo’s collapse, the Panasonic DP-UB9000 is a more than adequate replacement.
Read the full review: Panasonic DP-UB9000 review
2. Panasonic DMP-UB700
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Yes | Dimensions: 430 x 61 x 199 mm | Weight: 2.3 kg | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
The Panasonic DMP-U700 is the 4K Blu-ray player we end up recommending most often. It's more affordable than an Oppo deck, and still gets you the amazing picture quality of Panasonic's top-end DMP-U900.
Streaming service support, with HDR-enabled 4K Netflix, is well worth trumpeting and the player does a swell job with 24-bit audio. It supports both FLAC and DSD files.
There's no Dolby Vision support, perhaps the main reason to upgrade to the DMP-UB900. But as it stands the UB700 offers the best balance of price, audio visual performance and features.
Read the full review:Panasonic DMP-UB700
3. Pioneer UDP-LX500
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: N/A | Dimensions: 17-1/8 x 4-5/8 x 13-1/4 inches (435 x 118 x 337 mm) | Weight: 22.7 lbs. (10.3 kg) | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10, Dolby Vision, plus HDR10+ later
While its £999 ($999, AU$1999) price tag might be a bit intimidating, Pioneer has produced a peach of a player with the UDP-LX500. This heavyweight home cinema hero deserves to be shortlisted by all high-end upgraders, and can comfortably claim to be one of the best universal 4K Blu-ray players available for less than a grand.
There are caveats though. It’s not quite as brilliant a video performer as its main rival, the cheaper Panasonic DMP-UB9000, and it’s not quite as well finished either. However, if music is as important as movies to you, it’s clearly got broader appeal. Move over Bradley and Gaga, a new AV star is born.
Read the full review: Pioneer UDP-LX500
4. Sony UBP-X800
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: MediaTek platform | Dimensions: 17 x 2 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 8.4 pounds | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
Sony might have been a little late to the Ultra HD Blu-ray party, but its first player is a great machine. It's solidly made, and its overall image quality is superb.
As an added bonus, the player also supports a wide range of audio formats, can play SACDs, and even DVD-As.
So why does the player sit the number three slot in our list? Well, unfortunately it lacks support for Dolby Vision, the high-end HDR format that discs are increasingly offering support for, and which the Oppo UDP-203 does now support thanks to a firmware update. Its also more expensive than our top pick, the Panasonic DMP-UB700.
If you want a UHD player that also doubles as a very capable music player, then the Sony UBP-X800 is a great choice, but if you're after something focussed solely on playing movies, then there are better or cheaper options out there.
Read the full review:Sony UBP-X800
5. Panasonic DMP-UB900
Panasonic's DMP-UB900 is a must-have for AV enthusiasts
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Panasonic OS | Dimensions: 435 x 199 x 68mm | Weight: 5.29 pounds | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
The DMP-UB900 will restore you faith in physical media. In full 4K HDR guise it offers a level of performance that will have new 4K TV owners gasping. Ultra HD Blu-ray brings the experience of 4K digital cinema to the home, and rewards with brilliant colour fidelity, deep contrast and almost three-dimensional clarity.
Factor in solid file playback support, plus 4K iterations of Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, and you have a machine that'll make your new 4K HDR TV look sensational.
Read the full review: Panasonic DMP-UB900
6. Sony UBP-X1000ES
Offering superb video and audio, this high-end Sony is a star performer
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: N/A | Dimensions: W430 x H54 x D265 (mm) | Weight: 3.9 kg (8 Lbs 10 Oz) | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
The UBP-X1000ES is Sony’s premium 4K Blu-ray offering, a posh stablemate to the unfeasibly fine UBP-X800. In terms of performance and value, the latter can be considered one of the best value UHD Blu-ray players available, so clearly this more expensive sibling needs to be rather special to warrant a premium.
To that end, the UBP-X1000ES delivers pristine UHD Blu-ray images and its audio performance is excellent, be it via HDMI or two channel analogue. The player is also artfully built, and incorporates a high-end 192kHz/ 32bit DAC and offers a gold-plated phono analogue audio output on the rear.
Skins custom lol download. Ultimately, though, the X1000ES is considerably more expensive than the UBP-X800, and doesn’t quite have the feature roster of the Dolby Vision-enabled, MQA-playing Oppo UHD-203 - and if you’re looking for a UHD player with comparable audio chops (although admittedly not universal disc compatibility), then Panasonic’s DMP-UB900 provides cheaper competition.
Read the full review:Sony UBP-X1000ES
7. Panasonic DMP-UB300
A solid budget performer
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Yes | Dimensions: 193 x 320 x 45 mm | Weight: 1.3kg | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: No | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
You'll make a couple of compromises if you want to take advantage of the DMP UB300's budget price-tag – there's no built-in Wi-Fi for example, and rear ports are incredibly limited – but thankfully the machine doesn't scrimp where it matters.
Picture quality is excellent, it supports a wide range of audio codecs and formats, and there's also streaming services built in if you're willing to go down the wired ethernet route.
Read the full review: Panasonic DMP-UB300
8. Xbox One X
Microsoft's latest console plays games and movies in 4K UHD
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Yes? | Dimensions: 193 x 320 x 45 mm | Weight: 1.3kg | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
The Xbox One X is a beast of a gaming console. It offers 6 teraflops of performance, 12GB of GDDR5 RAM and an eight-core CPU clocked at 2.3GHz. By far and away, it's the most powerful device listed on this page. But despite all that power under the hood, it's not the best 4K Blu-ray player. Sure, it can play 4K UHD discs – and it even supports Dolby Atmos audio – but the images that it produces aren't likely to blow you away. That's probably because the Xbox One X doesn't have the same level of picture-upscaling that some of the other dedicated media players on this list have. While the Xbox One X might not be as good of a 4K Blu-ray player as the Oppo or the Sony, we'd like to see either one of those players handle an Xbox One X game.
Read the full review:Xbox One X
9. Xbox One S
The Xbox One S might be primarily a video game console, but it's also a stellar (and cheap) 4K Blu-ray player
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: New Xbox Experience | Dimensions: 17 x 11.4 x 4.4 inches | Weight: N/A | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
Not holding the title of a 'proper Blu-ray player' doesn't stop the Xbox One S from being a great, cheap way to play 4K Blu-ray discs.
Sporting a Blu-ray disc drive and the capacity to run Netflix in 4K Ultra HD, Microsoft's latest iteration of the Xbox is a great 'jack-of-all-trades' machine that's capable of satisfying your UHD disc needs as well as playing the latest console game released for the system.
The downside of it being able to do everything is that you'll be working with an interface designed primarily for gaming. The controller that comes with the console isn't the most efficient way to control movie playback, and the machine lacks support for Dolby Vision.
Regardless, if you want a machine that can handle both your gaming and your home cinema needs, the Xbox One S is the console for the job.
Read the full review: Xbox One S
10. Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player
4K playback on the cheap? Check out the UBD-K8500
Supported resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Smart TV: Samsung Smart Hub | Dimensions: 405 x 44.7 x 230 mm | Weight: 4.19 pounds | UHD Upscaling?: Yes | Wi-Fi?: Yes | 3D support?: Yes | HDR Formats supported: HDR10
The K8500 is currently the cheapest route into 4K Blu-ray. It's also a useful hub for 4K OTT services from Netflix and Amazon, and while the design is a bit Marmite, you'll be consistently impressed by its loading speed and colourful UI.
You can get better image quality, support for more formats and better build quality by spending more money, but if you want a cheap machine that covers the basics, then the Samsung UBD-K8500 is yet to be beaten on price.
Read the full review: Samsung UBD-K8500
Today's best 4K Blu-ray Player deals
There's a player for every need and every pocket
Email @stephenwithers-
115
The launch of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray has been more successful than even the best industry forecasts.In a short space of time we have seen the release of nearly two hundred Ultra HD Blu-ray discs from every major studio and players from all the main manufacturers. Technically the format is impressive, with UHD Blu-rays including support for High Dynamic Range, specifically HDR10, and some even including Dolby Vision. The format also supports 10-bit video and Wide Colour Gamut (Rec. 2020), whilst many 4K discs include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks.
MORE: A Guide to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray
We have now reviewed every 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player that has been released to date, with models from Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, LG and Oppo, as well as Microsoft's Xbox One S which includes a UHD Blu-ray drive. There are players with features to suit everyone's needs and the prices of these players have dropped precipitously, with some now available for less than £200. This is a key psychological barrier and can only help drive the format to even greater success.
MORE: 2017 OLED TV Best Buy Comparison
Ultra HD Blu-ray might well end up being the last physical format, as consumers move towards a downloading and streaming future, but it offers a level of picture and sound quality that is quite simply unrivalled. So what are you waiting for – you've got that lovely new 4K HDR TV, don't you think it's time you bought an Ultra HD Blu-ray player to go with it? To help you choose which best suits you, we compare all of the currently available 4K players.Cambridge Audio CXUHD
Reviewed 28th of November 2017 at £700
Our Rating: 8/10
Features: It's no secret that Cambridge Audio's players are made by Oppo and thus share many of the same features. However the CXUHD initially had a problem with its video output, which Cambridge Audio were quick to fix after feedback from AVForums. As a result the CXUHD delivered the same flawless playback of 4K discs as the Oppo and can also handle Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD and CD. It's nicely designed and extremely well made and provides plenty of on-screen disc information. There are twin HDMI outputs, an HDMI input, superb video processing, the ability to strip HDR metadata and even Dolby Vision support. In keeping with the Oppo players there is no app support, however the CXUHD also doesn't have any analogue outputs and it's remote is a mess of small buttons that are very hard to see in a darkened home cinema. Overall the CXUHD is a very good player in terms of performance but we really can't see any reason why you would buy this player when the Oppo UDP-203 offers more for less.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Flawless universal disc playback
- Excellent build quality
- Impressive video processing
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Dolby Vision support
- Useful features
- No analogue outputs
- Annoying remote control
- No app support
- Very expensive
BEST FOR: The Cambridge Audio CXUHD is the ideal choice for those looking for a high quality digital transport.LG UP970
Reviewed 22nd of August 2017 at £270
Our Rating: 8/10 – Recommended
Features: The big selling point of the UP970 is the inclusion of Dolby Vision, making it the cheapest available player to support this extension of HDR. This shouldn't come as a surprise as LG have formed a close partnership with Dolby, supporting both Vision and Atmos on their latest OLED TVs, but whilst the UP970 is capable of a flawless performance in terms of disc playback, it's also slightly disappointing. Although there are twin HDMI outputs, the build quality is rather flimsy, making it a bit noisy in operation and the user interface appears very dated. In addition there's no display, no analogue outputs and the feature set is limited, making the player feel very budget in operation. However, at least recent price drops have helped in this regard and, compared to the Oppo players, the UP970 is the best way to get Dolby Vision support without breaking the bank.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Dolby Vision support
- Flawless playback
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Price
- Flimsy construction
- Can be noisy in operation
- No CEC or DNLA support
- Limited apps available
- No analogue outputs
- No display
BEST FOR: The LG UP970 is the cheapest way of getting Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-ray support.Microsoft Xbox One S 500GB
Reviewed 18th of July 2017 at £200
Our Rating: 9/10 – Best Buy
Features: Microsoft surprised many by including an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive in the Xbox One S, immediately making it the cheapest 4K player on the market. Recent price drops have meant there are now a couple of cheaper stand alone players but the Xbox One S still offers fantastic value when you consider it's also a games console. Despite this it makes for a very good 4K disc player, with support for Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, as well as Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs, although it can be a bit slow and noisy in operation. In addition a games controller isn't ideal as a remote and there's only one HDMI output so make sure your receiver or soundbar supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. However on the plus side there are plenty of apps and features before you even consider that the Xbox One S plays games as well. It also includes a built-in hard drive that will affect the overall price but, whichever version you choose, the Xbox One S is a highly cost effective way of adding Ultra HD Blu-ray playback to your system.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Excellent disc playback
- Good build quality
- Built-in hard drive
- Decent app support
- It's also a games console
- Price
- Noisy and slow playback
- Game controller not ideal
- No analogue outputs
- Only one HDMI output
- No display
BEST FOR: The Xbox One S is ideal for those who want both Ultra HD Blu-ray support and a games console.Oppo UDP-203
Reviewed 25th of January 2017 at £649
Our Rating: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Features: It's fair to say that Oppo rushed the UDP-203 to market in order to meet their promise of having an Ultra HD Blu-ray player in stores before Christmas 2016. That initial release was hampered by numerous software bugs, playback glitches and unfinished features. However the company has been quick to respond and using the current firmware, the UDP-203 is amongst the best players available. Aside from flawless playback of 4K discs, it's also plays Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD and CD, making it a genuine universal player. It's attractively designed, well made, has an excellent remote and provides plenty of disc information. There are twin HDMI outputs, an HDMI input, superb video processing, analogue outputs, the ability to strip HDR metadata and even Dolby Vision playback. In fact the UDP-203 has everything you could want in a player and can even be easily chipped for multi-region Blu-ray and DVD playback, so the only feature it currently lacks is any app support. Of course all this doesn't come cheap but if you're looking for a high-end 4K disc spinner, then the Oppo UDP-203 should be at the top of your list.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Flawless universal disc playback
- Excellent build quality
- Impressive video processing
- Dolby Vision support
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Analogue outputs
- Useful features
- Great remote control
- No app support
- Price
BEST FOR: The Oppo UDP-203 offers the most overall features including universal playback and Dolby Vision support.Oppo UDP-205
Reviewed 27th of July 2017 at £1,399
Our Rating: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Features: The Oppo UDP-205 arrived in the summer and was thus able to benefit from all the development work done on the UDP-203, which had essentially been beta tested in public. The result was a high-end player designed to offer an uncompromising level of performance in every respect. In terms of video and digital audio the UDP-205 is identical to the UDP-203, so if you're just looking for a player to use with HDMI, then you may as well go for the cheaper model. However if you're looking for an audiophile analogue source with state-of-the-art DACs and even XLR balanced stereo outputs, then the UDP-205 is the one for you. It's also built like a tank, so whilst it might be very expensive, you do at least feel as though you're getting a player that goes some way towards justifying its hefty price tag. The UDP-205 doesn't use fans for cooling, which means it's very quiet in operation, but it can get quite warm during use so ventilation is important. Aside from that minor point and the lack of any app support, it's hard to fault Oppo's flagship player but you will need deep pockets.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Flawless universal disc playback
- Superb build quality
- Impressive video processing
- Dolby Vision support
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Audiophile analogue outputs
- Useful features
- Great remote control
- No app support
- Can get hot in operation
- Very expensive
BEST FOR: The Oppo UDP-205 delivers superior analogue performance thanks to audiophile components.Panasonic DMP-UB300
Reviewed 29th of June 2017 at £190
Our Rating: 9/10 – Best Buy
Features: Panasonic have released more Ultra HD Blu-ray players than any other manufacturer and they currently have four models available in stores. The DMP-UB300 was one of the most recent additions to the line-up and is their entry level model, designed to hit a specific price point – that psychological sub-£200 barrier. As a result the build quality is a bit flimsy, making the player slightly noisy in operation. It also lacks a display or any analogue or digital outputs and there's no built-in WiFi, just an Ethernet port, and only one HDMI output so make sure your receiver or soundbar supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. That aside the picture and sound quality, as well as most of the remaining features, are identical to Panasonic's other players, so over HDMI you will get the same level of performance. As a result the UB300 makes for a superb budget player and the ideal choice for anyone who fancies trying Ultra HD Blu-ray without a significant financial commitment.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Excellent playback
- Great 4K upscaling
- Plenty of features
- Low price
- Only one HDMI output
- No built-in WiFi
- No analogue or digital outputs
- No display
BEST FOR: The Panasonic DMP-UB300 is one of the cheapest ways of adding Ultra HD Blu-ray support to your system.Panasonic DMP-UB400
Reviewed 2nd of July 2017 at £299
Our Rating: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Features: The Panasonic DMP-UB400 was released at the same time as the entry level UB300 and although it's slightly more expensive it does represent something of a sweet spot as far as price and performance is concerned. The UB400 has a more attractive design and a better level of build quality than the UB300 and it also has twin HDMI outputs, an optical digital output and built-in WiFi. Whilst there's no display or analogue audio support, the feature set is still impressive with extensive setup options and plenty of apps. The playback of Ultra HD Blu-rays is flawless and, thanks to some excellent video processing, Blu-rays and DVDs also look great. The UB400 doesn't automatically select the correct refresh rate when streaming video but apart from that it's hard to fault this player which offers a fantastic combination of performance, features and price.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Flawless playback
- Impressive 4K upscaling
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Excellent features
- Attractive design
- Great price
- No analogue outputs
- No display
BEST FOR: The Panasonic DMP-UB400 offers the best all-round performance and features for the money.Panasonic DMP-UB700
Reviewed 27th of October 2016 at £399
Our Rating: 9/10 – Best Buy
Features: When Panasonic first released the DMP-U700 towards the end of last year it was something of a bargain, offering an almost identical set of features and performance to their flagship UB900 for £200 less. The UB700 did drop the analogue outputs and fancy remote but, if all you needed were HDMI outputs, then the cheaper player was the obvious choice at the time. Since then the arrival of the UB400 has largely superseded the UB700 and unless you desperately need a display or a larger chassis, there really is no need to choose the older model. However if you do fancy a display and a larger chassis then the UB700 can be picked up quite cheaply these days and it remains a great disc spinner with a superb performance, a lovely level of build quality and an excellent set of features.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Impressive playback
- Superb 4K upscaling
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Extensive features
- Attractive design
- Great build quality
- No analogue outputs
BEST FOR: The Panasonic DMP-UB700 offers a higher level of build quality at a reduced price.Panasonic DMP-UB900
Reviewed 16th of April 2016 at £599
Our Rating: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Features: The DMP-UB900 was Panasonic's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player and it remains the flagship model in their extensive range of 4K disc spinners. The UB900 was just pipped to the post by the Samsung UBD-K8500 as the world's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player but the Panasonic was the choice of enthusiasts at the time. In fact, if you're not interested in Dolby Vision or universal playback, it remains the enthusiast's choice with everything you could want including THX certification at a price that's nearly £300 less than the Oppo UDP-203. The design is attractive and the build quality is very good, with twin HDMI outputs, analogue support, a display and an excellent remote control. The picture and sound quality are superb, the disc playback is flawless and aside from the inability to automatically select the correct refresh rate when streaming video, which applies to all Panasonic players, we really can't fault the UB900 making it a cracking choice for the money.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Perfect playback
- Impressive 4K upscaling
- THX certification
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Analogue outputs
- Extensive features
- Attractive design
- Great build quality
- No Dolby Vision support
- No DVD-A or SACD support
BEST FOR: The DMP-UB900 is the ideal choice for enthusiasts who don't want universal playback or Dolby Vision support.Samsung UBD-K8500
Reviewed 14th of April 2016 at £429
Our Rating: 8/10 – Recommended
Features: The Samsung UBD-K8500 was the world's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player, just beating Panasonic's DMP-UB900 to market. Unlike the latter player, which was clearly aimed at the enthusiast, the K8500 was always intended to be a more mass market product to help push the nascent 4K disc format. The player had an attractive curved design and a decent level of build quality and was also very easy to setup, making it ideal for consumers who were new to the world of 4K and HDR. The player had twin HDMI outputs and although there was no analogue support, it did include built-in WiFi and was an excellent player for video streaming with the ability to automatically select the correct refresh rate. There is a bit of fan noise, no display and a fiddly remote but aside from that the K8500 is a cracking player with an impressive video and audio performance. It was quite expensive when it was first launched but, thanks to some heavy discounting, it's now the cheapest Ultra HD Blu-ray player you can buy, making it a real bargain.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Impressive playback
- Excellent 4K upscaling
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Decent features set
- Simple setup
- Great video streamer
- Cheap price
- No analogue outputs
- Fan can be noisy
- Fiddly remote
- No display
BEST FOR: The Samsung UBD-K8500 offers exceptional value for money.Samsung UBD-M9500
Reviewed 5th of July 2017 at £349
Our Rating: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Features: The Samsung UBD-M9500 was the Korean manufacturer's second Ultra HD Blu-ray player and it addressed many of the criticisms levelled at the earlier K8500. The design is essentially the same, with a curved front, but the build quality is slightly better and there's now a small display, along with a much improved remote control. There's less fan noise as well, whilst the player is quieter in operation, fast to navigate and responsive to commands. The feature set remains generally impressive and Samsung have added greater flexibility in terms of setup, although it still remains very intuitive. The player has twin HDMI outputs but no analogue outputs and, like most of the players currently available, it doesn't support Dolby Vision. Controversially Samsung have dropped playback of 3D Blu-ray, which means if you have a 3D TV or projector, the M9500 isn't the player for you. However in all other respects this is an excellent 4K disc spinner and also an impressive video streamer as well, automatically selecting the correct refresh rate. Our only real complaint when we first reviewed the M9500 was the price but Samsung responded to our feedback, immediately dropping it, and as a result the player is now more competitive – although still at the higher end of the price scale.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Great playback
- Impressive 4K upscaling
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Excellent features set
- Simple setup
- Superb video streamer
- No 3D Blu-ray support
- No analogue outputs
- Price
BEST FOR: The Samsung UBD-M9500 is an excellent player for video streaming services.Sony UBP-X800
Reviewed 22nd of June 2017 at £349
Our Rating: 9/10 – Highly Recommended
Features: Sony were rather late to the 4K disc party, which is surprising when you consider that it was the Japanese manufacturer who developed Blu-ray in the first place. Sony were further embarrassed when Microsoft added a UHD Blu-ray drive to their Xbox One S, something that the PlayStation 4 still lacks. However at least their first stand alone Ultra HD Blu-ray player was worth the wait, with the UBP-X800 delivering an impressive all-round performance. The player boasts an attractive design and superb level of build quality – there's no display but otherwise the X800 is every bit the high-end player. It doesn't just support Ultra HD Blu-ray but also Blu-ray, DVD, DVD-Audio, SACD and CD as well, making it a viable alternative to the UDP-203 – although if you want Dolby Vision or analogue outputs the Oppo remains top dog. The X800 includes twin HDMI outputs, flexibility in terms of setup and a great set of features, whilst playback is fast, quiet and responsive. The Sony X800 delivers an impressive performance in terms of picture and sound, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a sensibly priced universal Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Impressive universal disc playback
- Excellent audio performance
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Decent features
- Attractive design
- Great build quality
- No Dolby Vision support
- No analogue outputs
- No display
BEST FOR: The Sony UBP-X800 is the cheapest way to get universal playback support.Sony UBP-X1000ES
Reviewed 12th of October 2017 at £725
Our Rating: 8/10
Features: The UBP-X1000ES is Sony's new high-end Ultra HD Blu-ray player, although it is largely similar to their earlier UBP-X800. The two players share the same design, build quality and remote control, but the X1000ES adds a front display. The new player also has additional connections, including stereo analogue outputs, and system control features for custom installers. The problem is that the X1000ES is more than twice the price of the X800 but in performance terms the two are identical. They both offer universal disc playback with support for DVD-Audio, SACD and Hi-Res audio and they both share the same apps and smart platform. Unfortunately, like the X800, the new player also doesn't support Dolby Vision, which is sure to disappoint many. The X1000ES is quiet and responsive in operation and it delivered a great performance with picture and sound but frankly it's just too expensive. It's hard to see who the X1000ES will appeal to, apart from custom installers, especially as you can buy Sony's X800 or even the Oppo UDP-203 for less.
Full Specifications
Pros
- Superb universal disc playback
- Impressive audio performance
- Twin HDMI outputs
- Custom install features
- Attractive design
- Great build quality
- No Dolby Vision support
- No multichannel analogue outputs
- Expensive
BEST FOR: The Sony UBP-X1000ES is perfect for custom installation and system control.
To comment on what you've read here, click the Discussion tab and post a reply.
In This Article
- Samsung UBD-M9500
- Samsung UBD-K8500
- Panasonic DMP-UB900
- Sony UBP-X800
- Microsoft Xbox One S
- Oppo UDP-203
- LG UP970
- Panasonic DMP-UB300
- Panasonic DMP-UB400
- Panasonic DMP-UB700
- Oppo UDP-205