The Best 4k Blu-Ray Players (1 Viewer)

[JohnRice]

That's definitely a huge plus for 4K discs! I'm seriously considering ordering the Sony 4K player, anyway. If it does have Multi-Region capability (All of the reviews with complaints regarding the lack of multi-region capability appear to be U.S. based, and unlike U.S. Amazon, Amazon.ca lists 220 Electronics as the distributor of said item!), all the better!

CHEERS!

Yeah. Region free players is what 220 Electronics does, so make certain you purchase it from them.

 

[jcroy]

I find it much simpler to rip my other region discs to a drive, and connect it to something that can play them back. At first that was an Oppo BR player, and now a Zidoo media player. Multi region DVD was easy, but BR is a pain. Simpler to just eliminate the region code. Fortunately it’s not an issue with 4K discs, since they aren’t region coded.

DVD region code was actually done at the hardware level. Though it was so poorly designed, that unofficial software dvd viewer and ripping programs can bypass it very easily.

In the case of generic bluray, the region code was done at a software level. So unofficial viewing and ripping programs also bypass it easily.

For out-of-region hardware hacks whether through loopholes or additional circuit boards, the issue is whether a particular standalone player + tv screen combination can handle native 50 interlaced frames per seconds encoded video (such as british televison shows).

 

[JohnRice]

Why does it weigh so much? I think it's awesome, but damn, I've never felt a player this heavy.

Yes. When you get into premium players, it's surprising how heavy they can be. Everything, especially the housing, is much heavier. Plus, they will typically have toroidal transformers, maybe two of them, rather than conventional power supplies, and those can be quite heavy. Even for a relatively low power draw component like a disc player.

 

[JohnRice]

Why does it weigh so much? I think it's awesome, but damn, I've never felt a player this heavy.

Another question Brian. Did you order it from Magnetar in California? And which carrier did they use, UPS or FedEx?

 

[Brian Dobbs]

Yes. When you get into premium players, it's surprising how heavy they can be. Everything, especially the housing, is much heavier. Plus, they will typically have toroidal transformers, maybe two of them, rather than conventional power supplies, and those can be quite heavy. Even for a relatively low power draw component like a disc player.

Thanks.

Another question Brian. Did you order it from Magnetar in California? And which carrier did they use, UPS or FedEx?

Yes, direct from Magnetar. Shipped UPS.

 

[Dennis Nicholls]

My earlier order of a Sony UHP-X800M2 was cancelled due to a previous sale. Thanks eBay.

I found a similar price with better terms, available as factory refurb both on Amazon and eBay at $204 from a seller named

THE ELECTRONIC EXPRESS INC (aka Electronic Express Store) of Nashville TN.

My unit arrived today. It is packaged the exact same as a new unit. I'm testing it now but it came loaded with the present version of Sony firmware. It came doubled boxed via UPS.

 

[Robin9]

Holy smokes I just got my Magnetar 4K UHD player and it's wrapped in a soft velvet case.

It also weighs about 20 pounds!

Please let us know if it's as good as it's rumored to be.

 

[Scott Merryfield]

I plan to finally join the 4K UHD player/TV viwing party very soon. The Sony X700-2K/4K UHD - 2D/3D - Wi-Fi - SA-CD - Multi System Region Free Blu Ray Disc DVD Player appeals to me for it's multi region capability and relatively low $420 CDN price point! The TV display will be the Hisense 43A68N-43 inch 4K UHD Smart Google TV with 4K AI Upscaler, DTS Virtual: X, HDR+/HDR10 with the screen having a flat/matte finish. This will be in my Bedroom with an approximate 5 ft viewing distance. Any thoughts?

Sony X700-2K/4K UHD - 2D/3D - Wi-Fi - SA-CD - Multi System Region Free Blu Ray Disc DVD Player - PAL/NTSC - USB - 100-240V 50/60Hz Cames with 6 Feet Multi-System : Amazon.ca: Electronics

Sony X700-2K/4K UHD - 2D/3D - Wi-Fi - SA-CD - Multi System Region Free Blu Ray Disc DVD Player - PAL/NTSC - USB - 100-240V 50/60Hz Cames with 6 Feet Multi-System : Amazon.ca: Electronics

www.amazon.ca

CHEERS!

I have a Hisense mini LED 65 inch 4k display at our South Carolina condo, and a competing TCL 75 inch model in our Michigan home. I prefer the TCL, as I am able to dial in a better picture, especially in Dolby Vision mode. Wish I had purchased a TCL for South Carolina.

 

[Brian Dobbs]

Please let us know if it's as good as it's rumored to be.

Still getting things set up in my new place. I will post back on this in about a month.

 

[Tony Bensley]

From Previous Post:
I plan to finally join the 4K UHD player/TV viewing party very soon. The Sony X700-2K/4K UHD - 2D/3D - Wi-Fi - SA-CD - Multi System Region Free Blu Ray Disc DVD Player appeals to me for it's multi region capability and relatively low $420 CDN price point! The TV display will be the Hisense 43A68N-43 inch 4K UHD Smart Google TV with 4K AI Upscaler, DTS Virtual: X, HDR+/HDR10 with the screen having a flat/matte finish. This will be in my Bedroom with an approximate 5 ft viewing distance. Any thoughts?

Amazon.ca

I have a Hisense mini LED 65 inch 4k display at our South Carolina condo, and a competing TCL 75 inch model in our Michigan home. I prefer the TCL, as I am able to dial in a better picture, especially in Dolby Vision mode. Wish I had purchased a TCL for South Carolina.

I've heard positive things about TCL. Also, for a few bucks more, I could have went the mini-LED route instead of straight up LED, and got Dolby Atmos, rather than DTS within the Hisense brand. Still, it should be a significant improvement over the Toshiba LCD 32 inch 720p display, which I have been using as a computer monitor for the past several years. It has served me well, but I was recently able to upgrade my ancient Windows 8 era Acer Laptop to a new Acer model that is capable of producing 4K resolution on external displays. Hopefully, my new Hisense LED 43 inch 4K TV will be delivered this afternoon, with a 4K player to follow in the not too distant future!

Also, I think the above photo, which represents my approximate viewing angle from an approximate 5 feet viewing distance, reveals why a 43 inch display is the maximum I'm reasonably comfortable going with. Yes, I will still be using the same stand!

CHEERS!

****UPDATE****

My new TV arrived about 30 minutes ago! Naturally, I was out picking up a few groceries, at the time!! It was also initially delivered upstairs, as by sheer coincidence, the guy living there is also an Anthony, who was also getting a delivery from the same courier, just not MY Hisense UHD 4K TV!!!!

 

[Brian Dobbs]

Holy smokes the Magnetar kicks ass. The image quality, the user interface, the compatibility, right down to the sleek remote control design. Super happy with this purchase.

 

[JohnRice]

Holy smokes the Magnetar kicks ass. The image quality, the user interface, the compatibility, right down to the sleek remote control design. Super happy with this purchase.

Yeah, it’s nice. After I hooked mine up, I discovered by chance that it uses the Oppo remote codes.

 

[Brian Dobbs]

Yeah, it’s nice. After I hooked mine up, I discovered by chance that it uses the Oppo remote codes.

Wow, that's cool. They really though of everything. Do you have any of the settings *not* set to Auto?

 

[Bartman]

Maybe I'm missing something or just a plain cheapskate but why pay 10x for a Magnetar when a Panasonic UB450 is perfectly adequate?

 

[Brian Dobbs]

Maybe I'm missing something or just a plain cheapskate but why pay 10x for a Magnetar when a Panasonic UB450 is perfectly adequate?

It came highly recommended, it has all the features, it's rated better, and I didn't mind spending the extra money, treating myself to a really great player.

 

[Jeff Brooks]

My Oppo UDP-203 seems to be skipping and locking-up on a number of discs lately, so much so that we have to shift over to the PlayStation 5.
The Magnetar units seem to fit the bill for me as far as a possible replacement, since they appear to handle all of the various formats I have.
But, oh my gosh-the cost! And they are adding an import surcharge of what, 6%, in just a few days.
I hate to jump the gun on a fairly new product.
Can anyone maybe tell me the difference between the 800 and 900 models? (I don't think the Wife is going to go for a $3000 disk player in our retirement.)

 

[JohnRice]

My Oppo UDP-203 seems to be skipping and locking-up on a number of discs lately, so much so that we have to shift over to the PlayStation 5.
The Magnetar units seem to fit the bill for me as far as a possible replacement, since they appear to handle all of the various formats I have.
But, oh my gosh-the cost! And they are adding an import surcharge of what, 6%, in just a few days.
I hate to jump the gun on a fairly new product.
Can anyone maybe tell me the difference between the 800 and 900 models? (I don't think the Wife is going to go for a $3000 disk player in our retirement.)

The 800 is pretty much the equivalent of the Oppo 203. The 900 takes the analog audio up another notch, as I recall. I would run a cleaning disc on your 203.

 

[JohnRice]

Wow, that's cool. They really though of everything. Do you have any of the settings *not* set to Auto?

As far as Magnetar using the old Oppo remote codes, I'm not sure it's a matter of thinking of everything as much as just that collection of codes being established and available. I wanted to point it out, because there might be several people who buy a Magnetar player, who have an Oppo in the system, and will want to know. So I didn't end up needing to do any programming on my Harmony remote, since I already had the Oppo programmed in. I did have to unplug the Oppo, though.

As far as the settings, these days, with a new component, I do often leave most stuff to Auto and see how it goes, unless it's something I know should be set otherwise. I'm pretty sure I left everything that defaulted to Auto on that setting. I turned off the "Auto Off", which I'm glad is an option. It isn't with Panasonic. One very small gripe is, I wish it had a nicer screen saver than just the logo bouncing around the screen. My Zidoo media player has nice scenic photos that rotate.

 

[Brian Dobbs]

My Oppo UDP-203 seems to be skipping and locking-up on a number of discs lately, so much so that we have to shift over to the PlayStation 5.
The Magnetar units seem to fit the bill for me as far as a possible replacement, since they appear to handle all of the various formats I have.
But, oh my gosh-the cost! And they are adding an import surcharge of what, 6%, in just a few days.
I hate to jump the gun on a fairly new product.
Can anyone maybe tell me the difference between the 800 and 900 models? (I don't think the Wife is going to go for a $3000 disk player in our retirement.)

I've been in home theater for 25 years and I've never been this impressed with a disc player! Just wait until you see the Magnetar home screen.

 

[Brian Dobbs]

As far as Magnetar using the old Oppo remote codes, I'm not sure it's a matter of thinking of everything as much as just that collection of codes being established and available. I wanted to point it out, because there might be several people who buy a Magnetar player, who have an Oppo in the system, and will want to know. So I didn't end up needing to do any programming on my Harmony remote, since I already had the Oppo programmed in. I did have to unplug the Oppo, though.

As far as the settings, these days, with a new component, I do often leave most stuff to Auto and see how it goes, unless it's something I know should be set otherwise. I'm pretty sure I left everything that defaulted to Auto on that setting. I turned off the "Auto Off", which I'm glad is an option. It isn't with Panasonic. One very small gripe is, I wish it had a nicer screen saver than just the logo bouncing around the screen. My Zidoo media player has nice scenic photos that rotate.

Thanks. Haha, yeah, the screensaver is pretty basic, but oh those wallpapers!