Sony UBP-X800 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player

We purchased our LG OLED TV when we did our remodel of our house back in late 2015 but chose the EF9500 as it could handle UHD both streaming and via an external blueray player where the other models at the time couldn't. We never purchased a blueray player since then as the Samsung came out first and it didn't get great reviews (but if you HAD to be the first one with a 4K blueray player your options were very limited other than one that upscales). We chose to wait. A lot of people were thinking that 4K was a flash in the pan and would be like 3D on LED tv's where people snapped them up but then realized they never used the 3D feature. Fast forward about a year and a half. In the last 6-8 months, there are now more choices for 4K blueray players and a lot more content in 4K both on disc and streaming. We have this setup paired with our Marantz SR7010 and a nicely appointed Def Tech surround system with 2 powerful subs and ATMOS up firing speakers. I have recently prior to purchasing this player streamed some movies in 4K and it's a great picture (how could it not be on an OLED screen). But, watching on this Sony X800 player is an upgrade over the quality of steaming in 4K. First off, even the audio is amazing. Normally you hear things above and behind you but this player combined with an action paced 4K blueray is AMAZING. Really, it's like being at the theater in my family room. Picture is great, brightness levels are great. Now, one other thing we DID have done was a tech come out and set the ISF level standard when we first purchased this TV. If you aren't aware of what this is just Google ISF tuning. Now, I have read reviews on the OPPO 203 and it might be slightly better and have more fine tuning features but for us it was not worth twice the price. Some people have commented on the lack of a display on the front of the unit. I am using mine with a Harmony Elite remote (which is EXCELLENT by the way) and all you have to do is push INFO button and it's displayed on screen. I like the way the whole front door opens (like the Panasonic 900) as it's a clean looking machine. Some reviews have complained that there isn't a display on the front of the player. This really isn't a problem as it does display time/information on the tv screen. I actually never even opened up the factory Sony remote (went straight with the Harmony). The only thing I would say that could possibly be a negative (which it really isn't too bad) was that there are a LOT of options in the setup screen and you need to know which ones to adjust and which ones to just leave on AUTO. Like for instance, the 4K Upscale setting to Auto 1 or Auto 2 depending if you want it to upscale ALL discs to 4K (then Auto 2 should be selected). By default, it comes on Auto 1 assuming you are hooking it up to a Sony TV. Also, the BD Audio Mix setting needs to be addressed---this is to change the way the audio is handled. In ON, both primary and secondary audio handled by disc player. In OFF, primary by disc player and secondary audio all handled by the audio player (receiver). All in all, this player is a bargain for the $300 price. It even feels like it's constructed very well. It doesn't include an HDMI cable but you will want to buy a high quality one capable of high speed to go along with this machine. I personally went with the Audioquest Cinnamon. Not sure if it makes a difference but I am using the same cables for my tv hookup to my Marantz receiver and they seem to work well. I also purchased the Square Trade extended warranty as for 3 years it's only about $25 and this warranty company has come through for us a few times over the years. Hope this review is helpful to those on the fence about whether to purchase or not.

It is a beautiful machine and is big and heavy and looks impressive. It was real easy to install and works fine with my 65 inch 4K Samsung TV. I am running it through a Yamaha receiver and using the best HDMI cables. The ATMOS sound is good but I guess you need some speakers that point straight up or put some speakers in your ceiling. I went with DVD in 1999 and had a standard 32 inch TV which meant I was leading edge and the DVD picture was the best ever. I was using a Pioneer receiver and big Ceran Vega speakers and was the cat's meow with my group of friends. In 06 I went to 52 inch 1080p TV and bought a Samsung Blu-ray player and this was while the battle between blu ray and HD TV was still going on and blu ray 1080p was definitely better and probably worth the bucks. I have had 9 DVD players since 1999 and early on the firm ware up dates drove me and everyone else crazy. I replaced a Sony "upscale" machine with this one. If upscale actually did anything it was wasted on me. We installed the new machine last night and watched the movie Sing. It was beautiful but was it way better that regular 1080p blu ray. If it was then it was also wasted on me. I really am a media freak and listen to digital music in the gym and on the road but in the "man's cave" I listen to vinyl. Anyway, to keep this short and sweet--if hyou are going to go full up 4K you will have to replace everything if you have a home theater. Well, you can keep your old speakers. You need a 4K TV, a 4K DVD player (this one is awesome for the bucks) and Stereo receiver that will recognize and process the audio (ATMOS and DTS-X). The upgrade cost me about 3 thousand dollars and then I decided I needed all new Klipsch speakers but that is just me. You could probably go with a 52 inch TV and go full up 4K for 2 thousand but here is my point. If you are on a budget, trying to raise kids then I recommend that you save your money. There may be a difference between 4K and blu-ray 1080p and I am relatively certain that there is a technical difference but I don't think it will WOW your senses like the fist DVD experience or first 1080p blu ray with DTS did and don't think ATMOS sound will blow you away either versus DOLBY 5.1 or DTS 5.1. On the other hand--if you have extra cash or are old and retired like me and looking for things to entertain yourself then maybe 4K is the way to go. When I first ordered this machine I almost re-purchased The Life of Pi in 4K. I already have it blu ray but the visuals in this movie are awesome but am now glad that I did not because I don't believe I would notice the difference. If you need a new player this one has all the bells and whistles but if you are expecting a giant leap forward. Sorry.