Audio Video News

Sony has announced that its first 4K/Ultra HD Blu-ray player will hit stores in March with a $300 price tag.

Previewed at CES, the UBP-X800 player is now available for pre-sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers.

On the video side, the player supports high dynamic range (HDR), expanded BT2020 color space, 4K streaming, and 4K upscaling of standard-definition video. When HDR content is played on a television lacking HDR capability, the player has an adjustable algorithm to ensure proper brightness and color gradations.

Audio features include supports for high-resolution playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD 11.2MHz files (when a firmware update becomes available this spring). The player also upscales standard-resolution music files to hi-res. Integrated Bluetooth enables viewers to listen via wireless headphones while the sound continues to play from the TV or an audio system connected to it.

Sony says it developed a precision drive to maintain consistent performance with “virtually every optical disc format”—including DVD Video and DVD Audio, CD and Super Audio CD, and Blu-ray 3D and BD-ROM. The player also has a “frame and beam” chassis to increase structural rigidity and a honeycomb top plate that works in tandem with insulator feet to reduce airborne and mechanical vibration.

Through June 30, purchasers of the UBP-X800 are eligible to receive two 4K Ultra HD discs from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, including recently released titles such as Inferno and The Shallows, up to a $50 value. Visit sony.com/4kdiscbundle for details.

For more information, visit sony.com.