Sony UBP-X700U review

What the maker puts in writing

• “See the unrivalled visual clarity of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray”
• “Play almost any disc and file format including DVDs”
• “Stunning picture with 4K upscaling up to 60p”
• “Easy set-up with included HDMI cable”
• “Dual HDMI outputs for A/V separation and clearer sound”
• “Region Code: Blu-Ray Disc (A) DVD Disc (1)”
• Description: “delivers the impeccable clarity of 4K and stunning detail of HDR (High Dynamic Range)”

It reads a 4K disc, and the Sony above it does not

Only three of the twelve players on this shelf read a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray: this at $328, Panasonic’s UB420 at $367.99 and Panasonic’s UB820 at $629.99.

The one to be careful with is Sony’s own BDP-S6700 at $399.99. Its title says “4K Upscaling”. Its own bullet says:

“4K Upscaling: … 4K Ultra HD discs are not supported.”

The distinction is worth being precise about. Upscaling takes a 1080p image and stretches it to fill a 4K screen — every player here does it, and so does every 4K television. Ultra HD Blu-ray is a different disc holding a genuinely 4K image, with roughly four times the picture information and HDR.

So on this shelf the most expensive Sony is the one that cannot play 4K, and this one is seventy-two dollars cheaper.

What the S6700 offers instead is Wi-Fi and apps. Given that a twenty-dollar stick streams better, and that app support on disc players ages badly — the Sony All Region Free on this shelf still advertises “Hulu Plus” — that is a poor trade.

The dual HDMI outputs, and the real reason for them

Dual HDMI outputs for A/V separation and clearer sound.

Sony gives the audiophile argument: keeping video’s high-frequency switching away from the audio path reduces interference. Whether that is audible is arguable.

The compatibility argument is not. Two outputs let you send video straight to the television and audio to an older amplifier that cannot pass a 4K HDR signal through itself.

That is a real and common problem. An amplifier bought before 4K becomes a bottleneck in a single-cable chain: route the picture through it and you lose resolution or HDR; bypass it and you lose surround sound. Twin outputs solve it.

Three players here have them — this and both Panasonics — and none of the three mentions this benefit, which is the one most buyers actually need.

And the HDMI cable is in the box

Which matters on a 4K player, because the cable is not trivial: 4K at 60 Hz with HDR needs real bandwidth, and an old cable from a drawer frequently drops out or sparkles.

Both 4K Panasonics — at $367.99 and $629.99 — state no cable at all. This one and both cheap Sonys include it.

What it does not itemize

Which HDR formats. The description says “HDR (High Dynamic Range)” without naming the standards. Both Panasonics do: the UB420 lists “three 4K/HDR formats HDR10+, HDR10 and hybrid log-gamma”, and the UB820 adds Dolby Vision — although, oddly, its own bullet 5 still lists only three and leaves Dolby Vision out.

HDR formats are not interchangeable. HDR10 is the baseline every 4K disc carries. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision add scene-by-scene metadata, and a television supports one, the other, or both. A player that handles your television’s format gets the better picture.

Which disc and file formats. “Almost any” is reassuring and uncheckable. The Panasonic DMP-BD84P at $117.99 itemizes MKV/MP4 and MP3/FLAC/ALAC/DSD/WAV — claims you can verify against your own library.

No HDMI version, which on a 4K player matters: HDMI 2.0 or later is needed for 4K at 60 Hz with HDR. Only the N-NUTROMO DVD on this shelf publishes a version at all, and it is a 1080p player.

No streaming stated, which on balance is the right choice for a disc player.

1,402 g and 320 × 216 × 46 mm are published, and both look right.