Group test 4K Blu-ray players
Give your sofa-bound movie nights more dazzle and gleam by pairing your fancy telly with a better-than-streaming picture source
Because shiny discs beat rocky streams
Panasonic DMP-UB400 What’s the story?
Looking for a cheap 4K Blu-ray player? Then get an Xbox One S. But while Panasonic’s UB400 can’t compete with that console for value, it does a better job of showing off your discs. It’s got the same video-processing chip as its flagship UB900 player, and that should mean the same stellar 4K picture quality for a couple of hundred pounds less… though that’s not quite how things work out.
Is it any good?
The UB400 promises the best of both worlds and doesn’t quite deliver on either. It’s too expensive to deserve a ‘budget’ tag, and lacks the added pizazz to match up to premium machines. Judged purely on its own merits, this Panasonic does hand you a clear and colourful picture with plenty of detail and texture. It looks good, but not special.
Price £300 / stuff.tv/dmpub400 Stuff says ★★★★,
A solid 4K player, but you’ll get a lot more wow factor from more expensive machines
Sony UBP-X800 What’s the story?
Sony has conjured up its first ever player for 4K discs. While the X800 is hardly cheap, it does undercut the premium competition by a couple of hundred quid while still delivering stellar picture quality. High Dynamic Range snobs be warned, though: this thing only supports HDR10 and not the burgeoning Dolby Vision format, which could cause a few disc compatibility niggles in the future.
Is it any good?
Slide Planet Earth II into the Sony and its sensational colours are plain to see, while the contrast between deep, dark forestry and its many luminous inhabitants is a joy to behold. This is a clear step up from 4K streaming, and the player’s performance still holds up well for standard Blu-rays. Better still, this impressive display is backed up by sparkling sound.
Price £400 / stuff.tv/ubpx800 Stuff says ★★★★★
If you’re willing to spend a few quid on a 4K Blu-ray player then this is the one to get
Oppo UDP-203 What’s the story?
We’ve been raving about Oppo’s UDP-203 for a couple of months now, since it knocked Panasonic’s DMP-UB900 off its perch as our 4K Blu-ray champ. That said, over six hundred quid is a lot of money to drop on a disc player when Netflix and Amazon’s own Ultra HD catalogues are growing bigger by the month. But if you can justify spending that cash, this Oppo won’t disappoint – its picture is glorious.
Is it any good?
Just a little bit. From the moment you load up Life of Pi or La La Land, the UDP-203 leaps into life, eager to justify its asking price. It does a spectacular job, adding a cinematic feel to movies that’s rarely experienced within the confines of your living room. Colours are effusive and natural, while the sheer amount of detail on show is sublime.
Price £649 / stuff.tv/udp203 Stuff says ★★★★★
Still the best, but the arrival of the cheaper Sony means it’s lost a little of its lustre