SONY UBP-X1100ES
When you make the leap from a budget 4K Blu-ray player to a more premium model, a couple of things tend to happen: build quality normally goes up a notch, as does the level of engineering inside the player. The hope is that the improvements and upgrades will help achieve the desired jump in performance.
On many of these fronts, the Sony UBP-X1100ES delivers, although our first meeting with the player leaves us feeling a little disappointed. The player feels substantial and weighty, but it doesn’t particularly look like £750 worth of kit.
Anything audio or video covered
When it comes to features, though, there are plenty on the Sony’s menu. The UBP-X1100ES is a proper universal disc player, so its compatibility extends all the way to SACD and Dvd-audio discs, plus 3D and 4K Blu-rays and DVDS.
Three major video streaming services, Youtube, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are built in too. 4K HDR streaming is supported, although the Sony doesn’t support Dolby Atmos over Netflix or Dolby Vision via Amazon Prime Video.
It handles all manner of hi-res audio files and formats,too, with the DAC allowing native playback of DSD files and PCM signals at 192khz. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks are supported too.
It also has Bluetooth connectivity, so if you want to watch a blockbuster in the early hours but don’t want to wake anyone, you can beam the soundtrack to a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
The Sony doesn’t support HDR10+. That’s not a huge issue for most, but it might put you off if you happen to own a Samsung 4K TV that also supports HDR10+, or your 4K Blu-ray collection includes titles with HDR10+ metadata.
The player also has an odd way of implementing Dolby Vision, in which you have to enable it in the menu system each time you watch a supported disc and then disable it for non-dolby Vision titles.
Minor oddities notwithstanding, this player produces a simply brilliant image with 4K Blu-rays. We play Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol.2, and in the scene where the intrepid band of intergalactic misfits visit The Sovereign to return the batteries, the Sony captures the matt gold texture of Ayesha’s skin perfectly.
The level and lustre of gold intensifies as the camera scans over her gilded throne and the deep blues of the palace are equally rich and bold without looking overcooked. The picture boasts loads of detail, from the intricacies of the markings on Drax’s body to the textures and stitching on Quill’s leather jacket.
When the group finally evades the chasing Sovereign ships and crash-lands on Berhert, there’s impressive depth and realism to the image. The greens and browns of the forest look natural as the Sony digs up plenty of detail.
We switch to Netflix for The Umbrella Academy in 4K HDR, and the Sony’s consistency comes to the fore with another crisp, detailed picture. There’s a real sense of immersion and depth as buildings are drawn with razor-sharp precision. As Sir Reginald Hargreaves strolls along, leading his procession of prams, motion is stable and controlled.
We drop down to the Blu-ray of The Amazing Spiderman 2 and the Sony does a fine job following and rendering Spidey as he swings between the Manhattan rooftops, capturing the texture of his suit as it ripples in the breeze.
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