Sony UBP-X700 review: More 4K HDR Blu-ray goodness for less money
In recent years, the demand for high-quality home entertainment has seen a significant increase. With the advent of 4K and HDR technologies, consumer expectations have also risen sharply. One company meeting these expectations is Sony with its UBP-X700 4K HDR Blu-ray player. This affordable player offers a fantastic way to enjoy UHD content in the comfort of your own home. In this review, we will take a closer look at what sets this magnificent device apart from its competitors.
Design and Build Quality
The Sony UBP-X700 features a slim and sleek design that won’t look out of place in any modern living room. Measuring just 12.6 x 8.5 x 2 inches and weighing only 3.1 pounds, it can easily fit into most entertainment setups without occupying too much space. The build quality is solid, although it doesn’t boast the most premium materials due to its comparatively low price point.
Key Features
One of the key features of the Sony UBP-X700 is its compatibility with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, two prominent HDR formats. While many other players only support HDR10, this device ensures that users can enjoy their favorite movies and TV shows in the best possible picture quality, regardless of the format.
The UBP-X700 also supports a wide range of audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, creating an immersive audio experience that truly complements its stunning visuals.
Connectivity options are well catered for on the Sony UBP-X700 as well. It possesses dual HDMI outputs for easy connection to both your TV and sound system or AV receiver. Additionally, it also provides USB and coaxial digital outputs, as well as built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet ports for seamless streaming services.
Performance
When it comes to performance, the Sony UBP-X700 delivers excellent results with minimal fuss. Load times for 4K HDR Blu-ray discs are reasonably quick, and navigating the user-friendly interface is smooth and snappy.
The device is also astonishingly quiet when in operation, which might be a factor to consider for those looking to enjoy their entertainment without any unnecessary distractions.
Picture Quality
The picture quality offered by the Sony UBP-X700 is exceptional, with accurate color
reproduction and superb contrast. This player does an impeccable job at upscaling lower-resolution content to 4K resolution, offering intricate details that make every image look crisp.
One minor gripe is the absence of an automatic HDR format switching feature, which means users have to manually choose between HDR10 and Dolby Vision by accessing the settings menu.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sony UBP-X700 provides a fantastic entry point into the world of 4K HDR Blu-ray players. With its combination of excellent performance, support for multiple HDR formats, and affordable price tag, it’s hard not to recommend this player for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment experience. Although there are a few minor limitations one should consider, overall, the UBP-X700 is a great value-for-money purchase that deserves serious consideration.