Samsung unveils Ultra HD Blu-ray player UBD-K8500

[dfergie]

The company says the player can provide up to four times the resolution of standard Blu-ray devices, as well as 64 times "higher color expression." The player can upscale content to "provide UHD resolution for any disc," and is compatible with 4K streaming services as well as supporting high dynamic range (HDR) video.

theverge.com

 

[dfergie]

Samsung is ready to push super high resolution movies (four times the resolution of Blu-ray, and 64 times as many colors) on discs too. There's not much detail available on its new player, although we expect it will cost less than the $1,000 price its first Blu-ray player commanded nearly a decade ago and it should launch early next year.

engadget.com

 

[teachsac]

Samsung didn't specify any pricing, but said it would cost "less than $500" (roughly £350 or AU$700). It said the device will launch in the US and Europe early next year.

http://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-debuts-worlds-first-ultra-high-definition-blu-ray-player/

Less than $500. Hopefully someone else will announce their players soon.

S~

 

[Poke]

Going to have to get a Ultra HD Player

 

[harshness]

That looks like it could be a product designed to retail for upwards of three bills.

Absent content, the announcement may be more important than the product. I'd want something that also allows downloading and storage of UHD content to tide me over (or carry me in the event that UHD Blu-ray becomes the next Laserdisc).

 

[Poke]

Samsung 4K TVs Get Ready For 4K HDR Blu-ray Players

http://www.twice.com/news/blu-raydvd/samsung-4k-tvs-get-ready-4k-hdr-blu-ray-players/58452

 

[harshness]

I'm completely baffled as to how that video represents a "Hands On". After all, they didn't touch it or even open the tray. It isn't entirely clear that the device was, in fact, driving the TV.

I'm also vexed that such a device features a Toslink digital audio output but doesn't have the more robust coaxial digital audio output. Toslink inputs on AVRs and pre-amps seem to be going away at about one per model year.

 

[dfergie]

We should see more at CES in January ...

 

[harshness]

We should see more at CES in January ...

I'd expect that we'll see essentially the same thing at CES 2016 given that Samsung specifically said that the above referenced unit won't be available until next year. Perhaps it won't be a mock-up by then (as I suspicion that this one was absent a glow in the power "button").

Surely the pressure will be intense for Sony and Panasonic to show something.

 

[teachsac]

Panasonic should be close if not already ready. It shouldn't take much for them to update the BDT700. They've already shown their preproduction model many months ago.

 

[harshness]

There's a unbridgeable gap between an up-scaling Blu-ray player that supports HDMI 1.x and a UHD player that supports native UHD, HDMI 2.0a, HEVC and HDR. The only things that don't have to change are the casework and power cord.

 

[teachsac]

The BDT700 had HDMI 2.0 with UHD passthrough in addition to upscaling. No HDCP 2.2. It was kind of a weird machine that was only released overseas.

 

[Foxbat]

I noticed the AVR blow-out at Crutchfield, thought about it, then noticed that all the big cuts were on the non-HDCP 2.2 compliant receivers. No point saving $600 when you'd be kicking yourself in two years when you'd need to buy a more-current AVR.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Preorder at Crutchfield

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_305BDK8500/Samsung-UBD-K8500.html?search=Samsung_UBD-K8500&skipvs=T

Key Features:

• plays Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, 3D and standard Blu-ray discs, DVDs, CDs and rewriteable discs
• full 4K resolution video for use with Ultra HD TVs
  • 4K video upscaling for standard Blu-ray and DVDs
• built-in Wi-Fi for streaming video and music from dedicated apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, Spotify, and Pandora (subscriptions required for some services)
• HEVC for watching streamed 4K content from sources like Netflix and Amazon Instant Video (requires Internet speed of at least 20Mbps)
• HDR (High Dynamic Range)-ready for extended picture contrast and brightness on compatible TVs
• AllShare lets you stream content and mirror screens from compatible Samsung smartphones and tablets
• BD-Live and BonusView support for added bonus features with compatible discs (requires external USB storage device)
• Multiroom Link for syncing wirelessly with Samsung Shape wireless speakers
• rips CD to MP3 files with a USB storage device
• on-board web browser
• remote control
• Ultra HD Blu-rays are region free; this player accepts Region A Blu-ray discs and Region 1 DVDs

Technical Specs:

• selectable video resolution up to 3840 x 2160 pixels
• built-in audio decoding for Dolby® Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS®, and DTS-HD Master Audio
• front-panel USB port for use with external storage devices or wireless keyboard
• 2 HDMI outputs for separating audio and video signals:
  • "MAIN" HDMI output is HDMI 2.0a (connected 4K TV and/or receiver must have an HDCP 2.2-compatible HDMI input)
  • "SUB" HDMI output is audio-only; does not output video signal
• Anynet+ simplifies control of compatible Samsung components via "MAIN" HDMI connection (HDMI-CEC)
• optical digital audio output
• Ethernet port for wired network connection
• 15-15/16"W x 1-3/4"H x 9-1/8"D
• warranty: 1 year
• Our 60-day money-back guarantee

 

[gadgtfreek]

Appears both Crutch and Best Buy have both listed for March.

Also glad to see Panny coming, with a THX certification, which I had read THX was working on a UHD cert.

Wonder how chips will work with MediaTek saying theirs wont be mass produced until second half of 2016? I know Samsung uses their own chip.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Decided to get myself on the list. Seems Panny is Q2 and Oppo of course would be Fall. Not sure on Sony yet.

Samsung - UBD-K8500 Native 4K Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player - Black
Model: UBD-K8500
SKU: 4853800
Quantity: 1

Status: Pre-ordered
Expected release date: 02/21/2016

$422 with tax.

 

[gadgtfreek]

User manual.

http://downloadcenter.samsung.com/content/UM/201512/20151224160603900/UBD-K8500-ZA_1203.pdf

 

[gadgtfreek]

Some are claiming the $399 is a preorder discount, if you wait for retail it could be $499. YMMV.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Got an email last night and swapped mine over. Saves me $22 in taxes...

Samsung Electronics UBD-K8500 3D Wi-Fi 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player (2016 Model)
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC
$399.99
Condition: New

 

[gadgtfreek]

Posted at AVS in Twice mag that this player will not send out Dolby Vision data, just HDR10.