Sony's first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player announced

UBP-X1000ES is targeted at custom install community

After appearing at the recent IFA show in prototype form, Sony's debut 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player has now been confirmed during the CEDIA Expo taking place in the US. The deck, dubbed the UBP-X1000ES, adds Super Audio CD and DVD Audio playback to the usual UHD BD and HDR mix, and will be available in Spring 2017.

In light of its ES Series branding, Sony says its new player will be a reference model 'for the most demanding entertainment enthusiasts'. 

It's also targeted at the custom installer market. Sony plans to have the UBP-X1000ES certified for integration within home automation systems from brands such as Control4 and Crestron, courtesy of IP control over wired and wireless networks, two-way RS232 control and its IR input. A web-based interface and optional rack-mount ears sweeten the CI deal.

Says Yukio Ishikawa, Director of Home Entertainment Systems for Sony Electronics: 'The new UBP-X1000ES player has been long awaited by custom installers who desire a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player that provides a “one-stop” solution for their clients’ premium entertainment needs. 

'Our new reference model has been specifically designed to deliver the highest quality video and audio possible and will excite the most demanding A/V enthusiasts.'

Regards HDR, Sony has developed a dedicated picture mode for such high-contrast, wide-colour video, and promises improved picture quality when HDR is mapped onto SDR TVs. Upscaling of HD content to 4K is, naturally, present.

Design and build is heavily indebted to the brand's UHP-H1 Blu-ray player. The deck uses a frame-and-beam chassis design to boost structural rigidity, with other design flourishses working towards dampening mechanical vibrations.

The deck's 32-bit DAC is high-res audio compatible, including DSD files at up to 11.2MHz. 4K streaming is offered too, although Sony's initial specs list Amazon Video and YouTube, but not Netflix. 

The UBP-X1000ES will be available from 'authorized Sony AV dealers and custom installers'. No price has been confirmed as yet. 

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