Sony used CEDIA to officially release its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X1000ES. It will ship next spring, however, with a price that has yet to be announced. It has some very nice features that are targeted at the custom install market as well.
In addition to playing Blu-ray discs in a 4K HDR format, it can accommodate streaming sources in 4K HDR10 from Amazon Video, YouTube, and others. Many other optical formats are supported as well including DVD video and DVD audio, CD and SA-CD, and Blu-ray 3D and BD-ROM media.
A dedicated picture mode for HDR content is provided, along with Sony’s video processing that upscales 1080p content to near 4K 60Hz resolution. Additionally, when playing 4K HDR content on a 4K SDR television, the X1000ES uses a unique Sony algorithm designed to reproduce the proper brightness and color gradations to provide the best picture possible. All this is possible as the player reads the TV’s EDID data to know what the TV is capable of.
Sony noted that the Blu-ray discs are mastered at 10-bit 4:2:0, but the player outputs content at 12-bit 4:4:4 for 24, 25 or 30 fps content and 12-bit 4:2:2 for 50 or 60 fps content. Whether the TV can do anything with this extra bit depth is TV dependent. There are two HDMI 2.0a outputs to support a separate audio channel.
Audio support includes Dolby Atmos and DTS:XTM object-oriented audio and its 32-bit processing DAC is compatible with both native DSD (at up to 11.2MHz) and LPCM (at up to 192kHz) Hi-Res music files, which are available in a number of different formats.
The player is clearly aimed at the custom install market, offering a separate rack mount kit that also reduces noise and vibrations. It is also certified by home control and automation system vendors such as Control4, Crestron, Savant, and others. Control can be accomplished via IP control over Cat-5 cable or Wi-Fi networks; RS-232C two-way control, and IR-IN. And, as part of the Sony ES line, it comes with a five-year limited parts and labor warranty.
Sony also announced the addition of four new audio-video receivers to join its current ES flagship model, the STR-ZA5000ES. The STR-ZA3100ES, STR-ZA2100ES, STR-ZA1100ES and STR-ZA810ES all support 4K HDR capability and incorporate both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio.
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price and high-level specifications for these receivers are as follows:
- STR-ZA5000ES (current model), $2,799.99 msrp, 9 x 130w, 11ch Decode, HDMI (6/2), Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, HDR/HDCP2.2, 8 port switch (2 POE), Pre out, Aluminum panel, Crestron Connected, Supporting ihiji
- STR-ZA3100ES (new in 2017), $1,699.99 msrp, 7 x 110w, 9ch + Phantom 2ch Decode, HDMI (6/2), Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, HDR/HDCP2.2, 8 port switch (2 POE), Pre out, Crestron Connected, Supporting ihiji
- STR-ZA2100ES (new in 2017), $1399.99, 7 x 105w, 9ch + Phantom 2ch Decode, HDMI (6/2), Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, HDR/HDCP2.2, 1 Ethernet, Crestron Connected, Supporting ihiji
- STR-ZA1100ES (new in 2017), $999.99 msrp, 7 x 100w, 7ch + Phantom 2ch Decode, HDMI (5/2), Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, HDR/HDCP2.2, 1 Ethernet, Crestron Connected, Supporting ihiji
- STR-ZA810ES (new in 2017), $799.99 msrp, 7 x 100w, 7ch + Phantom 2ch Decode, HDMI (6/2), Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, HDR/HDCP2.2, 1 Ethernet
