What you need to know about 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

Panasonic TX-50DX700B

Panasonic's entry-level 4K HDR TV delivers a solid, all-round performance for under £1000 and just goes to show 4K and HDR technology doesn't have to break the bank.

Features:

4K HDR;

Freeview / Freeast HD;

4 HDMI inputs...

Full specification

Samsung UE55KS7000

The HDR-toting UE55KS7000 serves up remarkable picture quality at a reasonable price - what's not to like?

Features:

4K HDR screen;

Quantum Dot display;

4 HDMI inputs...

Full specification

Panasonic DMP-UB900: The future of home cinema, on disc. A sight to behold.

Given the hyperbole surrounding UHD Blu-ray, we were almost expecting the device to be a bit Space Age. But the DMP-UB900 wouldn’t look out of place next to a ‘regular’ Blu-ray player.

Maybe it’s a little taller, and but you can expect the same essential design flourishes. It’s a metal box (solid, reassuringly weighty) with glossy plastic panels to add a touch of the high-end. The top and sides have a subtle brushed-metal effect while the front sports a mirror finish.

As is customary for Panasonic, a springy flap neatly hides the features at the front of the device: a disc tray, SD card slot (SDXC compatible) and USB port. The back features a generous number of connections.

Lush colours

Strong contrast

Great definition and clarity

Speedy operation

Samsung UBD-K8500: A capable UHD Blu-ray player, but not the best

No it’s not your imagination, the casework really is curved. Why? It’s something to do with all those curved TVs we’ve been getting over the last couple of years. Assuming you have one of those, Samsung would like your Blu-ray player to match.

There are no performance benefits, it’s just an aesthetic thing. Our experience with oddly-shaped boxes is that they look silly more quickly than ‘classic’ boxes – there was a reason Sony abandoned its geology-chic Blu-ray players inspired by crystals.

Oh and the curve means you might see the UBD-K8500’s undercarriage peeking out.

Speedy loading

Sharp pictures

Most affordable UHD Blu-ray player on the market

Sound and picture need refinement

No display

Fiddly remote

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro 4K Blu-ray

 2015 |  EUROARTS 
January 06, 2017 (new) 

Music

Underworld 4K Blu-ray

 2003 |  Sony Pictures 
December 27, 2016 

Action, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller

The Magnificent Seven 4K Blu-ray

 2016 |  Sony Pictures 
December 20, 2016 

Action, Western

Sully 4K Blu-ray

2016 |  Warner Bros. 
December 20, 2016 

Biography, Drama

Deepwater Horizon 4K Blu-ray

2016 |  Lionsgate Films 
January 10, 2017 (2 days) 

Drama

The Accountant 4K Blu-ray

2016 |  Warner Bros. 
January 10, 2017 (2 days) 

Action, Drama, Thriller

The Birth of a Nation 4K Blu-ray

2016 |  20th Century Fox 
January 10, 2017 (2 days) 

Drama, Period

The Girl on the Train 4K Blu-ray

2016 |  Universal Studios 
January 17, 2017 (1 week) 

Mystery, Thriller

Keeping Up with the Joneses 4K Blu-ray

2016 |  20th Century Fox 
January 17, 2017 (1 week) 

Comedy

Battleship 4K Blu-ray

2012 |  Universal Studios 
January 17, 2017 (1 week) 

Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller