4K UHD Blu Ray situation in NZ?

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41 posts

Geek

#1669875 13-Nov-2016 08:05

The XBox doesn't have a proper remote control, just a game controller. It doesn't have an RS232 port or interface for remote installation, and can't play SACD or DVD-Audio discs. If you have an older or lower spec receiver, it doesn't have the seven-channel analogue audio outputs, quality DACs, or the second HDMI output you might need. If you have a newer receiver, it won't support bitstreaming (currently). General compatibility aside, it doesn't operate in (near) total silence, as being a game unit this wasn't ever a design consideration. If you have a collection of movies on Blu-ray or DVD, it also can't upscale them to UHD, nor will it pass through other 4k sources.

It doesn't behave like a conventional player, so sitting down to listen to some music without having to turn the TV on is going to much more difficult. Being a gaming console, it has too many design compromises and limitations. It has Ultra HD support, but only as an afterthought, tacked onto a long list of other things it can do, and all within a small BOM/manufacturing budget. It hasn't been designed primarily as an Ultra HD player, and therefore its focus isn't on operation as one: it was designed as a game machine that also plays movies.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1669882 13-Nov-2016 08:35

The analogue out / SACD / DVD-A arguments are still valid, but only freaking just!

The nine people in NZ who have DVD-A will complain... but then they also complain about the lack of VHS players and laser disc players on the market!

Re: it having high quality DAC's, it's a moot point as it has no analogue outputs.

I agree, it's a stunted Blu-ray player (the noise is an issue for quiet rooms and controller is painful for Blu-ray use), but with a good remote it's passable for 95% of people.

The Pana UHD player is still the pick of the bunch... especially if the Oppo UHD unit will roll out at around 2 grand WITHOUT Netflix etc on-board. People will still pay for it, but without Netflix it'll be a harder sell for the HiFi stores.

kerryland

67 posts

Master Geek

#1669883 13-Nov-2016 08:40

The XBox doesn't have a proper remote control, just a game controller.

True, but if you are using a universal remote like a Harmony or URC remote it works very well via CEC. Alternatively you can buy the official one for $28

It doesn't have an RS232 port or interface for remote installation, and can't play SACD or DVD-Audio discs.

Also true, but I'm not aware of any existing UHD player that does. My Panasonic UB900 certainly doesn't.

If you have an older or lower spec receiver, it doesn't have the seven-channel analogue audio outputs, quality DACs, or the second HDMI output you might need

To me, this is the big one. I didn't want to have to replace my new-ish receiver with one that supports HDCP 2.2. That said, I've just ordered an HDMI splitter from Aliexpress to see if that strips the HDCP, so even that problem might be easy to fix.

I don't find the XBox One (Original) to be very loud at all. Certainly nothing compared to the PS4 Jet Engine.

Finally, the XBox One has one definite advantage over the UB900; a physical eject button. The eject and power-off 'buttons' on the UB900 are beside each other, and I regularly turn it off when I intend to eject a disk.

ADBNZ

41 posts

Geek

#1669934 13-Nov-2016 09:51

Dunnersfella:

The Pana UHD player is still the pick of the bunch... especially if the Oppo UHD unit will roll out at around 2 grand WITHOUT Netflix etc on-board. People will still pay for it, but without Netflix it'll be a harder sell for the HiFi stores.

The Oppo is only $50 more than the Panasonic here in NZ, so it's hard to see why anyone would prefer the Panasonic (which I own right now). Neither UHD nor Oppo are really aimed at non-specialist buyers. Most of these (normal buyers) would be quite happy using the Netflix app built into their 4k TVs.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#1669975 13-Nov-2016 11:50

kerryland:

To me, this is the big one. I didn't want to have to replace my new-ish receiver with one that supports HDCP 2.2. That said, I've just ordered an HDMI splitter from Aliexpress to see if that strips the HDCP, so even that problem might be easy to fix.

I've never fixed HDCP via a cheap splitter... yes by an HDCP down-convertor, but not via a splitter.

gehenna

8512 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1670048 13-Nov-2016 15:26

Xbox One S has a media remote control. It's about $30. It's also silent.

kerryland

67 posts

Master Geek

#1670410 14-Nov-2016 07:43

Dunnersfella:

I've never fixed HDCP via a cheap splitter... yes by an HDCP down-convertor, but not via a splitter.

This splitter (USD 35) claims to "Support HDCP 2.2 to HDCP 1.4 conversion", so perhaps we're talking about the same thing. Will be interesting to see if it does anything at all :-)

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1673273 18-Nov-2016 05:30

Well I have ordered my Oppo from AV-World many thanks to Paul. Now what to do with my Panny UB900 hmmm

My gear 55" Samsung 4K SUHD LCD HDR , Denon AVR-4200W Reciever in 7.1.2 Surround , Denon 2 Channel Amp to power ceiling speakers , Combination of Polk Audio Fronts And Tannoy Surrounds plus 2 Cambridge Audio Ceiling Speakers Pioneer Downfiring Subwoofer , Oppo UDP-203 UHD Player , Roku Ultra , Apple TV 3

hamisht

389 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1673321 18-Nov-2016 07:56

rokki: Well I have ordered my Oppo from AV-World many thanks to Paul. Now what to do with my Panny UB900 hmmm

How much is it at AV World? Rapollo has it for $1049 with a modded version to be listed later.

My Blu-Ray Collection

cleggy2

166 posts

Master Geek

#1673338 18-Nov-2016 08:24

I have an Xbox one s in a media cupboard above my receiver (that only passes 1.4 hdmi). I ran another hdmi 2.0 cable to the TV, bypassing the receiver and connected a optic cable from xbox to receiver. this is how I got around a receiver that's not 4k compatable. I use a harmony remote that smoothes out the two different hdmi connections to the TV.

Never watched a 4k movie, but the picture playing battlefield 1 is mind blowing (which is only upscaled).

Audio is still digital too.

ADBNZ

41 posts

Geek

#1673343 18-Nov-2016 08:32

My UB900 will probably be going on trademe when the Oppo arrives, but the release date is still subject to change, so I'm hanging on to it for now. It also has Netflix HDR 4k, which the Oppo doesn't, so it might still have a place.

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1673479 18-Nov-2016 11:13

hamisht:
rokki: Well I have ordered my Oppo from AV-World many thanks to Paul. Now what to do with my Panny UB900 hmmm

How much is it at AV World? Rapollo has it for $1049 with a modded version to be listed later.

Hi it is $999 at AV-World. I understand that Rapollo will use a hardware chip so it maybe defeated by future software updates ( I could be wrong ). I will use a software solution.

ADBNZ

41 posts

Geek

#1673481 18-Nov-2016 11:15

I would say it's almost certainly the other way around.

rokki

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1673484 18-Nov-2016 11:19

ADBNZ:
My UB900 will probably be going on trademe when the Oppo arrives, but the release date is still subject to change, so I'm hanging on to it for now. It also has Netflix HDR 4k, which the Oppo doesn't, so it might still have a place.

I am lucky my Samsung TV has a Netflix app that does 4K. But I am also awaiting the arrival of my new Roku ULTRA as backup device.

kerryland

67 posts

Master Geek

#1673550 18-Nov-2016 12:36

Waiting for my new Roku ULTRA to arrive too. Vudu and Netflix aren't playing nice with GetFlix anymore so I have a VPN-enabled router configured and waiting for it. Hope it works!

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