Sony has revealed its first-ever 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray player, lagging behind competitors who released their versions earlier. The newest UBP-X1000ES is expected to ship in the spring of 2017. However, the device will only be initially available through custom installers in the United States.
Yukio Ishikawa, Sony's Director of Home Entertainment Systems, said the UBP-X1000ES player, which was unveiled at the CEDIA Expo in Dallas, provides the best entertainment experience for consumers.
"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," Ishikawa said in a press release.
"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 enthusiast," he added.
Despite the late announcement, as rivals Samsung and Panasonic released their own versions earlier this year, the player supports CD, DVD and Blu-ray content. It can stream from Amazon Video, Netflix, and YouTube.
The X1000ES features greater detail and brightness with a 4K resolution. This is about twice the color range of other Blu-ray players on the market. An additional plus is that it is built to last, with increased structural rigidity and other features that help reduce vibration and electrical noise.
Sony hasn't announced the pricing of the player yet. Since it's part of Sony's ES series, it might be expensive.
"The new UBP-X1000ES is being offered exclusively to the custom installer channel and comes with a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty. Pricing will be announced at a later date," Sony announced.
The announcement came days after Sony revealed that its PlayStation 4 Pro won't support ultra HD blu-ray playback, disappointing gamers worldwide. This is because the cheaper Microsoft Xbox One supports the feature. Also, the fact that it will only be available through custom installers might take a toll on the product's success.
