By Jordan O’Brien
It’s good news for the custom install industry when a big manufacturer invests in the channel, and even more so when it’s Sony. That’s why integrators are excited about Sony’s first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, which was announced at CEDIA 2016. Homeowners should be just as excited about the chance to have a 4K player that’s not only, well, 4K, but that is so packed with other incredible features that it is best installed and configured by a professional.
Some of the notable features include support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats and ‘virtually any optical disk format,’ along with compatibility. And unlike many conventional 4K Ultra HD players currently on the market, Sony has fully certified its model with some of the leading home control and automation systems, including Control4, Crestron and Savant, among others.
The player also provides virtually every connectivity option required for today’s custom installations, including IP Control over CAT 5 cable or Wi-Fi networks; RS232C two-way control and IR-IN.
“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,” says Yukio Ishikawa, director of home entertainment systems, Sony.
The X1000ES Universal Player is compatible with Ultra HD Blu-ray discs as well as video streaming in full 4K resolution and High Dynamic Range (HDR).
In addition to support for Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, the X1000ES utilizes a Sony-developed Precision HD drive to help maintain consistent performance with virtually every optical disc format, including DVD Video and DVD Audio; CD and SA-CD; and Blu-ray 3D and BD-ROM media.
The player also incorporates a variety of video codecs that can deliver 4K streaming from video streaming services.
A dedicated picture mode for HDR content is provided, along with Sony’s video processing that upscales 1080p content to near 4K 60p resolution. Additionally, when playing 4K HDR content on a 4K SDR television, the X1000ES utilizes a unique Sony algorithm to reproduce the proper brightness and color gradations to provide the best picture possible.
The X1000ES offers a number of other ES refinements, including dual HDMI outputs with separate audio and video signal paths and its HDMI, 2ch analog and coaxial digital outputs are gold evaporated for better conductivity.
The new UBP-X1000ES is being offered exclusively to the custom installer channel and comes with a 3-year limited parts and labor warranty. It will be available from authorized Sony AV dealers and custom installers in spring 2017. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
This article was originally published on CE Pro Europe.
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