When it comes to choosing the perfect Blu-ray player, Sony UBP-X800 and UBP-X700 are two popular options that often come into consideration. While both players offer stunning visuals and impressive audio quality, there are several key differences that set them apart. In this article, we will delve into a detailed comparison of the Sony UBP-X800 and UBP-X700 to help you make an informed decision about which Blu-ray player best suits your needs.
Design And Build Quality
The design and build quality of a Blu-ray player play a significant role in the overall user experience. In the case of the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700, there are some notable differences in their design and build quality.
The Sony UBP X800 boasts a sleek and premium design with a sturdy construction. It has a solid build, with a metallic chassis that not only enhances its durability but also reduces vibrations for improved playback quality. The front panel features a minimalistic design with a disc tray and a few control buttons.
On the other hand, the Sony UBP-X700 also offers an elegant design, although it falls slightly behind in terms of build quality when compared to the UBP X800. It features a plastic build, which may feel less premium but still adequately robust for everyday use.
Overall, while the UBP X800 wins in terms of build quality with its stronger construction, the UBP-X700 maintains a decent design and build that will suit most users’ needs.
Video And Audio Performance
When it comes to video and audio performance, both the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700 offer impressive features that enhance your viewing and listening experience.
The Sony UBP X800 provides superb 4K Ultra HD playback, delivering stunning visuals with vibrant colors and exceptional detail. It utilizes advanced upscaling technology to enhance the quality of non-4K content, making it look sharper and more lifelike. Additionally, the UBP X800 supports HDR content, enabling a greater range of brightness and contrast, resulting in more realistic and dynamic images.
On the other hand, the UBP-X700 also offers excellent video performance with 4K Ultra HD playback and HDR compatibility. It ensures accurate colors and sharp details, providing an immersive viewing experience. Moreover, this player integrates Dolby Vision support, which takes HDR to the next level by dynamically optimizing the HDR content scene by scene, delivering stunning visuals with precise brightness levels and amazing color accuracy.
In terms of audio performance, both models support various audio formats, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. These immersive audio technologies bring a new dimension to your home theater setup, delivering rich, multidimensional sound that surrounds you. Whether it’s explosions in action movies or the delicate sound of a whisper, both the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700 offer exceptional audio performance.
Overall, both players excel in providing outstanding video and audio performance, ensuring that you have a truly immersive entertainment experience.
Supported Formats And Disc Compatibility
The Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700 differ in their supported formats and disc compatibility, as this can greatly impact the versatility of the players. The UBP X800 supports a wide range of formats, including Ultra HD Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, DVD, CD, and SACD. It also has support for popular audio formats such as FLAC, ALAC, and DSD. This makes it a comprehensive choice for film and music enthusiasts.
On the other hand, the UBP-X700 supports similar formats but lacks compatibility with SACDs. While this may not be a deal-breaker for most users, it is worth considering if you have a collection of SACDs that you wish to play on your player.
In terms of disc compatibility, both players are highly compatible and can handle various region codes. They both offer seamless playback and support for a wide range of file formats, ensuring you can enjoy your favorite movies and music without any compatibility issues.
4. Connectivity Options and Streaming Capabilities
Connectivity Options And Streaming Capabilities
When it comes to connectivity, the Sony UBP-X800 and UBP-X700 both offer a variety of options to cater to different user preferences. The UBP-X800 comes equipped with two HDMI outputs, allowing you to connect to a compatible TV or receiver for audio and video output. This can be particularly useful if you have a receiver that does not support 4K or HDR content. It also offers coaxial and optical audio outputs, as well as an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection.
On the other hand, the UBP-X700 offers a more simplified connectivity setup. It features a single HDMI output, eliminating the need for multiple cables and connections. It also offers a coaxial audio output, an Ethernet port for a wired connection, and a USB port for connecting external storage devices. However, it lacks the additional HDMI output found on the UBP-X800.
In terms of streaming capabilities, both players support popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. They also have built-in Wi-Fi for wireless internet connectivity, allowing you to easily access online content. However, the UBP-X800 also includes Bluetooth functionality, providing additional flexibility for wireless audio streaming.
Overall, the UBP-X800 offers more connectivity options, making it a better choice for those who have multiple devices or require specific audio setup configurations. However, if you’re looking for a simpler setup and don’t require the additional HDMI output, the UBP-X700 still offers solid connectivity options and streaming capabilities.
HDR (High Dynamic Range) And Dolby Vision Support
HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Dolby Vision are two important features to consider when comparing the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700 Blu-ray players. Both models offer HDR support, which enhances the contrast, color accuracy, and overall image quality of compatible content.
However, the X800 takes it a step further by also supporting Dolby Vision, a premium HDR format that provides an even more impressive visual experience. Dolby Vision offers a higher level of dynamic range and enhances details and colors in a way that standard HDR cannot.
If you have a compatible HDR TV and access to Dolby Vision content, the UBP X800 is the better choice as it will provide a more immersive and visually stunning experience. On the other hand, if you primarily use HDR10 content or do not have access to Dolby Vision, the UBP-X700 is still a solid option as it still provides excellent HDR performance.
Ultimately, the choice between these two models will depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the availability of Dolby Vision content in your media library.
User Interface And Remote Control Features
The User Interface and Remote Control Features of the Sony UBP-X800 and UBP-X700 are crucial aspects that greatly impact the overall user experience. While both players offer intuitive interfaces and user-friendly controls, there are notable differences that may influence your choice.
The Sony UBP-X800 boasts a sleek and minimalist user interface that is highly responsive and easy to navigate. Its menu system is well-organized, making it effortless to access various features and settings. Additionally, the UBP-X800 remote control offers backlit buttons and a comfortable grip, ensuring hassle-free operation even in low-light conditions.
On the other hand, the UBP-X700 also provides a user-friendly experience with a similar menu layout to the UBP-X800. However, it doesn’t have backlit buttons on its remote control, which could be inconvenient in dimly lit environments.
Ultimately, when it comes to User Interface and Remote Control Features, the Sony UBP-X800 edges out the UBP-X700 with its enhanced convenience and superior remote control design. If you prioritize an intuitive interface and a remote control that caters to various lighting conditions, the UBP-X800 would be the ideal choice for you.
Price And Value For Money
When it comes to purchasing any electronic device, the price plays a crucial role in the decision-making process. In this subheading, we will compare the price and value for money offered by the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700.
The Sony UBP X800 is the higher-priced model compared to the UBP-X700. It offers additional features and improved specifications, which justify its higher price tag. However, it is important to consider the additional cost and evaluate whether the extra features are worth the investment.
The UBP-X700, on the other hand, provides a more budget-friendly option for those who are looking for a quality 4K Blu-ray player without breaking the bank. While it may lack some of the premium features of the X800, it still delivers excellent video and audio performance, making it an attractive choice for those on a budget.
Ultimately, the decision between the two models will depend on your specific requirements and budget. If you are willing to spend more for enhanced features and specifications, the X800 might be the better option. However, if you are looking for a more affordable choice without compromising on quality, the UBP-X700 offers excellent value for money.
Overall Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
When it comes to choosing between the Sony UBP-X800 and UBP-X700, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both Blu-ray players offer excellent video and audio performance, as well as support for a wide range of formats and disc compatibility.
In terms of design and build quality, the UBP-X800 edges slightly ahead with its sleek and premium construction. However, the UBP-X700 is no slouch either, offering a compact and stylish design.
Connectivity options and streaming capabilities are almost identical, with both models offering built-in Wi-Fi and smart apps such as Netflix and YouTube. Additionally, both players support HDR for enhanced picture quality, but only the UBP-X800 includes Dolby Vision support.
The user interface and remote control features are intuitive and user-friendly on both models, making navigation and playback a breeze.
When it comes down to price, the UBP-X700 is the more affordable option, offering great value for money. However, if you are a serious videophile and demand the best picture quality with Dolby Vision support, the UBP-X800 might be worth the investment.
In conclusion, if budget is a deciding factor, the UBP-X700 is an excellent choice. However, if you are willing to spend a bit more for additional features and Dolby Vision support, the UBP-X800 is the way to go.
FAQ
1. Is the picture quality significantly different between the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700?
The Sony UBP X800 offers better picture quality compared to the UBP-X700 due to its higher-end video processing capabilities. The UBP X800 supports 4K Ultra HD playback with HDR10 and Dolby Vision, resulting in more vibrant and detailed visuals. On the other hand, the UBP-X700 supports 4K upscaling but lacks Dolby Vision support, which can impact the picture clarity and color accuracy.
2. What are the major audio differences between the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700?
Both the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700 offer excellent audio capabilities, but they do have some differences. The UBP X800 supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats, providing immersive and more realistic sound. However, the UBP-X700 does not support these advanced audio formats, limiting its ability to deliver the same level of audio experience.
3. Are there any connectivity differences between the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700?
In terms of connectivity, both the Sony UBP X800 and UBP-X700 offer similar options. They both feature HDMI outputs with HDCP 2.2 support, enabling seamless connection to compatible TVs and home theater systems. Additionally, they both have a USB port for connecting external storage devices. However, the UBP X800 also includes a coaxial audio output, providing an alternative audio connection option for certain setups, which the UBP-X700 lacks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sony UBP-X800 and UBP-X700 are both excellent Blu-ray players, offering top-notch picture and audio quality. While the UBP-X800 does come with some additional features such as superior build quality and support for Dolby Vision, the UBP-X700 offers a more affordable price tag without compromising on essential features. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preferences and budget constraints.