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[CentralScrutinizer]

So I'm not really high end levels of obsessed with video and audio quality, but I do have my moments. I've only ever watched Blu rays on PlayStation consoles.

The recent rise in gaming cost and specifically PlayStation hardware has me finally questioning my choice to use them as my 4K blu ray players.

I choose to collect 4k blu rays because I can clearly see and hear the video/audio quality obviously being a massive upgrade over streaming. I also maintain my father's 1990s stereo receiver and EQ mixer and speakers for my vinyl player. I just haven't heard anything that has outdone it yet.

Anyways. Am I wasting my time using consoles as a Blu-ray player? Is it time to move on to a dedicated player?

Are there any blu ray / audio set up combos that's worth the investment?

Also. Please no comments about "iF pS5 Is iNCreAsiNg in coSt, aLl teCH iS."

This thread isn't about the cost of a dedicated player, it's the quality of them over consoles.

 

[VulcanRaven]

I have Sony X700 but I doubt that you can really see a difference in terms of picture quality compared to consoles.

 

[nush]

Anyways. Am I wasting my time using consoles as a Blu-ray player? Is it time to move on to a dedicated player?

I assume the power draw on a console would be a lot higher. Dedicated player with a proper remote is the way to go.

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

I assume the power draw on a console would be a lot higher. Dedicated player with a proper remote is the way to go.

Outside of power draw, is there any video / audio quality reasons?

I have a LGCX.

 

[VulcanRaven]

Outside of power draw, is there any video / audio quality reasons?

I have a LGCX.

Linus Tech Tips did a good video about it:

 

[near]

Outside of power draw, is there any video / audio quality reasons?

I have a LGCX.

Both the Series X and PS5 lack Dolby Vision support for 4K discs.

 

[ThroatPie]

I use an oppo Udp- 203 but they are discontinued. One of the best value wise for the quality. You can find one on the second hand market but they're going for over $1,000 right now used when they were $600 when I bought mine. It supports Dolby vision and pretty much everything else.

OPPO Digital - Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Players

Based in the heart of Silicon Valley, OPPO Digital designs and markets high quality digital electronics that deliver style, performance, innovation, and value to A/V enthusiasts and savvy consumers alike. The company's attention to core product performance and strong customer focus distinguishes...

www.oppodigital.com

Not too sure about nowadays because Oppo stopped making them.

 

[WoodyStare]

4Ks look fine on console, you'd only really be getting Dolby Vision and a 4K upscaler (depending on the capabilities of your player of choice and TV). There might be a substantial difference in quality if you have a fancy TV to take advantage of DV and HDR optimizers.

I have the Panasonic UB820 and it's been fantastic, the 4K upscaler makes regular Blu-rays look great. If you don't care about that though, you can get a Panasonic UB450 with Dolby Vision (no upscale) and be just as happy.

 

[LavitzSlambert]

I haven't used a dedicated 4K player but on my PS5 and LG C1 it's still a significant improvement over even high quality 4K streams. The biggest improvement you'll get over streaming, by far, is audio quality.

 

[jason10mm]

No matter what, just make sure you use gold plated monster cables!

I feel like these days pretty much any gear is pretty good, maybe the sound system with good rears and a subwoofer.

Unless we are talking vinyl, goddamn is that a deep rabbit hole

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

No matter what, just make sure you use gold plated monster cables!

I feel like these days pretty much any gear is pretty good, maybe the sound system with good rears and a subwoofer.

Unless we are talking vinyl, goddamn is that a deep rabbit hole

Oh for my tastes and the sound I want my vinyl setup is unfuckwithable. I'll just quit that hobby when my hardware breaks. Hah.

 

[The Goddamn Mike]

Are there any blu ray / audio set up combos that's worth the investment?

...but, then, also:

This thread isn't about the cost of a dedicated player, it's the quality of them over consoles.

I don't mean to be a pedantic dickhead, but these requirements sort of exist in opposition. "Worth it" is always going to be a, "How much additional expense are you willing to incur?," proposition - hence, cost.

AV equipment (console or not) is (and always will be) the wine pairing at The French Laundry. To explain this admittedly esoteric analogy: Upon inquiring as to an appropriate pairing when ordering dinner, the server asks you, "What would you like to spend?"

Practically, I ran a Sony X800M2 for a while - got fed up with it (required periodic reboots after freezing) and eventually upgraded to a Panasonic UB9000. I have used an XBox in the past. Both dedicated players were superior in regard to video output/performance vs. the XBox. The Panasonic is fantastic, but it's also a thousand dollars.

Consoles are definitely "good enough." If you don't have Atmos speakers installed in your ceiling, are sitting 15 feet from your display, are viewing in a room with ambient light, can hear the refrigerator compressor kick on in the adjacent kitchen, etc...you're not really going to get much "bang for buck" with a dedicated player (supporting Dolby Vision/Atmos, better video/sound processing, etc.) and the additional cost it entails.

On the other hand, one thing I have not seen mentioned: device noise. I don't run a current console, so I cannot attest to the noise the newer machines (PS or XBox) make when playing UHDs. I will say, with past consoles, the hum/fan noise was not acceptable (too loud) during film playback. If you are also investing in great cinema sound (Atmos, etc.), the last thing you want is a 40 dB whir detracting from the quality of your sound output. Most of the higher end UHD players are supposedly constructed with this in mind (rubber dampers, insulation, etc.), so, in my case, I can confirm the UB9000 produces almost no noise at all.

So, perhaps a dedicated player is worth it if you are a psychopath like me (I turn air conditioning off while watching a film to avoid unwanted, extraneous sound).

However, regardless of your approach, there is also the source (the disc, itself) and what you're going to get out of it. For every "Oh my god! This remaster is amazing and my high-end player brings it all out!," there is also a, "Did they even bother or just upscale a 2K DI and retain the 5.1 channel sound from the DVD?" Throw that disc in and you'll be regretting spending 500-1K on a separate machine.

Bottom line: If you are going to build out an awesome sound setup and you have a great display or are planning to acquire one, spend the extra money for a separate, dedicated player and accept the fact that it's not always going to be "worth it." When it is, though, your experience - with whichever film - will be a step above and this, alone, may be "worth it" to you.

Unrelated bit in regard to:

I also maintain my father's 1990s stereo receiver and EQ mixer and speakers for my vinyl player. I just haven't heard anything that has outdone it yet.

I love vintage equipment. I had an old Grado cartridge I inherited from my father who acquired it in times forgotten and someone (who will not be named) broke the stylus a couple of years ago. I cried. I've since replaced it and am happy with current output, but feel like I'm chasing the dragon and will never be able to get that same perfect sound again. What are you running turntable/cartridge/receiver/EQ/speakers for vinyl playback? I like querying others because I'm an amateur when it comes to dedicated record player setup (still running my turntable through the home theater A/V processor) and am, as such, intrigued.

 

[moogman]

Both the Series X and PS5 lack Dolby Vision support for 4K discs.

That's only an issue if you've got a lower brightness TV though, which you're unlikely to have if you're looking into 4K UHD players. DV and HDR10+ are mainly for lower nits TV's so the highlights still pop. The benefit on 1500 nits+ TV's is limited to tonemapping, but nowadays that's not really noticeable on a good OLED.

 

[JimmyRustler]

I personally don't think the upgrade is worth the investment. Especially because the 4k player market is dying and the remaining ones are overpriced. I bought my X700 for 180 EUR a few years ago. Now the same one goes for 380 EUR USED. And mind you that player is the cheapest one (it literally feels like a cheap piece of plastic). Thanks but no thanks.