What Are the Best Region Free 4K Blu-ray Players Available Going Into 2020?

Before we dive into which is the best, let’s first establish exactly what a region free 4K blu-ray player is. Blu-ray players utilize the new UHD 4K Blu-ray discs, often referred to as 4K Blu-ray discs, UHD Blu-ray discs, or Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. These same players will also work with Normal Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray discs around the world come in different ‘regions’. These include Region A, Region B, and Region C. Region Free or Multi region 4K Blu-ray players will play any of those region Blu-rays; as a result, you can purchase a disc from anywhere in the world and watch it on these specially upgraded Region Free Blu-ray players.

These devices also play Standard DVDs from any region. The standard DVD regions for different parts of the world are Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7 and Region 8.

With all of that said, lets get down to the Best Blu-ray players for 2020.

 

Our Top Picks

The short answer is: it depends. It depends upon what criteria you are looking for. Do you want the absolute best Audio and Video quality, or do you want very good audio and video quality at a more moderate price? Below you will find our current favorite Blu-ray players and whom we feel they would best suit.

1. Sony UBP-X700 Region Free
   Sony’s UBP-X700 is the best region free 4K UHD players for many people In a small footprint, it packs cutting edge video and audio features. These include Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X. It will deliver excellent sound and video for most mid to high end residential home cinema’s. All the features packed with a very attractive price makes this our Favorite multi region 4K Blu-ray player at a fair price. If you own a Sony TV as well, that only adds icing to the cake as this player has unique features when used with Sony televisions.
2. LG UBK90 region free
   LG’s UBK90 region free Blu-ray player is not far behind Sony. In fact, some would say it’s even better. If you’re an owner of a LG OLED or other LG 4K TV then this will probably quickly move to your your Number 1 pick for a UHD region free 4K Blu-ray player. It boasts HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos. It also features 4K Streaming of Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services. It’s really a toss-up between these 2 players when it comes to excellent players at attractive prices.

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A little treat for reading this article: Also look at the LG UBKM9 4K region free Blu-ray player. This device is identical to the UBK90, but can be found at a lower price! LG made it for one of the big box retailers, but has now made it available to all. It makes a great alternative to other options if you seek an even lower price point.

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Other Great 4K Blu-ray Player Choices

The Sony UBP-X700 and LG UBK90 are our top picks, but there are plenty of other high-quality options to consider. Some other 4K Blu-ray players we consider to be high quality include:

1. Sony UBP-X800M2 - This is a great player for those who do not want to compromise on Video or Audio.
2. LG UBK80 - The UBK80 is a great player with all the most desired video and audio features. It doesn’t have any streaming capabilities, but most televisions these days are Smart TVs regardless so you will likely miss out on nothing.
3. Sony UBP-X1000ES - This is Sony’s top-of-the-line model at a slightly higher price point. Despite this, it’s great for High end systems.
4. Pioneer UDP-LX500 - If you’re looking to spend a little more cash and just want the absolute best in Audio and Video, look into the Pioneer UDP-LX500
5. Samsung UBD-M8500 - If you have a Samsung TV and want to keep things simple and use the same remote, this is a great choice. Although Samsung is no longer making 4K Blu-ray players, these are the last ones they made. They have a fantastic build quality and excellent features for Audio and Video.
6. Samsung UBD-M9500 - The UBD-M9500 is similar to the UBD-M8500, but is a notable step up from the latter.

Shopping for region free 4K Blu-ray players can be intimidating, given the huge number of options available. This can be doubly true when searching for devices which will stand the test of time. The region free 4K Blu-ray players we have listed here are what we consider to be the best on the market, our personal recommendations. If you are interested in shopping for region free 4K Blu-ray players, visit 220-Electronics.com today to find the devices discussed here at unbeatable prices. If you have questions, the 220-Electronics support team can assist you with any problems you are having in regard to choosing a device.

Soundbars are all the rage at the moment, as they are a simple and affordable way to get higher quality audio from televisions. Most major audio (and television) brands now have their own soundbars available for purchase. To newcomers in this industry, most soundbars likely seem the same, with many looking primarily at brand. However, there are a number of soundbar features which are relevant to consumers and should be considered before buying.

Why Buy A Soundbar?

Soundbars are alternatives for standard home audio surround sound setups. Typical setups consume a much larger amount of space, requiring an A/V receiver, multiple speakers, and a lot of wires. Soundbars, by contrast, consist of long bars which pack everything you need into a compact space. This is much more convenient for those who lack space or have no desire to build a new surround sound system.

Are soundbars as good as full audio/video surround sound setups? Not necessarily- it really depends on what your price point is, because price ranges will vary widely between soundbars and high-end A/V setups. That said, lower-end A/V setups are still fantastic upgrades to normal televisions. In the same way, a soundbar will make a notable difference to any standard television audio.

What Size Soundbar Should You Get?

This is simultaneously the most and least obvious specification to look at when soundbar shopping. First off, you should measure the area in which you wish to put your soundbar. This could be in front of your television, in a cabinet below, or even above; make sure the soundbar you choose will fit before you buy it. Next, it's suggested that soundbars should only be, at most, the same width as your television. Longer soundbars can work, but aesthetically they are much less pleasing unless somewhat hidden away below the television, such as in a cabinet.

Active vs. Passive and Number of Channels

It is incredibly important to determine whether you want an active or passive soundbar before shopping, as there is a significant difference. Passive soundbars require a separate A/V receiver or amplifier to function, and probably even a subwoofer. These are additional purchases which will take up even more space. They have higher audio quality than active soundbars, but are ultimately more expensive to set up and get going. Active soundbars, by contrast, have built-in amplifiers. Active variants are thus the more traditional, all-in-one devices which are typically expected when one talks about soundbars. Even though they are not quite on the same level as their passive counterparts, they are still notable upgrades to otherwise normal television setups.

Regarding channels, the rule is typically that the more, the merrier. Channels refer to the number of audio sources, to put it simply. Two channel speakers, for example, would have a left and right channel. Three channels would add a center one, while five channels would then add two additional ones in the rear. This is meant to simulate a three dimensional sound experience, and it is commonly accepted that the more one has, the better. Five is the standard these days, but seven channel systems are ideal for the most part. Naturally, price increases along with the number of channels, however, it is worth noting that five channels are the standard at this point for soundbars. Finding anything lower would be an exception.

Other Things to Look For

Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos is a technology which adds two up-firing speakers to the top of soundbars, bouncing sound waves off of the ceiling. This is a high-end technology so don't expect to see it on lower-end (cheaper) models. It makes the resulting audio closer to that of actual surround sound when compared to other devices.

Additional Speakers: Some devices do allow additional speakers to be connected to them, but many others do not. This is something to keep in mind while shopping around, as it could be a make or break feature for you in the long-run.

Connective Ports: This is another super obvious thing, but you would be surprised how much of a problem it can cause if you do not consider it prior purchasing your soundbar. HDMI is standard now, so it is typically assumed that both televisions and soundbars will have HDMI input/output. Optical is also fairly standard, an even better alternative than HDMI in most cases. USB, Bluetooth, and WiFi are not rare options, but none inherently improve audio quality on their own. Wireless soundbars are unique in that they allow other devices to connect remotely, eradicating the need for all of these cables. In some cases, such as the Samsung HW-J450, the soundbar can wirelessly connect to appropriate subwoofers or other devices.

Conclusion

Soundbars can be intimidating to shop for when entering the market. Hopefully these tips can help you out when you start shopping for a new audio setup- there are a huge number of soundbars out there, given the many brands which exist along with their individual yearly models. Sorting out the one which is right for you is intimidating, but absolutely doable.

220-Electronics.com has a wide selection of soundbars, available today at affordable prices with quick shipping. 220-Electronics specializes in 220/240 volt electronics and region-free/multisystem entertainment devices. If you are on the market for 220/240 volt soundbars, visit 220-Electronics today!

The Samsung UA-55NU7100 from 220-Electronics.com is a high quality, multisystem television which follows in Samsung's tradition of producing top-notch televisions at decent prices. The UA-55NU7100 is feature-rich and offers a wonderful display at a reasonable price.

Samsung UA-55NU7100 Features:

The Samsung UA-55NU7100 is, as stated before, a 55" 4K/UHD (Ultra-HD) television; this means it comes with all of the features one has come to expect from similar televisions. The UA-55NU7100 boasts HDR support right out of the box, ready to provide praiseworthy contrast and color saturation for your favorite films, shows, and games.

Aside from 4K and HDR support, the UA-55NU7100 is, as one should anticipate, a smart TV. Its Smart TV features fall in line with those of other Samsung televisions, using their proprietary user interface as opposed to relying upon names such as Roku or Google Play. Despite this, they still offer all of the apps one would expect a Smart TV to have. Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Sling TV, Disney+, and many others are all available. Samsung's TV+ is also included, a service which provides free television to users. The downside to this is a limited selection of shows.

We never had any issues with the television regarding responsiveness or drops in picture quality. It was, throughout our time with it, consistent in its high quality. Samsung has not failed consumers in providing a television which will stun buyers!

Multisystem Modifications

As usual, all televisions bought at 220-Electronics.com feature multisystem support. This means that the UA-55NU7100 is usable around the world. All it takes to switch between regions is the push of a single button. Through this action, one can swap between different regions with ease. As a result, 220-Electronics' UA-55NU7100 is perfect for those who often move or travel for work- or, those who simply want a TV which will work outside of the USA.

Again, this is only true for models from 220-Electronics.com. Others will lack these features, instead simply working in a single region.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the Samsung UA-55NU7100 feels like a high-end model despite its extremely reasonable price point. With its multisystem modifications, the model from 220-Electronics surprised us with its versatility and consistent quality. This is a fantastic television with beautiful graphics and excellent 'smart' features.

If you are interested in purchasing a new television, such as the Samsung UA-55NU7100, check out 220-Electronics.com. If you desire a television  that is multisystem or region-free, 220-Electronics is your absolute best bet. 220-Electronics' expert staff custom-modify every television to function worldwide; you'll find prices which can't be beaten, too.

Region free Blu-ray players are not particularly common; we at 220-Electronics modify ours personally to play discs from around the world. There are some really good reasons to seek out a region free Blu-ray player, despite their lack of mainstream sales. Today we will be discussing some of the reasons one might desire such a device, and the benefits of having one. Just as a note for those unfamiliar with this topic, the Blu-ray region codes are as follows:

• Region A: North America, South America, U.S. Territories, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and other areas of Southeast Asia
• Region B: Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Region C: Asia (except for Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and other areas of Southeast Asia)

Typically, discs will only work on devices in a set region based upon where the disc was purchased. Region free devices bypass this, allowing discs from any region to be played on the device.

Play Foreign Blu-rays

This one is really notable for fans of foreign films, foreign dramas, anime, and independent films. These tend to be more niche releases which are, by proxy, often unavailable outside of their respective regions. As a result, one much import these Blu-rays in order to own them. Unfortunately, they are not going to be natively playable on a standard Blu-ray player from outside of said region.

While this may not effect most individuals, it is a notable problem for collectors. If one has (or is starting) a notably sized collection, having to collect Blu-ray players for multiple regions can be a pain- and expensive. Instead, a single region free player can solve this issue at a lower price point.

Traveling for Work or Fun

There are many individuals whose jobs require movement around the world on a regular basis. Doing so can be stressful and, at times, rather dull- hotel rooms can only be so interesting. As a result, some have taken to bringing along video game consoles or their own Blu-ray players. This is where things get interesting- if one has a collection already, this is not an issue, but if one wants to purchase new films while abroad they cannot use them. Over the course of a multi-month trip, this can become a notable concern.

With a region free Blu-ray player, travelers can rest easy, knowing that any film they purchase will work with zero hassle. If a job sends you to Europe one month and Asia the next, their Blu-ray player will function in precisely the same way as before. Relaxation and one's favorite films, as well as newly purchased ones, are within arm's reach when one brings along a region free Blu-ray player.

Moving to Another Country

Relocating internationally is perhaps the most obvious reason to seek out a region free Blu-ray player. Movie collectors might have massive collections, owning hundreds of films on Blu-ray; upon moving, suddenly they have to have two separate players to appreciate their current collection while accruing more. Being limited to the films one already owns is something no movie buff would desire. The ideal situation would, naturally, be to purchase new films from the country one has moved to, and to play them on the exact same device as one's old films.

This is where region free Blu-ray players come in. By taking one when moving, you can keep your entire Blu-ray collection and enjoy it without fail! On top of that, you can purchase new Blu-rays without concern as to whether or not they will work; with a region free player, any disc you buy should work.

Conclusion - Considering Region Free Blu-ray Players

Ultimately, there is some serious appeal to owning a region free Blu-ray player. The reasons one might purchase one are likely fairly obvious. Moving, traveling, simply collecting films- these are all reasons why an individual might seek out a region free Blu-ray player. If you are interested in one yourself, 220-Electronics.com is the best place to purchase one. The Blu-ray players from 220-Electronics have the option to be custom modified to support Blu-ray regions A, B, and C. Modified players from 220-Electronics are simple to use, requiring only the flip of a switch to move between regions and play any Blu-ray in the world. Incredible customer support and fantastic prices only sweeten the deal. If you need assistance, contact support at 220-Electronics.com today and they will guide you along the way!

Constructing a Hi-Fi Audio Setup

The world of high-end audio is, if nothing else, intimidating to newcomers. For those who desire the best-of-the-best, this passion can lead to endless searches for the best equipment and better audio. That said, there are many ways to approach Hi-Fi audio, and such setups are endlessly customizable. That said, knowing what to buy and where to start are often the biggest hurdles for those wishing to expand their audio capabilities. Because of this, I feel it is worth attempting to provide a brief guide to what one needs to begin.

What's Most Important?

There are numerous components and variables to consider when constructing a Hi-Fi system, but in reality there are only a few necessary components. The "key" parts of the setup are the receiver, speakers, and the audio source. These are absolutely necessary, and each has a significant impact upon the final sound quality that the setup will produce. The audio source is your primary device which generates the signal that is then sent to your receiver and, ultimately, speakers. Sources include televisions, vinyl or mp3 players, Blu-ray players, etc. Without a solid audio source, the rest of your system's output will suffer.

Receivers do what their name implies- they receive multiple signals from your sources, then process and output them to speakers. These can be, and sometimes are, exchanged for amplifiers. For the purpose of this article, I will be working under the assumption that a full A/V receiver is desired.

First, you will want to consider what your source is. Are you wanting to boost the quality of  your home entertainment system? Do you just want better audio to come through your mp3 or vinyl player? If you are wanting a full home theater, you need to consider the television you are using along with the (assumed) Blu-ray player.

Your Sources

As stated before, your sources are those devices from which a signal is transmitted to your receiver and then speakers. In the case of a home theatre, these will likely be a projector, television, Blu-ray player, or a combination of such. These are each vitally important components of any Hi-Fi home theater, and should be treated as such. Choosing sources is easily one of the most important decisions one can make during this entire process.

For all of these, you will want to consider what types of surround-sound they support. I will go into more detail on this later, but for now know that they will likely support either 5-Channel, 7-Channel, or 9-Channel surround sound. As far as other audio technologies are concerned, some of the highest end, most sought-after features are DTS:X and Dolby Atmos support. These require specific A/V receivers and speaker setups, so it is worth keeping that in mind from this point onward. Your desired setup might require specific sources, receivers, and speakers in order to function correctly.

Televisions also have certain options that tend to scale with cost- specifically, 4K/UHD video and HDR are premium options today. Size is also going to scale with cost, particularly when it comes to televisions which have the former features. Blu-ray players will generally need to support many of these same features as well, so if you plan to have a Blu-ray and television-based home theater you should consider that.

A/V Receivers

From there, you will need to connect your television or monitor (and additional peripherals) to a receiver. Choosing a receiver can be tricky, but there are a few variables which are worth keeping in mind. Price is an obvious one, and receivers come in a wide variety of prices-ranges. Truly high-end ones can cost $1500 or more, while others are significantly cheaper. The primary differences will come down to the features available on each device, as price does tend to scale with quality when it comes to receivers.

When it comes down to features, there are a few that I would consider. What type of surround sound do you want? This might also effect the speakers that you go on to purchase, along with their price. You are typically going to be looking at 5-channel, 7-channel, and 9-channel options. Five channel audio offers a central channel, left and right front channels, left and right surround channels, and a subwoofer channel for bass. Seven channel is the same, but splits the rear channel and surround into four separate channels. This provides a notably more detailed and 'wider' sound than 5.1- as a result, it tends to cost more but is more commonly sought. Lifewire has an excellent article discussing these two types of surround sound, discussing their significance in greater detail. 

9-Channel surround sound is a newer technology and the most expensive of the bunch. ELITE A/V has an excellent article discussing this in more detail. They state:

"A 9.1 surround sound system consists of nine speakers and one subwoofer. It uses two front-height channels. Therefore, with its 2 extra channels, 9.1 offers more audio depth and dimension. 5.1 and 7.1, on the other hand, only deliver a horizontal soundfield. This means audio is directed at the viewer from just one vertical plane."

In general, this creates a more 'cinematic' audio experience and a much wider range of sound. The downsides are that, of course, it is expensive, along with the fact that it requires a highly specific setup to use.

Speakers

Speakers will likely be based upon the decision one made regarding one's receiver. This is because some forms of surround sound require specific speaker setups, thus one will have no choice but to go with certain options. That said, there are still some things to look for when speaker-shopping.

As already stated, surround sound is a necessary consideration- for example, if you want a 7.1 surround sound setup, you will need the appropriate speakers for a 7.1 channel setup to place in the correct locations. That said, there are other considerations to take into account. Size is one that is perhaps less obvious to newcomers. Speakers can come in massive packages, but also some very small ones. How much space do you have in your room, and would it be better to get wall-mounted speakers? It is also important to note that Dolby Atmos and DTS:X setups, which we recently discussed in another article, require up-firing (or ceiling-mounted) speakers to work appropriately. This alters the soundstage significantly, and is worth considering- they do require very specific speakers to work, however.

Speakers, much like receivers, come in a wide range of prices. 5-Channel speakers are going to be much less expensive than higher-end equipment, but it is worth considering the massive difference in audio quality between high and low-end speakers. Again, the cost of a Hi-Fi setup can vary heavily depending on how much one seeks to put into it.

Other Considerations

Obviously, these are only the most basic components to consider. There are numerous factors to take into account when starting a Hi-Fi setup. One of the more overlooked things is the actual outlet through which your hardware will be powered. This is the first step in the 'chain of events' which leads to the sounds being produced, and does have an effect. As BHPVideo notes, sudden power spikes or outages can damage your hardware. Replacing your outlet with one which features built-in surge protection can assist with this issue. Similarly, running everything through a power conditioner is a fantastic idea; these will not only protect your equipment, but also reduce 'noise' and generally aid in the production of a clearer, more pleasant sounding setup.

Cables are another component which should be considered due to their own effect upon how everything is transmitted throughout a given setup. Opting for the most expensive cables is not always the best option, of course. When it comes to speaker wire, Engadget suggests that 12 gauge copper wire is the most anyone should need. The other cables needed will vary depending on your own setup. If you have a 4K television, you will need high-speed HDMI cables to properly experience the visual end of your home theater. You will also likely need Power (AC), USB, RCA, and other cables; the same is true for these. Focus on acquiring decent quality cables with relatively pure connections, and you should be fine. These do all have an effect upon sound quality, but with diminishing returns; if you are on a budget, you can save money on these components.

Your Hi-Fi Home Theatre

Ultimately, your Hi-Fi home theater should be precisely what you want it to be. The level of customization possible in this hobby is honestly absurd at times, and with its popularity increasing there are even more devices being released than we saw in recent years.

If you are considering starting your own hi-fi home theater, check out 220-Electronics.com. 220-Electronics is a leader in 220 volt appliances, with custom-modified televisions and Blu-ray players which will work around the world.

When looking at high-end televisions and audio equipment in 2019, there are a few recurring themes which might be foreign to the uninitiated. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are two competing technologies in the audio market which are commonly seen features on new televisions and audio receivers. For those not in the know, these names might come across as arcane. Today we will cover what Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are and what makes them different.

Dolby Atmos

Dolby Atmos is an audio codec which seeks to create a unique, 3D-Audio experience. Traditionally, audio is mastered for movies and music to be 2 Dimensional. Two speaker setups are the most common, and are what most televisions natively have equipped. Dolby Atmos requires use of an A/V receiver to connect your television to two pairs of speakers, mounted on the ceiling. These speakers, mounted in front of and behind the viewers, creates the sensation of three dimensional audio. Speakers created specifically to work with Dolby Atmos also exist, which remove the requirement of mounting speakers to the ceiling.

DTS:X

DTS:X is a slightly different take on three-dimensional audio. The key difference between DTS:X and Atmos setups are that DTS:X speakers need not be placed in specific locations. DTS:X speakers can supposedly be placed more freely, allowing for less restrictions. To add to this, there are no official requirements for the number of speakers one needs to use DTS:X.

To accomplish this feat, DTS:X speakers run a calibration during setup which assists the software in knowing where speakers are located. Through this, DTS completely avoids the most significant issue with Atmos setups. DTS:X also features a higher bitrate than that of Atmos, theoretically allowing for higher quality audio. Despite this, many listeners are unable to determine the difference in quality by ear alone. As a result, this is not necessarily something which should make up ones mind when purchasing a new device.

Which is Better?

While there are some clear advantages to using DTS:X, Atmos has its own winning features. DTS:X's flexibility is obviously fantastic for those who are setting up their system piecemeal or with little wriggle-room regarding placement. Its potential higher audio quality is also a boon, although it is questionable whether or not it will actually make a difference. Atmos has one particularly ideal feature which DTS:X lacks: compatibility. Dolby Atmos is compatible with Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, the majority of Blu-rays, and more. DTS:X lacks this, only being supported by certain Blu-rays and 4K Blu-rays. As a result, Dolby Atmos is the way to go if you want a broad range of compatible services; DTS:X is worth going for if you primarily use your setup with Blu-rays and desire versatile speaker orientation.

In reality, the best option is to purchase a television and receiver which supports both options. On top of that, some soundbars now come equipped ready-to-go with Dolby Atmos support, featuring up-firing speakers. It is also worth noting that both are backwards compatible, with Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio depending on which brand you purchase. If you are interested in purchasing a new high-end audio setup, be sure to look at 220-Electronics.com for a great deal and quality support.

The Samsung UA82NU8000 82" 4K/UHD Smart TV, quite simply, blew us away. This is a massive, top of the line television that is built to amaze. While its price point is undoubtedly high, it is worth the cost. Those who seek the best-of-the-best can not go wrong here.

Samsung UA82NU8000 Features

The Samsung UA82NU8000 is loaded with the features one would expect from a high end television. It is, of course, a 4K/Ultra-HD TV. At 82 inches, it is also absolutely massive. This is the type of television one would get to fill a home theater's wall. On top of that, it also has HDR 10+ and Dolby Audio support. Connection-wise, it has four HDMI and two USB ports. This is plenty for most families, allowing computers, game consoles, and blu-ray players to all connect.

Most importantly, the UA82NU8000 is a smart television. All major streaming services are available through the television. Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video- all can be watched in beautiful 4K/UHD.

It is also worth noting that this is a beautiful television. It blends into environments seamlessly with its legs removed, but even with its stand it is gorgeous. The silver and black trim provide a clean, sophisticated look and its thin bezel makes the screen seem flawless.

Multisystem Modification

As with all televisions bought at 220-Electronics.com, this features multisystem support. This means that our UA82NU8000 is usable around the world. All it takes to switch between regions is the push of a button. By doing so, you swap between regions with ease. As a result, our UA82NU8000 is perfect for those who move or travel often for work- or, those who simply want a TV that will work outside of the USA.

Again, this is only true for models from 220-Electronics.com. Others will lack these features, instead simply working in a single region.

Conclusion

Overall, we adore the Samsung UA82NU8000. If you are interested in a multisystem UA82NU8000, you can purchase one today at 220-Electronics.com. This is the perfect television for those seeking a new device for a home theater or living room. That said, it is easily one of the highest quality TVs on the market at the moment. It is an investment, to be sure, but one that is worth making.

To purchase your own Samsung UA82NU8000 today, head to 220-Electronics.com. Our televisions are all multisystem and will provide you with an amazing viewing experience that lacks borders. Moving internationally? Contact the experts at 220-Electronics today for assistance with the devices you need.

QLED and OLED are two rising technologies that have both grown popular in recent years. To the average consumer, these are likely arcane acronyms whose names are meaningless. Today, I am here to offer some insight into what differentiates QLED from OLED.

QLED vs OLED- The Basics:

QLED is, put quite simply, just an OLED television which uses 'Quantum Dots'. These quantum dots are tiny nanoparticles, embedded in LCD panels, which significantly improve the brightness and color of an image on-screen. This technology is closer to traditional LCD than it is to OLED, which is a totally unique screen technology. It is worth noting that Samsung actually pioneered this technology in the consumer market. There are several key differences between the two technologies that are worth acknowledging before going further.

LED screens are almost like sandwiches in the way they are constructed; QLED is no different. QLED quantum dots, along with LEDs which act as 'shutters', ensure that a very specific amount of light escapes through the screen. These also work together to create the colors one sees leaving the television. QLED TVs rely upon opening and shutting LED 'shutters' in order to 'true blacks' as well, differing from the method employed by OLED TVs.

OLED TVs, wherein OLED stands for "Organic Light-Emitting Diode", differ greatly from LED and QLED TVs. Instead of utilizing 'shutter LEDs', every single pixel is also a minuscule LED. While normal LED and QLED TVs use varying layers to produce color and light, OLED televisions produce both in every single pixel. As they do not require the "LED Sandwich", OLED televisions are able to be substantially thinner than QLED TVs. By having pixels which emit their own light, they can be extremely thin compared to most TVs on the market.

[caption id="attachment_1628" align="aligncenter" width="576"] An image showing the 'sandwich' of panels in an LCD TV screen. Source: https://www.cnet.com/news/qled-vs-oled-samsung-tv-and-lg-tv-2019-comparison/[/caption]

The Selling Points:

With the basics out of the way, it is necessary to discuss the reasons why one might purchase QLED over OLED or vice-versa. Perhaps most obvious is that QLED TVs come in a much wider range of sizes than the alternative. According to cnet.com, OLED TVs come in 55", 65", 77", and 88" models. Meanwhile, QLED TVs 43", 49", 55", 65", 75", 82", 85", 98"- a much wider range of sizes than OLED offerings. If one is searching for a specific size of television, QLED might be the superior option purely based upon their available sizes. This also ties into the fact that QLED TVs can often be acquired for substantially less than their LED peers.

For some examples of QLED prices: the 55" Samsung Q6FNA can be found for $1,150 and the 75" Samsung QA75Q60R can be acquired for $2,769. Meanwhile, the OLED 55" LG OLED55C9PUA goes for $1,599.99 and the 77" LG OLED77C9PUB goes for $5499.99. There is a notable price differential between OLED and QLED TVs, which has partially led to QLED's massive popularity among consumers.

Conclusion:

QLED and OLED Televisions have been on the market long enough now to have made a notable impact on the industry. That said, these terms are not terribly well explained on packaging or many online store pages. Hopefully this article has helped you to better understand these new technologies.

If you are interested in purchasing a region free/multi-system television, the experts at 220-Electronics.com will assist you with all of your needs. 220-Electronics focuses on providing affordable region-free televisions and Blu-ray/DVD players. They also offer 220-240 volt electronics of numerous types, allowing customers to purchase everything they need at a single site.

 

Sources:

cnet.com, Digital Trends

In recent years, 4K/UHD (Ultra HD) content and devices have taken the world by storm. This is such a popular feature that we have actually discussed it in-depth in a past article. For many, this has been the natural progression of things. To improve their viewing experiences at home, it was an obvious decision to upgrade from their former Full-HD (1080p) setups. For others, this decision holds much more weight.

Whether it is a lack of expendable income, concerns about longevity, or simply a lack of interest, there are plenty of individuals who have yet to move on to a full 4K setup. For many, their concerns stem from the potential cost of building a full setup to run 4K/UHD content- after all, a 4k television, 4k blu-ray player, and the videos to play on these devices all cost money. If cost is an issue, you could benefit by upgrading your devices piecemeal.

The premise of having a full 4K/UHD setup is obviously tempting, as it should be. These devices provide beautiful, entrancing viewing experiences that are notable improvements over their traditional Full-HD counterparts. However, each component of a 4K setup has its own benefits; they all serve different purposes which, even alone, serve as upgrades to a traditional setup.

4K/UHD Televisions

Many 4K/UHD Televisions have the unique feature of upscaling their video output to higher resolutions. Upscaling refers to the act of taking footage that is rendered at a lower resolution than what is native to the television (so in this case, it could be 1920x1080 or 1080p footage) and rendering it at or near the expected resolution (UHD or 3840x2160).

Upscaling

I need to be clear here and stress that this does not produce the same level of quality that one would experience by playing UHD content on the same 4K television. Upscaling is an in-depth process that, in essence, uses various algorithms to automatically take videos (which are long sequences of images, or ‘frames’, for our purposes) and increase the number of pixels that make up each frame. This needs to happen incredibly quickly in order to not be noticeable by the viewer.

[caption id="attachment_1575" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Figure A: 1080p - Zoomed in 200%.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1576" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Figure B: 1080p image upscaled to 4k. Zoomed in 200%.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1577" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Figure C: True 4K, zoomed in 200%.[/caption]

The resulting image is dramatically improved from that of standard 1080p, but still not nearly as detailed as true 4K. Figures A-C shows a highly zoomed-in (200%) comparison of the same image at 1080p, Upscaled 4K, and Native 4K. The effects of upscaling are clear: the native image is highly pixellated, with a great deal of 'tessellation' (the jagged edges around objects). The upscaled image is much less jagged, and while it is blurry it is still a drastic improvement over its predecessor. The final image of the three, the Native 4K image, clearly has a greater amount of detail than the others due to its incredibly fine resolution. If the difference is not noticeable, look a bit closer at the screen. From distances, they appear more similar due to their size, while on a large television they are extremely noticeable.

This is perhaps the most noticeable means through which a 4K television can serve as an upgrade without opting for additional upgrades. Even non-4K video will suddenly look better upon acquiring this new television! Aside from that, many streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix offer the option to stream 4K/UHD content, although one should ensure that their internet connection is fast enough to handle it prior to making the commitment.

4K Blu-ray Players Without 4K Televisions?

There is one upgrade on the path to a full Blu-ray setup that could potentially be more noticeable than all others- 4K Blu-ray players. Even without with a 4K Television, these could significantly improve one's viewing experience. There are some caveats I would put in place here, however. While a 4K Television will provide a blanket improvement on video quality through upscaling, many 4K Blu-ray players offer the option of improving video quality through 'downscaling'.

Put simply, downscaling is a process wherein an image is rendered at a higher resolution and then output at a lower one. While this might sound pointless, there is a notable difference. These images obviously do not have the full, incredible detail one would see in a 4K image. At the same time, a downscaled video will typically look better than the alternative 1080p version. There are other considerations to make, such as the source of videos; streamed videos see a loss in quality no matter what, simply as a result of them downloading over time. However, that is as much an issue of internet connection speeds as it is hardware. For Blu-rays specifically, downscaling can drastically improve image quality.

[caption id="attachment_1567" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A comparison between 4K downsampled (left) and standard 1080p (right). Source: https://www.premiumbeat.com/[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1568" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A comparison between 4K Offline (Blu-ray) and 4K Streaming (YouTube). Source: https://www.premiumbeat.com/[/caption]

Other considerations need to be made when purchasing these devices. Additional hardware components, the quality of the upscaling and downscaling from devices, internet connection speeds, and the films themselves are all important. The ultimate point of this is to show that you can benefit from purchasing a new television or Blu-ray player now- even if you do not have a full setup ready to go. Some great examples of devices that have these features are:

Televisions:

• LG 50UK6470
• Samsung UA-48JU6400
• Samsung UA49MU7350

Blu-ray Players

• Sony UBP-X1100ES
• LG UP-870
• Samsung UBD-M8500

Of course, we recommend you ensure that you are purchasing a Blu-ray player or Television that explicitly advertises these features if you desire them. Not all devices feature proper upscaling or downscaling. If you are looking to upgrade slowly, it is certainly a possibility.

If you are wanting region-free Blu-ray players or televisions, 220-Electronics.com carries everything you need at fantastic, discounted prices. These devices are modified by professionals at 220-Electronics to work around the world at the press of a button. If you are interested in upgrading your home theatre, the staff at 220-Electronics can offer their assistance in planning and purchasing!

LG has recently re-designed the home stereo by creating the LG Wireless Audio System. These units are really neat to have because they are small, relatively powerful, and affordable sound systems that use Bluetooth connectivity to play and control your favorite music directly from your mobile devices. They also connect to compatible LG TVs, allowing you to listen to your audio through the stereo system rather than your TVs built-in speakers. With up to 230-watts of power you'll get the sound boost you need to listen to music throughout your home, plus plenty of other features like the flexibility to change and control the music from your smartphone. These economical wireless audio systems are ideal for basic music playback in your home, office, apartment, shop or garage.

With multi-Bluetooth, you can connect up to 3 mobile devices simultaneously for easy control of playlists between friends or at parties. The three phones can be connected and all three can be used to choose the music, which is really cool. You can take turns playing music, making for a fun and exciting listening experience.

All of LGs Wireless Audio Systems also feature normal stereo options such as FM tuner, auxiliary input, CD Player and built-in equalizer. No matter what kind of media you have, you can use it. They also support the most popular and common audio formats, and come equipped with USB direct playback so you can share playlists from a USB drive or USB enabled device. They've even developed a LG Micro Hi-Fi Audio System which is a really interesting 130-watt system in a tiny package. What's better? The models we sell at 220 Electronics are designed for worldwide use - meaning they work with any voltage from 110 to 240 volts. For more information or to purchase your own today, check out LG's Wireless Audio Systems on our website.