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.

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!

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.

The Toshiba TO75U3850 television is a stunning, top-of-the-line device that will bring new life to any home theater or living room. Coming in at 75 inches and featuring Ultra-HD/4K support, this Smart TV blows its competition out of the water. Ultimately, this is a television built for those who desire the best of the best.

Features

The Toshiba TO75U3850 is a top tier device which impressed us with its wide feature-set for its price. The TV's image quality is astonishingly clear, allowing the full beauty of 4K/UHD videos to come through. Alongside this, 4K/UHD streaming makes Netflix or other services fantastic experiences. As with other Smart TVs, the TO75U3850 supports Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services. In other words, this television has all of the Smart TV features you've come to expect.

Further, the TO75U3850 features 3 HDMI ports and 2 USB ports. Several devices can be connected at once, as a result. Video games, in particular, work very well on the TO75U3850. The TO75U3850's crystal clear image and fantastic brightness provide a uniquely positive gaming experience.

Multisystem/Region-Free Features

All televisions purchased from 220-Electronics.com are modified to be multisystem. This means that they will work around the world, regardless of local voltage or local television standard. Toshiba TO75U3850s purchased at 220-Electronics.com will always be multisystem/region-free. Those purchased at other websites or stores will not. These multisystem modifications allow users to simply flip a switch to shift between regions. Again, only devices purchased at 220-Electronics guarantee this feature.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Toshiba TO75U3850 is a fantastic television at its price point. 220-Electronics' custom modifications are a must-have for anyone seeking a new Multisystem television. With renowned support and competitive pricing, they are the best place to purchase Multisystem TVs. Visit 220-Electronics.com today if you want to purchase one yourself!

The Samsung QE82Q60 is a massive 82" QLED UHD/4K Smart TV. It has been constructed from the ground-up to be an incredible addition to most home theaters. The model we are looking at today has been modified by the team at 220-Electronics.com to be multisystem and thus work perfectly in PAL/NTSC/SECAM countries.

Specifications

The Samsung QE82Q60 is, in essence, just the 82" model of the Samsung QLED Series 6. This means that its components are similar to those found in the other Series 6 QLED TVs, just stretched out and upgraded to fit the television's size.

The QE82Q60 is, of course, 82 inches and features the standard UHD/4K resolution of 3840x2160. The television also features HDR10+, Ultra Bright HDR, Mega Contrast, and Supreme UHD Dimming. Practically, the TV also features four HDMI ports and two USB ports so several devices can be connected simultaneously. Smart services and Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Airplay 2, and Apple TV are all built-in and ready to go after initial setup. The QE82Q60's upscaling technology is also fabulous, making 1080p video look notably better.

With all that said, the television itself is a lovely device which is retains its thin form while stretching its screen to a massive size. Its stand is both low-profile and removable- perfect for mounting on walls. On their website, Samsung suggests that it "blends into the environment". We found that to be accurate, as the television does blend in rather seamlessly in most rooms. For more information on general specifications, check out Samsung's official page for the QE82Q60. Note that televisions purchased through Samsung will not be region-free/multisystem.

It is also worth mentioning that its QLED feature make the QE82Q60's visuals stunning in motion. For a detailed breakdown on QLED versus OLED technologies, check out our recent article on the subject by clicking here. In essence, QLED is an advanced version of traditional LED technology. OLED, on the other hand, is more so its own thing but costs more on average.

Region Free/Multisystem Technology

220-Electronics has specifically modified the reviewed device to be region-free/multisystem. This means that it will work around the world by changing one's region settings at the press of a switch. Devices purchased from other websites are in no way guaranteed to work worldwide. 220-Electronics' televisions are guaranteed to be multisystem out of the box.

The multisystem features on this device are fantastic. At the press of a switch, one can swap regions without any issue. Working in 110, 220, and 240 volt regions, this is perfect for those who are moving or traveling.

Conclusion

We are generally big fans of Samsung TVs, and the QE82Q60 is no exception. We enjoyed its plethora of features, as well as its impressive size and build quality. The team wholly recommends this television to those who are seeking a large, high-quality UHD/4K TV for their home theater or living room. Its high price tag may seem intimidating to some, but in reality this is one of the best televisions on the market at its price point.

Again, those who wish to purchase a region-free or multisystem model would be best served by purchasing from 220-Electronics.com. Most websites will only feature standard models which work in a single, specific region. The experts at 220-Electronics.com personally modify every device to work around the world. Their guarantee makes it worth purchasing from them over others. Visit 220-Electronics or contact their team today to purchase one for yourself!

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!

The Sony UBP-X1100ES, the successor to Sony's highly successful UBP-X1000ES, is finally here. While it is not radically different from its predecessor, it does manage to have updated features which are well worth the cost. Sony has a clear vision for the new UBP models, and they have been highly successful at maintaining it thus far.

What's Is the Sony UBP-X1100ES?

Sony's UBP-X1000ES was an attempt at stepping into the market of high-end Blu-ray players for audiophiles and other enthusiasts. Prior to this, a company named Oppo had dominated the enthusiast Blu-ray market. They stopped creating Blu-ray players a few years ago, leaving a gaping hole that someone had to fill. Sony chose to take up this role, as did companies such as Pioneer.

The Sony UBP-X1100ES was thus constructed with the enthusiast in mind. Outside, the device features a high-end, rigid chassis intended to prevent vibrations and interference that would reduce audio and video quality. On the inside, the UBP-X1100ES supports nearly any file format for audio, video, or images that you could possibly desire. In addition, it features HDR10 and Dolby Vision, as well as Hybrid Log Gamma HDR. Native 4K UHD support is also included, and the device does a fantastic job at upscaling full HD images to 4K. Built-in WiFi and streaming support are welcome features, including native 3D streaming.

Region-Free Features

The UBP-X1100ES' region-free features are phenomenal, allowing one to use it with any voltage, on any TV in the world. Blu-ray discs and DVDs from around the world function perfectly. This is great for individuals who have moved to other countries or collect foreign films. The worldwide voltage feature requires nothing more than the press of a button to shift between 120 and 220 volts, giving you the ability to use your UBP-X1100ES in North America, Africa, Asia, or Europe with no need for obnoxious voltage conversion. Its internal Pal/NTSC conversion offers compatibility with nearly any television. This Blu-ray player will be ready to go as soon as you remove it from its box! This feature is only guaranteed for devices purchased from 220-electronics.com, as they are modified by a team of experts. Any UBP-X1100ES purchased from other locations will almost certainly lack these region-free features.

Other Features

The Sony UBP-X1100ES has some other features that are quite nice. People often neglect 4K UHD Blu-ray players due to their lack of 4K televisions. In this case, Sony has specifically designed their device with these people in mind. Not only will the UBP-X1100ES output a crisp, beautiful 4K UHD HDR image on intended TVs, it will work on non-4K televisions as well! While the image output will not actually be 4K, it will produce an image rendered in 4K and then downscaled to full HD. This produces a gorgeous image when compared to standard HD. While not as perfect as the image of 4K Blu-rays on 4K televisions, it is a nice bonus and allows those who want better image quality to receive it without replacing their TV.

Support for BT.2020 color spaces was also a nice addition. BT.2020 provides a substantially wider range of colors than traditional TV signals, and drastically alters the natural qualities of colors output from video content. "Bravia Mode" is an additional mode they have added to encourage customers to purchase Sony televisions as well. While not a necessary feature, when using a supported television this device will output even smoother, higher definition video. While a nice bonus, it is in no way a necessity; it mostly serves as a small wink to those who own multiple Sony devices.

Conclusion

Overall, we have found the Sony UBP-X1100ES to be a fantastic device capable of delivering on the promises made by the company. As always, the region-free version of this player is not available in retail stores. You can purchase one today from us at 220-Electronics.com, ready to play region A, B, and C Blu-ray discs. Contact our expert support team if you have any questions or concerns, or if you are making the move from Oppo and want to discuss the changes with someone before purchasing.

You have no doubt heard all about 4K, Ultra HD, or UHD televisions over the course of the last few years. The first 4K Television, the Sharp LC-70UD1U, was released in June of 2013; the market has grown and evolved heavily since, and this resolution has undoubtedly become the dominant trait sought in TVs. Despite this, you might be wondering: why would I want a 4K TV? Is the difference really noticeable? Why should I upgrade? I'm here to break down exactly what 4K TVs are, what makes them special, and why the upgrade could make a difference for you.

 

4K: Explained

Aptly-named, 4K TVs are referred to as such due to their image width. This is similar to 1080p, although 1080p is actually named for the image's height. Specifically, 1080p televisions have a pixel height of 1,080 and a width of 1,920; 4K televisions are named for their pixel width of 3,840 (their height is 2,160 pixels). While not exactly 4,000, it is close, and "4K" is undoubtedly a more attractive name than "thirty-eight forty". It's not really a mystery as to why they chose to swap from height to width as their naming metric, as 4K sure does sound more impressive than 2K. It also better illustrates the real change in pixel density that can be seen in 4K displays.

While the length and width of 4K displays do sound as though they are twice that of 1080p, that's actually not exactly true- they have four times the number of pixels. An example of this might be that of a 40 inch 1080p display versus a 160 inch 4K display. In theory, you would have a picture of approximately the same quality as the 1080p display's. If you go past that size, it is slightly worse, if you go smaller it is slightly better- you get the idea. Basically, 4K displays are objectively better if you are buying a large television.

 

The Real Difference

You might have noticed that some larger 1080p displays have a lovely picture from afar, but when viewed more closely are far from clear. The increased pixel density (PPI, or pixels-per-inch) of a 4K display reduces this problem, cramming four times the number of pixels into the same space. This might sound odd to you, but I will explain why it is not twice as dense but instead four times:

If there are 1920x1080 pixels in an HD TV, and 2160x3840 in a 4K one, [1920 x 2 = 3840], and [1080 x 2 = 2160]. In this case, the display is 2160 pixels high (twice the height of HD) and the width is 3840 pixels wide (twice the width), and [2 x 2] (length x width) is four times the pixel density.

[caption id="attachment_1449" align="alignright" width="300"] Image courtesy of 4K.com.[/caption]

 

This allows for larger televisions and better viewing angles/distances than what could be achieved with 1080p displays. Fear not if you can only afford a cheaper, smaller television. Even on smaller displays, the image quality is much higher as there are four times as many pixels outputting the same image.

Now, you might also be wondering what the difference between 4K and "UHD", or "Ultra High Definition" are. The answer is that, for consumer products, there is no difference. 4K traditionally referred to the standard pixel resolution found in cinemas (4096x2160) due to the resolution of cameras used to shoot movies. Due to this, some companies choose to avoid referring to their own products as "4K", instead labeling them as "UHD". In reality, among consumer products these are going to be the same resolution every time, so worry not about purchasing a UHD TV versus a 4K one; the difference is entirely semantic.

 

Why Make the Move to Ultra HD?

While all of this might be interesting, it probably does not explain why you should purchase a 4K or UHD television. While perhaps a less shocking difference than when you first moved from an old SD television to a shiny new 1080p HD one, the 4K/UHD difference is extremely noticeable. With four times the pixel density of HD televisions, images become substantially clearer. Colors are more vibrant, "black" is no longer a single shade but, instead, is a spectrum, and images become wildly engrossing as a result. Then there is of course the aforementioned viewing angles and distances, which make images seem much more consistent than what can be found on standard HD TVs.

Of course, there is also the fact that the entertainment industry has embraced 4K and UHD content, indicating that it is here to stay unlike some other technologies of the past. A 4K television is an investment, one which will pay off the very first time you sit down and experience your favorite film in Ultra HD glory. There is a certain beauty which becomes clear when one first views a 4K television in person for the first time, a realization of what the future of visual media could be. Does 4K make a difference? It absolutely does, and is arguably the most significant change in television technology in the last decade.

Interested in purchasing a 4K/UHD/Ultra HD television? Want a multisystem one, so that you can use it anywhere in the world? 220-Electronics has an incredible selection of them, ready to go for you at prices that other companies cannot hope to beat. Not sure what you're looking for? Moving to another country? Contact our support and we will walk you through the details, step-by-step.

-The 220-Electronics Team

One of our favorites - and also one of our best-selling players right now - is the LG BP300. This region-free model is a powerhouse of features and flexibility with an extremely agreeable price (under $150), making it an excellent choice for your home theater. Let's take a closer look at the BP300, it's options, and capabilities to give you a better idea of what you're getting for your money.

Streaming Media and Wi-Fi

The Region-Free LG BP300 has Wi-fi built in, giving you the ability to not only stream media from your favorite streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, but to reach other devices on your home network using the DLNA feature. If you'd like to connect to your massive music playlist or movie archive from your laptop, the BP300 can do that - wirelessly. You can also quickly and easily share media libraries and file directories from any capable device in your home, including your tablet or smartphone.

Full 1080p, Plus Up-scaling

It's not 4k, but can you really tell the difference? Okay, of course you can tell a difference - but that doesn't mean 1080p doesn't offer an amazing picture. The BP300 has impressive picture quality, and it'll even improve the quality of your non-hd discs, such as your old DVDs. Just pop one in and LG's upscaling feature enhances and upgrades the resolution to near-perfect HD quality. It's a fantastic feature to have.

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD

For the audiophiles, the BP300 gives you something to smile about. With Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD compatibility, you can be sure you're getting the best audio pushed to your surround-sound speakers. These multi-channel HD audio formats provide amazing clarity, depth, and intensity that put you right in the middle of all the action.

Simplink

Simplink allows you to easily connect to multiple devices from your Blu-ray player, controlling them all with one central remote. This allows you to easily and quickly choose between TV or surround-sound speakers, instant media playback (TV playback begins when connected device begins playback), and power-off/on features that turn your TV on automatically when a selected device is powered up. It's a great and highly convenient feature.

Region-Free Playback

The Region Free BP300 is not available in stores. Our units have been professionally modified for global disc playback and will play Blu-ray discs from any region (A, B, or C) and DVDs from any region (0-8). No matter where you are or where you buy your discs, they'll always play. This feature is ideal for movie collectors and anyone who watches or purchases movie titles from overseas.

Worldwide Voltage

This player - unlike the models sold in department stores - is professionally modified to work anywhere in the world. It works with any voltage from 110 to 240 volts, so it can be easily and safely used at any time, no matter where in the world you are. There's no need for a voltage converter, even if you take it overseas!

The Region-Free LG BP300 Blu-ray Player has plenty of other features and capabilities. To learn more about this popular model - including all the technical specs - click here. You're getting a really nice value for your dollar with this one, and you'll be a happy camper if you pick one up. We're selling these at the guaranteed lowest price and we'll ship anywhere in the world. You can't ask for a better deal!