SONY UBP-X700 Review
Sony’s new UHD Blu-ray player UBP-X700 is so compact that it could easily fit into the handbag of the test editor. It has the most important features on board, and even Dolby Vision is coming!
by Antonia Laier
Gone are the days when you had to invest at least 500 euros for the ultra-high-definition movie experience at home—apart from VoD providers like Netflix or Amazon. Sony’s UBP-X800 already surprised with a moderate price, and Samsung, Panasonic, and LG joined in.
Compared to the X800, the controls have shrunk a bit and the buttons are closer together.
But now there’s a new price hit from Sony, the UBP-X700. As the number 7 already suggests, it’s a stripped-down version of its predecessor. It has slimmed down externally in terms of volume, as it measures just 32 centimeters wide and 21 centimeters long, making it relatively tiny and securing its status as the smallest and cheapest UHD player to date.
We have to do without an analog section. However, video and audio signals can be split via HDMI (2x HDMI Out).
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The plastic processing is acceptable, although the partly glossy surface and front are a bit more sensitive and do not prevent unsightly scratches or noticeable fingerprints. There’s no display, so we must make do with a power and open button on the front. Unlike the X800, the USB port on the front right is open and easy to access.
Although there aren’t many connections on the opposite side, the so-called must-haves for entry-level devices are present: LAN, twin HDMI-Out with audio-only, and coaxial output. Unlike the larger Sony model, it draws power via an external 12-volt connection instead of a permanently attached cable. As for disc formats, Sony relies on (UHD) Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and video DVD, as well as SuperAudio CD, as usual. However, it doesn’t support DVD-Audio.
Besides maxdome, the most important streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Video, and YouTube are available. For music playback from the phone, Spotify is available, for example.
Alternatively, we can use the free “Video & TV SideView” app instead of the classic plastic remote. This works well.
Panasonic: Upscaling comparison: For the upscaling comparison (to 4K), we used the Panasonic DMP-UB900, which is currently considered the video reference in this aspect.
Sony: Even to the naked eye, there are hardly any differences. Although small stair-stepping effects (see white frame in the top right) occur, both players upscale the image very well.
Some Drawbacks
Regarding wireless connections, we rely on the WLAN network. However, this model is limited to the 2.4 GHz band. You can access your home NAS server, but to select it, you must navigate to the app selection in the menu. Oddly, the server does not appear on the home screen right away. However, you can save it as a favorite, and it will then appear on the home page. There, you also have direct access to disc, USB content, or the screen mirroring function to display your phone or tablet screen on the TV.
The menu is also nicely structured, as with the predecessor, and operation is more or less self-explanatory. It supports many common formats, both for video (MP4 or MOV) and audio (ALAC or WAV). The DSEE HX technology, which we know not only from the X800 but also from Sony’s soundbars and AV receivers to enhance compressed files like MP3s, has been left out. Likewise, there’s no Hi-Res certificate. However, it plays FLAC files from the server at 192kHz/24bit without issues. It also has no problems with DSD format (Direct Stream Digital) titles.
Too bad: We have to do without Bluetooth, which prevents integration into Sony’s multi-room system via the Song Pal app or streaming to Bluetooth headphones. Besides lesser-known services like Mubi (for arthouse fans) or Netzkino (for older classics), there are also Netflix and Amazon Video, both of which already stream 4K content. In the test, this worked flawlessly and with excellent quality. Maxdome is nowhere to be found, as Sony has not supported the German VoD provider since fall last year.
Dolby Vision is Coming
One of the most sought-after features in the TV and UHD player market is Dolby Vision. Therefore, we are pleased to announce that an update is planned for summer 2018 to bring the dynamic metadata process to the UBP-X700. (Unfortunately, this does not apply to the X800.) Being impatient, we already tried it, but we found that it still cannot play Dolby Vision.
However, it does support the classic HDR10 standard. Fortunately, the 700 retains the HDR-SDR downscaling feature of the 800. This ensures HDR content doesn’t lose too much brilliance and contrast on an SDR TV. As for Dolby’s competitor, HDR10+, a system created by Samsung, 20th Century Fox, and Panasonic, Sony has not yet made a positive statement. We remain curious.
Sony Professional, Sony’s sister company known for projectors, released the high-end player X1000ES about six months ago.
What we used for the test: Jigsaw – The latest horror shocker offers Atmos sound and dynamic HDR from Dolby. But we still have to wait for the UBP-X700 to support Dolby Vision.
Good Image Quality for Little Money
Now we come to the core competence of the Ultra HD Blu-ray player, its 4K performance. It performs quite well for its compact size. Cool feature: You can adjust the picture settings (under Custom 1 and 2) for contrast, brightness, or color yourself and save your preferred modes. It reproduces UHD images from various sources (disc, VoD, USB) with rich colors and great detail. It also handles dark scenes skillfully. The UBP-X700 impressed with its upscaling capabilities.
While much more expensive players like our reference model from Oppo sometimes oversharpen, the small Sony delivers more than acceptable fine-tuning. By calculating additional pixels, you benefit from sharper contours and natural sharpening. It doesn’t quite match the performance of the Panasonic DMP-UB900, but it comes surprisingly close.
In the sound department, lossless codecs like Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio are now almost standard, as are their immersive updates called Atmos and :X. Fortunately, the UBP-X700 handles both and reproduces our test sequences from the latest Atmos shocker Jigsaw and the standard film Everest with enough drama and immersion.
Measurement
Measurement at the digital audio output: The error correction works very well for both Blu-ray and DVD. It consumes only 5 watts in operation and automatically switches to standby (0.8 watts).
Conclusion
What a bargain! Even though a lot can still happen before the announced update in summer, the UBP-X700 may become the cheapest and smallest Ultra HD Blu-ray player with Dolby Vision in 2018. With good picture quality and user-friendly operation, it already earns a video buying recommendation.
| Manufacturer: Sony |
| Model: UBP-X700 |
| PICTURE QUALITY (max 10 points): Outstanding 9.1/10 |
| Brilliance (max 2 points): 1.8 |
| Colors (max 2.5 points): 2.2 |
| Sharpness (max 3.5 points): 3.1 |
| Image errors (noise, artifacts) (max 2 points): 1.8 |
| SOUND QUALITY (max 10 points): Good 7.5/10 |
| Digital (max 6 points): 5.5 |
| Analog (max 4 points): 3.0 |
| FEATURES (max 10 points): Good 7.7/10 |
| Connections (max 2 points): 1.7 |
| Media variety (max 3.5 points): 2.7 |
| Hardware (components, accessories) (max 1.5 points): 1.0 |
| Functions (software) (max 3 points): 2.2 |
| OPERATION Good 7.3/10 |
| On-screen menus (max 1 point): 0.75 |
| Remote control (max 0.75 points): 0.6 |
| Operation on device (max 0.25 points): 0.1 |
| Installation (max 0.25 points): 0.2 |
| Manual/Help function (max 0.25 points): 0.2 |
| BUILD QUALITY (max 10 points) |
| Appearance (max 3.5 points): 2.5 |
| Material (max 4.5 points): 3.3 |
| TOTAL (max 10 points): 8.2/10 |
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