Posted Mon Jan 18, 2016 at 10:00 AM PST by Steven Cohen
As 2016 kicks off, the home theater industry is finally gearing up to fully embrace the Ultra HD revolution. With new Ultra HD premium standards and a bevy of 4K devices and content sources now available or on the way, this year is poised to take Blu-ray and streaming to the next level -- finally giving Ultra HD enthusiasts the 2160p/HDR content and equipment that they've been demanding.
Early Ultra HD delivery products from Sony and Samsung are now joined by the upcoming, highly anticipated launch of Ultra HD Blu-ray players and discs. Likewise, 4K streaming and on-demand options from Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, UltraFlix, M-Go, Comcast, DISH, DirecTV, VUDU, and more are continuing to expand.
But just what 4K players and services are available now? And what Ultra HD content is out there to watch and how much is it going to cost? And which ones support HDR and immersive audio formats? We've broken down all of the current and upcoming 4K platforms and players along with details about title selections, costs, and compatibility. So, without further ado, we present High-Def Digest's Guide to 4K Ultra HD Content & Devices for 2016!
That's right, the 4K successor to Blu-ray is finally on its way with an official release window, collection of launch titles, and players from several manufacturers. Offering the highest quality delivery option for 2160p content with high bitrates, expanded colors, HDR, and immersive audio formats, Ultra HD Blu-ray is set to be the premiere platform for all things 4K. Here's a rundown of all the announced players and discs so far.
Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray - Samsung's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player is also set to be the first Ultra HD Blu-ray player to hit the market. With its curved design and solid array of features, this model looks like an attractive option for early adopters. With that said, while HDR10 support is included, there is no mention of Dolby Vision support at this time.
Cost: $400 pre-order price and $500 suggested retail price.
Release Date: Samsung originally revealed an early March launch date, but Amazon now has it listed as shipping February 14.
Specs and Features: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback with HDR and expanded colors; 4K upscaling; Backwards compatibility with Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and DVD; Smart apps; Wi-Fi.
Compatibility: 4K HDR playback is supported on HDR capable Ultra HD displays with HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Pansonic DMP-UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player - Though pricing and availability have not been announced yet, Panasonic's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player is poised to be one of the most advanced early models with premium audio components and THX certification. Like the Samsung model, however, HDR10 support is included but there is no mention of Dolby Vision support at this time.
Cost: TBA.
Release Date: TBA 2016.
Specs and Features: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback with HDR and expanded colors; 4K upscaling; 4K High-Precision Chroma Processor; THX certification; High-res audio support; Backwards compatibility with Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and DVD; Smart apps; Wi-Fi.
Compatibility: 4K HDR playback is supported on HDR capable Ultra HD displays with HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Philips BDP7501 Ultra HD Blu-ray player - Philips first foray into Ultra HD Blu-ray opts for a compact design while offering many of the same features found in its competitors. Again, while HDR10 support is included, there are some conflicting reports about possible Dolby Vision support. We'll update this section when we get confirmation either way. Likewise, unlike the other players, there is no mention of Blu-ray 3D support at this time.
Cost: Expected under $400.
Release Date: Spring 2016.
Specs and Features: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback with HDR and expanded colors; 4K upscaling; Backwards compatible with Blu-ray and DVD; Smart apps; Wi-Fi.
Compatibility: 4K HDR playback is supported on HDR capable Ultra HD displays with HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs - To complement the upcoming Ultra HD Blu-ray players, several studios have already announced their Ultra HD Blu-ray launch lineups, including Sony, 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate, Warner Bros., and Shout! Factory. More than 100 total titles are expected to be available before the end of 2016. For full details on each studio's lineup, click on their name above.
Sony Titles: 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2,' 'Salt,' 'Hancock,' 'Chappie,' 'Pineapple Express,' and 'The Smurfs 2.'
20th Century Fox Titles: 'The Martian,' 'Kingsman: The Secret Service,' 'Exodus: Gods and Kings,' 'Fantastic Four,' 'X-Men: Days of Future Past,' 'Life of Pi,' 'The Maze Runner,' 'The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials,' 'Hitman: Agent 47,' and 'Wild.'
Lionsgate Titles: 'Sicario,' 'The Last Witch Hunter,' 'The Expendables 3,' and 'Ender's Game.'
Warner Bros. Titles: 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'The Lego Movie,' 'San Andreas,' 'Pan,' followed later this year by 'Man of Steel,' 'Pacific Rim,' and more.
Shout! Factory Titles: 'Journey To Space,' 'Humpback Whales,' 'Flight Of The Butterflies,' 'Rocky Mountain Express,' 'Wonders Of The Arctic,' and 'The Last Reef: Cities Beneath The Sea.'
Cost: Suggested retail prices range from $22.99 to $42.99
Release Date: First titles will be available on March 1.
Specs and Features: 4K Ultra HD with HDR and expanded colors; Included Blu-ray copies; Included Digital Copies on select titles; Support for immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Roku 4 - Building upon their popular line of media players, Roku's latest model is their first to support 4K streaming playback. With the newest Roku OS, a handy voice search remote, and access to a growing collection of 4K streaming services, the Roku 4 is one of the most feature-packed Ultra HD media players on the market. Unfortunately, there is no HDR support at this time -- but a future update is a possibility.
Cost: Suggested retail price of $130.
Specs and Features: Quad-Core processor; 4K Ultra HD playback at up to 60 fps; 4K upscaling of HD content; Audio support for up to Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 surround sound; 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless; 10/100 Base-T Ethernet; Optical Audio Out; microSD slot; USB port; Enhanced remote with voice search.
Compatibility: 4K playback is supported on Ultra HD displays with HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Amazon Fire TV - The Fire TV offers support for a growing collection of Ultra HD streaming sources. With that said, some users have reported issues with 4K playback performance and sadly Amazon decided to use HDMI 1.4 connections for the device, meaning that HDR support will not be possible.
Cost: Suggested retail price of $100.
Specs and Features: M
Compatibility: 4K playback is supported on Ultra HD displays with HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
NVIDIA SHIELD - This Android powered set-top box is designed for 4K streaming and gaming in mind. Featuring a lot more power under the hood than the Fire TV or Roku 4, the device is best suited for users who want a bit more when it comes to gaming performance. Likewise, it's one of the first media players to already include HDR support.
Cost: Suggested retail price of $200.
Specs and Features: NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor; 256-core NVIDIA graphics 64-bit CPU; 3 GB RAM; Android TV Google Cast Ready; 4K Ultra HD playback with 10-bit color and HDR; 16 GB storage; microSD card slot; Wi-Fi; USB 3.0; micro-USB SHIELD controller included.
Compatibility: 4K playback is supported on Ultra HD displays with HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player with Video Unlimited 4K - Though once one of the most comprehensive 4K content solutions on the market, the Sony FMP-X10 set-top box is going to have a hard time competing with newer and cheaper Ultra HD media players. The device connects to a compatible Ultra HD TV via HDMI and allows users to download and store 4K movies and TV shows from Sony's Video Unlimited 4K service. The player also includes access to Netflix 4K streaming playback. Sony's Video Unlimited 4K service offers a large Ultra HD content library with over 200 titles to choose from. Some popular films and TV shows include 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2,' 'American Hustle' 'Captain Philips,' 'Elysium,' 'Fury,' 'Breaking Bad,' and 'The Blacklist.'
Cost: Suggested retail price for the player is $700. 24 hour rentals start at $8 and purchases start at $30. In addition, the service includes access to over 50 free short films, documentaries, music videos and sports videos.
Specs and Features: Downloadable and streaming 4K Ultra HD playback; 1TB hard drive that can store about 20 UHD movies; TRILUMINOS expanded color support.
Compatibility: 4K playback is supported on Ultra HD displays with HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Samsung UHD Video Pack - This is Samsung's proprietary Ultra HD hard drive. The CY-SUC10SH1 UHD Video Pack connects to a user's Samsung Ultra HD TV via USB 3.0. The device features a 1TB hard drive that comes pre-loaded with 4K titles and offers the ability to download 4K media from the M-GO service. The current UHD Video pack comes pre-loaded with 10 4K films including 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation,' 'World War Z,' 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine,' 'Night at the Museum,' 'The Counselor,' 'Forrest Gump,' 'Star Trek,' 'Star Trek: Into Darkness,' 'Life of Pi' and 'The Book Thief.' In addition, the device also includes 30 documentaries in Ultra HD.
Cost: Suggested retail price is $400.
Specs and Features: Downloadable 4K Ultra HD playback; 1TB hard drive.
Compatibility: The current model is compatible with Samsung 2014 HU and S9 (105"/110") Series UHD TVs and 2013 F9000 and S9 (85") Series TVs with the SEK-2500U Evolution Kit Update.
Western Digital 1TB My Passport Cinema - The My Passport Cinema is a specially designed VIDITY-enabled hard drive that comes pre-loaded with several Ultra HD titles that can be purchased from 20th Century Fox, including 'The Maze Runner,' 'Exodus: Gods and Kings,' 'X-Men: Days of the Future Past,' 'The Wolverine,' 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,' 'The Fault in Our Stars,' 'Let’s Be Cops' and 'The Other Woman.' Customers can also buy and download more Ultra HD titles through M-GO and other VIDITY retailers.
Cost: Suggested retail price is $90.
Features and Specs: Downloadable 4K Ultra HD playback; 1TB hard drive; HDR support.
Compatibility: Current VIDITY-enabled displays include Samsung’s 2014 HU series 4K UHD TVs and 2015 JU and JS series 4K UHD and SUHD TVs.
Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player - The Strato Movie Player allows customers to download Ultra HD movies from the company's movie store with playback quality that matches or surpasses that of commercial theaters. In addition, the player supports lossless multichannel audio, and HDR content on displays that can process open standard 10-bit HDMI 2.0a HDR. The device will be available with or without an internal 6TB hard drive that can store up to 100 4K Ultra HD movies, 150 Blu-ray quality movies, or 900 DVD quality movies. Release is set for Q1 2016.
Cost: Suggested retail price is $4,495 with an internal 6 TB hard drive and $3,495 with no internal hard drive.
Features and Specs: Downloadable 4K Ultra HD playback at up to 60fps; Optional 6TB hard drive; HDR support; Dolby Atmos support.
Compatibility: 4K playback with HDR is supported on Ultra HD displays with HDMI 2.0a/HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
NanoTech Nuvola NP-1 Player - This is an Android-based set-top box that offers Ultra HD playback and upscaling, along with access to NanoTech's UltraFlix 4K streaming service and the Google Play Store. Sadly, the device uses HDMI 1.4 and cannot support HDR.
Cost: Suggested retail price is $299.
Features and Specs: NVIDIA Tegra 4 Quad Core Mobile Processor; 2GB DDR3 RAM; 4K Ultra HD playback; USB 2.0 & USB 3.0; 16GB Flash Memory; Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.0; HDMI 1.4 output w/ Audio.
Compatibility: NanoTech says the device is compatible with any brand 4K television and display.
TiVo BOLT - The BOLT is a unified entertainment system that lets users record TV programs and watch 4K streaming content. The device works with existing cable or HD antennas to record four shows at once, and includes support for cable, video on demand, OTA, and OTT content with TiVo DVR and streaming capabilities. In addition, the BOLT offers a new SkipMode that allows viewers to instantly skip through commercials on some recorded material. Likewise, there is also a QuickMode that lets customers play recorded content 30 percent faster without distorted audio, and a Universal Search that searches for content across all platform options. Sadly, there is no HDR support at this time.
Cost: Suggested retail price for 500GB is $300. Suggested retail price for 1TB is $400.
Features and Specs: Full DVR functionality; Integrated hard drive; 4K Ultra HD streaming playback.
Compatibility: 4K playback is supported on Ultra HD displays with HDCP 2.2 compliant connections.
Netflix - The popular streaming service now offers a growing collection of Ultra HD content. In order to stream 4K titles, the platform uses the H.265/HEVC codec at about 15.6 Mbps. The company recommends that users have an internet connection of at least 25Mbps to watch Ultra HD streams. In addition, the service will be supporting Dolby Vision HDR.
Title Selection: Netflix's 4K library includes series and films like 'Daredevil,' 'Jessica Jones,' 'House of Cards,' 'Marco Polo,' 'Breaking Bad,' 'The Blacklist,' 'Ghostbusters,' 'Ghostbusters 2,' 'Smurfs 2,' 'Jerry Maguire,' 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' 'Skyfall,' 'Star Trek Into Darkness,' and a few nature documentaries.
Cost: Netflix Ultra HD streaming currently costs $11.99 per month.
HDR: Yes, Dolby Vision Titles are on the way.
Compatibility: Netflix 4K playback is available through the Netflix app on a variety of Ultra HD TVs that include support for the HEVC codec. For a full list of supported televisions, click here. Likewise, support is also included on media players and set-top boxes like the Nvidia Shield, Roku 4, TiVo Bolt, and Amazon Fire TV.
Amazon Instant Video - Not content to be outdone by rival service Netflix, Amazon has also entered the world of 4K streaming. The company allows all customers to buy titles from a respectable collection of Ultra HD movies and also offers a selection of free 4K content to Amazon Prime subscribers. In addition, the service has started offering HDR content as well, including original series like 'Mozart in the Jungle' and The Man in The High Castle, and select movies like 'Fury' and 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2.'
Title Selection: Movies available to buy include 'After Earth,' 'American Hustle,' 'Captain Phillips,' 'Elysium,' 'Hancock,' 'Moneyball,' 'The Mask of Zorro,' 'The Monuments Men,' 'The Amazing Spider Man,' 'The Amazing Spider Man 2,' 'The Da Vinci Code,' 'The Patriot,' 'Think Like a Man Too,' 'This is the End' and more. In addition, Prime members can stream TV shows and films like 'Orphan Black,' 'Alpha House,' 'Transparent,' 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon,' and 'Philadelphia' in Ultra HD for no extra charge.
Cost: Purchases start at $19.99. An Amazon Prime membership currently costs $99 per year.
HDR: Yes.
Compatibility: 4K streaming is available through the Amazon Instant Video app on several Ultra HD TV models. For a full list of supported Ultra HD and HDR streaming models scroll down to the bottom of Amazon's 4K Ultra HD Guide. Likewise, the Amazon Ultra HD streaming is also available on the Fire TV and Roku 4.
M-GO - Beyond the likes of Amazon and Netflix, other digital services have also stepped up to offer 4K content. M-GO currently has a growing collection of films and TV shows in native Ultra HD and upscaled 4K. Rentals and purchases are offered with streaming and downloadable options (with the separate Samsung UHD Video Pack or Western Digital My Cinema). In order to enjoy Ultra HD streaming, the company recommends that users have about 10mbps of dedicated bandwidth. In addition, the service also offers a selection of HDR titles, including 'The Martian' and 'Kingsman.'
Title Selection: 4K content includes titles like 'Die Hard' 'Jingle All the Way,' 'The Wolverine,' 'Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,' 'The Giver,' and 'Spartacus Gods of the Arena.'
Cost: Ultra HD pricing varies but rentals start at around $6 and purchases start at around $20.
HDR: Yes.
Compatibility: M-GO 4K content is currently available on Samsung Ultra HD TVs and through the Roku 4. For a full list of compatible models, check out M-GO's Ultra HD FAQ. Users looking to download 4K titles through the service will also need the Samsung UHD Video Pack or a Vidity enabled hard drive like the Western Digital My Cinema.
VUDU - With support for advanced tech like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, VUDU is also starting to make waves in the Ultra HD streaming world. The platform currently offers a growing collection of Warner Bros. titles in Ultra HD through the Roku 4. Likewise, supported titles are also available in Dolby Vision HDR through the VIZIO Reference Series Ultra HD TVs. For 4K streaming, VUDU recommends a minimum 11 Mbps Internet and network connection.
Title Selection: Ultra HD titles with Dolby Vision and Dobly Atmos include 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,' 'The Gallows,' 'San Andreas,' 'American Sniper,' 'Man of Steel,' 'Jupiter Ascending,' 'Edge of Tomorrow,' and 'Into the Storm.'
Cost: Ultra HD pricing varies but rentals start at around $10 and purchases start at around $25.
HDR: Yes, through Dolby Vision.
Compatibility: Ultra HD VUDU titles are currently available through the Roku 4 and VIZIO Ultra HD TVs. VUDU Dolby Vision titles are currently only available through the VIZIO Reference Series.
Kaleidescape Movie Store - Offers 11,000 movies and 1,500 television seasons, including over 100 downloadable Ultra HD titles starting in Q1 2016. In addition, the company has announced a new deal to offer Sony films in Ultra HD. Kaleidescape users can also upgrade their previously purchased UltraViolet SD and HD Sony Pictures titles to the 4K Ultra HD format. Finally, HDR films will be added as they become available.
Title Selection: 4K content will include TBA titles from Sony.
Cost: Sony titles will cost around $30.
HDR: Yes.
Compatibility: The Kaleidescape Movie Store is available through the Strato Movie Player.
UltraFlix - Another streaming 4K option comes in the form of NanoTech's UltraFlix platform. The service now offers more than 500 hours of native and upscaled 4K movies, travel and nature documentaries, sports videos, concerts, TV shows and moving murals. Using the new HEVC codec and NanoTech's proprietary methods, UltraFlix can stream high quality 4K video with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 at less than 8Mbps on supported TVs and the company's own NanoTech Nuvola NP-1 player.
Title Selection: 4K content includes titles like 'Star Trek,' 'The Island,' 'Gladiator,' 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol,' 'The Fighter,' and 40 IMAX titles.
Cost: 48-hour Ultra HD rentals range from $2 to $10, and there is around 100 hours of free content.
HDR: Not currently.
Compatibility: UltraFlix is available on select Samsung, Sony, Hisense and VIZIO Ultra HD TVs. Likewise, customers can also access the service through the NanoTech Nuvola NP-1, Roku 4, or NVIDIA Shield.
Toon Goggles - Looking for a kid-centric 4K solution? Well then, Toon Goggles might be for you. The digital entertainment service offers some on-demand children's programming in Ultra HD resolution.
Title Selection: 4K content includes 18 professionally made series like 'Bernard' and 'Trust Me, I'm a Genie.'
Cost: Toon Goggles offers a free ad-supported service and a premium ad-free subscription service for $5 per month.
HDR: Not currently
Compatibility: Toon Goggles in 4K is available on VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD TVs and select Sony models.
YouTube - Outside of the other big 4K subscription, rental, and purchasing services, streaming giant YouTube also allows its users to upload and stream content in 4K as well. The site uses the VP9 codec for 2160p playback. In addition, the website will be adding an HDR option later this year.
Title Selection: Besides a few nature clips, promos, trailers, and user generated content there really isn't much here to get excited about yet.
Cost: Current 4K content is free to watch.
HDR: Coming later this year.
Compatibility: Ultra HD YouTube streaming is available through the YouTube app on 4K smart TVs and media players that support the VP9 codec.
Vimeo - Like YouTube, Vimeo also lets its users upload content in 4K resolution. Though the company originally only supported 4K downloading, the site now offers Ultra HD stremaing as well.
Title Selection: 4K on-demand videos include all three seasons of 'Video Game High School,' the documentary 'A Film About Coffee,' and more.
Cost: Some content is free while on-demand title rentals start out at around $4 and purchases range from $13 to $20.
HDR: Not currently.
Compatibility: Vimeo 4K downloads are currently only available on computers.
Comcast Xfinity in Ultra HD - Though full 4K support is still forthcoming from the cable giant, the company does currently offer an Ultra HD on-demand app for select Samsung Ultra HD TVs. To access the content, Xfinity customers with supported Samsung 4K TVs simply need to download the Xfinity in UHD app from the SMART Hub and then type in their Xfinity login information. In addition, Comcast plans to offer their full Xfinity in UHD catalog across Xfinity TV Go platforms for all customers and will soon offer the new 4K Xi4 set-top box and the HDR-capable Xi5.
Title Selection: Current titles include several NBC and USA shows like 'Chicago Fire,' 'Suits,' 'Covert Affairs,' and 'Parks and Recreation.'
Cost: The app is free for Xfinity customers who have a subscription that supports the participating networks.
HDR: Not currently but support will be included in the upcoming Xi5 set-top box.
Compatibility: Xfinity in Ultra HD is currently only available on supported Samsung Ultra HD TVs.
DirecTV 4K VOD - On the satellite front, DirecTV also offers a 4K video-on-demand option. The service started as a partnership with Samsung but has now expanded to all brands. The initial lineup of 4K on-demand titles includes nearly 20 popular films and nature documentaries from Paramount Pictures and K2 Communications.
Title Selection: Titles include 'Forrest Gump,' 'Star Trek (2009),' 'Amistad,' 'The Terminal,' 'McLintock!,' 'Transformers: Age of Extinction,' 'The Last Reef,' 'Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs,' 'Antarctica,' 'Dolphins,' 'Fighter Pilot: Operation Red Flag,' 'Dinosaurs Alive!,' 'Coral Reef Adventure,' 'Space Junk,' 'Yellowstone,' 'Legends of Flight,' 'Rescue,' 'The Ultimate Wave Tahiti,' and 'Mysteries of the Great Lakes.'
Cost: 4K titles range from $4 to $16.
HDR: Not currently.
Compatibility: DirecTV's 4K VOD service requires a DirecTV subscription, a Genie HD DVR, and an HDCP 2.2 compliant Ultra HD TV or DirecTV Ready Ultra HD TV.
DISH 4K VOD - DISH will also offer 4K on-demand titles to its customers through their upcoming 4K Joey and Hopper 3. For 4K playback, the Hopper 3 can decode and output 60 FPS and 10-bit color and can support H.264 and H.265. The device also supports HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2, USB 3.0, and HDR10/BDA 2.0 encoded streams. 4K Netflix integration will be included as well.
Title Selection: Sony, The Orchard and Mance Media are set to offer on-demand Ultra HD content through the Hopper 3 and 4K Joey, including popular titles like 'The Amazing Spiderman' and 'American Hustle.'
Cost: TBA
HDR: The upcoming Hopper 3 will support HDR10.
Compatibility: DISH's 4K VOD service will require a DISH subscription, a 4K Joey or Hopper 3, and an HDCP 2.2 compliant Ultra HD TV.
In addition to all of the current Ultra HD options, there are several 4K platforms still on the horizon. Most notably, we're still waiting on official launch dates for live cable/satellite/and OTA Ultra HD broadcasts. Though a timetable for OTA 4K broadcasts has not been announced, LG and Samsung recently ran live test transmissions of 4K HDR content at CES, and the ATSC 3.0 standard is on track to be finalized later this year.
Likewise, most of the technology to offer live satellite and cable Ultra HD programming is already in place. Companies are simply waiting for enough content and channels to be available before launching their services. For their part, DirecTV expects to start offering live 4K Ultra HD broadcasts early this year.
Though it's been a long time coming, with the launch of Ultra HD Blu-ray, 2016 is set to be a landmark year for all things 4K and HDR. For now, though, what do you think about the current crop of 4K services, titles, and devices? Will you be buying an Ultra HD Blu-ray player? Which upcoming 4K products and platforms are you most excited about? Let us know your thoughts in the forums!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
The latest news on all things 4K Ultra HD, blu-ray and Gear.