Sony teases prototype 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player

Ever since Panasonic and Samsung launched their Ultra HD Blu-ray players, everyone's been waiting for Sony to make its move. After all, it was one of the most vocal supporters of the original Blu-ray format when the first players launched back in 2006.

Finally, the company has now given a glimpse of what we could expect in the coming months by showcasing a prototype player on the Sony stand at IFA 2016.

Although Sony was unwilling to confirm any details (the player doesn't even have a model name), all signs indicate a 4K machine is definitely on the way. But with no major announcement at IFA 2016, the next logical event for a launch would be next January at CES 2017.

We've been big fans of Sony's Award-winning Blu-ray players in recent years, so it's going to be interesting to see what features the new 4K player includes. Will it double as a hi-res audio and SACD player like the Sony UHP-H1?

Then there's the question of price. Just yesterday Panasonic announced the DMP-UB700, a new £400 Ultra HD Blu-ray player, so we wouldn't be surprised to see Sony's new player arrive with a similar midrange price tag.

MORE: IFA 2016: news, highlights and best new products

Andy Madden

Andy is Deputy Editor of What Hi-Fi? and a consumer electronics journalist with nearly 20 years of experience writing news, reviews and features. Over the years he's also contributed to a number of other outlets, including The Sunday Times, the BBC, Stuff, and BA High Life Magazine. Premium wireless earbuds are his passion but he's also keen on car tech and in-car audio systems and can often be found cruising the countryside testing the latest set-ups. In his spare time Andy is a keen golfer and gamer.