Are all 4K blu-ray players created equally in the image quality they output to the 4k tv?

[Space Lynx]

I'm just curious because locally I have seen some 4k Bluray players on a really good sale. I was thinking it might not be a bad idea to have one for movie watching, because all hardware eventually dies, and the less strain I put on my PS5 4k blu ray drive, probably the better no? (also I might sell the PS5 someday... honestly only used it like three times... lol) (I just prefer my Steam Deck or PC)

Will I lose image quality by going to a budget 4k blu ray player, or will it be impossible to tell the difference?

 

[P4-630]

If you can, test it a local store.

 

[Space Lynx]

If you can, test it a local store.

I mainly am just curious if this even a thing or not.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Not sure how much strain is put on the actual drive - especially one that is just a reader. At any rate, since we are talking about digital protocols, a 1 is a 1 and 0 is a 0. So, the video signal output of all drives using the same source will be (at least in theory) the exact same.

What you actually "see" on your display and "hear" through your speakers will more likely depend on the quality of your display and the quality of the audio converters, amps and speakers.

So if you are not viewing through a top rated OLED monitor or TV, I say go for an entry level BD player.

However, there are other considerations, including integrated streaming services as well as networking capabilities.

 

[ir_cow]

Short answer yes, some are much much better. Bluray players video decode and upscalers are vastly different per brand. OPPO was king. Now they are out of business.

 

[Solaris17]

Short answer yes, some are much much better. Bluray players video decode and upscalers are vastly different per brand. OPPO was king. Now they are out of business.

This. If its like a bluray drive for your PC then there isnt much difference at all. But just like image quality on GPUs, with bluray players you can pretty much assume only the resolution will be the same. They all have various DSP algorithms that differ between one another that is amplified by whatever your TV is also doing. Like @P4-630 said, if possible a store is your best bet.

 

[Space Lynx]

thank you everyone. my Dad has a 4k blu ray player, I think I will sit back the optimal distance, and try to compare some of my 4k blu rays side by side with his and my ps5. see if I can tell a difference. I am curious, this should be a fun albeit limited experiment

 

[Bill_Bright]

4K video output, even at the most basic levels, offer excellent, hi-def picture quality. You need a trained and calibrated eye to notice the very subtle differences between various player models - differences very few people will, or even can notice.

If you really want to compare properly, you need to do a blind test - where you do not have any clue as to which player is being used. My bet is, using the digital signal from the drives, you will not be able to see any difference.

Here's a good read. Do All Blu-ray Players Perform the Same? | Sound & Vision (soundandvision.com)

 

[dirtyferret]

I agree with everyone here
yes there is a difference
will you be able to tell without a professional eye and calibration equipment? I highly doubt it

going to store to test out a player is great if the TV you have at home is exactly the same as the one in the store, otherwise you may be disappointed when you bring that high priced denon player to your walmart special TV

 

[lemonadesoda]

There are ENORMOUS differences in BluRay players.

There are 6 key areas I can think of right now, but I'm sure there are more:

1./ The mechanical drive - some are really noisy. Some are silent. Test your BluRay players with a variety of both BluRays and DVDs. I bought a cheap samsung bluray and it was noisy. Chucked it, bought another.
2./ The decoder from BluRay disk to 4K TV. Remember that most source material Bluray or DVD is not 4K and there are upscalers in the player. The quality varies greatly.
3./ The remote controller. Make sure the buttons you want to use frequently are obvious and handy. Remember those old controllers with a million buttons, all equally small, even the menu play and pause buttons. And trying to FIND the menu button with its small print.
4./ Physical buttons on the player, esp. EJECT. Easy to find in low light? Operate QUICKLY? I cannot stand players where you hit eject and it takes forever to think about it.
5./ The firmware - what it lets you do - or what it does NOT let you do - and can you put 3rd party firmware on it? I have a DVD player that was VASTLY improved with smash-the-mac firmware. Make sure you are happy with the menu, accessibility and SPEED at which it all comes together.
6./ Network capabilities, incl. streaming from your NAS etc. Most TVs are "smart", and most Bluray players are "smart" but the feature sets are different. Make sure your new device expands your possibilities.

 

[Bill_Bright]

There are ENORMOUS differences in BluRay players.

LOL.

The question was about "image quality". Your items 1, 3, 4,5 and 6 have nothing to do with image quality.

Your item 2 might - in some cases, but I am going to assume the OP was asking about 4K content being played by a 4K player on a 4K capable display. And in that case, the differences, if any, are subtle, and likely not noticeable at all, except, maybe, in a blind, side-by-side comparison.

 

[lemonadesoda]

Sometimes honest enquiry starts with one question, but the person didn't think more broadly about the issue yet. Sensei shares knowledge beyond simple question.

I am going to assume the OP was asking about 4K content being played by a 4K player on a 4K capable display

That's quite an assumption. I didn't make assumption.

 

[Bill_Bright]

I didn't make assumption.

LOL Oh?

What do you call the following?

but the person didn't think more broadly about the issue yet

The OP mentioned "image quality" and "4K" no less than 3 times each in his opening post.