Panasonic DMP-UB900

Plus

• Stunning picture quality
• Impressive audio
• Clever scaling features
• Looks great

Minus

• High price
• Cumbersome remote

Plus
High-quality upconversion of Blu-rays and DVDs
Effective detail enhancement and noise reduction
Full-featured remote control
Minus
Doesn’t support YouTube 4K video streaming
No Vudu app
No Dolby Vision disc support
Pricey next to competition

Performance: 10
Features: 8
Ergonomics: 8
Value: 7

Plus

• Breathtaking picture quality
• 4K Netflix and Amazon on board
• First-class audio CD playback

Minus

• Hard to justify if you don't have an HDR TV
• Some elements of the UI look clunky
• Chassis is a fingerprint magnet

Conclusion
The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray format sets a new benchmark in picture performance, and Panasonic's DMP-UB900 is a worthy poster boy. Coupled to an HDR display, its imagery is often astonishing. It's also a great regular Blu-ray player, and a surprisingly fine CD spinner.Factor in solid file playback support, plus 4K iterations of Netflix and Amazon Instant Video, and you have a machine that'll make your new 4K HDR TV look sensational.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray format may have been a long time brewing, but its arrival, along with the first real wave of HDR ready TVs, is a reason to be very cheerful indeed. The UB900 is a fitting early champion for the format. It’s an extremely well specified disc spinner with a performance that should serve high-end home cinemas well. It comes highly recommended.

Conslusion
If you're looking for a high-end Ultra HD Blu-ray player that offers the best in both video and audio features, then the Panasonic DMP-UB900 should be at the top of your AV wish list. . It is a state-of-the-art machine that allows you to enjoy the best sound and vision that modern technology can offer. Whilst Ultra HD Blu-ray may be in its infancy, the format delivers a level of performance that is a quantum leap above what has been possible before. The increase in resolution, the improved bit depth, the wider colour gamut and the higher dynamic range all combine to deliver a video experience that will simply stun you. If you want you can just leave the player to optimally configure itself but the UB900 also has plenty of flexibility in terms of setup, making it ideal for those who like to tweak the performance of their equipment.

Pros
Perfect playback
Excellent 4K upscaling
THX certification
Impressive audio
Twin HDMI outputs
Extensive features
Attractive design
Lovely build quality

Cons
No Dolby Vision support

The Rundown
Picture Quality: 9/10
Sound Quality: 9/10
Features: 9/10
Ease Of Use: 8/10
Build Quality: 9/10
Value For Money: 8/10
Verdict: 9/10

Our Verdict
The future of home cinema, on disc. A sight to behold.

For
Lush colours
Strong contrast
Great definition and clarity
Speedy operation

Against
Sound could be a little more agile

Score Details

• Performance: 10
• Design: 9
• Features: 9
• Overall: 10

Conclusion/strong> An imperious Ultra HD Blu-ray debut from Panasonic that remembers not to ignore the wider AV world in pursuit of new-format fun. An easy recommendation