Using the XBox


Home Theater is very secondary to me.  I stream Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Vudu, etc.  I love the 4k and Atmos etc.  Most of you on here say the picture and sound of a Bluray is far superior to streaming.  So I'm looking at getting a player.  I hear a lot of great things about using the X Box One or whatever.  I'm not a gamer but sound like a cool/fun option to have.  Is it really worth spending $1000 on a Panasonic or Sony bluray?  

So, thoughts on using the XBox or whatever gaming console in your HT?  Am I really giving up much?

chadhughes

Showing 1 response by christian

When I finally obtained my Xbox Series X (XSX), my goal was to use it as a sole media center that spun 4K Blu-rays.  So I sold my Oppo BDP-95 as it didn't do 4K.  Setup worked well for a time.  However, I eventually got a cheap Sony 4K Blu-ray player after I discovered a few things:

- The XSX at least (not sure of the other models), doesn't do Dolby Vision and HDR10+ (only HDR10, but it kicks arse pretty much by itself).

- I've got an OLED, so I need to go from the XSX to the TV direct as my pre/pro doesn't do HDMI 2.1.  Not an issue, per se - but I discovered the XSX doesn't pass dts MA (or anything dts) out the HDMI port.  I'm told it's a licensing issue.

- The interface for the XSX Blu-ray player is clunky, and displays hardly any info (like input, bitrate, etc.).

So you can probaly make do with the XSX, if you can tolerate those "issues" above (which may not be an issue for you).  My baby Sony 4K Blu-ray player does well enough, but I may spring for the $500 Panasonic since I ran into a small issue there: you literally have to enter the menu system to "flip" an option to play back discs encoded in Dolby Vision.  Again, small problem - but after several times switching it back and forth - I'm really looking at that Panny (which automatically detects DV and HDR10+.

@spenav - I'm not certain the Xbox'es can even play SACDs?  I ripped my library with a used, old Sony Blu-ray.  Maybe you're referring to Sony's Playstation line?