Philips set to release 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player

Following in the footsteps of the Panasonic DMP-UB900 and the Samsung UBD-K8500, comes a third Ultra HD Blu-ray player, this time courtesy of Philips.

First shown at CES, it's now been confirmed that the Philips BDP7501 will go on sale in June in the US. At $400, the 4K player is a similar price to the Samsung machine, which you can buy in the UK for £429, and a little more affordable than Panasonic's excellent £599 UHD Blu-ray player.

The player can of course spin 4K Blu-rays, Blu-rays and DVDs, and is compatible with 4K HDR content. Streaming 4K content should be possible too thanks to the inclusion of Netflix and YouTube, while there's 4K upscaling for non-UHD content.

MORE: 4K Blu-ray vs 4K streaming vs Blu-ray - comparison review

There are ethernet and USB inputs, as well as built-in wifi, plus twin HDMI outputs and a digital optical out.

The Philips BDP7501 comes in a squarer, more compact form than a typical Blu-ray player, with a silver and black aluminium finish.

On sale next month for $400, it looks like this one might be US-only for now, but will hopefully help pave the way for more manufacturers to get behind 4K Blu-ray.

MORE: What is Ultra HD Blu-ray? Everything you need to know

[source: Twice]

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff and The Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).