Sony UBP-X800 only playing in SDR

[21TheMile]

I have a Sony UBP-X800 connected directly to a Sony KD55A1.  When I watch standard DVD or BLU-RAY discs, they only play in 4K/25p SDR and the quality is not great.  To be honest I was hoping for more from the upscaling. I have tried dozens of different settings on the player and TV but to no avail.

Additional information is:

- I have high quality HDMI cables but was unsure if they were HDCP 2.2 so bought a new one to be sure. No difference.

- TV inputs are set to “Enhanced 4K HDMI Signal Format”

- The X800 is connected directly to the KD55A1 - no amps, sound bars, etc.

- Firmware is up to date on both the X800 and KD55A1

- I have tried unplugging all other connected devices (Sky box and Xbox)

- Ultra HD discs play at 4K/60p and look stunning

Hope someone can help.  Sorry if I’m missing something obvious or it’s a noob question!!

[Sonyvores]

if you have an 55A1 it doesn't make sence to let the bluray player doing the upscale. Let the TV MUCH better processor to do the work

So turn off the upscaling feature from the bluray player

[21TheMile]

Thanks for the reply. I tried that but when I set ‘Output Video Resolution’ under the ‘Screen Settings’ menu to ‘Auto’ and turn off the ‘4K Upscale Setting’ all I get is a 1080/50p SDR picture.

Sent from my iPad

[Joe_Dohn]

Could you double check that HDR output is set to Auto and not Off under screen settings as well as updating to the latest version if you haven't already?

It'd be really helpful to others in the future if you could let us know if that solved it for you. ^^

- J.D.

[21TheMile]

Hi JD,

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Yes, HDR Output was already set to 'Auto' and software was up to date (Version M36.R.0338) prior to my first posting/starting this thread.

I have run some different scearios and checked the display settings with 1) the 'Display' button on the DVD remote and 2) the 'Info' option in the TV remote 'Action Menu'.  Significant changes highlighted in red:

Standard DVD - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = 'Auto' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Auto 2

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/25p SDR and TV 'Info' says Dolby Digital 3840 x 2160p

Picture is fuzzy/lacks definition

Standard DVD - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = '4K' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Off

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/25p SDR and TV 'Info' says Dolby Digital 3840 x 2160p

Picture is fuzzy/lacks definition

Standard DVD - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = 'Auto' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Off

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 1080/50p SDR and TV 'Info' says Dolby Digital 1080/50P

Picture is fuzzy/lacks definition

Bluray - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = 'Auto' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Auto 2

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/24p SDR and TV 'Info' says Dolby Digital 3840 x 2160p

Picture is fuzzy/lacks definition

Bluray - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = '4K' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Off

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/24p SDR and TV 'Info' says Dolby Digital 3840 x 2160p

Picture is fuzzy/lacks definition

Bluray - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = 'Auto' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Off

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 1080p/24p SDR and TV 'Info' says Dolby Digital 1080/24p

Picture is fuzzy/lacks definition

UHD Disc - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = 'Auto' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Auto 2

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/24p HDR and TV 'Info' says 3840 x 2160p

Picture is excellent

UHD Disc - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = '4K' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Off

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/24p HDR and TV 'Info' says 3840 x 2160p

Picture is excellent

UHD Disc - HDR Output = 'Auto' / Output Video Resolution = 'Auto' / 4K Upscaling Setting = Off

Result: DVD 'Display' button says 4K/24p HDR and TV 'Info' says 3840 x 2160p

Picture is excellent

I don't know if the above scenarios help flush out the problem?

Alan.

[rooobb]

Maybe I don't understand exactly your problem but...

you are expecting a DVD (SDR by definition) or even a Bluray (still SDR even if with an higher resolution) to be displayed in HDR with full resolution?!?

If the source is bad the output is bad (more or less depending on the upscaler). And if the source is SDR the output will be SDR.

[21TheMile]

Hi Rooobb,

I'm not sure what I'm expecting or even what's right.  What I do know is the DVD and Bluray quality is poor i.e. it's on a par with the non-HD TV channels that come through our Sky+ box.  I would have thought the Bluray would at least be the quality of a HD TV channel such as say Sky News HD given the Sky+ signal is 1080i and a Bluray 1080p?  The HD channels on the TV such as Sky News are stunning as are Netflix, Disney+, etc.  The TV is not short on performance - just the DVD and Blurays are borderline unwatchable.

[rooobb]

What I tried to clarify is that you cannot expect "technical" features (like HDR or resolution) out of a source that simpy doesn't have it. Then it remain a "subjective" feeling that quality is not good, that you have to qualify better using pattern for example since quality is always related to the source.

In general term you are right, from a blueray the quality is and should be better than digital broadcast. DVD are very poor (being standard definition).

You should also enlist how your KD55A1 is set, since bluray disk are wonderful on my own (with a BDPS5100). Still in 1080@24p SDR, obviously