News

Samsung's debut Ultra HD Blu-ray player – the UBD-K8500 – is available to buy online and in UK stores from today according to the Korean corp. 
 
The deck, which supports 4K HDR playback as well as the usual CD, DVD and BD formats, retails for around £230. Stockists are said to include Currys, John Lewis, Richer Sounds and Samsung.com.

The UBD-K8500 features twin HDMI outputs and a gently curved chassis to make it a style match for the brand's SUHD 4K TVs. It's compatible with Samsung's multiroom ecosystem, and features clients for Netflix and Amazon Video amongst its smart features.

As the new format arrives on the high street, Samsung is keen to highlght the potency of UHD Blu-ray in comparison to 4K streaming rivals. 'We’re committed to developing technology that creates the best possible entertainment experience,' says Robert King, VP, Consumer Electronics, Samsung UK. 'With the launch of our first UHD Blu-Ray player, users can enjoy a wide range of movies and shows in outstanding quality, sharp resolution and brilliant colour, without Wi-Fi bandwidth restrictions.'

Note: When HCC checked this morning, there was no sign of the deck yet on the Currys or John Lewis websites, and Samsung's own site offers the message: 'We are sorry, but this product is currently not available from any of our retail partners.' It was included on Richer Sounds, but not to order online, with potential buyers advised to check availability in store.