Panasonic DMP-UB900

TIME ON TEST: 18 months

- John Archer

IT’S HARD TO believe that the 4K Blu-ray format is already 18 months old. It feels like only yesterday I was sitting down to play my first 4K disc in my first 4K player. But there’s maybe a good reason why time seems to have flown: the first 4K Blu-ray player I ever tested still gets used almost daily as part of my reference home cinema system.

That player is Panasonic's DMP-UB900. Until very recently, it was Panasonic’s top-line 4K spinner (a new model – the DP-UB820 – has been revealed at the 2018 CES), and it’s astonishing how well it’s stood the test of time. So much so that its current £370 price still looks like a bit of a steal.

What’s good about it?

The UB900 was designed from the ground up to focus on delivering a premium AV experience. Panasonic’s engineers wanted to showcase right away just how spectacular the Ultra HD Blu-ray format could look, bravely choosing to focus on attention to detail, build quality and high-end features rather than price with the brand’s debut player.

It’s a testament to how well Panasonic succeeded in its aim that the UB900 still stands up – in performance terms, anyway… – against any rival deck so long after it launched.

It’s better designed than most players, for a start. The smoked semi-transparent finish is unique and attractive, while a drop-down flap hides the disc tray and front USB/ SD card ports to create a minimalist feel.