Samsung is the first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player manufacturer to offer a firm release month, a price, and a pre-order in one swift stroke. It’s coming sooner than you think, for cheaper than you think, and can be secured with a couple button clicks.
The Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is scheduled to ship sometime in March, meaning it’s likely already in the manufacturing process or will be soon. We anticipate the first Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs from the likes of Fox, Warner Bros., Shout! Factory and Sony to roll into stores around the same time.
The list price for the UBD-K8500 is $499. However, the official Samsung website is already accepting pre-orders for $100 less at $399 with free shipping. I would expect Amazon.com’s price to match Samsung’s at $399 when it pops up for pre-order there.
Tempting, isn’t it? Assuming you already have a 4K TV to take advantage of the crisper and brighter picture with resolution at approximately four times greater than Blu-ray.
Panasonic and Sony are also bringing 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players to market, but those aren’t expected to arrive until the fall at the earliest.
