From one last year to two this year. UBD-M9500 and M8500 are Samsung’s 2017 UHD Blu-ray players that are now available across the US and Europe. M9500 introduces new features.
2017 Samsung UHD Blu-ray players
Last year’s UBD-K8500 will be replaced by two new players. There are no major new features and Samsung continues to ignore the Dolby Vision HDR format, instead opting for the base HDR10 format.
M8500 is more or less an updated version of last year’s K8500, whereas M9500 offers some new features. One new feature is the ”private cinema mode” that transmits sound wirelessly to bluetooth headphones. It will also be possible to stream Blu-ray video+audio to a smartphone device. This option is optional under the UHD Blu-ray standard but no manufacturers opted to implement it last year.
M9500 furthermore has 2 HDMI outputs, including 1 for audio, and supports 360-degree video. M8500 has a single HDMI output.
Naturally, both players deliver 4K resolution, HDR (High Dynamic Range) and audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X via bitstream. Both players come with built-in apps for Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, and other services.
- “Samsung’s new UHD Blu-ray player automatically sets the TV screen and audio to the optimal level by analyzing the content source being played at the time, such as HDR, Atmos or DTS-X. This means consumers can now seamlessly enjoy the content they want without changing their TV or audio settings,” Samsung said at CES 2017 about M9500.
Samsung UBD-M8500 and UBD-M9500 are now available in the US and across Europe starting at a suggested retail price of $300. Retailers are already selling them at lower prices.
Pricing:
USA: UBD-M8500
USA: UBD-M9500
UK: UBD-M8500
UK: UBD-M9500
UK: UBD-M8500
UK: UBD-M9500
Samsung UBD-M8500 specs
| UHD Blu-ray |
| Curved design |
| 4K Ultra HD |
| HDR10 |
| Dolby Atmos & DTS:X (bitstream) |
| Smart Hub (Netflix, Amazon, YouTube etc.) |
| 1 HDMI output |
| Ethernet + WiFi |
| Multiroom Link |
Samsung UBD-M9500 specs
| All features from M8500 plus: |
| Curved design with touch buttons and front OLED |
| 2 HDMI output (1 for video, 1 for audio) |
| Private cinema mode |
| 360-degree video |
| N Screen (BD to mobile) |
