There’s a caveat when shopping for a new TV. Just because a TV features 4K Ultra HD resolution and supports HDR doesn’t mean all content will automatically display at those specs — your connected media devices need to support those features, too. That means you’ll need a new Blu-ray player to play those Ultra HD Blue-rays at full resolution — and LG’s new UP970 Blu-ray player, which launched Wednesday, is up to the challenge.
The first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player available from LG, the big feature being touted here is the Blu-ray player’s support for Dolby Vision, Dolby’s proprietary HDR format, which is also present on many of LG’s 4K TVs. Dolby Vision differs from other HDR formats in some subtle but important ways, primarily in the way it transfers color information, and support for higher levels of color and brightness. (You can learn more about the benefits of Dolby Vision by checking out our HDR guide.)
While the inclusion of Dolby Vision is exciting, the UP970 will also support the open source HDR format, HDR10, so it can play just about every HDR-supported Blu-ray out there.
Rounding out the specs are two HDMI ports, including an HDMI 2.0a port for Ultra HD video and HDMI 1.4 for connecting to legacy hi-fi devices and soundbars. Finally, Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity and support for streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube is included, allowing yet another way to access 4K HDR content. There is also a USB port for connecting external storage devices to play movies, music, or browse pictures.
Not only will Blu-rays look their best on the UP970, they should also sound great thanks to support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master audio formats.
The UP970 has features that will appeal to owners of any 4K UHD TV with HDR, but LG is pushing it as a companion for its own TVs, of course. Tim Alessi, LG Electronics USA’s head of product marketing said, “the LG UP970 demonstrates our dedication to providing unmatched picture quality in the marketplace, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to our award-winning Dolby Vision enabled 4K LG OLED and LG SUPER UHD TVs.”
The LG UP970 is available now for $300, conveniently priced to match competitors like Samsung’s UBD-K8500 4K Blu-ray player. You can find it at local retailers like Best Buy or Fry’s. You can learn more about the UP970 and find a local retail location at LG’s official web page.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.