RED and Sony launches 4K Video Players REDRAY & FMP-X1 4K

RED a company that makes Red cameras has launched REDRAY a true 4K media player with HFR 3D support.
Are we ready for it? Blu-ray has just recently gone mainstream and there are many people who don’t even own a HD TV. To play 4K content on REDRAY you need to buy a 4K display to go with it.

REDRAY features the ability to play 4K files as well as upscale HD files to Ultra High-Definition resolution (4096×2160). REDRAY connects to 4K displays using 1x 1.4 HDMI output or 4x HDMI 1.3 outputs, with an additional HDMI output for 7.1 channel audio (for HD displays, REDRAY uses 1x HDMI 1.3 output). REDRAY also supports 3D playback at high frame rates (48-60fps) — more than twice that of traditional HD plug-and-play 3D devices.
REDRAY has a built-in 1TB hard drive, SD cards a USB port, and an internal 1TB drive. And an Internet download option so lots of ways to get 4K content in there and store it.
This all sounds good but there are is a issues. The Redray Player will only playback 4K content if it is encoded in RED’s own RED format its can also read mp4 but only at 1080p or 720p.

 

Sony has also launched its FMP-X1 4K Media Player and they are also launching a 4K video distribution service that will offers library of native 4K content not only from Sony Picture Entertainment, but also from other production houses.

REDRAY costs USD 1450 (roughly £945), more than twice as much as Sony’s FMP-X1 which has been given a price tag of USD 699 (around £455).

 

 

 

Whether the Red Ray player and sony’s FMP-X1 4K Media Player will have a same battle as Blu-ray and HDDVD? it remains to be seen.

REDRAY Specifications

DIMENSIONS	316 × 61mm x 260 mm ( 12.4 × 2.4 × 10.2″ )
WEIGHT	5.9 Lbs
MATERIAL	Aluminium
OPERATING TEMPS	Zero to 40 C
STORAGE TEMPS	Minus 5 to 60C
NOTABLE FEATURES	Network based 4K 3D Playback System.
ADDITIONAL NOTES	Unique to RED, this product is the only available 4K resolution signal source for Ultra HD flat panel dispays and 4K projectors, may also be used for digital signage applcations to drive up to four 1080p displays.
RESOLUTION	Up to 4096 × 2160 pixels, 2D or 3D
BIT-DEPTH (COLOR)	YCbCr 12-bit 4:2:2 or RGB 8-bit 4:4:4
COLORIMETRY	ITU-R BT.709
PROGRAM OUTPUT	4K DCI, UltraHD, 1080p, 720p
PREVIEW OUTPUT	1080p, 720p
MEDIA SECURITY	REDCrypt™ digital media encryption
DRM OPTIONS	ODEMAX™ digital rights management
REMOTE CONTROL	IR, 802.11n, Ethernet
GENLOCK	RS170A Tri-level Sync
PLAYBACK FRAME RATES	24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60 fps
DIGITAL MEDIA	Internet download, SDCard or USB-2 flash media
VIDEO FILE FORMAT	.RED (4K), .MP4 (1080p, 720p)
AUDIO FILE FORMAT	.RED (up to 7.1 Ch) .MP4 (Stereo)
AUDIO OUTPUT	Up to 7.1 channel LPCM, 24-bit 48Khz
OUTPUT CONNECTORS	4 x HDMI 1.4 (Program), 2 x HDMI 1.3 (Preview and Audio)
STORAGE CAPACITY	1TB Internal SATA Drive
POWER	120 – 240V 50 – 60Hz A.C.