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Sony FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD media player and distribution service unveiled – but it’s US-only

Sony has unveiled its US-exclusive 4K Ultra HD movie player and distribution network alongside a £3,300 4K TV.

A limited-edition 4K player was given free to American buyers of the 84in XBR-84X900 Ultra HD TV in 2012; now buyers of Sony’s smaller 4K screens will be able to buy the FMP-X1 for under £500 ($699).

Essentially a media PC, the FMP-X1 comes with 10 full-length 4K movies and extra video shorts, and from Autumn 2013 users will be able to access a Netflix-style 4K film library.

Unfortunately, neither the 4K Media Player nor the distribution service will be launched in the UK, because Sony considers our broadband speeds too low for downloading huge Ultra HD files.

Sony FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD media player and distribution service unveiled - but it’s US-only
Sony’s 4K movie server is sadly US-only

Read more about Super Hi-Vision, Ultra HD, 4K and 8K TVMike Lucas of the Sony Electronics USA Home Division, said: “This summer our 4K media player, followed in Fall by the video distribution service, will demonstrate how Sony continues to lead in bringing the 4K entertainment experience to viewers.”

The feature films packaged with the 4K Media Player are Bad Teacher, Battle: Los Angeles, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Karate Kid (2010), Salt, Taxi Driver, That’s My Boy, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Other Guys and Total Recall (2012).

Titles coming to the distribution service include a remastered Lawrence of Arabia, and owners of the XBR-84X900 will be able to swap their media players for the FMP-X1.

Sony’s more affordable 4K TVs are the 55in XBR-55X900A at $4,999 (£3,260) and 65in XBR-65X900A (£4,570), both capable of 3,840 x 2,160 progressive-scan images.

They go on order in the USA later this month, and are expected in the UK this Summer, with Sony pushing them as a display for its ‘Mastered in 4K’ 1080p Blu-ray discs.

US buyers will receive ‘Mastered in 4K’ versions of Spider-Man (2002), Ghostbusters and Angels & Demons, to be upscaled to 4K by the TVs’ 4K X-Reality PRO picture engine.

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