Review: Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player
Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 10:13PM 
Owners of 4K ultra high-definition (UHD) televisions soon discover that the current selection of 4K movies and TV shows is pathetically limited. The Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player delivers more 4K content than any other set top box, and a recent update frees the FMP-X10 from Sony-only TV use enabling it to work with any 4K UHD display that supports HDCP v2.2 copy protection.
Simple setup
The X10 is simple to setup and use, and it features a second audio-only HDMI output that enables it to easily integrate with HDMI AV receivers that lack support for the necessary copy protection (most).
Robert's Favorite Home Theater Gear
Conveniently, Netflix 4K streaming is built in, and Amazon 4K Instant Video will be added early 2015. Sony uses the AVC (H.264) codec for downloaded 4K movies saved to the FMP-X10's 1TB internal hard drive, and streaming 4K content is encoded with HEVC (H.265). The high bitrate of the downloaded movies I sampled made for an exceptionally detailed viewing experience - particularly with newer digital productions. The more time I spent viewing the X10's impressive high resolution imagery the more it increased my urge to upgrade to a larger TV or 4K projector to better appreciate it.
To buy or not to buy
Sony has created a terrific 4K viewing experience with the FMP-X10, but I wanted more. The X10's selection of movies and TV shows must expand with regular updates to ensure long term enjoyment. Many titles have affordable rental options, but some content is only available for purchase and prices are not exactly cheap. It's still early in the 4K UHD scene, and gear like the Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player is helping to fill in the current content gaps - even it the price of admission is a bit steep.
Update
Sony has confirmed that its 4K movie library is encoded in lossless multichannel LPCM audio - it sounded lossless! Also, most of the 4K feature films and TV episodes available via Sony's Video Unlimited service are encoded using x.v.Color, a wider color gamut than BT.709, which "delivers deeper colors, especially reds." However, we await further details regarding the proper method of evaluating displays and video optimized for the expanded color palette the x.v.Color spec.
Read the full review of the Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player at HD Guru!
Reader Comments (7)
can the Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player, play and upscale my current movie library on my external hard drive or movie server
"Sony uses the AVC (H.264) codec for downloaded 4K movies saved to the FMP-X10's 1TB internal hard drive, and streaming 4K content is encoded with HEVC (H.265)."
Based on this, is it correct that only the streaming 4K will work with the Vizio P Series, and not the downloaded 4K movies?
Hi Vizio4K! The FMP-X10 (like all set top boxes) decodes the video stream/file and outputs a component video (YCbCr) or RGB signal that every 4K UHD TV (w/HDCP 2.2) can accept/display.
--Robert
I was reviews like this one that led me to buy the X10 and I don't regret buying it for a single moment. Well worth the price of admission. I also would highly recommend the X10 user forum which has numerous buyers of the Sony X10.
Rich
I have owned the X10 for a few months now and I would but it again in a second. It is hard to wait for a download. Currently I am downloading Fury which has so far taken over a full day, Sony will pre-download the most popular titles so you don't need to wait. In my opinion it is worth the wait. The only problem is it makes me want a 4K projector.
I have a Sony X10 and live on the Gold Coast and it works no problems as long as you have a Sony blu ray player’s. They are really going to solve it for any TV maker soon. Any way you can make it work very simply.
Yes, it is 2.0 on multisystem electronics, you just want to connect it to the HDMI 4 on 2013 4K TVs or HDMI 1 or HDMI 2 on 2014 4K TVs, “Sony KDL-42W800” with 2D - 3D Multi System HD 42" BRAVIA Internet LED TV 110-220 Volts….
Can someone help me to set up the FMP-X10. Sony Tech Support is clueless. I need to ACTIVATE the media player and the instructions are very vague... pls send an email message to: wm@publicsafety.net
tks, Mitch
Hi, Mitch!
All you should need to do is login using your PlayStation Network account information. This player also requires an always-on Internet connection for UHD playback.
Hope this helps --Robert