The digital age is full of streaming service after streaming service. Whether it’s watching hours of Netflix TV shows, renting the latest blockbuster through Prime Video, or playing a video game through the cloud, accessing entertainment can be done online. That hasn’t stopped people from buying physical movies, however, as a company has yet to leave the tangible world behind.
Sony may be abandoning physical games for a digital-focused future, but one of its competitors is still making actual discs and players. The Panasonic DP-UB820 Blu-ray player is a powerful device capable of playing Blu-ray discs in 4K quality. It is even capable of connecting to streaming services such as Netflix and Prime Video to watch content through them. This is a big advantage in its favor, since Sony ended support for the streaming service on some of its Blu-ray models in 2025. The Panasonic model is a good comparison to Sony’s UBP-X700U Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray, as both have 4K, Dolby Vision, and HD audio. Panasonic’s $549.99 Blu-ray player includes streaming, but Sony’s is cheaper at $329.99 and doesn’t include the ability to stream digital content.
Both offer similar performance, but the Panasonic comes with more features and conveniences. It offers the versatility of a Blu-ray player with included digital streaming functionality. Even tech experts claim that the Panasonic 4K Blu-ray Player is one of the best 4K Blu-ray players on the market.
What people like about the Panasonic DP-UB820 Blu-ray player
The Panasonic DP-UB820 produces some of the clearest images available according to Wirecutter tech reviews. With 4K video quality, the device is also compatible with all available HDR video formats. Combined with its Dolby Atmos sound quality, DTS:X soundtracks and 7.1 channel playback, the Blu-ray player increases the color, vibrancy and audio experience of everything you watch.
TechRadar reviews also rank the DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray Player as the best Blu-ray player for most people. Their praise talks about its multi-use functionality and how it’s built to last. Whether you just want to get the best overall video quality from whatever you’re watching or want the best home theater system for a movie buff, this Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player produces truly stunning pictures and sound.
Speaking of the everyday person watching Blu-ray discs, Reddit users agree with the experts. A thread discussing whether or not someone should get a Sony or Panasonic Blu-ray player has several comments suggesting that the person get the DP-UB820. Users appreciate its versatility when it comes to video and audio formats, as well as its ability to stream content from popular services.
Is there anything Sony does better?
The Panasonic DP-UB820 may be a great alternative to a Sony Blu-ray player, but there’s one thing users say they prefer among the Sony brand of devices. The most discussed talking point online concerns the streaming aspect of Panasonic’s 4K Blu-ray player. Many reviews call it a gadget that they say isn’t really necessary if you own a Blu-ray player.
The fact is that having a 4K Blu-ray player allows users to play 4K Blu-rays, and 4K resolution is probably important to buyers. Both Netflix and Prime Video offer 4K streaming, but only if you upgrade your plan to include it. Prime Video Ultra comes with 4K streaming for an additional fee on top of the standard plan. A Netflix Premium plan costs $26.99 per month if you want 4K. However, neither service offers disc-level video quality.
Sony’s UBP-X700U line of Blu-ray players does not have streaming access and is specifically designed to play Blu-rays. Streaming can be great if that’s how you want to watch movies and shows, but a company can delete a digital movie you purchased, leaving you without access. This is another reason why it’s important to maintain your DVD and Blu-ray collection, as you’ll never have to worry about losing access, as long as you keep the disc.
