4K playback XMC2 vs any UHD player

[Masif]

Hello Keith,

I am planning to upgrade to XMC2 when available and an UHD player. When I compared video specs between XMC2 and UHD player (i.e., Panasonic UB820) both products has HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, etc.,

Question: Does both products need to have these specs? With XMC2 do we really need to spend $500 on UHD player?
                   Can't I just buy a cheap UHD player, connect UDH player to XMC2 HDMI 2.0 Input and connect TV/Projector to XMC2 HDMI output?


Thanks,
Asif 

[thrillcat]

The short answer was "yes" until you mentioned the word Projector.

Projectors are more finicky with HDR content, and certain UHD players offer better HDR tone mapping/optimization than the cheap players. The two most popular models today for projector owners are the Panasonic 820 and 9000. The latest JVC projector line will actually communicate with those two players (maybe only the 9000) and continuously optimize the HDR tone mapping during playback. The 820 offers a nice HDR Optimizer setting that allows you to dial in based on how each disc is encoded.

Other differences are load times, software options, etc.

The XMC-2 (and RMC-1 and RMC-1L) do not process the video at all. The specs listed are simply what signal they are capable of passing through.