SONY / 4K BLU-RAY PLAYER

Sony UBP-X700 / X800M2 / X1100ES + Vertex

This guide sets the Sony player up for Dolby Vision through the Vertex, for a Dolby Vision TV or for LLDV on an HDR10 display, and explains what Dolby Vision Output On does to other content.

Sony UBP-X700 (2017), UBP-X800M2 (2019) and UBP-X1100ES (2019); Sony's manuals use the same Screen Settings menu for all three. The X700 needs firmware M43.R.0175 or later for Dolby Vision; the X800M2 and X1100ES have it from launch.

DOLBY VISION WITH THIS SETUP

Dolby Vision Output is a plain On/Off switch: On sends all content (also HDR10, SDR and streaming) as Dolby Vision, Off sends HDR10 or SDR.

Native Dolby Vision: YESSet Dolby Vision Output to On. There is no Auto; the default is Off. X700 needs firmware M43.R.0175 or later.
LLDV via the Vertex: YESHDfury lists the UBP-X700, UBP-X800/M2 and UBP-X1100ES as LLDV sources; X700 and X800M2 are listed for DV, HDR10 and SDR content. Sony has no separate LLDV or player-led option: the player follows what the Vertex EDID advertises.
HDR10: YESWith HDR Output = Auto and Dolby Vision Output = Off the player outputs HDR10 depending on the content and what the display accepts.

Before you start

UBP-X700: update to firmware M43.R.0175 or later, or the Dolby Vision Output option is missing.
Use an 18 Gbps HDMI cable (Sony requirement for 4K HDR).
Test HDR10 first with Dolby Vision Output = Off. With On, HDR10 discs no longer arrive as HDR10.

1. Basic picture settings

All video items are in HOME → Setup → Screen Settings.

FirmwareHOME → Setup → Software Update → Update via Internet / Update via USB MemoryM43.R.0175 or laterSony requires this version for Dolby Vision on the X700.UBP-X700
HDR outputHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → HDR OutputAutoOff always outputs SDR.
ResolutionHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → Output Video ResolutionAutoSony: 'Normally select [Auto]'.
24p outputHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → 24p Output → Ultra HD Blu-ray/BD-ROMAutoOutputs 24 Hz only when the display accepts it.X800M2 has Auto/On/Off; X700 has Auto/Off
Color formatHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → YCbCr/RGB (HDMI)AutoThe player detects the connected display. Other options: YCbCr (4:2:2), YCbCr (4:4:4), RGB.
Deep colorHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → HDMI Deep Color Output (UK manuals: HDMI Deep Colour Output)AutoOutputs 12-bit/10-bit when the display is compatible; needed for HDR.
Display typeHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → Display TypeProjector (for a projector) / TV (for a TV)Sony adjusts its HDR-to-SDR conversion to this choice.X800M2, X1100ES, and X700 with later firmware

2. Dolby Vision on a Dolby Vision TV

BRAVIA Mode off (non-Sony TV)HOME → Setup → Screen Settings → BRAVIA ModeOffWhen On it sets Dolby Vision Output, 4K Upscale Setting and Video Settings to BRAVIA-optimised values and overrides your own choice.X800M2 (and firmware that shows this item)
Dolby Vision onHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → Dolby Vision OutputOnThere is no Auto. With On, all content is output as Dolby Vision.X700 (firmware M43.R.0175+), X800M2, X1100ES

3. Dolby Vision (LLDV) on an HDR10 projector or TV

BRAVIA Mode offHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → BRAVIA ModeOffKeeps your Dolby Vision Output setting from being overridden.X800M2 (and firmware that shows this item)
Dolby Vision onHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → Dolby Vision OutputOnThe same switch as for a DV TV. Whether the player sends LLDV depends on the Vertex EDID, not on a Sony menu.
Back to HDR10 when neededHOME → Setup → Screen Settings → Dolby Vision OutputOffWith Off the player outputs HDR automatically, so HDR10 discs play as HDR10.

THE VERTEX PART

Vertex settings for this setup

Dolby Vision TV: connect the TV to the Vertex BOTTOM output and follow part A — EDID "COPY BOT SINK" (or Automix with "DV Force Metadata"), No Scaling, InfoFrame tools off.
HDR10 projector or TV (LLDV): follow part B — upload an LLDV EDID into a free custom slot (CUSTOM 4–10) and select it for the Vertex input this player is connected to. Then make the display switch to HDR (part B2).
Connect the Sony HDMI output to the Vertex input; a Dolby Vision TV goes on the Vertex BOTTOM output.
With the original Vertex, LLDV only works on a display that can be forced into HDR (PQ) mode by hand or uses a custom gamma curve (JVC), because LLDV is not flagged as HDR10 (HDfury).
For LLDV the Vertex must present an LLDV EDID uploaded to a custom slot; the Sony has no player-led switch of its own.
With Dolby Vision Output = On, HDR10 and SDR also arrive at the Vertex as Dolby Vision (Sony).

VERTEX DOLBY VISION SETUP — ALL STEPS →

Switch these off

HOME → Setup → Screen Settings → Dolby Vision Output = On while testing HDR10Sony: with On, all content, including non-Dolby Vision material, is output as Dolby Vision.
HOME → Setup → Screen Settings → HDR Output = OffAlways outputs SDR.
HOME → Setup → Screen Settings → HDMI Deep Color Output = OffBlocks 10/12-bit output. Sony only suggests Off for an unstable picture.
HOME → Setup → Screen Settings → BRAVIA Mode = On with a non-Sony displayIt overrides your Dolby Vision Output setting.

How you know it works

On the Vertex OLED Info page, the INP line shows the incoming signal. For TV-led Dolby Vision, RGB 8-bit is normal (Vertex manual p.113).
HDR10 test: with Dolby Vision Output = Off and an HDR10 disc, the Vertex OLED Info page INP line shows the HDR flag and BT2020.
With Dolby Vision Output = On, Video Settings and 3D are greyed out on the Sony. That is Sony's documented behaviour, not a fault.

Problems and fixes

Video Settings and 3D are greyed out.

Normal. Sony makes them unavailable while Dolby Vision Output is On.

Every disc (also Blu-ray, SDR and streaming) shows as Dolby Vision on the Vertex.

Normal with Dolby Vision Output = On. Set it to Off for HDR10/SDR output.

The X700 has no Dolby Vision Output option.

Update to firmware M43.R.0175 or later via HOME → Setup → Software Update.

My Dolby Vision Output setting keeps changing.

Set BRAVIA Mode to Off (X800M2).

The picture is unstable at 4K.

Use an 18 Gbps HDMI cable (Sony requirement) and set HDMI Deep Color Output back to Auto.

NOT CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURER

Menu items called '4K Output' or 'Video Direct'. They are not in the X700, X800M2 or X1100ES manuals checked; these players have '4K Upscale Setting'.
An LLDV-specific firmware requirement. None is documented; on the X700 use M43.R.0175 or later.
Whether the X1100ES has the BRAVIA Mode item. It is documented in the X800M2 manual.

CHECKED AGAINST

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