Watch 'Breaking Bad' in 4K With Sony's New Download Service

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By Christina Warren2013-09-04 15:00:06 UTC

You can now watch Walter White in 4K Ultra HD. At IFA, Sony unveiled its latest 4K Ultra HD TV sets and its Video Unlimited 4K service.

As TV makers increasingly move towards 4K television sets, the big question for consumers is, "Where is the content?" Sony is answers that question with its 4K media player, the FMP-X1.

The $699 player ($499 if purchased with a Sony 4K Ultra HD TV) started shipping in July. Although it came equipped with 10 feature films and video shorts, Sony promised access to more content as part of its broader Video Unlimited service.

Video Unlimited 4K offers users a selection of more than 70 full-length movies and TV shows, including Moneyball and Breaking Bad.

TV show rentals are $3.99 per episode. For movies, rentals start at $7.99 and purchases start at $29.99. Select UltraViolet purchases will also include SD and HD digital copies for access on other devices.

Although the content is pricey — and limited — it's coming... and fast. Moreover, because most content today is shot in 4K, delivering it at 4K down the line is much easier.

New, Cheaper 4K TVs

In addition to the new Video Unlimited 4K service, Sony also unveiled its latest 4K television sets.

The 55-inch XBR-55X850A and the 65-inch XBR-65X850A will be available next month with an MSRP of $3,499.99 and $4,999.99 respectively. These TVs have the same screens and inner workings as the XBR-55X900A and XBR-65900A released this spring, but without the high-end, built-in speakers.

If you're still interested in the X900A models, those are still for sale, now priced at $4,000 for the 55-inch model and $5,500 for the 65-inch set.

These prices might sound high, but consider that, at the NAB conference in April, Sony priced the X900A models at $5,000 and $7,000 respectively. That means the price of a Sony 55-inch 4K Ultra HD TV has fallen $1,500 since April.

You can't talk next-generation TV without talking HDMI 2.0, and Sony reps say all of the company's 4K Ultra HD TV sets will be upgraded to HDMI 2.0 via a firmware update available over the Internet by the end of the year.

Images: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC; Sony Electronics

Topics: 4k, Gadgets, IFA, IFA 2013, sony, Sony 4K, Tech, Television, video unlimited