Want to start a 4K Blu-ray collection? Check out Oppo's new player

While 4K resolution monitors, 4K gaming, and 4K streaming overtake tech news as the Next Big Thing, demand for devices capable of playing Ultra-HD Blu-rays has surprisingly gone relatively unmet.

In response, Chinese electronics division Oppo Digital is throwing its hat in an otherwise sparse ring with the UDP-203 - the company's first crack at a 4K-compatible UHD Blu-ray player.

Though known nowadays mostly for mobile devices like the F1 and F1 Plus, Oppo is no stranger to home cinema tech.

The company announced via Facebook today that it aims for the UDP-203 to hit stores at the end of the year. However, the company added that the holiday release window is tentative, as the device is more committed to meeting standards than deadlines.

4Kapable

Despite 4K becoming a major buzzword, few companies have gone all-in on UHD Blu-rays, leaving only a handful of companies like Samsung or Panasonic capable of meeting the demands of 4K movie libraries worldwide.

Even Sony - a major proponent of 4K and pushing new media formats - is still a ways out from releasing its own UHD Blu-Ray player and controversially left out the functionality from its recently announced, 4K-capable, PS4 Pro console.

Oppo isn't holding punches on its own gear, however, as the UDP-203 comes packed with Dolby Vision HDR support, dual HDMI and USB ports, and bitstreaming audio for fans of Dolby Atmos, Engadget reports.

While offering 4K movie fans more choice and power, the UDP-203 isn't aiming for cheap. Oppo currently marks the machine at $499 (about £380/AU$660), meaning that those looking to save money to upscaling their movie library may prefer Philips' take on the UHD Blu-ray player, or even the Xbox One S.