Sony PS4 Pro Media Player app gets 4K video support -- still can't play UHD Blu-ray discs

The Sony PS4 Pro is a more powerful version version of the traditional PlayStation 4 game console. Besides having more horsepower, it can output 4K video. Sony's console only does UHD through streaming apps, such as Netflix. Unfortunately, it cannot play 4K Blu-ray discs -- something Microsoft's Xbox One S can do. This is a hardware limitation, as Sony's offering does not have a compatible optical drive.

Today, Sony is enabling a new way to enjoy 4K video on the PS4 Pro. Thanks to a software update, the Media Player app can now play 4K mp4 files. While this is appreciated, the ability to play these files is probably more beneficial for movie pirates than honest consumers. After all, 4K studio films are not typically sold in mp4 file format. Of course, I suppose some folks are recording home movies in UHD -- the PS4 Pro would be a great device for that.

"Starting later today, the Media Player app is getting an update to support 4K video playback on PS4 Pro. Following this update, 4K videos in mp4 format saved on a USB stick or home server can be played on the Media Player app (remember, you'll also need a 4K compatible TV to watch the videos in 4K)," says John Koller Vice President, PlayStation Brand Marketing.

Koller further says, "Your home server will appear as a media option in the Player automatically, so finding your media is simple and quick. Just a reminder: USB storage that's already been formatted as extended storage for your PS4 can only be used to save games and apps -- it can't be used to save and play videos."

Today's Media Player app update is also enabling 4K VR playback, although there is a big catch -- PS VR is not 4K capable. In other words, while you can experience 4K content on Sony's virtual reality headgear, it will be capped at 1080p. With that said, the company is claiming that the 4K content will look better than 1080p content on PS VR -- something of which users may be dubious. This will have to be seen to be believed.

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