Why do some 4K discs freeze up?

@kingbr freezing is an issue that 4k players have, it can be the player itself having an issue handling all the data on the 4k disc.  If you search reviews on Sony and Panasonic players you’ll run across people reporting this issue.  I have a Sony, knock on wood, only frozen up 1 or 2 times.  Before I bought a 4k player found all the players on the market had this reported issue to varying degrees, discs that have more data layered in the discs where what most referenced to freeze, most noting the discs where fine, it was the players having a hard time processing.

@kingbr 

I think you have narrowed it down to the disk or the player!  The fact that it is with multiple titles makes me think it is the player.

By the way, a Sony universal transport which handles 4K, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD and CD can be bought new for about USD-200.  It only outputs over HDMI.  I'd recommend getting one as an alternative.

I have one CD that one of my Sonys cannot play right through, but the disk exceeds the Redbook specification for playing time.  It is on the Alpha label, no less

   Panasonic shows firmware update 1.82 dated June 19, 2024. How old is your unit? I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful as a have an Oppo and an Original Sony. Regards , Mike B. 

@mm1tt77 Thank you, and I did poke around and saw that others have had this issue. So I guess it’s not necessarily my player. 

@buellrider97 My player is under 3 years, and unfortunately for some reason I am not able to update? And no apologies whatsoever, I find any and all replies and the fact that someone takes time to reply, I find that ALWAYS helpful😌

Google the topic and you'll find lots of feedback.  I have a Panasonic and Sony 4k players, the Sony struggles with many 4k discs at the transition point to layer 3 which is used on 100GB discs the Panasonic doesn't.  Also, QC has gotten worse with discs and it's not uncommon for a disc to do what you're experiencing.  I have a 4k copy of Heat that pixelates and drops audio when DeNiro and Pacino meet at the dinner, it eventually works itself out but refuses to play that portion of the disc properly and there is no physical damage to the disc.

And no, this isn't due to age or wear, the Sony problems were straight out of the box.  It affects some players but not all players.