Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Robert Zohn]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I don't know Robert, I have a couple comments regarding your post.

1] it was because of this thread that I bought the 820

2] by having suggestions and info on how to operate a fairy elaborate menu system on this player--- it keeps the thread active.

3] there has only been one unhappy customer so far on this player-- it gets universal glowing reviews so I don't think this is hurting interest in the player-- every item everywhere is going to have negative feedback

Thanks, I'm not concerned or think that all of the discussion on manipulating the original aspect ratio that distorts the image is helpful or of interest to 99% of the readers and it's a basic 101 rule to watch film in it's original format. Something that buyers of the latest advanced BD player would all abide by.

I also believe basic questions can more easily and accurately be found in the user manual. With that said if it was a quick question and reply that's fine, but two pages of posts on what I feel is out of the core interests in the UB820 and UB9000 distract from the valuable information that is on this very popular thread and discourage members and visitors from reading through aspect ratio and zooming discussion.

[ray0414]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

I didn't play with any settings, AKORIS.

Go buy a 4k Blu Ray and do some testing. You'll notice a big difference using the hdr optimize.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

I don't know Robert, I have a couple comments regarding your post.

1] it was because of this thread that I bought the 820

2] by having suggestions and info on how to operate a fairy elaborate menu system on this player--- it keeps the thread active.

3] there has only been one unhappy customer so far on this player-- it gets universal glowing reviews so I don't think this is hurting interest in the player-- every item everywhere is going to have negative feedback

I cannot speak for raw 4K performance as I don't have any discs as of yet, but did you not want me to provide my initial sentiments about the 820 as I experienced them? That's all I was doing...

My feedback is based on what I don't like about the unit AESTHETICALLY -- which is important to ME, not to others apparently -- as well as its functioning for legacy video formats (namely DVD playback). In my opinion, this unit doesn't look or feel like it should cost $500.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

What about those Noise Reduction sliders...should I drop those to "0"?

The higher the value the less noise, if they're 0 then you're not enabling the feature.

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

What is causing this "micro-stutter"? If you Google this, it seems to be a problem across all Samsung lines, and it's something they never fixed, even in the QLED lineup (if I'm reading the information right). Do you think this is something being caused by the Auto Motion Plus settings? I'm still running these in CUSTOM mode, with Blur Reduction at 10...

I'd switch everything off with the Auto Motion Plus settings. Is the stutter there with set-top box viewing)*

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

I don't understand WHAT FOR though; why would you need different customizations...do you mean they're available for DVD, Blu-ray and 4K?

They're there for all different media types. I know you're not keen on picture presets, but they are handy.

*You can post that in the other thread if you'd prefer.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Thanks, I'm not concerned or think that all of the discussion on manipulating the original aspect ratio that distorts the image is helpful or of interest to 99% of the readers and it's a basic 101 rule to watch film in it's original format. Something that buyers of the latest advanced BD player would all abide by.

I also believe basic questions can more easily and accurately be found in the user manual. With that said if it was a quick question and reply that's fine, but two pages of posts on what I feel is out of the core interests in the UB820 and UB9000 distract from the valuable information that is on this very popular thread and discourage members and visitors from reading through aspect ratio and zooming discussion.

I'm interested in altering the image ONLY FOR FULL SCREEN DVDs (of which I have a lot of still, so it's important to ME), which was an option on my OPPO BD player, as well as for NON-ANAMORPHIC DVDs, which could be "zoomed in" on to correct the lack of widescreen enhancement. I know you keep going back to this "it's not helpful for 99.9-percent of viewers to read this," and for some reason you've taken it personally that I don't care for this unit, but that doesn't mean someone should be banned from expressing their feelings about it.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by ray0414

Go buy a 4k Blu Ray and do some testing. You'll notice a big difference using the hdr optimize.

But a big difference in what? I didn't have a PROBLEM with the Blu-ray IMAGE on the 820...I don't care for the unit's aesthetics or its lack of DVD video support (for customization).

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by ray0414

Go buy a 4k Blu Ray and do some testing. You'll notice a big difference using the hdr optimize.

I've got tons of them already... looking forward to checking them out!

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

I cannot speak for raw 4K performance as I don't have any discs as of yet, but did you not want me to provide my initial sentiments about the 820 as I experienced them? That's all I was doing...

IntelliVolume-- I haven't criticized any of your comments-- yes I did want your opinions and initial sentiments

My feedback is based on what I don't like about the unit AESTHETICALLY -- which is important to ME, not to others apparently -- as well as its functioning for legacy video formats (namely DVD playback). In my opinion, this unit doesn't look or feel like it should cost $500.

fair enough!

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by chip75

The higher the value the less noise, if they're 0 then you're not enabling the feature.

I know that at zero the feature isn't enabled -- I'm asking if I should have taken them off of the out-of-box defaults of "2" across the board.

I'd switch everything off with the Auto Motion Plus settings. Is the stutter there with set-top box viewing)*

No stutter on the cable box input.

They're there for all different media types. I know you're not keen on picture presets, but they are handy.

*You can post that in the other thread if you'd prefer.

So "Set 1" is for, say, Blu-ray media and "Set 2" is for 4K playback, etc.?

[ronboster]

IMHO, the only time I really enjoy the "build quality" of any media player is when I un-boxed it. After it's been rack mounted, I cease to care about the face plate or the heft of the unit. What I do care about is performance.

Though I don't use my panny for dvd or blu ray...I use an OPPO 93 pared with a darbee for anything 1080P or less. I like the darbee and want a separate player for multi region discs etc.

As far as 4k performance, having owned the OPPO 203 and the Panny 900, the Panny 820 beats the other players hands down for me. Using the 820 with my JVC projector has produced the best 4k disc results (with the HD optimizer feature).

[danny24]

@IntelliVolume, sent you a PM in regards to the Cambridge 4K UHD player availability.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I also believe basic questions can more easily and accurately be found in the user manual. With that said if it was a quick question and reply that's fine, but two pages of posts on what I feel is out of the core interests in the UB820 and UB9000 distract from the valuable information that is on this very popular thread and discourage members and visitors from reading through aspect ratio and zooming discussion.

I know you're a much valued and respected insider with valuable contributions, Robert Zohn, but I can't think a better place to ask questions than the thread designed for the player. The Panasonic's do fall short in a couple of areas and now OPPO are gone, buyers maybe looking for those options if they're going from BD to UHD.

For some members the manual doesn't quite give much insight and some members do like to know the ins and out down of their purchases to the last minutiae.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

I know that at zero the feature isn't enabled -- I'm asking if I should have taken them off of the out-of-box defaults of "2" across the board.

It's worth experimenting with a well known scene and going back and forth.

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

So "Set 1" is for, say, Blu-ray media and "Set 2" is for 4K playback, etc.?

I think they're independent of each media source, so two sets of programmable sets for each type of media (Blu-ray, UHD BD).

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by ronboster

IMHO, the only time I really enjoy the "build quality" of any media player is when I un-boxed it. After it's been rack mounted, I cease to care about the face plate or the heft of the unit. What I do care about is performance.

Though I don't use my panny for dvd or blu ray...I use an OPPO 93 pared with a darbee for anything 1080P or less. I like the darbee and want a separate player for multi region discs etc.

As far as 4k performance, having owned the OPPO 203 and the Panny 900, the Panny 820 beats the other players hands down for me. Using the 820 with my JVC projector has produced the best 4k disc results (with the HD optimizer feature).

Well, everyone is different, of course, and I DO value the aesthetics and cosmetics of a player that I look at and use every day. The player doesn't come across to me as WARRANTING a $500 price point, based on the size of it and the plastic pieces alone. I don't rack-mount, so it's an aesthetic that is out and on display in my living room.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by danny24

@IntelliVolume, sent you a PM in regards to the Cambridge 4K UHD player availability.

Yes, got it -- thank you.

I replied.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by chip75

I know you're a much valued and respected insider with valuable contributions, Robert Zohn, but I can't think a better place to ask questions than the thread designed for the player. The Panasonic's do fall short in a couple of areas and now OPPO are gone, buyers maybe looking for those options if they're going from BD to UHD.

For some members the manual doesn't quite give much insight and some members do like to know the ins and out down of their purchases to the last minutiae.

Thank you VERY much, Chip; indeed, there are things that enthusiasts like me wish these new players came with, and that's what I was trying to stress. The fact that someone has a personal issue with me for discussing zooming capabilities for a format I STILL use regularly (DVD) on a player that just set me back $500 is a head-scratcher, but I will continue stressing that the functionality of the OPPOs were more intuitive and encompassing.

[IntelliVolume]

Originally Posted by chip75

It's worth experimenting with a well known scene and going back and forth.



I think they're independent of each media source, so two sets of programmable sets for each type of media (Blu-ray, UHD BD).

Alright; we can take that discussion to the other thread I created about the Samsung...

[chip75]

Originally Posted by IntelliVolume

Thank you VERY much, Chip; indeed, there are things that enthusiasts like me wish these new players came with, and that's what I was trying to stress. The fact that someone has a personal issue with me for discussing zooming capabilities for a format I STILL use regularly (DVD) on a player that just set me back $500 is a head-scratcher, but I will continue stressing that the functionality of the OPPOs were more intuitive and encompassing.

I think that's fine, mate. I don't think anyone objects to questions getting asked, as long as they're on topic.

[that1guystudios]

Heard anything from Panasonic on a timeline for Alexa or Vudu support for the 820, Robert?

[Robert Zohn]

Originally Posted by chip75

I know you're a much valued and respected insider with valuable contributions, Robert Zohn, but I can't think a better place to ask questions than the thread designed for the player. The Panasonic's do fall short in a couple of areas and now OPPO are gone, buyers maybe looking for those options if they're going from BD to UHD.

For some members the manual doesn't quite give much insight and some members do like to know the ins and out down of their purchases to the last minutiae.

Thanks and I understand, but two pages on how to zoom the image or stretch the aspect ratio is excessive. All you have to do is look at the remote and user menu to quickly get this answer. This is not an enthusiast question or of interest to the vast majority of members and visitors.

The important values and functions of Panasonic's UB820 and UB9000 are it's exclusive ability to tone map 4k nits mastered content to see all of the tonal range and color volume and of course, Panasonic's well respected Chroma processing.

The very smart video engineers at Panasonic brought us a very needed and relevant set of features for HDR content that can't be seen or appreciated from any other streaming or disc player. Engineering development is expensive and at launch all bleeding edge technology advancement devices sell at a slight premium to help recoup the costs of development and tooling.

Originally Posted by that1guystudios

Heard anything from Panasonic on a timeline for Alexa or Vudu support for the 820, Robert?

The last update I got from HQ was Alexa is scheduled for end of November. I'll ask again along with VUDU and the HULU apps.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Thanks and I understand, but two pages on how to zoom the image or stretch the aspect ratio is excessive. All you have to do is look at the remote and user menu to quickly get this answer. This is not an enthusiast question or of interest to the vast majority of members and visitors.

It's something Panasonic's engineers might want to consider adding to future generations of 4K UHD players. The zoom feature I don't really use anymore but it does come in handy if you pause the image and want a closer look at the on screen image.

There should be a setting on the Panasonic to change Widescreen to full or auto for disc playback. Full stretching full frame content and auto displaying OAR. Most disc players give you this option.