Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[gnicks]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Yes I will. I have a conference call scheduled for Monday afternoon with Panasonic NA and this is on my agenda. 1.64 is for China only at this time.

Hi Robert! I was just wondering if Panasonic provided any update on this during your call.

[Geoff D]

FWIW I finally got Panasonic UK's customer service to investigate the freezing on Knives Out in Dolby Vision. I'll probably have to send them my disc for them to check it but hopefully it'll lead to a resolution.

[Robert Zohn]

@gnicks, my meeting was rescheduled for next week.

[stargazeruk]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

FWIW I finally got Panasonic UK's customer service to investigate the freezing on Knives Out in Dolby Vision. I'll probably have to send them my disc for them to check it but hopefully it'll lead to a resolution.

I also got them looking at Midway. After a lot of back and forth which was quite annoying.

[Geoff D]

Nice one stargazer. As you said, it took a lot of back and forth to convince the CSR that it was even a problem in the first place, but now they've sent it further along to the 'technical team' I'm hopeful we'll finally get something actioned. Maybe the 1.64 firmware is a fix for this issue but until we've got it then we won't know either way.

[vincentric]

Initially was interested in getting the 820 but decided did not need another dv deck (since am still quite content w/the oppo 203). Ordered a 420 that should be delivered today. Primarily interested in test driving the hdr10 optimizer on the aging c6 to see how much or not of an improvement it makes to me as well as some other random performance comparisons. I know some of you are aware that am not exactly overjoyed by the c6's hdr10 output but love its 3d capabilities. Hoping the 420 can help bring me some more nerdy hdr10 joy to the c6 as I wait a couple (if not several) more years before upgrading to another oled. /cool story

[Geoff D]

As time goes on it seems like more and more people are voicing their dissatisfaction with the HDR10 output on the LG 2016 OLEDs, and some with later models too. I don't mean you per se but it's interesting how several of the techy types on this forum quietly admit to forcing DV on all HDR10 content just to get the better mapping/processing afforded by the Dobly engine.

[GenPion]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

As time goes on it seems like more and more people are voicing their dissatisfaction with the HDR10 output on the LG 2016 OLEDs, and some with later models too. I don't mean you per se but it's interesting how several of the techy types on this forum quietly admit to forcing DV on all HDR10 content just to get the better mapping/processing afforded by the Dobly engine.

The 2016 models don’t have the same kind of dynamic tone mapping. That’s why. Thank goodness for the Panasonic.

[vincentric]

I haven't been very active around the forums but I have tested forcing dv a bit more on the c6 since my initial praising of it and... it can be hit or miss.

Particularly notice an increase of artifacts in darker parts of the image in many titles for example in Solo during chapter 13, the night skies and various shadow details can become obscured by blockiness, it looks fine in hdr10. Have reached a point where I prefer no longer forcing DV on the c6 and just sticking to hdr10 for hdr10 titles.

As for native dv on disc output, w/current firmware in play on the 203 and c6, most of the grey-black issues appear to have been resolved making it quite watchable to me now it still isn't perfect but can live with it. Oddly enough the oppo screensaver looks very greyish black during dv on both the c6 and 930e.

Still prefer to use the 930e for hdr10/dv playback but for sure can't wait to try the 420's optimizer on the c6. Gonna keep my expectations in check though for any unwanted artifacts I may see that hopefully won't end up bugging me too much.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by GenPion

The 2016 models don’t have the same kind of dynamic tone mapping. That’s why. Thank goodness for the Panasonic.

HDR10 tone mapping doesn't need to be "dynamic" though to get a good result, it just needs to be competent e.g. the HDR Optimiser isn't "dynamic" in any way, shape or form, it's just smarter at how it approaches the mapping. Though even then it's not perfect as it doesn't take into account the nuances of the actual grading, as stuff that's got SDR-style highlights pushed into ridiculously bright luminance like Pacific Rim or The Meg can actually look MORE clipped when I turn the Optimiser on, not less! Though thankfully I need it very rarely anyway as 1000-nit titles are no problem at all for the ZD9 to run 'natively' without either crunching the APL or clipping the highlights, and plenty of modern stuff is coming with DV which takes care of the mapping on brighter movies. It's mainly Sony's HDR10 catalogue titles with their ultra-bright Light Cannon™ grades that I like to use the Optimiser.

Originally Posted by vincentric

I haven't been very active around the forums but I have tested forcing dv a bit more on the c6 since my initial praising of it and... it can be hit or miss.

Particularly notice an increase of artifacts in darker parts of the image in many titles for example in Solo during chapter 13, the night skies and various shadow details can become obscured by blockiness, it looks fine in hdr10. Have reached a point where I prefer no longer forcing DV on the c6 and just sticking to hdr10 for hdr10 titles.

As for native dv on disc output, w/current firmware in play on the 203 and c6, most of the grey-black issues appear to have been resolved making it quite watchable to me now it still isn't perfect but can live with it. Oddly enough the oppo screensaver looks very greyish black during dv on both the c6 and 930e.

Still prefer to use the 930e for hdr10/dv playback but for sure can't wait to try the 420's optimizer on the c6. Gonna keep my expectations in check though for any unwanted artifacts I may see that hopefully won't end up bugging me too much.

On the ZD9 the forced DV definitely crushes black by a few points, if it's doing the same in the full-fat mode then it may be what's causing those artefacts in the darker scenes?

[vincentric]

It doesn't appear to be crushing blacks from what I can tell it's more near-black compression artifacts introduced to the image. It can look pretty fugly.

[cappyj]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

For those looking for a better remote, the N2QAYA000131 is dirt cheap now on eBay. I got mine for $10.

It's missing the HDR setting button (which I don't use anyway) but has the benefit of being larger, has light up buttons and better button placement.

If you want to program the TV button to control your power or volume, here are the codes. Press and hold the TV power on the remote, input one of the codes and then press power again to see if it turns your TV on:

Panasonic: 01/02
LG: 10/11
SAMSUNG: 20/21/22
SONY: 30
VIZIO: 40/41

These will work with the stock remote and the UB900 remote listed above.

FYI - if you look carefully, those aren’t actually Panasonic remotes. The legitimate ones say Panasonic at the bottom on the front. I’m sure they’re made in the same factory, but worth pointing out.

[Mikke73]

Originally Posted by cappyj

FYI - if you look carefully, those aren’t actually Panasonic remotes. The legitimate ones say Panasonic at the bottom on the front. I’m sure they’re made in the same factory, but worth pointing out.

FYI - I bought one of these cheap remotes for 17 euros, and while it looks like a no-brand remote on the eBay images, it actually had a black sticker covering the Panasonic brand name at the bottom on the front.

[Geoff D]

Yep, same thing happened with me when I found a ebay seller with these a while back. Just peeled off the little gold sticker and there was a proper Panny remote underneath. Bought another one while I was at it

[gto35830]

Originally Posted by Mikke73

FYI - I bought one of these cheap remotes for 17 euros, and while it looks like a no-brand remote on the eBay images, it actually had a black sticker covering the Panasonic brand name at the bottom on the front.

How does this work with the 820? I am looking at a remote for the 9000. but would be $60. and shipped from UK. It looks like this is for the 900, so would assume that ALL the original remotes would some what be the same. Thanks for the info.

[Mikke73]

Originally Posted by gto35830

How does this work with the 820? I am looking at a remote for the 9000. but would be $60. and shipped from UK. It looks like this is for the 900, so would assume that ALL the original remotes would some what be the same. Thanks for the info.

No problems with 820, so far everything I've tried has worked.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by gto35830

How does this work with the 820? I am looking at a remote for the 9000. but would be $60. and shipped from UK. It looks like this is for the 900, so would assume that ALL the original remotes would some what be the same. Thanks for the info.

Panasonic have used the same remote control frequencies for years, as have most other manufacturers w/ref to their own remotes. It'll work the 820 no problem and my 310 (which is at least 9 years old) too. Not every button will work every function as some things get added or removed with different product generations, but for the essential functions then it works great.

[Member-425016]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Panasonic have used the same remote control frequencies for years, as have most other manufacturers w/ref to their own remotes. It'll work the 820 no problem and my 310 (which is at least 9 years old) too. Not every button will work every function as some things get added or removed with different product generations, but for the essential functions then it works great.

I fired up my Panasonic DVD recorder (model #?) I got in 2004 for the first time in years, and the remote powered on my 9000 in another room.

[gto35830]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Panasonic have used the same remote control frequencies for years, as have most other manufacturers w/ref to their own remotes. It'll work the 820 no problem and my 310 (which is at least 9 years old) too. Not every button will work every function as some things get added or removed with different product generations, but for the essential functions then it works great.

Thanks all for your info. I will get the least expensive one instead of the $60 one. thanks again.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yep, same thing happened with me when I found a ebay seller with these a while back. Just peeled off the little gold sticker and there was a proper Panny remote underneath. Bought another one while I was at it

Same here, but initially I received the wrong remote (mine had the jump back 10 seconds, jump forward 60 seconds buttons or work UK TVs). The replacement they kindly sent me didn't even have the sticker over the label, it was straight up Panasonic.

Only downside is there's no HDR button (so you can't select the presets), but you can go straight to the Video settings and customize everything.