Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Gold Ranger

Okay.
And the projector, is it any good?

Epson LS500 4K Ultra Short-Throw Laser Projector Review - YouTube

[martydmc12]

Is the UB9000 Region Free for standard Blu-ray discs?

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

Is the UB9000 Region Free for standard Blu-ray discs?

No. Region free playback of regular Blu-ray's is against BDA policy.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

Is the UB9000 Region Free for standard Blu-ray discs?

No it's not. There is a top menu trick when you insert a Region B BD but it won't work with RB locked discs. It works like this you insert Region B disc, let it load, press stop, press top menu. It sometimes takes a few times but it plays most Region B discs but for something reliable you need region free firmware installed.

There is no region free BD/UHD player on the market. Some Oppo models are region free out of the box for DVD but not for Blu-ray. You need to install region free firmware or some mod.

[martydmc12]

Originally Posted by danny24

No it's not. There is a top menu trick when you insert a Region B BD but it won't work with RB locked discs. It works like this you insert Region B disc, let it load, press stop, press top menu. It sometimes takes a few times but it plays most Region B discs but for something reliable you need region free firmware installed.

There is no region free BD/UHD player on the market. Some Oppo models are region free out of the box for DVD but not for Blu-ray. You need to install region free firmware or some mod.

What would you and others suggest doing with the 9000, a firmware mod, or instead buying a second region free Blu-ray player? Are there any drawbacks or possible technical issues that could happen to modifying the 9000 to play region free; is it worth it, or just cheaper/peace of mind buying a second player?

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

What would you and others suggest doing with the 9000, a firmware mod, or instead buying a second region free Blu-ray player? Are there any drawbacks or possible technical issues that could happen to modifying the 9000 to play region free; is it worth it, or just cheaper/peace of mind buying a second player?

I use two bluray players. One for Region A, another for Region B, both are Pana UB9000

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I use two bluray players. One for Region A, another for Region B, both are Pana UB9000

Bruhda, you be rollin’.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

What would you and others suggest doing with the 9000, a firmware mod, or instead buying a second region free Blu-ray player? Are there any drawbacks or possible technical issues that could happen to modifying the 9000 to play region free; is it worth it, or just cheaper/peace of mind buying a second player?

Your likely better off buying the UB9000 and a cheap second hand region free Blu-ray/UHD player, something small to fit on top or the side of it. The odds of bricking the UB9000 are low but unless a professional does it I wouldn't want to possibly brick a $1,000 UHD player installing a firmware mod.

There is the top menu trick that may or may not work for your disc.

It's all up to you though.

Try 220 electronics, they sell region free UHD and BD players, they have the UB9000 for $1,499:
https://www.220-electronics.com/regi...d-3d-wifi.html
https://www.220-electronics.com/regi...y-players.html

Obviously you have to pay more for their work. So they are like charging $499 for their work and player costs for the UB9000.

Likely cheaper to try and mod it yourself though. Contact them though and see if they can do less on the UB9000 like maybe $1,350. You never know.

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I use two bluray players. One for Region A, another for Region B, both are Pana UB9000

Not sure if serious but that works, a region A and a region B UB9000. Better have a sturdy rack or stand.

[Badas]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I use two bluray players. One for Region A, another for Region B, both are Pana UB9000

I've run two players all along. Last 5 years two Oppo 103D's.
I was thinking of running 3. Oppo Zone A, Oppo Zone B, UB9000 UHD.
But I've decided to box up Oppo 103D Zone B as a spare and run two players.

Both Oppo103D's are fitted with the all region modification.

[martydmc12]

Originally Posted by danny24

The odds of bricking the UB9000 are low but unless a professional does it I wouldn't want to possibly brick a $1,000 UHD player installing a firmware mod.

My thoughts exactly. That's why I asked.

Thanks!

[NKB2017]

Originally Posted by Badas

I've run two players all along. Last 5 years two Oppo 103D's.
I was thinking of running 3. Oppo Zone A, Oppo Zone B, UB9000 UHD.
But I've decided to box up Oppo 103D Zone B as a spare and run two players.

Both Oppo103D's are fitted with the all region modification.

That's neat! How do you get around the remote control issue? Turning BOTH Oppo's on and off when operating the other Oppo player (for instance)?

[NKB2017]

Originally Posted by martydmc12

What would you and others suggest doing with the 9000, a firmware mod, or instead buying a second region free Blu-ray player? Are there any drawbacks or possible technical issues that could happen to modifying the 9000 to play region free; is it worth it, or just cheaper/peace of mind buying a second player?

I have a shop bought multi-region/multi-zone Panasonic UB9000 that works like a charm except for one quirk... some German (or European) discs I've found will sometimes only play some (not all) of the extras/supplements with sound but no picture. It's strange as it only happens on a select few German/Euro discs and only some of the extras. Other than that... it works well with no other downside I can see. I probably wouldn't be brave enough to fit the mod myself though.

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by danny24

Not sure if serious but that works, a region A and a region B UB9000. Better have a sturdy rack or stand.

I’m not into modding anything and considering a modded UB9000 is about US$1500 and two unmodded ones are “only” $2000 total, I’d rather get two players and I have full manufacturer’s warranty.

[ronboster]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

I’m not into modding anything and considering a modded UB9000 is about US$1500 and two unmodded ones are “only” $2000 total, I’d rather get two players and I have full manufacturer’s warranty.

I agree. That's why I loved the external (literally plug and play) OPPO mod that plugged into the back of the player and was easily unplugged if one needed to send the player in for service.

Ron

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by ronboster

I agree. That's why I loved the external (literally plug and play) OPPO mod that plugged into the back of the player and was easily unplugged if one needed to send the player in for service.

Ron

And even with an internal mod: When I needed to service my OPPO I just left the internal one installed, OPPO didn’t say a thing aboot it and it worked perfickly fine when I got it back.

[JWgrayhawk]

Originally Posted by NKB2017

That's neat! How do you get around the remote control issue? Turning BOTH Oppo's on and off when operating the other Oppo player (for instance)?

Oppos have 3 choices of remote codes (at least my 103's do). You can switch the remote between A,B or C in the battery compartment and then choose the corresponding code in the machine's setup menu.

After unplugging, the machine will turn on with any of the 3 codes- to enable the switching. So the only time a remote operates more than 1 is when you unplug a unit for some reason.

[sapiendut]

And that’s the same case with Panasonic. You can set A or B for IR codes.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by ronboster

I agree. That's why I loved the external (literally plug and play) OPPO mod that plugged into the back of the player and was easily unplugged if one needed to send the player in for service.

Originally Posted by Geoff D

And even with an internal mod: When I needed to service my OPPO I just left the internal one installed, OPPO didn’t say a thing aboot it and it worked perfickly fine when I got it back.

As Geoff D said it shouldn't make much difference to the warranty, as long as you haven't caused damage to the machine, the warnings on the outside of most electronics aren't enforceable depending on where you live (I think they're illegal in the US).

[fredreed]

I just exchanged the Sony X700/M for the Panasonic UB820 and I must say It's a very impressive unit specially on my projector which uses HDR10. The picture quality is very vivid, crystal clear, and very sharp. I haven't so far seen the Discs skip like some people have said they have had happen. But so far the remote control even works great unlike what people have said about It also. It all depends on how you hold It and use It. It is by far the better then any of the Sony 4k Ultra blu ray players that are currently out.

[danny24]

Originally Posted by fredreed

I just exchanged the Sony X700/M for the Panasonic UB820 and I must say It's a very impressive unit specially on my projector which uses HDR10. The picture quality is very vivid, crystal clear, and very sharp. I haven't so far seen the Discs skip like some people have said they have had happen. But so far the remote control even works great unlike what people have said about It also. It all depends on how you hold It and use It. It is by far the better then any of the Sony 4k Ultra blu ray players that are currently out.

It depends on what you are paying for a Sony UHD player.

The X1100ES is more expensive than the UB820. The UB820 is the better disc player video wise.

The X800M2 is cheaper than the UB820 but like a hundred less or so. The UB820 is the better disc player video wise.

The Sony UHD players still pretty good though (not a dramatic difference but still a difference) but for anyone deciding on a Sony or Panasonic UHD player, pick the UB820 if your not an audiophile as the Sony's play SACD's.

Sony needs to up their game on UHD players imo to compete with Panasonic. Panasonic's HCX processor is brilliant and Sony needs to add auto Dolby Vision.