Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[sapiendut]

You’re asking whether it’s possible. I’m informing you that the architecture doesn’t allow it. And now you bring Oppo.

By the same logic, please tell me why Oppo can’t do SDR2020 properly and can’t do tone mapping? Because Panasonic UB9000 can.

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

You’re asking whether it’s possible. I’m informing you that the architecture doesn’t allow it. And now you bring Oppo.

By the same logic, please tell me why Oppo can’t do SDR2020 properly and can’t do tone mapping? Because Panasonic UB9000 can.

Not sure how you got that 'logic' from my previous post.

Is it not possible that the architecture of the next models change allowing them to implement it? Do new models not sometimes introduce new hardware? Implying they might be able to implement an HDMI input and allow tone mapping of HDR10 through it?


It's definitely possible, whether Panasonic wants to do it for new models is a different thing no?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I dare say you'd need some pretty powerful hardware to be able to remap it in real time according to whatever nits value has been set, but then when they're charging a thousand simoleons for a player I'd expect it to be able to do such things!

Correct. What's interesting is, the top of the line JVC RS4500 might not get the DTM update because it's on at least a two year older architecture where as the new line (which sits below it) got the update but has beefed up, newer hardware/processing power to support it.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by samlop10

Not sure how you got that 'logic' from my previous post.

Is it not possible that the architecture of the next models change allowing them to implement it? Do new models not sometimes introduce new hardware? Implying they might be able to implement an HDMI input and allow tone mapping of HDR10 through it?


It's definitely possible, whether Panasonic wants to do it for new models is a different thing no?

It's just not something that any player manufacturer outside of OPPO (and related clones) has ever seriously thought about implementing because it's just not a necessity. Some folks might say "well, what is a necessity on a thousand dollar player?" but even so, you're not going to find manufacturers scrambling to add it to their players just because OPPO are no more. It's a fairly seldom-used feature, particularly on the UHD decks which don't have the fancy-pants processing of previous models, so it's not a niche that's begging to be filled IMO. Panasonic COULD do it, just as any manufacturer could. But they won't.

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Correct. What's interesting is, the top of the line JVC RS4500 might not get the DTM update because it's on at least a two year older architecture where as the new line (which sits below it) got the update but has beefed up, newer hardware/processing power to support it.

Tell me about it. My 2016 Sony TV only has DV because Sony had to cheat their way to it by using a profile that puts none of the dynamic processing emphasis on the TV at all!

[Kris Deering]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Correct. What's interesting is, the top of the line JVC RS4500 might not get the DTM update because it's on at least a two year older architecture where as the new line (which sits below it) got the update but has beefed up, newer hardware/processing power to support it.

Actually the hardware/processing in the 4500 has more power than the other line. The reason it may not come to the 4500 has to do with memory available in the FPGA, not processing limitations.

[samlop10]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's just not something that any player manufacturer outside of OPPO (and related clones) has ever seriously thought about implementing because it's just not a necessity. Some folks might say "well, what is a necessity on a thousand dollar player?" but even so, you're not going to find manufacturers scrambling to add it to their players just because OPPO are no more. It's a fairly seldom-used feature, particularly on the UHD decks which don't have the fancy-pants processing of previous models, so it's not a niche that's begging to be filled IMO. Panasonic COULD do it, just as any manufacturer could. But they won't.


Tell me about it. My 2016 Sony TV only has DV because Sony had to cheat their way to it by using a profile that puts none of the dynamic processing emphasis on the TV at all!

Yeah I know. That’s why I said it would be the cherry on top after they implement dynamic TM. At some point though, they need to add something to make new models seem worth the upgrade. So maybe they’ll consider adding it then.

Devices like the madVR Envy and Lumagen Pro do it, but they also add a bunch of other processing which I don’t really want. So a device that did accurate dynamic tone mapping without adding all the other processing and did not exceed $1K would be nice.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Actually the hardware/processing in the 4500 has more power than the other line. The reason it may not come to the 4500 has to do with memory available in the FPGA, not processing limitations.

Thanks for clarifying. I was told differently from a dealer.

[Stinkerbell]

Originally Posted by Yasujiro Ozu

Unless already answered can the UB9000 be made region free on it's Bluray portion?

We are proud to announce the immediate availabilty of our enhanced firmware for Panasonic™ DP-UB420, DP-UB424, DP-UB820, DP-UB824, DP-UB9000 and DP-UB9004 Ultra HD Blu-ray players !

Enhanced firmware version: 1.60A

Supported geographic areas:

Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, United Kingdom

Supported device models:

DP-UB420EB/EG/GN/PC
DP-UB424EG
DP-UB820EB/EF/EG/GN/P/PC
DP-UB824EG
DP-UB9000EB/EG/GN/P/PC
DP-UB9004EG

Features:

Multi-Region playback for DVD and Blu-ray
Country code selection
DVD UOP (User operation prohibition) deactivation
Blu-ray PUO (Protected user operation) deactivation
Cinavia™ free operation
PAL support for non-PAL models
Stock firmware feature upgrade

[sapiendut]

Is this a true fw from Panasonic? Strange that it allows region change capability for north america, if at all.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Is this a true fw from Panasonic? Strange that it allows region change capability for north america, if at all.

Of course it's not, it's one of those custom firmwares from matey boy, he's probably touting for business.

[thirdkind]

Originally Posted by Stinkerbell

We are proud to announce the immediate availabilty of our enhanced firmware for Panasonic™ DP-UB420, DP-UB424, DP-UB820, DP-UB824, DP-UB9000 and DP-UB9004 Ultra HD Blu-ray players !

Enhanced firmware version: 1.60A

Supported geographic areas:

Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North America, United Kingdom

Supported device models:

DP-UB420EB/EG/GN/PC
DP-UB424EG
DP-UB820EB/EF/EG/GN/P/PC
DP-UB824EG
DP-UB9000EB/EG/GN/P/PC
DP-UB9004EG

Features:

Multi-Region playback for DVD and Blu-ray
Country code selection
DVD UOP (User operation prohibition) deactivation
Blu-ray PUO (Protected user operation) deactivation
Cinavia™ free operation
PAL support for non-PAL models
Stock firmware feature upgrade

I tried going through the application process to get access to this firmware, but apparently I don't know the correct magic words to get accepted. Very frustrating and not straightforward at all.

I've managed to get by with Stop/Top Menu trick on Region B discs so far, but being able to skip all the usual non-skippables would be nice.

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Is this a true fw from Panasonic?

No.

[Robert Zohn]

No it's not Panasonic firmware. Stinkerbell is referring to a Region Free website that has new version of the region free DVD and 1080p BD software.

[DJR662]

Still no sign on that auto shutdown being made optional?

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

No it's not Panasonic firmware. Stinkerbell is referring to a Region Free website that has new version of the region free DVD and 1080p BD software.

It also gives the 820 access to some of the 9000 settings since they are based on the same architecture.

[Mobe1969]

Got to admit, it'd be really nice to have this region free. I dislike having to use my oppo for region a locked titles... I looked into importing a US model, but it gets a bit messy with no universal PSU.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

No it's not Panasonic firmware. Stinkerbell is referring to a Region Free website that has new version of the region free DVD and 1080p BD software.

Robert, if I may ask. Did you by any chance tell your Panasonic contacts about the fact some owners would like to see the auto shut down to be made optional?

I hate to sound like a broke record, but it happened again just now for the umpteenth time and it is really getting on my nerves. I was watching My Bloody Valentine 3D, I get a phonecall to discuss some things so I paused the movie and went to the other room to take the call. Sure thing when I came back, the Panasonic UB820 had turned itself off. Had to boot up the player again and restart the disc from the beginning.

I know most people don't consider it this way, but IMO this is an issue that needs a fix.

I would be very grateful if you at least could pass on the message.

Thanks in advance.

[sapiendut]

The response I received from Panasonic Japan with regards to the auto shutoff delete is a definite no. Not gonna happen. Sorry for the bad news. I thought I’ve posted this before.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

The response I received from Panasonic Japan with regards to the auto shutoff delete is a definite no. Not gonna happen. Sorry for the bad news. I thought I’ve posted this before.

Any particular reason as to why they won't correct this? It's driving me nuts sometimes.

[sapiendut]

There is no reasoning, they essentially only say “never” when I asked the ETA of that feature. I asked for this feature literally once a month since it was requested here.

Perhaps they just got sick and tired of me. That’s been known to happen

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

There is no reasoning, they essentially only say “never” when I asked the ETA of that feature. I asked for this feature literally once a month since it was requested here.

Perhaps they just got sick and tired of me. That’s been known to happen

Well, that's really unfortunate then. I don't see any logical in not fixing it. Weird.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to ask them. Perhaps if you could continue to do so they might budge at some time.