Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by David M

Interestingly, the UK Panasonic 820 I have here has an issue where, if the audio output format is Bitstream, it will downgrade both Dolby Digital and DTS tracks to their DVD-era lossy variants (in other words, only play the cores). I assume that it's delivering the full-fat streams when set to decode them to PCM. Secondary audio and other effects are off, so I'm at a loss to explain it. I haven't tried using the secondary HDMI output though.

This sounds like my 820 hooked up up to the ZD9 (I don't use a separate sound system), except it's doing exactly what it should be doing as the TV's EDID is telling the player it can decode lossy DD and DTS, so when set to bitstream with a lossless disc that's what it delivers to the TV: the lossy embeds/cores, and it's quite handy when I want to drill down past an Atmos remix and access the hidden legacy DD mix.

But yes, when set to PCM it delivers the decoded lossless stream to the TV (as PCM 5.1), this I know because the audio now contains the mixing "decisions" unique to the Atmos mix in whatever case.

[rickardl]

Originally Posted by nachoju95

Ah sorry I am using HDMI.

I made the modification you told me but PCM 2.0 still appears

Not sure if this changes anything for you but my 3008 Onkyo receiver has this setting:
Audio (button on the remote) -> Audio Selector -> HDMI -> Fixed Mode -> Auto/Off.
Make sure it is set to Auto/Off and not PCM.
I think it only changes how the receiver detects the type of the input signal but maybe it also changes how the HDMI handshake reports the capabilities back to the player.

[WKoA13]

So quick question regarding audio and this player:

I currently have mine hooked up to my LG B6 and a Vizio Atmos bar via HDMI ARC.

I know the B6 did not have the ability to pass Atmos via ARC, BUT I don't get ANY surround audio of any kind from this player in this set up.

I mean, if I put the sound bar in the "Movie" EQ mode, then I get surround. But that's it. As soon as I switch to just "Direct" EQ mode on the bar, my subwoofer and rear speakers get zero sound. And checking the "info" on the bar keeps telling me it's ONLY getting a stereo signal.

I have my Xbox One X hooked up the same way (into the B6, ARC from TV to bar) but I actually get surround/rear channels etc when I watch or play anything on it.

Is there something in the 820 audio settings I need to change so that I still get SOMETHING surround wise when watching a disc? I currently have both main settings on PCM and Secondary Audio is set to "Off"

(I have not yet tried going directly from the panny into the soundbar yet, since I'd have to move my entertainment center etc, but it will be the next step)

It's not the worst if I just keep using "Movie" EQ on the bar until I upgrade my TV and audio this Fall, but puzzling that I can get surround (if not true Atmos) from the Xbox but not from the 820.

EDIT* Just tried going directly into the HDMI on the soundbar with the 820 and still only getting a stereo signal/no surround.

[ibanezjp]

Originally Posted by gunnerg

My guess would be, it must be too dark on the Sony 4k player if the owners are hanging out in the panasonic 820/9000 thread and thinking about one for it's optimizer. Can you see how this is able to translate to me this way? Meanwhile, many panasonic owners are turning their optimizers off. And can enjoy "dark" HDR & DV 4k transfers midday with curtains open. It's lovely. I'm definitely not longing for a feature from some other player manufacturer...yet. I do look forward to the future!

An update on my situation. I found out you can’t use the “Standard” picture mode on Sony’s for HDR. Even though it’s one of the brighter modes it makes HDR darker. I guess because it can’t correctly track EOTF or something like that. Using cinema mode fixed everything. HDR stuff is brighter and the regular Blu rays aren’t overly bright like before. Life is good now! It’s crazy because even with identical settings the picture modes behave differently.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by WKoA13

So quick question regarding audio and this player:

I currently have mine hooked up to my LG B6 and a Vizio Atmos bar via HDMI ARC.

I know the B6 did not have the ability to pass Atmos via ARC, BUT I don't get ANY surround audio of any kind from this player in this set up.

I mean, if I put the sound bar in the "Movie" EQ mode, then I get surround. But that's it. As soon as I switch to just "Direct" EQ mode on the bar, my subwoofer and rear speakers get zero sound. And checking the "info" on the bar keeps telling me it's ONLY getting a stereo signal.

I have my Xbox One X hooked up the same way (into the B6, ARC from TV to bar) but I actually get surround/rear channels etc when I watch or play anything on it.

Is there something in the 820 audio settings I need to change so that I still get SOMETHING surround wise when watching a disc? I currently have both main settings on PCM and Secondary Audio is set to "Off"

(I have not yet tried going directly from the panny into the soundbar yet, since I'd have to move my entertainment center etc, but it will be the next step)

It's not the worst if I just keep using "Movie" EQ on the bar until I upgrade my TV and audio this Fall, but puzzling that I can get surround (if not true Atmos) from the Xbox but not from the 820.

EDIT* Just tried going directly into the HDMI on the soundbar with the 820 and still only getting a stereo signal/no surround.

Turn the audio to BITSTREAM rather than PCM. It seems to me like the TV can't accept a PCM 5.1 or 7.1 signal so it's being downmixed to PCM 2.0 and in doing so it's stripping out any surround information. But with bitstream enabled then it will output the lossy DD 5.1 / DTS 5.1 cores of the audio.

And if you want Atmos then you will never get it from a PCM signal, the bitstream is what carries the immersive metadata packet to a suitable Atmos device over HDMI. So connect the player directly to the soundbar via HDMI and get it switched to bitstream, stat!

[WKoA13]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Turn the audio to BITSTREAM rather than PCM. It seems to me like the TV can't accept a PCM 5.1 or 7.1 signal so it's being downmixed to PCM 2.0 and in doing so it's stripping out any surround information. But with bitstream enabled then it will output the lossy DD 5.1 / DTS 5.1 cores of the audio.

And if you want Atmos then you will never get it from a PCM signal, the bitstream is what carries the immersive metadata packet to a suitable Atmos device over HDMI. So connect the player directly to the soundbar via HDMI and get it switched to bitstream, stat!

Good to know on that last bit, and the bitstream method worked! Thanks!

[Oscarilbo]

Hi guys. I’m trying again the Panny with my projector. So, should I use HDR or HDR to SDR? I ask this because there seems to be some of you pretty convinced that this is the way to go for projectors. Mine is the BenQ HT2550 which is 4K HDR and REC.709 as color profile base. with HDR mode it changes to BT2020 but if I understand correctly is just REC.709 remapped. HDR images on the projector are stunning, so I dont know.

How would I have to use HDR to SDR properly on the player? What sliders should I use then? Last time I tried a couple of months ago, I didnt like it, it was too washed out, and no punch at all, but maybe I didnt know how to set up properly. Should I calibrate it from the player or the projector?

What are your advices?

[tcripe]

Idk if this is the place to post this but my LGUBK90 has become possessed and turns off and on by itself quite frequently. So, im in the market for a new player 4k blu player and ive heard Panasonic is the way to go. Was shopping on best buy and I found 2 players that seem very similar, but there is a $50 price difference. Can someone please explain the difference to me between the DP-UB150-K and the DP-UB420-K.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by tcripe

Idk if this is the place to post this but my LGUBK90 has become possessed and turns off and on by itself quite frequently. So, im in the market for a new player 4k blu player and ive heard Panasonic is the way to go. Was shopping on best buy and I found 2 players that seem very similar, but there is a $50 price difference. Can someone please explain the difference to me between the DP-UB150-K and the DP-UB420-K.

It's a little confusing because the 150, 420, and 450 have many similarities but also key differences.

- 450 has dolby vision, 150 does not
- 450 an extra HDMI out over the 150 (so you can send audio separately to an older AVR or soundbar which doesn't support 4K HDCP 2.2).
- UB420 has wifi, HDR Optimiser, HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision
- UB450 has no wifi, no HDR Optimiser but has Dolby Vision and HDR10+

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

Hi guys. I’m trying again the Panny with my projector. So, should I use HDR or HDR to SDR? I ask this because there seems to be some of you pretty convinced that this is the way to go for projectors. Mine is the BenQ HT2550 which is 4K HDR and REC.709 as color profile base. with HDR mode it changes to BT2020 but if I understand correctly is just REC.709 remapped. HDR images on the projector are stunning, so I dont know.

How would I have to use HDR to SDR properly on the player? What sliders should I use then? Last time I tried a couple of months ago, I didnt like it, it was too washed out, and no punch at all, but maybe I didnt know how to set up properly. Should I calibrate it from the player or the projector?

What are your advices?

I think we talked about this before.

It sounds like your projector color gamut does not expand beyond rec 709, so I would try the 820 at SDR 709. But I would still try SDR 2020 as perhaps the projector's remapping is better or worse (my first guess would be worse). However, you need a good light meter and software to properly calibrate your projector to rec 709, contrast, brightness (black level), and you want a 2.4 gamma as that is what the 820 is outputting. Now, I don't know your projector's calibrating potential or ability. Something is off here which is probably why it looks washed out to you vs HDR mode, but I am speculating. But most projectors generally don't have enough lumens to handle straight HDR from the player and most projectors tone map like sh*t, so you likely want to tone map with one of these SDR modes (rec 709 or 2020 on the player). Use the HDR Optimizer as well. You should also dive into the HDR test patterns to look at how those secondary controls (tonal white, etc.) affect your image. You could also hire a (competent) calibrator to optimize your set-up. Projection can get a little tricky.

[Oscarilbo]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I think we talked about this before.

It sounds like your projector color gamut does not expand beyond rec 709, so I would try the 820 at SDR 709. But I would still try SDR 2020 as perhaps the projector's remapping is better or worse (my first guess would be worse). However, you need a good light meter and software to properly calibrate your projector to rec 709, contrast, brightness (black level), and you want a 2.4 gamma as that is what the 820 is outputting. Now, I don't know your projector's calibrating potential or ability. Something is off here which is probably why it looks washed out to you vs HDR mode, but I am speculating. But most projectors generally don't have enough lumens to handle straight HDR from the player and most projectors tone map like sh*t, so you likely want to tone map with one of these SDR modes (rec 709 or 2020 on the player). Use the HDR Optimizer as well. You should also dive into the HDR test patterns to look at how those secondary controls (tonal white, etc.) affect your image. You could also hire a (competent) calibrator to optimize your set-up. Projection can get a little tricky.

Thanks so much. Yeah I think we did, but I had to return the player because it was glitchy and buy it again until new supplies. So here we are, and yeah, I tried again SDR 2020 but again looked too washed out. Then tried 709 and looked much better, not really much different than HDR mode to be honest. The projector gives me the option to gamma 2.4 but not BT.2020 color profile in SDR mode. So I may need a professional here as you say. But man, the optimizer do make wonders with HDR mode which is pretty good in my projector anyway.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

Thanks so much. Yeah I think we did, but I had to return the player because it was glitchy and buy it again until new supplies. So here we are, and yeah, I tried again SDR 2020 but again looked too washed out. Then tried 709 and looked much better, not really much different than HDR mode to be honest. The projector gives me the option to gamma 2.4 but not BT.2020 color profile in SDR mode. So I may need a professional here as you say. But man, the optimizer do make wonders with HDR mode which is pretty good in my projector anyway.

It's probable that the 2.4 gamma setting on the projector is not accurate out of the box as it's not calibrated, let alone to your screen, room, brightness level, etc. Hopefully there is a gamma curve control on the projector. I know the 820 has a gamma setting, but not sure how well it works. But yeah, I would try to find a good calibrator because it will make a world of difference on your set-up to get gamma as good as possible along with your greyscale, 709 gamut, etc.

[Oscarilbo]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

It's probable that the 2.4 gamma setting on the projector is not accurate out of the box as it's not calibrated, let alone to your screen, room, brightness level, etc. Hopefully there is a gamma curve control on the projector. I know the 820 has a gamma setting, but not sure how well it works. But yeah, I would try to find a good calibrator because it will make a world of difference on your set-up to get gamma as good as possible along with your greyscale, 709 gamut, etc.

Agree. I also have the Spears and Munsil UHD disc, but that hasn’t been much helpful to be honest. You need professional equipment to calibrate colors and white point anyway (my projector doesn’t even have blue mode), and even brightness and contrast is not that simple, and thats for SDR. For HDR mode they recommend not to touch any basic controls.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

Agree. I also have the Spears and Munsil UHD disc, but that hasn’t been much helpful to be honest. You need professional equipment to calibrate colors and white point anyway (my projector doesn’t even have blue mode), and even brightness and contrast is not that simple, and thats for SDR. For HDR mode they recommend not to touch any basic controls.

If you're in the U.S., I highly recommend trying to get Chad B out.

[Oscarilbo]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

If you're in the U.S., I highly recommend trying to get Chad B out.

Well... that's the thing. I'm in Mexico, and here in my town I don't know anybody who work on that I'm afraid

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

Well... that's the thing. I'm in Mexico, and here in my town I don't know anybody who work on that I'm afraid

Send Kris Deering a PM. He does have people send them their projectors and he calibrates to the same screen fabric they are using, throw, size, brightness, etc. I'm not sure how shipping would be to and from U.S. for you, but just a thought.

[tcripe]

Originally Posted by pbz06

It's a little confusing because the 150, 420, and 450 have many similarities but also key differences.

- 450 has dolby vision, 150 does not
- 450 an extra HDMI out over the 150 (so you can send audio separately to an older AVR or soundbar which doesn't support 4K HDCP 2.2).
- UB420 has wifi, HDR Optimiser, HDR10+, but not Dolby Vision
- UB450 has no wifi, no HDR Optimiser but has Dolby Vision and HDR10+

Does the 150 have any features?!?!?!? lol

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by tcripe

Does the 150 have any features?!?!?!? lol

ha, when I re-read my post I realized I compared more the 420/450.

Best bet is to check:
https://www.panasonic.com/au/consume.../dp-ub150.html

Click on the "specs" tab and then the "full specs".

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

Well... that's the thing. I'm in Mexico, and here in my town I don't know anybody who work on that I'm afraid

If you are willing to do your own calibration, I've used this method for calibrating my parent's 2010 Plasma: http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10457

I used an X-rite iOne Display LT Calibration Equipment Tool and the DVE HD Essentials Disc. For the software, I used ColorHCFR. You can select the software to calibrate for projectors. This is an older method and there are updated methods and equipment, like the iOne has an updated version. Now, this is just if you can't find a good professional calibrator. If you can, have them do it. Otherwise, doing it yourself is your best bet.

[tcripe]

Does the HDR optimizer feature work with HDR10+ content?