Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

Got around to contacting Panasonic. They are having me ship it to a repair location to be evaluated for either repair or replacement, and the shipping TO Panasonic is on my dime.

Best Buy had better reimburse your shipping since they refused to help you on a new purchase.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by bizzle

I will try this and see if things improve. Another random question for you. For Digital Audio Out on my UB820, I have both DTS and Dolby set to Bitstream (as opposed to PCM). Is there a preference on that? Do I loose sound quality if I go to PCM?

If it's set to PCM it's simply decoding the sound internally, there should be no difference in sound quality but it won't pass Atmos or DTS:X extension data, though if your soundbar doesn't do them thar formats then it won't matter. Turn off Secondary Audio regardless.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

Update: The online chat rep was 100% wrong in everything she did. When I got to Best Buy they were expecting SOMETHING to do with a TV.
There is no Magnolia warranty swap, and that other person must have had a Geek Squad warranty. That's the only time they'll do it in-store.

The most Best Buy could do for me is ship it to Panasonic, and I'd be looking at 4-6 week turnaround. Not happy with Best Buy Geek Squad chat at all.

I will update with info on my inevitable Panasonic experience, unless this is considered off-topic?

This YouTube user got his UB9000 and it wouldn't read (Ultra HD) Blu-ray discs. He was given a replacement UB9000 only 4 days later.

https://youtu.be/APM_fHPkQCQ

DISCLAIMER: This video does not belong to me. All credit goes to FADETOBLACK.

[cupboy]

I returned my UB9000 to BBY due to a billing issue. I then bought another and this one has a noisy disc loading drawer but I have until Jan. 16 to return it due to the extended return period, so I will keep it until then unless it fails completely.

The previous machine had the quietest disc loading drawer I've ever experienced.

Both were open-box items. I suspect the previous owner of my current machine was doing something stupid like closing the drawer with his hand. I see people doing that.

I may end up just buying a brand new one.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

Originally Posted by cupboy

I returned my UB9000 to BBY due to a billing issue. I then bought another and this one has a noisy disc loading drawer but I have until Jan. 16 to return it due to the extended return period, so I will keep it until then unless it fails completely.

The previous machine had the quietest disc loading drawer I've ever experienced.

Both were open-box items. I suspect the previous owner of my current machine was doing something stupid like closing the drawer with his hand. I see people doing that.

I may end up just buying a brand new one.

Dude..
.....replace it. Wtf?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

Can one of you post a sound clip of your UB9000 loading an Ultra HD Blu-ray (BD-100)? I want to hear what the drive sounds like. Post an actual sound clip. Don't just give an opinion.

You didn't say the magic word.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

You didn't say the magic word.

Please.

[cupboy]

Houdini?

[Waboman]

Originally Posted by cupboy

Houdini?

Who is Harry?

It's like Jeopardy. RIP, señor Trebek.

[BijouMan]

Can one of you post a sound clip of your UB9000 loading an Ultra HD Blu-ray (BD-100)? I want to hear what the drive sounds like. Please post an actual sound clip and don't just give an opinion.

[Oscarilbo]

Well.. I tried the HDR - SDR conversion for my native 709 4K HDR projector and I liked a lot.The image is absolute accurate and finally brings all the information back. But there are a couple of downsides I found; the image lacks that punch that makes you feel you are watching an HDR movie, at least in converting it to BT709, like a fine vail in front of the screen, contrast is off and is not something I can fix just by cracking up the contrast of the projector. Second, while I know DCI-P3/BT2020 is fake in HDR mode with my projector, damn do I love those reds and oranges, but on 709 I do not have access to that Gamma configuration.

I know all these are just things that can be adjusted with calibration, but since I’m not a professional calibrator I’m kind of stuck with it.

[cappyj]

Originally Posted by bizzle

And do you have lag with DTS and Dolby formats?

Yes....at least I think. Can't remember what the format was for the audio/sync file I used to sync it. But judging based off of lips on my DTS/DD discs, the ~85ms syncs it up.

A while back I went down a deep dark rabbit hole on it because it's not just my UB820 that I have lag with (though it has the most lag). AT4k and Shield both have some lag ~40-60ms. So could be my reciever. A lot of threads also pointed to my TV being the culpret (that the 820, and receiver are all sending it in sync, but the TV is taking a tiny amount of time to process the image, so the audio ends up ahead of the video).

I went through and sync'd all my devices using various test files (and slow-motion video capture on my phone). And have tried to stop focusing on it.

[cupboy]

Some UB9000 machines are made in Czech Republic (both of them that I bought) and some made in China. Which machines have more problems?

[DavePS3]

Originally Posted by bizzle

So I have had this player for a few months now and have primarily enjoyed it. The one issue I am still dealing with is Audio Sync. I've done a tone of experimenting and have determined that I believe the issue to be around UHD and BD content that uses DTS as primary sound source (Dolby and LPCM both seem fine).

*My setup: UB820 ---> HDMI ---> TCL R635 TV ---> Yamaha Yas-207 Soundbar (via eARC HDMI Port)
*UB820 Audio Output is set to Bitstream for Dolby and DTS with Secondary Audio turned off.
*In order for films using a DTS track to sync properly, I have to set the Audio Delay to 130 MS in the UB820 options.

Surely there has to be a solution to get DTS Audio to sync properly, right? Or do others also have to set the Audio Delay to 130 MS? It just feels weird that I would have to switch this every time I go to watch a movie if using a Dolby track versus a DTS track.

I have had zero issue with lag when watching content via the TV through Netflix, Prime or Apple TV--just sync issues with the 820UB.

Films I have tested over the past few weeks:

The Shining - UHD (DTS Track with lag at 0MS. Works fine at 130MS)

Rear Window - UHD (DTS Track with lag at 0MS. Works fine at 130MS)

Blade Runner - UHD (Dolby Track with Lag at 130 MS. Works fine at 0MS)

Seventh Seal - Criterion BD (LPCM Track with zero lag at 0MS and 130MS)

Manhunter - ShoutFactory BD (DTS Track with lag at 0MS. Works fine at 130MS)

Run the 820's secondary HDMI into the soundbar for audio, the main into the TV. eArc and Arc have always been a 'shit-show'. Do that and you won't have any synch issues.

[RustinCohle]

Best Buy's website currently has (at least) one of these for sale "Open-Box Excellent" for $425.

[CSM101]

They’re normally $500 (the 820) but they frequently go on sale for $400. Just wait a little bit and get a brand new one for $400. I got lucky this summer as I had accumulated about $200 in reward certificates and bought it on sale when it was $400.

[RustinCohle]

Originally Posted by CSM101

They’re normally $500 (the 820) but they frequently go on sale for $400. Just wait a little bit and get a brand new one for $400. I got lucky this summer as I had accumulated about $200 in reward certificates and bought it on sale when it was $400.

Yeah I'm waiting for that, but just wanted to throw it out there for anyone who doesn't want to wait.

[CSM101]

I’m wondering if they would be even drop it to $350 for Black Friday this year. I got my 420 last Black Friday for $150 (excellent little player). It probably won’t happen but it wouldn’t surprise me if the 820 goes down a little bit more this year for BF.

[cupboy]

Originally Posted by CSM101

They’re normally $500 (the 820) but they frequently go on sale for $400. Just wait a little bit and get a brand new one for $400. I got lucky this summer as I had accumulated about $200 in reward certificates and bought it on sale when it was $400.

Yep. At least the new ones have a 1 year parts, 90 days labor warranty. Warranty is valid for original purchaser only. Those BBY open-box items have no warranty of any kind so if you buy one be sure to get the 2-year geek squad coverage.

[SolidBlu]

What is the difference between DP-UB820 and DP-UP820EBK? Thanks