Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player - Page 381 - Blu-ray Forum

David M · 03-26-2021, 05:13 AM

I don't know about the US version, but I can tell you that the UB820 I brought back from the UK works directly in the US without any voltage converter. It's very likely to be the same in reverse.

I've also plugged American Panasonic BD players in in the UK without any voltage converter, and they worked fine.

LordoftheRings · 03-26-2021, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Panasonic’s current DP-UB9000 uses an AKM DAC, however due to a fire that destroyed the AKM factory they can no longer purchase AKM DACs so we Panasonic is transitioning to an ESS DAC.

The model number will change from DP-UB9000 to DP-UB9000P1K. We do not have a date for the UB9000P1K, but I expect it to be later summer at earliest.

That is good info we can use, thanks Robert.

The 9000 sports the AKM AK4493 32-bit DAC.
It's not the top-of-the-range but it is well implemented because the measurements show.
It measures very very good, right there among/near the echelon's top.

By using an ESS Sabre DAC on the new "updated" 9000P1K it will be interesting for a take 2 on new set of "Audio" measurements and from audiophile's golden ears (trained experience).

• The Oppo 205 and Pioneer LX800 both use two ESS SABRE Pro Series DACs.

NKB2017 · 03-26-2021, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

That is good info we can use, thanks Robert.

The 9000 sports the AKM AK4493 32-bit DAC.
It's not the top-of-the-range but it is well implemented because the measurements show.
It measures very very good, right there among/near the echelon's top.

By using an ESS Sabre DAC on the new "updated" 9000P1K it will be interesting for a take 2 on new set of "Audio" measurements and from audiophile's golden ears (trained experience).

• The Oppo 205 and Pioneer LX800 both use two ESS SABRE Pro Series DACs.

That would be very interesting... but as another member has said... it doesn't seem to be an 'upgrade' move... more out of necessity due to the factory being destroyed. Is that right Robert? Thanks for the update!

DDH · 03-26-2021, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Lastly, the company said that it will not launch new UHD Blu-ray players in 2021 except a refresh of its flagship UHD Blu-ray player UB9000 that will come "back in May 2021".

- "UB9000 will come back in May 2021, same specifications but new sound processor," said Panasonic. "It will keep the same specifications as before. It is not planned right now to add SACD & DVD-A."

Panasonic's other existing Blu-ray players will carry over into 2021.

https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.ph...&id=1616754044

Oniiz86 · 03-26-2021, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I am still working with the engineers in Japan and hope to have an answer by early - mid January.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Version 1.66 is not for the USA and does not address any of the issues we want.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I have an excellent relationship at all levels at Panasonic and we speak very frequently.

Hi Robert any word yet from Japan's engineers on whether the DV bug can or cannot be addressed in a firmware update?

Stacey Spears had alluded that it could in fact be fixed if only Dolby issued Panasonic with the required SDK update.

Robert Zohn · 03-26-2021, 05:41 PM

Just spoke with my Panasonic contacts and they are sending me one of the new UB9000P1K BD players for my evaluation and I'll do careful comparison to the current UB9000.

End of May for my UB9000P1K evaluation unit to arrive.

Cortiz · 03-26-2021, 07:36 PM

Robert - Any updates on the potential firmware update we've been waiting on?

Wormicide · 03-26-2021, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cortiz

Robert - Any updates on the potential firmware update we've been waiting on?

Crickets, he seems to ignore these questions

chip75 · 03-26-2021, 10:32 PM

It would be fantastic if they fixed the small litany of issues with the current players before embarking on knocking out newer ones with the same problems.

Robert Zohn · 03-26-2021, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wormicide

Crickets, he seems to ignore these questions

Sorry for not responding sooner, I've been focused on getting all of today's Sony A90J TV orders processed and shipped.

As I posted above, once I receive the UB9000P1K I'll know if they implemented any of our firmware updates and then I can ask them to give us a firmware update for the existing UB9000.

Robert Zohn · 03-26-2021, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chip75

It would be fantastic if they fixed the small litany of issues with the current players before embarking on knocking out newer ones with the same problems.

I so agree! But with the demand still very high for the UB9000 and no audio DAC to build more they had to immediately get a replacement DAC.

I'm anxious to get my hands on the UB9000P1 and compare the audio performance and check out any firmware updates they may have integrated.

It will be June before I can report back my findings.

LordoftheRings · 03-27-2021, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKB2017

That would be very interesting... but as another member has said... it doesn't seem to be an 'upgrade' move... more out of necessity due to the factory being destroyed. Is that right Robert? Thanks for the update!

I know that; I've read Robert's post.
Still, a new DAC from ESS is a slightly different "Audio" machine.
And I know that a new battery of audio measurements will ensue.

Upgrade or not it is what it is. The rest is up to Panasonic.
And we all know that Panasonic is not Oppo...ref. to customer service and all that jazz.

js666 · 03-27-2021, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chip75

It would be fantastic if they fixed the small litany of issues with the current players before embarking on knocking out newer ones with the same problems.

I agree. The Panasonic’s UI is downright prehistoric compared to the OPPO. Reading about it and experiencing it are 2 different things. It’s ugly and clumsy.

cupboy · 03-27-2021, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

I know that; I've read Robert's post.
Still, a new DAC from ESS is a slightly different "Audio" machine.
And I know that a new battery of audio measurements will ensue.

Upgrade or not it is what it is. The rest is up to Panasonic.
And we all know that Panasonic is not Oppo...ref. to customer service and all that jazz.

I think the Oppo uses ESS. If so this won't be an upgrade over the AKM because the AKM is much better than what is in the Oppo 205.

The Oppo will not play 352khz 24 bit but the Panasonic will. Well, the older Panasonic anyway. Maybe Robert can check this when he gets the machine in. You can get these files from HD Tracks Warren Vache, First time out (on the 2xHD label) is one of the titles. And does the Oppo play DSD 256? I don't remember if it does or not.

LordoftheRings · 03-27-2021, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupboy

I think the Oppo uses ESS. If so this won't be an upgrade over the AKM because the AKM is much better than what is in the Oppo 205.

The Oppo will not play 352khz 24 bit but the Panasonic will. Well, the older Panasonic anyway. Maybe Robert can check this when he gets the machine in. You can get these files from HD Tracks Warren Vache, First time out (on the 2xHD label) is one of the titles.

I think they are both good DACs ...

• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...-review.14324/

• https://www.audiosciencereview.com/f...d-player.3660/

We'll find out when the next batch of 9000 (DP-UB9000P1K) gets released.

LordoftheRings · 03-27-2021, 05:25 AM

Happy reading ...

• http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/0...-1-output.html
• http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/0...05-part-2.html
• http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/0...-3-jitter.html

FilmFreakosaurus · 03-27-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I so agree! But with the demand still very high for the UB9000 and no audio DAC to build more they had to immediately get a replacement DAC.

I'm anxious to get my hands on the UB9000P1 and compare the audio performance and check out any firmware updates they may have integrated.

It will be June before I can report back my findings.

But the various playback issues not yet addressed by Panasonic seem to affect both the 820 and 9000 players. Stacey Spears has also recommended a Dolby Vision fix for both as well that should be addressed by Dolby Labs and Panasonic outside of the various disc problems talked about here. They gotta get a swift kick in the rear to move on these outstanding matters. Might as well keep on Panasonic. Thanks!

Wormicide · 03-27-2021, 05:47 PM

If they can’t be bothered to fix Dolby Vision why waste money on this player? I keep buying and returning it before opening because I don’t want something that won’t eventually be fixed. At this point in its life cycle I might as well just get a ub420.

sapiendut · 03-27-2021, 05:54 PM

I’m not defending them, but if I’m a company, I personally won’t spend any resources for a glitch on literally two titles that affects only US release. It’s shi+ for us consumers, of course, but I can understand their stance (albeit a wrong one).

Robert Zohn · 03-27-2021, 06:53 PM

Please also know that this is in the hands of Dolby Vision and not in the control of any TV or Blu-ray player or even the Blu-ray disc vendor's control.

Dolby Vision locks out all control or manipulation of their content as they provide a locked end-to-end picture quality and control.

03-26-2021, 05:13 AM	#7601
David M Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:1	I don't know about the US version, but I can tell you that the UB820 I brought back from the UK works directly in the US without any voltage converter. It's very likely to be the same in reverse. I've also plugged American Panasonic BD players in in the UK without any voltage converter, and they worked fine.

03-26-2021, 05:41 PM	#7606
Robert Zohn Retailer Insider Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Scarsdale, NY Trading Score:2	Just spoke with my Panasonic contacts and they are sending me one of the new UB9000P1K BD players for my evaluation and I'll do careful comparison to the current UB9000. End of May for my UB9000P1K evaluation unit to arrive.

03-26-2021, 07:36 PM	#7607
Cortiz Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Out there, past them trees Trading Score:489	Robert - Any updates on the potential firmware update we've been waiting on?

03-26-2021, 10:32 PM	#7609
chip75 Blu-ray Grand Duke Top contributor Member since:Oct 2010 Location:Wales 4K collection:304 Blu-ray collection:3102 DVD collection:1783 iTunes collection:231 Trading Score:9	It would be fantastic if they fixed the small litany of issues with the current players before embarking on knocking out newer ones with the same problems.

03-27-2021, 05:25 AM	#7616
LordoftheRings Special Member Top contributor Member since:Mar 2010 Location:Portishead ♫	Happy reading ... • http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/0...-1-output.html • http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/0...05-part-2.html • http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/0...-3-jitter.html

03-27-2021, 05:47 PM	#7618
Wormicide Member Member since:Aug 2012	If they can’t be bothered to fix Dolby Vision why waste money on this player? I keep buying and returning it before opening because I don’t want something that won’t eventually be fixed. At this point in its life cycle I might as well just get a ub420.

03-27-2021, 05:54 PM	#7619
sapiendut Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2009 Location:Canada 4K collection:2 Blu-ray collection:3	I’m not defending them, but if I’m a company, I personally won’t spend any resources for a glitch on literally two titles that affects only US release. It’s shi+ for us consumers, of course, but I can understand their stance (albeit a wrong one).

03-27-2021, 06:53 PM	#7620
Robert Zohn Retailer Insider Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Scarsdale, NY Trading Score:2	Please also know that this is in the hands of Dolby Vision and not in the control of any TV or Blu-ray player or even the Blu-ray disc vendor's control. Dolby Vision locks out all control or manipulation of their content as they provide a locked end-to-end picture quality and control.

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