Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

I probably spent like upwards of 2K all in for this sonos setup and it doesn't have DTS support like wtf. Had no idea until later. Too late to return anything and thinking about selling. Could I get a legit setup in the 2K range for like a receiver + speakers?

No need to break the bank, excellent audio setups are super attainable within that price range. The Yamaha Atmos receiver listed in my signature was around $600ish when I picked it up on Amazon two years ago. It was one of the all around best reviewed models of the 2018/19 season and has been a consistently impressive performer since day one. It's likely discontinued now but the newer model should be as equally great or better.

Also, I disagree with those who insist the Atmos effect is only noticeable with four overhead speakers. My current setup is "only" 5.2.1 and the duel overhead channels have added substantially to my viewing experience.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Gretiem

Still available at crutchfield i believe

Yes. I saw that too but I wonder how much longer.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

No need to break the bank, excellent audio setups are super attainable within that price range. The Yamaha Atmos receiver listed in my signature was around $600ish when I picked it up on Amazon two years ago. It was one of the all around best reviewed models of the 2018/19 season and has been a consistently impressive performer since day one. It's likely discontinued now but the newer model should be as equally great or better.

Also, I disagree with those who insist the Atmos effect is only noticeable with four overhead speakers. My current setup is "only" 5.1.2 and the duel overhead channels have added substantially to my viewing experience.

It's not just about the sound above you or passing over you, but the movement of said sound. Objects do not track or render properly with only two overhead coordinates (unless it's a locked 7.1.2 Atmos track, often called a "bed" mix). It's the nature of the beast. When mixing and monitoring an immersive soundtrack at the pro level they even recommend at the very least a 7.1.4 setup. 9.1.6 is recommended for small studios, so you get adequate object panning and know what the render table is doing.

[DaveFi]

Woo! I just grabbed a used DP-UB820-K off eBay for $300 shipped. No remote though, but the remote is shit so I don't care, I was going to use my Harmony Hub anyways.

[enricoclaudio]

Originally Posted by Tok

WTF… this thread is severely OT. Looks like the UB9000 is no longer available from Best Buy at least online.

At Best Buy it comes and go. I got mine from Crutchfield 2 weeks ago, the one with AKM DACs. The UB9000P1K with ESS DACs is already available at B&H, World Wide Stereo and a few others online retailers. I use the UB9000 mostly as CD player and sometimes with 4k UHD movies. I have an ARCAM ST60 with the same DAC as the new UB9000 and sounds really good but there is something about the AK4493 DAC that makes CDs sound so great....

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

Hey Everyone, question here and wondering if anyone has any insight to my issue.

I recently bought the panny 820 to pair with my LG CX and Sonos Arc. My sonos arc has the woofer + 2 rear SL’s. It seems no matter what settings I switch around I cannot seem to get the 820 to output anything better than stereo 2.0 to my arc for any and all DTS sound mixes on my 4K blu rays. Dolby Atmos is no issue at all. Is this a known issue and does anyone on this forum have any insight? Any intel would be appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I'd imagine that the soundbar doesn't actually support decoding of DTS codecs, unless you had a previous UHD disc player connected which had no trouble with DTS on the soundbar?

Can't remember if it was dropped for the C1 or CX, but LG's don't output DTS through ARC or eARC (or digital optical). Even if your sound bar does.

Update: It was dropped for the CX onwards.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

It's not just about the sound above you or passing over you, but the movement of said sound. Objects do not track or render properly with only two overhead coordinates (unless it's a locked 7.1.2 Atmos track, often called a "bed" mix). It's the nature of the beast. When mixing and monitoring an immersive soundtrack at the pro level they even recommend at the very least a 7.1.4 setup. 9.1.6 is recommended for small studios, so you get adequate object panning and know what the render table is doing.

I understand and (mostly) agree with what you're saying here but also have a feeling that such an arrangement may not be practical for the user given his stated budget and average room size.

A setup like mine or even a basic 5.1 system would still be a dramatic upgrade compared to his current soundbar + wireless rears.

Anyway- is it safe to assume that we won't be getting a firmware upgrade from Panasonic before the end of this year?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

I understand and (mostly) agree with what you're saying here but also have a feeling that such an arrangement may not be practical for the user given his stated budget and average room size.

A setup like mine or even a basic 5.1 system would still be a dramatic upgrade compared to his current soundbar + wireless rears.

Anyway- is it safe to assume that we won't be getting a firmware upgrade from Panasonic before the end of this year?

I will be surprised if Panasonic ever issues a firmware update again on these players.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by enricoclaudio

At Best Buy it comes and go. I got mine from Crutchfield 2 weeks ago, the one with AKM DACs. The UB9000P1K with ESS DACs is already available at B&H, World Wide Stereo and a few others online retailers. I use the UB9000 mostly as CD player and sometimes with 4k UHD movies. I have an ARCAM ST60 with the same DAC as the new UB9000 and sounds really good but there is something about the AK4493 DAC that makes CDs sound so great....

Didn’t realize they changed the design. I bought mine two years ago. Was debating about picking up a second one. I only use the HDMI so the DAC change shouldn’t impact me. For its build quality and video processing it’s a bargain if you want something that doesn’t feel all plastic.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

I will be surprised if Panasonic ever issues a firmware update again on these players.

This is so bizarre to me, especially considering that Panny just released an updated version of the UB9000 this very month. Surely whatever firmware that player is running must be coming down the pipeline to us lowly UB820 and 9000 (mach 1) owners?

It's not that I really mind switching off dolby vision on the rare occasion that I watch titles like Ghost In The Shell or Knives Out- it's more of an honest fear that sooner than later disc will start coming along that the player either totally chokes on mid-movie or, worse yet, refuses to read altogether.

That very scenario happened with my old Samsung 4K player and was, ironically, what finally pushed me to literally junk it and invest in an 820. Would like to get at least a few good years out of this (otherwise great) disc spinner before it turns into an expensive paper weight due to manufacturer neglect.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

This is so bizarre to me, especially considering that Panny just released an updated version of the UB9000 this very month. Surely whatever firmware that player is running must be coming down the pipeline to us lowly UB820 and 9000 (mach 1) owners?

It's not that I really mind switching off dolby vision on the rare occasion that I watch titles like Ghost In The Shell or Knives Out- it's more of an honest fear that sooner than later disc will start coming along that the player either totally chokes on mid-movie or, worse yet, refuses to read altogether.

That very scenario happened with my old Samsung 4K player and was, ironically, what finally pushed me to literally junk it and invest in an 820. Would like to get at least a few good years out of this (otherwise great) disc spinner before it turns into an expensive paper weight due to manufacturer neglect.

But does the 9000 mk2 have new firmware with lots of disc related updates or is it just because the unit has a new DAC? It's literally been more than two years since the last update and although it's very pessimistic to say so I agree with Heavyhitter, my first reaction to your comment of 'is it safe to assume we won't get a firmware update before the end of the year' was to reply 'at this rate it's safe to assume we won't get one before the end of the decade'.

It's so frustrating that over the years we've had all sorts of updates on kit like this that doesn't actually change a whole lot with the player or doesn't have any chronic issues to fix, but when there is a player that has some genuine problems like the 820/9000 we get nothing but radio silence from Pannysonic, apart from when someone was apparently told 'if you have problems with DV, just turn it off'. If the onus is more on Dobly to fix the problems with DV then they need to be told they look like chumps if they're just gonna let these problems rack up with no solution in sight.

[gnicks]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

apart from when someone was apparently told 'if you have problems with DV, just turn it off'.

For those interested, this was the response I received from Panasonic after months of emails and escalations:

'Kindly be informed that since Dolby Vision is a newer technology implemented with the latest firmware udpates, Due to this some incompatibility might be present in regards to displaying certain shows when also connected to other third party devices as this unit has been firstly developed for HDR10 usage.'

I replied saying this was not an adequate response to the issue and asked what they are considering 'third party devices,' but I never heard back.

[Geoff D]

Thanks gnicks. That about does it, I think: there will be no DV fixes for these machines because it was apparently a jury-rigged addition in the first place. I absolutely adore the line about “third party devices”, are they basically referring to TVs there? “We can’t guarantee that this player will work properly if you plug it into a TV” is a hell of a thing to say about a device where its primary function is exactly that. What a bunch of clowns, they can stick their new DACs up their arse

[richwood]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Thanks gnicks. That about does it, I think: there will be no DV fixes for these machines because it was apparently a jury-rigged addition in the first place. I absolutely adore the line about “third party devices”, are they basically referring to TVs there? “We can’t guarantee that this player will work properly if you plug it into a TV” is a hell of a thing to say about a device where its primary function is exactly that. What a bunch of clowns, they can stick their new DACs up their arse

I'm very tempted to replace my 820 with a Reavon X100, and then never buy another Panasonic product again.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by richwood

I'm very tempted to replace my 820 with a Reavon X100, and then never buy another Panasonic product again.

What’s doubly annoying is that the 150/450 players got a firmware update three months ago when (as I said above) they didn’t even have any major issues that needed fixing. But as those machines have off the shelf silicon from MediaTek and not a custom in-house chip then it’s basically MT who do the fixes, whereas Panny have left their own hardware up the proverbial creek without a paddle.

[scififan73]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Chip shortages and shipping increases. The perils of relying on China and the Far East for every damn thing.

This pandemic has shot a hole through our modern business model.
I work in retail, always have. About 6 or 7 years ago as i was showing a microwave to a customer he stated he'd prefer something made in north america. When i educated him on the fact nothing was he remarked that that was a problem. I then mentioned that the ship had sailed on those decisions at least 30 or 40 years prior.
People won't pay for most things to be made with local labor and so the manufacturer's moved production and labor offshore in order to oblige. Also, beancounters with most companies decided that actual warehouses were a thing of the past and that it would be a great idea if we all went to "just in time" delivery.
How's that working out for you guys now?

[newtbludger]

Originally Posted by richwood

I'm very tempted to replace my 820 with a Reavon X100, and then never buy another Panasonic product again.

I'm honestly with you but I'm still concerned about the reliability and if Reavon will stick with the player with continuous updates.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by newtbludger

I'm honestly with you but I'm still concerned about the reliability and if Reavon will stick with the player with continuous updates.

Their support couldn't be much worse than Pannysonic's over the last couple of years though, lol

[Member-425016]

I'd never buy a Chinese, or French Oppo knock off, and the Panasonic has left me cold in a lot of areas (abandoned firmware, time display on some DVD discs, horrible on screen display for CD playback) and it is pretty much the only game in town for best built/most versatile 4K players.

Times like this I wish Oppo were still around. It would be exciting to see the advances, and continued top tier customer care of their 4K players!

[Grinningcat_o3]

What's the best 4K player to get? My issue with the Panasonic seems that for now I only get downmixed 2.0 stereo for all DTS mixes, and apparently this stems from the Panasonic and the LG CX having a handshake issue together. I might just stick with the LG UBK90. I eventually plan to upragde out of my Sonos Setup to get true DTS support and Atmos, but that will be some time.