Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by redxrebellion

Any good deals on the 820 anywhere? Think I’m gonna pull the trigger

On sale for $420 right now on Amazon. They don't typically get much lower than $399. It's $499 on Best Buy right now for instance.

It's a lot to pay for a player but if you use it often, it's worth it. It's the most well rounded and reliable player on the market with a ton of great features.

[redxrebellion]

Originally Posted by dcx4610

On sale for $420 right now on Amazon. They don't typically get much lower than $399. It's $499 on Best Buy right now for instance.

It's a lot to pay for a player but if you use it often, it's worth it. It's the most well rounded and reliable player on the market with a ton of great features.

I did order off Amazon. Due for delivery later today. What’s the best hdmi cable I should get for this player to match my TV?

[dcx4610]

Originally Posted by redxrebellion

I did order off Amazon. Due for delivery later today. What’s the best hdmi cable I should get for this player to match my TV?

Just get a cable from a reliable company that is labeled "high speed ceritified". Honestly, most HDMI cables are going to be fine unless they are super generic.

A good test is Gemini Man on 4k since it's 60fps. If you can get through that without any drop outs or hiccups, you have a solid cable.

Walmart carries Monster HDMI cables in store and they are longer ridiculously priced. I believe they are only 7.99-12.99 if you want something quick that will do the job.

[vista-vision]

Originally Posted by redxrebellion

I did order off Amazon. Due for delivery later today. What’s the best hdmi cable I should get for this player to match my TV?

I bought this cheap purple one (2 pack) a year ago seems to work fine
(there's also a mini hdmi version so read the info before buying)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HDMI-to-Cab...568VC9?ie=UTF8

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by redxrebellion

I did order off Amazon. Due for delivery later today. What’s the best hdmi cable I should get for this player to match my TV?

You will want 2.1 HDMI cables to truly get the best picture with your TV (your TV supports 2.1). 2.0 HDMI cables will compress the signal to 18Gbps as compared to the 48Gbps with a HDMI 2.1 cable. They are basically the same price, but this way this will also help to "future proof" you down the road from having to get new cables again.

You can easily find them on Amazon by searching:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=2.1+hdmi+...l_5gyzevd7vx_e

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Fors*

You will want 2.1 HDMI cables to truly get the best picture with your TV (your TV supports 2.1). 2.0 HDMI cables will compress the signal to 18Gbps as compared to the 48Gbps with a HDMI 2.1 cable. They are basically the same price, but this way this will also help to "future proof" you down the road from having to get new cables again.

You can easily find them on Amazon by searching:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=2.1+hdmi+...l_5gyzevd7vx_e

You don't have to purchase a 48 Gbps cable for a 4k Blu-ray player. A cheap, premium certified 18 Gbps cable will do just fine since the top spec is 60 fps at 4k and that's only a tiny fraction of 4k Blu-ray discs. For the short interface from player to surround processor, I have had great success with Monoprice's Slim Line Certified 18 Gbps cables. The added benefit is no strain on the HDMI ports as the cables are very light weight.



We're not dealing with an advanced gaming system that needs 120 fps at 4k.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

You don't have to purchase a 48 Gbps cable for a 4k Blu-ray player. A cheap, premium certified 18 Gbps cable will do just fine since the top spec is 60 fps at 4k and that's only a tiny fraction of 4k Blu-ray discs. For the short interface from player to surround processor, I have had great success with Monoprice's Slim Line Certified 18 Gbps cables. The added benefit is no strain on the HDMI ports as the cables are very light weight.



We're not dealing with an advanced gaming system that needs 120 fps at 4k.

True, he does not "have" to, but he should "want" to. For what is basically the exact same price, why wouldn't someone want to future proof themselves from having to get new cables at a later date? Sure there may be only a few who "need" it now, but technology is constantly improving.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Fors*

True, he does not "have" to, but he should "want" to. For what is basically the exact same price, why wouldn't someone want to future proof themselves from having to get new cables at a later date? Sure there may be only a few who "need" it now, but technology is constantly improving.

If you can get a slim, certified 48 Gbps cable for close to the same price, then sure. Why not? However, you want a very light weight cable because the HDMI ports are very weak. A poor connector design from the start of that interface.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

If you can get a slim, certified 48 Gbps cable for close to the same price, then sure. Why not? However, you want a very light weight cable because the HDMI ports are very weak. A poor connector design from the start of that interface.

I plan to get this player in June, but I have been told it is very light, which tends to make one question the build. Consistent with what you are stating, you will want to not only be careful with the port/connector outputs, but the player in general. It does have me question if I should pony up additional funds for an Oppo (which is a much heavier build/higher expense = peace of mind).

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Fors*

I plan to get this player in June, but I have been told it is very light, which tends to make one question the build. Consistent with what you are stating, you will want to not only be careful with the port/connector outputs, but the player in general. It does have me question if I should pony up additional funds for an Oppo (which is a much heavier build/higher expense = peace of mind).

You could be getting into a crap shoot with a used 203 with no warranty. If you can spend the money on one of those, I would get a Panny UB9000 instead for an overall better drive than the one in the 420 and 820.

That said, I have the 820 and a 203 and I won't be getting rid of my 203 until I have to.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

You could be getting into a crap shoot with a used 203 with no warranty. If you can spend the money on one of those, I would get a Panny UB9000 instead for an overall better drive than the one in the 420 and 820.

That said, I have the 820 and a 203 and I won't be getting rid of my 203 until I have to.

As you can see in my signature, I have the Oppo 83....needless to say, I am in dire need of an upgrade. Buying a new house was what finally got me motivated. At twice the price, I need to get the same return on my investment and get twice the performance. Not sure that would be the case.....if not, then I am up against the law of diminishing returns.

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by Fors*

You will want 2.1 HDMI cables to truly get the best picture with your TV (your TV supports 2.1). 2.0 HDMI cables will compress the signal to 18Gbps as compared to the 48Gbps with a HDMI 2.1 cable. They are basically the same price, but this way this will also help to "future proof" you down the road from having to get new cables again.

You can easily find them on Amazon by searching:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=2.1+hdmi+...l_5gyzevd7vx_e

You don’t know what you’re talking about.

There is no need for 48 Gbps cables for UHD Blu-ray.

[mdhaus]

Originally Posted by Fors*

As you can see in my signature, I have the Oppo 83....needless to say, I am in dire need of an upgrade. Buying a new house was what finally got me motivated. At twice the price, I need to get the same return on my investment and get twice the performance. Not sure that would be the case.....if not, then I am up against the law of diminishing returns.

I have both an 820 and a 9000. I love both machines. If you're worried about the 820 being "too light," then I agree that you'd be better off buying a 9000, as they are way, way cheaper than an Oppo...which are over-inflated in price and will lack warranty coverage.

That being said, although the build quality isn't nearly as good on the 820 compared to the 9000, I honestly haven't had any issues in that regard with mine. I have the 820 hooked up in a spare room and the 9000 is my main player for the theater set-up. I think you'd be happy with an 820 overall. For the price, they really are a terrific deal.

[MisterXDTV]

Originally Posted by Naiera

You don’t know what you’re talking about.

There is no need for 48 Gbps cables for UHD Blu-ray.

Exactly, UHD BD tops out at 18 Gbps (HDMI 2.0)

[Geoff D]

That's also why this mad consumer FOMO for HDMI 2.1 is so misguided. Yes, if people are hardcore gamers then they'll want all that 4K120 VRR etc bollocks but if people are just watching movies then 2.1 has literally no positive effect on image quality whatsoever. None. I say no positive effect because it has had a negative effect however, with more banding visible in HDR content on the 2.1 enabled MediaTek chipsets. They've robbed Peter to pay Paul and no sir, I don't like it.

[HeavyHitter]

HDMI aka 'The biggest scam in consumer A/V history'.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by Fors*

You will want 2.1 HDMI cables to truly get the best picture with your TV (your TV supports 2.1). 2.0 HDMI cables will compress the signal to 18Gbps as compared to the 48Gbps with a HDMI 2.1 cable. They are basically the same price, but this way this will also help to "future proof" you down the road from having to get new cables again.

You can easily find them on Amazon by searching:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=2.1+hdmi+...l_5gyzevd7vx_e

I rotated my monitor upside down and hit the like button.

[Misioon_Odisea]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

That's also why this mad consumer FOMO for HDMI 2.1 is so misguided. Yes, if people are hardcore gamers then they'll want all that 4K120 VRR etc bollocks but if people are just watching movies then 2.1 has literally no positive effect on image quality whatsoever. None. I say no positive effect because it has had a negative effect however, with more banding visible in HDR content on the 2.1 enabled MediaTek chipsets. They've robbed Peter to pay Paul and no sir, I don't like it.

Woah, what...? Really? Where can I learn more about this flaw? Which kind of devices in particular does it affect the most?

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

Woah, what...? Really? Where can I learn more about this flaw? Which kind of devices in particular does it affect the most?

It seems to manifest on the Panasonic OLEDs the most? Check vincent teoh's reviews of the last couple of years of Panny OLEDs, the bright highlights end up with posterisation which wasn't there on the non-2.1 generation of the chipset.

[dcx4610]

This reminds me of my friend who wants an 8K TV because the PS5 supports 8K.

Yeah - the dashboard supports 8K. That's it. You're going to get a crappy 8K TV just because it's "supported"?

The money is better spent on HDR, panel type, players, etc. There's just zero reason to get anything other than a high speed HDMI cable since the specs top out above what the player even can do. I guess if you want to future proof your cable, go for it but you're not getting any added benefit or value out of it.