Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[MrHT]

It seems like the Panny 820 is a somewhat glitchy player.... at least the one I have is.

It happened once where the "loading" message got stuck on the screen. I simply stopped the disc and replayed it and all was ok. So I brushed it off as no big deal, and moved on.

Then I was skipping chapters on one of my discs and when the player loaded the next chapter, the picture briefly pixelated after it loaded. The good news is, I never had random pixelation so far while watching a movie. This just happened while skipping chapters and while the player loaded the next chapter. Again, brushed it off as no big deal.

And just now, I was fast forwarding a movie and when I pressed play, the player got stuck and the picture froze. I rewinded again and played, and it continued playing fine.

Now maybe these are just minor little glitches and maybe I expecting perfection, but I owned the Panny 420 for two years and abused that player to death by loading many discs, rewinding and playing like crazy and NEVER ONCE has it glitched on me. But the 820 seems to easily trip up.

I think I may have to take this back to Best Buy before my return period expires. These glitches are a little concerning and I shouldn't be having these issues (as minor as they may seem) when I paid $400+ for it.

[sojrner]

Return it for a replacement. I've not experienced the issues you describe. My 820 works as you describe your 420. Either your 820 is abnormal, or mine is.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by sojrner

Return it for a replacement. I've not experienced the issues you describe. My 820 works as you describe your 420. Either your 820 is abnormal, or mine is.

Funny thing is the player was working perfectly fine last week. Then this week, those three glitches I described suddenly happened randomly. I hope the player isn't going kaput after only a couple weeks of usage.

It's crazy how I always end up with a lemon. I can never win the lottery jackpot, but somehow, always hit the jackpot with defective electronics. Or it's possible the newer units are not as robust as the earlier manufactured ones.

But yes, I have to return this tomorrow to Best Buy. Cutting it close to their 15 day return policy. Next time I should just order it from Amazon as their return policy is longer. But then again, I run the risk of getting something damaged from shipment.

Anyways, I'll just return it for a refund and make do with my 420. I shouldn't have fixed what was not broken. When my 420 breaks down, then I'll reconsider the 820 again. The Dolby Vision was nice to have, but it's not the end of the world.

[sojrner]

Originally Posted by MrHT

Funny thing is the player was working perfectly fine last week. Then this week, those three glitches I described suddenly happened randomly. I hope the player isn't going kaput after only a couple weeks of usage.

It's crazy how I always end up with a lemon. I can never win the lottery jackpot, but somehow, always hit the jackpot with defective electronics. Or it's possible the newer units are not as robust as the earlier manufactured ones.

But yes, I have to return this tomorrow to Best Buy. Cutting it close to their 15 day return policy. Next time I should just order it from Amazon as their return policy is longer. But then again, I run the risk of getting something damaged from shipment.

Anyways, I'll just return it for a refund and make do with my 420. I shouldn't have fixed what was not broken. When my 420 breaks down, then I'll reconsider the 820 again. The Dolby Vision was nice to have, but it's not the end of the world.

Be confident that, whether you replace it today or in the future, the same quality that you have in the 420 is what you will have in the 820... baring the occasional lemon, obviously.

Rock on.

[mar3o]

Thought I'd install the latest update today on my 420 but I might have a problem.

I downloaded the latest update via their site, formatted a USB stick to fat32 as instructed, extracted the zip file to the root of the USB, turned the TV and player on, and inserted the USB into the port. The player immediately turned off and started blinking the red light indicating that it's updating, but it's been over 15 minutes and it still hasn't turned back on like it says it will after the update. It says the update should take about 6 minutes. The card is a USB 2.0.

Should I be worrying yet?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Should I be worrying yet?

It can take a while, but under 30 minutes.

[mar3o]

I waited at least 20 if not 25 and it was still blinking with absolutely nothing on screen to give any indication that it was actually updating. Very poor implementation. So I turned it off and back on again, like the instructions on their site said to do if the player doesn't turn on by itself. It then started flashing the red light again and the light on the USB stick is also still lit (indicating activity?), and it's been another 12-15 minutes again already. I guess I'll wait another half hour and then I don't know. I'm afraid turning it off might have borked it if it really was still updating.

Awful. My Zidoo/Dune players pop a screen up letting me know it's updating and it's progress. How hard is that, Panasonic?

I did it via USB since traditionally USB updating should usually go smoothly.

[mar3o]

Well it's been easily well over half an hour again and it's still just flashing red. This is the first time I've updated the player and it's not a great first experience, especially considering how easy the process is. Download firmware, format card, unzip firmware to card, insert card.

[bl4ck]

Originally Posted by mar3o

... but it's been over 15 minutes and it still hasn't turned back on like it says it will after the update....

After flashing is completed, the red LED flashes slowly ( 3 rhythmic red flash), while updating it flashes quickly. When red LED flashes slowly put back usb drive and restart device. Flashing take ~ 5 MAX 10 minutes.

[MrHT]

Originally Posted by sojrner

Return it for a replacement. I've not experienced the issues you describe. My 820 works as you describe your 420. Either your 820 is abnormal, or mine is.

Putting the glitches aside, I was actually surprised to see that the 820 operates EXACTLY the same as the 420. Same interface and same loading speed. The 820 isn't any faster or more powerful. The 820 just operates quieter and has Dolby Vision compatibility. Other than that, both players are pretty much identical in performance. So I'm wondering why the 820 is almost double the price of the 420. Is the Dolby Vision licensing THAT expensive??

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by bl4ck

After flashing is completed, the red LED flashes slowly, while updating it flashes quickly. When red LED flashes slowly put back usb drive and restart device. Flashing take ~ 5 MAX 10 minutes.

It's giving me a pattern of 3 flashes now. Flash 3 times, pause, flash 3 times, pause, etc.

They don't mention any of this on their firmware page.

[mar3o]

Decided to turn it off, remove USB card, and hold my breath while I restart. Firmware now says 1.76 so I guess it went okay.

Not sure if updated fine the first time (was the first attempt incomplete since I turned it off, or was it already done)? The red light was flashing slowly when I turned it off the first time. But when I restarted it it flashed quickly again for a while. Was it re-installing the same update again?

Awful update system.

[Jodi]

Originally Posted by J Nada

Sure - it isn't obvious at all! You need to create a folder on your usb drive called 'sub', rename the srt file to 'sub.srt' and put it in that folder. Then if you play the disc, hit the option button and go to subtitles, there are additional menu options including external subs.

Please note both folder and srt file need to be all lower case - 'sub' not 'Sub'.

Hi! Today's May 9, 2024. Not that it will matter a whole heck of a lot, but can this work for the Japanese Toho import 4K of "Godzilla Minus One" for English subs? Yes, I know, I know....this first Toho import has no English language nor English subs, but I just ordered it because it's going to be a unique "piece" to collect and enjoy on my Panny 9000 and Reavon X110. The Japanese Dolby Atmos will be enjoyable, and also the Dolby Vision!!

And yes, we'll all get the North Amer. version soon enough when Toho's ready...

[cwave21]

How do I disconnect the player from my WiFi network?

[sa5150]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

You can’t unless you have the China edition of the 820/9000

I thought the 9000p1k did srt subs , China edition ? You mean Made in China on the back which is what mine is . I haven't tried yet to see how this is done .

What is the best and easiest way to do a region free mod on this player ?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by sa5150

I thought the 9000p1k did srt subs , China edition ? You mean Made in China on the back which is what mine is . I haven't tried yet to see how this is done .

What is the best and easiest way to do a region free mod on this player ?

China, as in models made and sold for the Chinese market, they're unique to the other players.

Modding will depend on your soldering or computing confidence.

[Hedrox]

I'm surprised no one bothered to make a YouTube video for the AVForum patcher, as it's very straightforward.

Here's one for the RattleByte mod posted just a week ago, short and to the point.

Panasonic UB820 Blu-ray Player Multi Region Hack - Full guide!! - YouTube

[Carlos2992]

Hello, can someone post the link to the avsforum firm patcher? I can't not find it by myself.

Thanks a lot.

[sa5150]

Originally Posted by chip75

China, as in models made and sold for the Chinese market, they're unique to the other players.

Modding will depend on your soldering or computing confidence.

Is there a simple remote trick to get some stuff to play on the p1k ? Even my Sony can do that on some discs . Soldering isn't happening .

[chip75]

Originally Posted by sa5150

Is there a simple remote trick to get some stuff to play on the p1k ? Even my Sony can do that on some discs . Soldering isn't happening .

Top Menu trick for certain boutique labels, or the firmware patch mentioned above.

Search regionfreedom on avforums.