Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Infallible Presence]

I was able today to price match about around $130 off. Walmart was price matching one of their 3rd parties and Amazon did the same with Walmart.
https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DP-...77669048&psc=1

[Telemachus]

Originally Posted by kristoffer

How is the downmix to stereo of the Panny compared to an Oppo 203?

I don't know about the Oppo, but I use the optical out from the Panny to a DAC/Headphone amp stack and no problems, it outputs audio over HDMI and Optical etc. simultaniously and you just need to knockdown the bitstream setting to PCM and good to go for 24bit/192k stereo. I think there is also a downmix setting for stereo or surround stereo, don't exactly know what changes or the difference is but I leave it on surround and no issues. Audio quality is of course excellent.

[armus]

Originally Posted by Infallible Presence

I was able today to price match about around $130 off.

The price fluctuates. It was $907 on Amazon earier this month (Aug 7). A benefit of not having prime is they take a week to ship and that leaves time to cancel and rebuy if the price goes lower.

[Infallible Presence]

Originally Posted by armus

The price fluctuates. It was $907 on Amazon earier this month (Aug 7). A benefit of not having prime is they take a week to ship and that leaves time to cancel and rebuy if the price goes lower.

Yes, there's defiantly areas where you can get it lower. There was a place in New Jersey that had it around that price, before shipping & tax. But I didn't want to risk 1, being stolen on the way or in front of my home, and 2, getting damaged along the way. Wish Best Buy could've match it, but their price match is somewhat a scam with only participating stores. I can understand no third parties, but still. The player is well build and a lot heavier than the Oppo 203, but the box its in is flimsy as F. If they don't ship it in another stronger box, it's gonna get ripped into, and possibly not make it. Plus, you hear all the stories the Pannies not working right and the repair people claiming all they had to do was realign the drive because it got knocked out of whack at some point.

[anephric]

After another multiple failed reads on a visibly pristine disc frustration, I took my 820 to bits and gave the laser lens a thorough cleaning with a q-tip and isopropyl.

Non-smoking house but golly, it was fairly dirty and various run throughs with those naff wet-brush-cleaning discs had done nothing (which anyone with any sense might suspect).

Cleaned everything else in there including an incredibly dirty fan and it's playing everything flawlessly again now.

[Utah_GimmeTwo]

Hi Guys, first time posting here.

I finally got around to installing the RattleByte into my Panasonic UB820 player, and all seemed well after installation - RB firmware uploaded just fine. The flashed firmware finished installing, I removed the USB stick, and turned the power off and then on again. Everything seemed to be working, as it now plays my Region B discs without issue (player was originally Region A). However, following the instructions for region switching by pressing buttons 1, 2, or 3 in standby mode (OFF) is not doing anything. The player will turn on and off no problem, plays Region B discs, and is normally functioning.. but I can't seem to get it to switch regions. I've confirmed that the UB820 is able to receive the signal for buttons 1, 2, and 3 when powered on, so I don't think that's the issue.

Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

[shane01]

Originally Posted by anephric

After another multiple failed reads on a visibly pristine disc frustration, I took my 820 to bits and gave the laser lens a thorough cleaning with a q-tip and isopropyl.

Non-smoking house but golly, it was fairly dirty and various run throughs with those naff wet-brush-cleaning discs had done nothing (which anyone with any sense might suspect).

Cleaned everything else in there including an incredibly dirty fan and it's playing everything flawlessly again now.

I'm glad this worked, but it's pretty unreasonable and unrealistic to expect an average consumer to have to open up their failing player to get it back to working order.

[anephric]

Originally Posted by shane01

I'm glad this worked, but it's pretty unreasonable and unrealistic to expect an average consumer to have to open up their failing player to get it back to working order.

It's very simple, just a few Philips screws to remove (not even torx/non-tamper etc) and just whip the top off the drive.

Bob is your proverbial relative.

[Wonderfalls]

Originally Posted by Utah_GimmeTwo

Hi Guys, first time posting here.

I finally got around to installing the RattleByte into my Panasonic UB820 player, and all seemed well after installation - RB firmware uploaded just fine. The flashed firmware finished installing, I removed the USB stick, and turned the power off and then on again. Everything seemed to be working, as it now plays my Region B discs without issue (player was originally Region A). However, following the instructions for region switching by pressing buttons 1, 2, or 3 in standby mode (OFF) is not doing anything. The player will turn on and off no problem, plays Region B discs, and is normally functioning.. but I can't seem to get it to switch regions. I've confirmed that the UB820 is able to receive the signal for buttons 1, 2, and 3 when powered on, so I don't think that's the issue.

Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

Have you turned off Quick Start in the Power Options? You must do that or the region change won't work.

And it might be obvious, but once it's working don't install any official firmware/update over the internet because it'll remove the ability to change regions. Only install firmware provided by Rattlebyte

[sojrner]

I don't maintain my PC, refrigerator, coffee maker, fluids in my car, filters on my HVAC, or the nozzle on my mustard bottle. Having me clean/change things (or paying someone else to do it) is unreasonable and unrealistic.

[Utah_GimmeTwo]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

Have you turned off Quick Start in the Power Options? You must do that or the region change won't work.

And it might be obvious, but once it's working don't install any official firmware/update over the internet because it'll remove the ability to change regions. Only install firmware provided by Rattlebyte

Yes, I made certain the quick start feature is off. I even re-soldered all of my connections thinking it could have been my issue, but still no luck. I’ve even tried flashing <i>back</i> to the stock US firmware, and it continues to give me the “E DISC” error. So not only can I not get the RattleByte to switch regions, but I am now stuck in Region B due to this being the default setting of the successfully flashed RattleByte firmware. The next best thing I can think to do, just to get my player back to Region A, is find an older and smaller USB for the stock Panasonic firmware upload.

TLDR; Priority #1: get player back to its original Region A (in case I can’t get the RattleByte region switch to work. Priority #2: get the RattleByte to properly switch regions.

[Sango]

Originally Posted by Utah_GimmeTwo

Yes, I made certain the quick start feature is off. I even re-soldered all of my connections thinking it could have been my issue, but still no luck. I’ve even tried flashing <i>back</i> to the stock US firmware, and it continues to give me the “E DISC” error. So not only can I not get the RattleByte to switch regions, but I am now stuck in Region B due to this being the default setting of the successfully flashed RattleByte firmware. The next best thing I can think to do, just to get my player back to Region A, is find an older and smaller USB for the stock Panasonic firmware upload.

TLDR; Priority #1: get player back to its original Region A (in case I can’t get the RattleByte region switch to work. Priority #2: get the RattleByte to properly switch regions.

Have you contacted RattleByte for assistance?

Also, are you using the original remote and not a clone? The reason I ask is that apparently a member found out that accessing service mode is not possible using a clone.

[ronand]

The remote won't matter. It looks like it cant read the disc. Try pulling the power cable out for a minute first.

[Sango]

Generally correct. I don't know what the E errror is exactly unless the poster can get into the service menu to see what code it is displaying.

Was trying to say that, assumed working and it was not changing regions if required a slight holding down of button instead of a quick press, it maybe due to the remote being used.

[I5o]

[QUOTE=Utah_GimmeTwo;23421975]Hi Guys, first time posting here.

I finally got around to installing the RattleByte into my Panasonic UB820 player, and all seemed well after installation - RB firmware uploaded just fine. The flashed firmware finished installing, I removed the USB stick, and turned the power off and then on again. Everything seemed to be working, as it now plays my Region B discs without issue (player was originally Region A). However, following the instructions for region switching by pressing buttons 1, 2, or 3 in standby mode (OFF) is not doing anything. The player will turn on and off no problem, plays Region B discs, and is normally functioning.. but I can't seem to get it to switch regions. I've confirmed that the UB820 is able to receive the signal for buttons 1, 2, and 3 when powered on, so I don't think that's the issue.

Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks in advance.

Gidday Utah_GimmeTwo,

Firstly I strongly recommend you send an immediate email to RB support as they will give you instructions on how to properly diagnose a problem and may involve placing a microsd card on your modchip then sending them the necessary files.

Secondly with the assistance of the RB support there may be found a rare case of a faulty modchip and if so request that they send you a replacement modchip. Talk to them respectfully and see what the actual problem could be. Sometimes an original remote controller may be playing up so it's a good idea to have a spare one.

Thirdly and lastly I would very carefully visually check your soldering points wires going to the modchip and onto the MOBO soldering points as there may be a small gap thus improper contact. Also you could buy good quality new wires and resolder.

Good luck and enjoy your regionfree modchip. Cheers

[jhird2007]

https://streamable.com/si4ht2

I've had a UB820 for almost 4 years now. Last year I noticed many discs were not playing. I thought it was the discs but it was the actual drive. I got it replaced and all my discs work but the noise is so distracting. Does anyone else have similar issues? It's not from the fan but from the actual drive. If it's not revving like this, there will be a very annoying tapping/clicking sound similar to sound whenever you use the fast forward button.

I'm thinking of maybe just buying a new player. Is the UB9000 a safe bet for a quiet player? I know it's expensive but I don't mind if it's reliable

[Infallible Presence]

Originally Posted by jhird2007

https://streamable.com/si4ht2

I've had a UB820 for almost 4 years now. Last year I noticed many discs were not playing. I thought it was the discs but it was the actual drive. I got it replaced and all my discs work but the noise is so distracting. Does anyone else have similar issues? It's not from the fan but from the actual drive. If it's not revving like this, there will be a very annoying tapping/clicking sound similar to sound whenever you use the fast forward button.

I'm thinking of maybe just buying a new player. Is the UB9000 a safe bet for a quiet player? I know it's expensive but I don't mind if it's reliable

Mine is silent. The only noise I get is when the tray opens and closes. Which is really nothing.

[Utah_GimmeTwo]

Update! I fixed my own issue… and wanted to share my experience with others. Ugh, what a silly mistake on my end.

I purchased both the RattleByte mod (which comes by default with a cable harness designed for plug-in to mainboards that support it), and additionally the supplemental cable harness that has the necessary 6 wires (A – Blue, B – Green, C – Orange, D – Brown, GND – Black, 3v3 – Red), but also an extra ~6 wires that need to be cut and tucked away. I foolishly, so so foolishly thought I would just cut the default cable harness (for plug-in boards, which my US UB820 is not one of those) and solder that harness into my board instead of the additional one that I purchased. I thought that this "plug-in" harness already had just the wires I needed and would be a cleaner install… The problem is, the pin layout / color coding in the plug-in harness *is not the same* as the layout of the supplemental solder harness! They look the same at first glance, but the red wire and the orange wire are pinned in different locations at the plug that meets the RattleByte board! Apologies if I’m not using these terms correctly. But after realizing my mistake, I switched over to the supplemental harness, and voila, the correct connections were being made as they were intended. I now have a working modded player.

TLDR; don’t be stupid. Buy the supplemental wire harness and don’t get cute – use it.

[Infallible Presence]

To access the Special Extended Edition cut on "T2" Ultimate Edition DVD.

Insert the Side/Disc that contains the feature presentation and from the Disc's Main Menu, select "Special Edition" which brings up a dedicated Menu to access the film's Special Edition Cut. On the right hand side of the panel you will notice some weird, unreadable symbols that will give you access to the hidden feature - actually they are roman numbers. Take your remote control and press the key combination "82997" - the date of Judgment Day in the movie - and the symbols on the side should change to the text "The Future Is Not Set". If they don't, please make sure to press the "Enter" key on your remote control after every one of the digits. Once correctly entered, the eyes of the endoskeleton will light up and you will see a new menu entry appearing, giving you access to the "Extended Special Edition" Version of the movie with the alternate ending and other scenes integrated in the film.

http://www.dvdcompare.net/comparison....php?fid=160#3

Press 08, 02, 09, 09, and 07.

Took me a while to figure this out just by chance of pressing the 0 at point revealing "The" on the right.

[EvaDK]

Originally Posted by Infallible Presence

Mine is silent. The only noise I get is when the tray opens and closes. Which is really nothing.

Same. My UB820 is silent when playing discs. As a high-end player from Panasonic should be, I reckon.