Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yeah, but IIRC only after tarting about for a while with custom curves, SDR conversion etc (are you’re still using the latter?). HDR is the least ‘plug and play’-friendly tech advancement I think there’s ever been for consumer video and that’s just for direct view displays, never mind projektors. And for every PJ owner who’s sorted it out (like you) or never had a problem ever ever EVER (gates70) there’s another who’s at the end of their tether.

Geoff, is the SDR/BT.2020 feature that bad? You don't recommend it? What would you use for projectors instead, madVR?

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by nachoju95

It would be excellent if they fixed the DV problem, but for my minimum I would like the option of external subtitles, since now Arrow, Kino, Synapse and Shout Factory are re leasing 4K titles with only English subtitles.
So I don't think it's a very crazy upgrade to ask for because the firmware version 1.66 in China has this option enabled, and the improved firmware as well.

That's what I'm saying though. Panasonic should just give us the proper updates that are available already on top of things that will fix the issues at hand. We know it can do external subtitles due to the 1.66 update in China, but we don't know if it can do the aspect ratio masking and other different wants.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Ya'll got 16ft ceilings? I would never choose another A/R than cinemascope, 2.40:1 does it for me, end of.

The problem with that is there are almost a half dozen more aspect ratios being used in today's cinematic world that using a screen that really fits just 1 properly is a tough thing to do. Now, that doesn't mean it's wrong because it's all personal preference. It is your personal home theater, and that's all that matters really.

If we were all rich and had the capabilities, I'm sure many of us would have multiple rooms dedicated to watching movies and have different screen sizes for differently filmed movies aka aspect ratios. In a movie theater, it's easy because they have multiple screen sizes for different rooms so they can place a 2.40:1 ratio movie on a 2.40:1 screen and then next to it could be a 1.85:1 screen showing a 1.85:1 ratioed movie. But in the world of home theater, choosing the right aspect ratio has been a plaguing issue for many years and I don't think it will ever stop.

For me personally, if I ever get/build a dedicated home theater with a projector, I would probably go with a 16:9 screen. As someone said above, it is a halfway point between the middle of all aspect ratios and can pack a powerful punch when watching movies in 1.85:1 or 1.78:1, especially with shifting aspect ratios. Sure I can't do the whole "scope zoom" and take over the entire screen with the movie (minus 1.78:1), but seems to work for all movies. But again, it is all personal preference because it is your home theater.

[gottaget]

My UB820 has been making a vibrating or rumbling noise. It mainly happens when its reading the disc. What might the reason be?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Geoff, is the SDR/BT.2020 feature that bad? You don't recommend it? What would you use for projectors instead, madVR?

Frame by frame, dynamic tone mapping is the best option for a projector which would be using madVR, Lumagen, or buying the latest JVC model which has DTM built-in.

SDR/2020 on the 820 with the Optimizer can still give good results though (especially if you have enough nits for your set-up and room) but it's a step below the others.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

Frame by frame, dynamic tone mapping is the best option for a projector which would be using madVR, Lumagen, or buying the latest JVC model which has DTM built-in.

SDR/2020 on the 820 with the Optimizer can still give good results though (especially if you have enough nits for your set-up and room) but it's a step below the others.

JVC can't compete with madVR or Lumagen, why would you use the Optimizer with SDR/BT.2020, isn't the whole point of SDR/BT.2020 to eliminate the nit guessing game, and just apply a 2.4 gamma?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Ya'll got 16ft ceilings? I would never choose another A/R than cinemascope, 2.40:1 does it for me, end of.

Once you go scope, you never go back. I can relate as it's a completely difference experience that has to be experienced.

Regarding your other post/challenge, you could always just add an A-lens with electronic masking to make it ultra simple and closer to that one button approach, but also much more expensive.

I use the "zoom" method for scope and made masks. However, I only use my theater room for movies so it's pretty simple and pretty hassle free for me.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

JVC can't compete with madVR or Lumagen, why would you use the Optimizer with SDR/BT.2020, isn't the whole point of SDR/BT.2020 to eliminate the nit guessing game, and just apply a 2.4 gamma?

The newest models (RS1000/2000/3000) do compete well actually. They are a total game changer. With the latest models, you just send an HDR signal and don't even need to bother with the optimizer. The units before that, it's different where you want SDR 2020.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

The newest models (RS1000/2000/3000) do compete well actually. They are a total game changer. With the latest models, you just send an HDR signal and don't even need to bother with the optimizer. The units before that, it's different where you want SDR 2020.

Use Google's/YouTube's automatic translation for English subtitles, unless you're German.
Then again, madVR is superior to the Lumagen.

08:30 - 26:50

Lumagen Radiance Pro - HighEnd Video Prozessor im Vergleich! - YouTube

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Use Google's/YouTube's automatic translation for English subtitles, unless you're German.
Then again, madVR is superior to the Lumagen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=509&...ature=youtu.be

madVR might have a small edge over Lumagen, but the people and calibrators I've seen talk about this (having seen all three) will tell you the new JVCs are quite good here. A lot of people sold their Lumagens when they got a new JVC.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Yeah, but IIRC only after tarting about for a while with custom curves, SDR conversion etc (are you’re still using the latter?). HDR is the least ‘plug and play’-friendly tech advancement I think there’s ever been for consumer video and that’s just for direct view displays, never mind projektors. And for every PJ owner who’s sorted it out (like you) or never had a problem ever ever EVER (gates70) there’s another who’s at the end of their tether.

It's definitely been an evolution and transformation.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Geoff, is the SDR/BT.2020 feature that bad? You don't recommend it? What would you use for projectors instead, madVR?

No, quite the opposite, it’s something that people are using by default. But HH is quite right that later models of projektors are now FAR ahead of where they were and don’t need to rely on external processors. It’s just a shame it took so long, and the lack of a dynamic metadata facility to read what’s coming off the disc (be it Dobly or 10+) held it back, hence the sub-culture that’s sprung up about spoofing player-led Dolby Vision.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Use Google's/YouTube's automatic translation for English subtitles, unless you're German.
Then again, madVR is superior to the Lumagen.

08:30 - 26:50

Lumagen Radiance Pro - HighEnd Video Prozessor im Vergleich! - YouTube

One other thing: does this review include the new firmware update JVC (v3.5) added around this time period? The update actually allows the user to enter the screen size and gain to get the brightness data into the DTM algorithm to give a much more customized result. This made a big improvement by all accounts. Every projector owner knows, even with SDR 709, customization is crucial as calibration/optimization focuses around nits, screen size, affected by room conditions, etc.

[Andrew Woo]

Originally Posted by Badas

Hey,

Does your 9000's get hot? Mine does and the fan doesn't activate.
The 820 stays super cool compared to the 9000. Fan has never activated on 820 either.

I share the experience. But I can't say that it has any influence on the functionality of the 9000.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

One other thing: does this review include the new firmware update JVC (v3.5) added around this time period? The update actually allows the user to enter the screen size and gain to get the brightness data into the DTM algorithm to give a much more customized result. This made a big improvement by all accounts. Every projector owner knows, even with SDR 709, customization is crucial as calibration/optimization focuses around nits, screen size, affected by room conditions, etc.

I don't know more than the video entails.

[stmhlm]

Oh, by the way, front page of UB9000 manual:

[sephirothkefka]

Hello! Just a first time poster here who wanted to give my thoughts on the UB820! I have a US spec machine made in the Czech Republic sometime in 2020. Overall I am very pleased with the machine and its been quite solid and reliable when connected to my Denon AVR-X3700H and LG CX though the only issues I have is some issues with some Warner and Disney 4K discs going frame by frame while in the pop-up menu for a few clicks on the remote while paused and occasional sluggishness with some menus. I watched Atlantis: The Lost Empire recently via the 2 pack and navigating through the menus was unusually slow (was just fine on my PS5) though most menus work wonderfully. I have some of the other 2 packs and discs from that era as well though I have yet to try them. Image upscaling was quite fantastic as well with 1080p discs and DVDs. Its quite easy to work on and very repairable to work on as well. Was honestly surprised it used a vacuum-florescent display as well as itself being modular with the IR sensor! Overall I'm quite pleased with the machine and if anyone looking to buy this model is interested in asking questions about it then feel free! I have also compared it to the X700 and UBK90 as well.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by sephirothkefka

Hello! Just a first time poster here who wanted to give my thoughts on the UB820! I have a US spec machine made in the Czech Republic sometime in 2020. Overall I am very pleased with the machine and its been quite solid and reliable when connected to my Denon AVR-X3700H and LG CX though the only issues I have is some issues with some Warner and Disney 4K discs going frame by frame while in the pop-up menu for a few clicks on the remote while paused and occasional sluggishness with some menus. I watched Atlantis: The Lost Empire recently via the 2 pack and navigating through the menus was unusually slow (was just fine on my PS5) though most menus work wonderfully. I have some of the other 2 packs and discs from that era as well though I have yet to try them. Image upscaling was quite fantastic as well with 1080p discs and DVDs. Its quite easy to work on and very repairable to work on as well. Was honestly surprised it used a vacuum-florescent display as well as itself being modular with the IR sensor! Overall I'm quite pleased with the machine and if anyone looking to buy this model is interested in asking questions about it then feel free! I have also compared it to the X700 and UBK90 as well.

I’ve had that on Warners discs too, the menu pop ups are quite slow and juddery on the 820 compared to the OPPO 203, where they’re buttery smooth.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

Oh, by the way, front page of UB9000 manual:

Nah hah hah! If I did that, you know what version my player would be on? 1.60. that is the latest online player downloadable firmware.

That statement on the manual is an insult.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by chip75

I will, I took pictures the other night, but they didn't turn out very well, so I'll have to do them again.

Any chance you could share your new pictures? They are the last pictures I need to assemble my document.