Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Animatic33]

I’ve had a few blu-only titles now from both big and small companies that have issues on the 820, but play fine in a PS4 slim. Not sure if this is a disc manufacturing issue that Panasonic players are more sensitive to? Usually it’s a glitch or a hiccup that happens. But I find it really weird that it’s not exhibited on all players.

My Paramount UHDs were exhibiting no audio playback for a little while, but that has thankfully cleared up since. Maybe my receiver updated recently…

It would be great to hear if a firmware update could magically fix any playback issues.

[88mph]

Yes I’ve only had the 820 for a couple of weeks and I’m starting to regret the purchase. Literally the first UHD I bought (Almost Famous) after getting it has glitches.

I’ve actually been waiting for a successor for a while now and since that’s nowhere in sight I caved in. Dunno whether to return it or not. I’m sure it’s still a great player even today but the lack of support is a real turn off. If it makes more business sense to release a new model, then stop messing about and just release a new model!

I guess me whining here is going to have zero effect. If there somewhere at Panasonic where we can voice our opinions?

[riptor3076]

Originally Posted by 88mph

Yes I’ve only had the 820 for a couple of weeks and I’m starting to regret the purchase. Literally the first UHD I bought (Almost Famous) after getting it has glitches.

I’ve actually been waiting for a successor for a while now and since that’s nowhere in sight I caved in. Dunno whether to return it or not. I’m sure it’s still a great player even today but the lack of support is a real turn off. If it makes more business sense to release a new model, then stop messing about and just release a new model!

I guess me whining here is going to have zero effect. If there somewhere at Panasonic where we can voice our opinions?

My understanding is that several people have tried calling, emailing and writing Panasonic. One person even sent a lengthy report to, I think, the head engineer over player development and so far nothing.

Overall the player is very good but it is starting to feel like Panasonic is done supporting it and just doesn't care. Both Panasonic and retailers will just keep selling it to new buyers who have no way of knowing about it's issues.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I agree and appreciate your feelings. Unfortunately all I can do is report to the engineers our list of items to fix or enhance.

Not defending anything, but please also understand that some of the requests either cannot be fixed with firmware as the chip set is not capable and in other cases some items just don't have the approval of the legal department, like playing advanced audio formats on ripped Blu-ray discs that do not have the HDCP copy-write protection flag in the ripped content.

I do wish they would address the few items that are fixable with a firmware update and I'll never stop asking.

In all honesty, there’s nothing I want changed or enhanced features-wise on the player because I understand Pannysonic’s stance on them and how difficult it would be to change it after the fact anyway. What I do want is a consistent application of the ONE main feature that actually sets this player apart from the 420 and the problems with Dolby Vision are mounting up. I also understand that this responsibility may rest on Dolby’s shoulders, fair enough, but Panny need to get onto them and stress the importance of addressing these issues.

[PissedOffPeoN]

Originally Posted by 88mph

Yes I’ve only had the 820 for a couple of weeks and I’m starting to regret the purchase. Literally the first UHD I bought (Almost Famous) after getting it has glitches.

I’ve actually been waiting for a successor for a while now and since that’s nowhere in sight I caved in. Dunno whether to return it or not. I’m sure it’s still a great player even today but the lack of support is a real turn off. If it makes more business sense to release a new model, then stop messing about and just release a new model!

I guess me whining here is going to have zero effect. If there somewhere at Panasonic where we can voice our opinions?

Mine played fine.. is it a disc problem? My disc did had debris all over it and some smudges but i t shirted those and it works.

[gnicks]

Originally Posted by PissedOffPeoN

Mine played fine.. is it a disc problem? My disc did had debris all over it and some smudges but i t shirted those and it works.

I think it's the UK Sony disc that is having issues, based on what I can gather. Seems like the US Paramount release may be fine.

Has anyone actually reported the problem with the US release?

[PissedOffPeoN]

Yes, some have, that is why i thought you had the US disc.

[riptor3076]

Originally Posted by PissedOffPeoN

Mine played fine.. is it a disc problem? My disc did had debris all over it and some smudges but i t shirted those and it works.

I think the issue is only on the Bootleg Cut so depending on what cut you watched might not see it.

[MisterXDTV]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

In all honesty, there’s nothing I want changed or enhanced features-wise on the player because I understand Pannysonic’s stance on them and how difficult it would be to change it after the fact anyway. What I do want is a consistent application of the ONE main feature that actually sets this player apart from the 420 and the problems with Dolby Vision are mounting up. I also understand that this responsibility may rest on Dolby’s shoulders, fair enough, but Panny need to get onto them and stress the importance of addressing these issues.

Dear Geoff, I decided to go for a combo to solve this problem:

Now I have Panasonic UB420 + Sony X700 stacked on the shelf....

Best of both words for less money than an UB820 alone...

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

In all honesty, there’s nothing I want changed or enhanced features-wise on the player because I understand Pannysonic’s stance on them and how difficult it would be to change it after the fact anyway. What I do want is a consistent application of the ONE main feature that actually sets this player apart from the 420 and the problems with Dolby Vision are mounting up. I also understand that this responsibility may rest on Dolby’s shoulders, fair enough, but Panny need to get onto them and stress the importance of addressing these issues.

I agree, there are "Wish lists" and "Fix this!" issues, some of the former could be taken in if they make new players, but let's be realistic, player features have been getting stripped back for years, so some things are just pie in the sky.

But the other things, Panasonic, a company that supports Dolby Vision and physical media (thank goodness) need to sort things out. And if the new iteration of the 9000 fixes these issues it will be a slap in the face to established customers.

[Robert Zohn]

Please remind me which Dolby Vision HDR BD don't play properly on the UB9000, but perform properly on other BD players?

I disable Dolby Vision on all of my UB9000s as I want to take advantage of the UN9000s HDR Optimizer and Dolby does not permit any change in the EOTF. I have done many dozens of a/b comparisons with Dolby Vision discs and streaming and I always prefer disabling Dolby Vision and using the players HDR Optimizer with the disc's HDR10 layer as the color volume is more saturated in the high peak luminance areas of the images and the dynamic tonal range is more accurate and detailed with Dolby Vision shut off in the UB9000's user menu.

[Wormicide]

What’s the point of paying more $$$ for Dolby Vision if you’re suppose to disable it?

[Robert Zohn]

My take on this is Dolby Vision is the best HDR format for all capable BD players and TVs, except if you have a UB820 or UB9000 that has Panasonic's priority HDR Optimizer feature that reformats the EOTF PQ curve to more closely match the peak luminance capability of your specify TV or projector so your display can take over with a manageable EOTF peak luminance tonal range and tone map the images more easily and accurately.

For all UB820 and UB9000 owners try the a/b I've done to confirm the superior images Panasonic BD players can deliver on Dolby Vision content with Dolby Vision disabled and the HDR Optimizer PROPERLY configured and enabled in the separate HDR Optimizer menu.

[Waboman]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Please remind me which Dolby Vision HDR BD don't play properly on the UB9000, but perform properly on other BD players?

I disable Dolby Vision on all of my UB9000s as I want to take advantage of the UN9000s HDR Optimizer and Dolby does not permit any change in the EOTF. I have done many dozens of a/b comparisons with Dolby Vision discs and streaming and I always prefer disabling Dolby Vision and using the players HDR Optimizer with the disc's HDR10 layer as the color volume is more saturated in the high peak luminance areas of the images and the dynamic tonal range is more accurate and detailed with Dolby Vision shut off in the UB9000's user menu.

I haven't disabled DV on my 9000...yet. But I have read that disabling the optimizer and letting the XR Pro do the heavy lifting produces a superior picture. Any thoughts on that?

[martinstraka8282]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Please remind me which Dolby Vision HDR BD don't play properly on the UB9000, but perform properly on other BD players?

I disable Dolby Vision on all of my UB9000s as I want to take advantage of the UN9000s HDR Optimizer and Dolby does not permit any change in the EOTF. I have done many dozens of a/b comparisons with Dolby Vision discs and streaming and I always prefer disabling Dolby Vision and using the players HDR Optimizer with the disc's HDR10 layer as the color volume is more saturated in the high peak luminance areas of the images and the dynamic tonal range is more accurate and detailed with Dolby Vision shut off in the UB9000's user menu.

Interesting information, Robert.

I think I've read that Knives Out, Ghost in the Shell and Midway are three that are fairly well known to have issues with DV. Almost Famous (possibly only the overseas version) as well I think, but that one just got out in the wild.

[wxman2003]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Please remind me which Dolby Vision HDR BD don't play properly on the UB9000, but perform properly on other BD players?

I disable Dolby Vision on all of my UB9000s as I want to take advantage of the UN9000s HDR Optimizer and Dolby does not permit any change in the EOTF. I have done many dozens of a/b comparisons with Dolby Vision discs and streaming and I always prefer disabling Dolby Vision and using the players HDR Optimizer with the disc's HDR10 layer as the color volume is more saturated in the high peak luminance areas of the images and the dynamic tonal range is more accurate and detailed with Dolby Vision shut off in the UB9000's user menu.

I have the Sony A90J. Is HDR optimizer relevant with this tv due to the excellent HDR tone mapping the tv does? IMO turning it off in the 9000 and using gradation preferred on the A90J produces a better picture.

[riptor3076]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Please remind me which Dolby Vision HDR BD don't play properly on the UB9000, but perform properly on other BD players?

I disable Dolby Vision on all of my UB9000s as I want to take advantage of the UN9000s HDR Optimizer and Dolby does not permit any change in the EOTF. I have done many dozens of a/b comparisons with Dolby Vision discs and streaming and I always prefer disabling Dolby Vision and using the players HDR Optimizer with the disc's HDR10 layer as the color volume is more saturated in the high peak luminance areas of the images and the dynamic tonal range is more accurate and detailed with Dolby Vision shut off in the UB9000's user menu.

This is from a post by Geoff from a while back in the thread: "Dolby Vision freezing on Lionsgate's USA releases of Knives Out and Midway, flickering DV layer on Lionsgate's USA Ghost in the Shell ‘95, badly flickering DV layer on StudioCanal's UK Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon, DV playback freezes at start of film on Pull Back Camera's UK Fanny Lye Deliver'd"

I know the issue on Knives Out is just past the two hour mark, not sure on the others. Almost Famous Bootleg Cut Sony version also appears to have an issue at about 55 minutes in.

[gnicks]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Please remind me which Dolby Vision HDR BD don't play properly on the UB9000, but perform properly on other BD players

When using Dolby Vision, the Knives Out 4K disc freezes up a bit after the 2 hour mark. I believe it's 2:01:24, to be exact.

This freeze only occurs in Dolby Vision, but happens every time at that spot.

[NeilZ]

It's frustrating that Panasonic still hasn't fixed the Knives Out 4k Dolby Vision glitch. I love my 820 but wish they'd offer more frequent updates.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by wxman2003

I have the Sony A90J. Is HDR optimizer relevant with this tv due to the excellent HDR tone mapping the tv does? IMO turning it off in the 9000 and using gradation preferred on the A90J produces a better picture.

I use both the optimizer and gradation preferred. I also use Dolby Vision. Unlike previous Sony tv's the A90J handles Dolby Vision wonderfully, in Dolby Dark.