Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Geoff D]

It’s a pity that some clever clogs came up with that for gaming but the powers that be never thought to apply it to HDR movie playback. I’m totally guessing but perhaps it was because they’re like “ah, gamers love to fiddle” whereas for movie watchers they’re like “ah, let’s sell it as plug and play” - with the irony being that HDR is still the least consumer-friendly format there’s ever been in TV tech.

[kristoffer]

I wonder if the new version of UB9000 will finally bring a new Firmware...

[MisterXDTV]

Originally Posted by kristoffer

I wonder if the new version of UB9000 will finally bring a new Firmware...

There's 1.69 now....

I don't know what it does

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by MisterXDTV

There's 1.69 now....

I don't know what it does

What’s that mean? Is that available for download or just what’s pre-loaded into the newer 9000?

[mkozlows]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It’s a pity that some clever clogs came up with that for gaming but the powers that be never thought to apply it to HDR movie playback. I’m totally guessing but perhaps it was because they’re like “ah, gamers love to fiddle” whereas for movie watchers they’re like “ah, let’s sell it as plug and play” - with the irony being that HDR is still the least consumer-friendly format there’s ever been in TV tech.

It's because games are "mastered" at runtime, and you can change the settings such that they're mastered directly for your TV's capabilities -- by tweaking some menu settings, you can ensure that Halo renders directly to whatever nit limit your TV can actually display.

Films are always mastered at production time to a limit that knows nothing about your TV, and needs to be adjusted to your TV with tone mapping. The only time HGIG on your TV makes any sense with film content is if you want to use an outboard tone mapper, because you're convinced that it does a better job. Which is generally never, except for this magical HDR Optimizer.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by mkozlows

It's because games are "mastered" at runtime, and you can change the settings such that they're mastered directly for your TV's capabilities -- by tweaking some menu settings, you can ensure that Halo renders directly to whatever nit limit your TV can actually display.

Films are always mastered at production time to a limit that knows nothing about your TV, and needs to be adjusted to your TV with tone mapping. The only time HGIG on your TV makes any sense with film content is if you want to use an outboard tone mapper, because you're convinced that it does a better job. Which is generally never, except for this magical HDR Optimizer.

But why shouldn't movies be rendered directly to whatever nit limit your TV can actually display? Shouldn't that have always been the point? I know that's not what you're arguing against, but it's what I'm griping about. It's not the mastering chain or the operational reality of absolute luminance content that I'm questioning here, I'm complaining that no bright spark thought to apply such things to how HDR movies are rendered at home in the first place. The emphasis on the intended OOTF being an assumed function rather than the OOTF being part of the display rendering chain as with relative luminance has been the biggest cluster**** I've ever seen on home video, and I've seen a few.

And it's not like TVs and players don't have 101 different things to adjust anyway, it's a crime that they didn't put user controllable mapping inside HDR TVs and/or players from the start.

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by MisterXDTV

There's 1.69 now....

I don't know what it does

Have they finally put a new downloadable firmware? Or is this just preloaded as Geoff asked above.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Grinningcat_o3

So after much deliberation and research I just decided to sell my Sonos system and purchase the following to go for a 7.1.4 Atmos setup in my living room:

2x SVS Prime Pinnacle Towers
1x SVS Prime Center
4x SVS Prime Satellites for sides and surrounds.
1x SVS SB1000 sub
4x SVS Prime Elevation for front and rear Atmos
1x Denon 3700H Receiver

Greatly looking forward to this. My question here is what should I plan for type of speaker wiring and power supplies? Don’t want to cheapen out and want to have proper wiring and power supplies since investing a good amount in this system.

That's quite the system upgrade! Congrats!



This is the type of 12 gauge, 2-conductor speaker wire I snag:



https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_...oaAlzsEALw_wcB


If you need to run anything in the walls or ceiling, they are rated for that kind of installation.



I have had good luck with these banana plugs:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


If you need to spiffy up the look of any speaker wire draped on the floor, these are good wire jackets and easy to use (go with the 1/4" size):


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



I use one of these to strip the insulation off stranded copper wires (watch some speaker wire prep instructions on YouTube if this is your first rodeo):


https://www.amazon.com/Stripper-Stra...08PVUGUU&psc=1


If you are not inclined to make your own, then pony up some money for pre-terminated, 12-gauge Belden wire with locking banana plugs from Blue Jeans Cable (these are no snake oil cables such as AudioQuest and the like; they are best in class for the money):


https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/speaker/index.htm


Subwoofer Cable (LC-1 from BJC):


https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store...ofer/index.htm


As for a surge protector, I would investigate buying a whole house protector for the main electrical panel and a professional electrician to install it (if you are not savvy). That is an absolute must. Also ask your electricity provider if they can install a meter protector as well (a stage one surge unit). Then look at something like a SurgeX or Brick Wall, non-sacrificial surge protector for the last line of defense. These use series mode circuits that will take a heck of a number of spikes and sags without dying. MOV based protectors can wear out over time and can be a waste of money.



Since you are not in a house right now, at least start with a SurgeX or Brick Wall unit. Then once you've settled, look at the meter and main wall panel whole home protectors (these will save other appliances in the home as well). You may even receive a home owner's insurance discount for installing such devices. Just FYI... nothing, and I mean nothing will protect you from a direct or close by lightning strike. That's what a good home owner's policy is for. Always document the gear you purchase and keep the receipts safe for insurance claims. You can even get a temporary renter's insurance policy to cover your rear in the meantime.



---


Your next upgrade should be a multi-channel amp or amps to take the load off the receiver and give yourself plenty of extra dynamic headroom and far less distortion.



One last thing, these modern receivers can run quite hot, so you might want to look into something like an AC Infinity temperature controlled component cooling fan unit. A good investment for longer gear life.


If you have any other questions or concerns, be sure to PM me and we can take the discussion off this thread.

[MisterXDTV]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

What’s that mean? Is that available for download or just what’s pre-loaded into the newer 9000?

You know, THAT place with the custom firmware...

[mkozlows]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

But why shouldn't movies be rendered directly to whatever nit limit your TV can actually display? Shouldn't that have always been the point? I know that's not what you're arguing against, but it's what I'm griping about. It's not the mastering chain or the operational reality of absolute luminance content that I'm questioning here, I'm complaining that no bright spark thought to apply such things to how HDR movies are rendered at home in the first place. The emphasis on the intended OOTF being an assumed function rather than the OOTF being part of the display rendering chain as with relative luminance has been the biggest cluster**** I've ever seen on home video, and I've seen a few.

I mean, that's Dolby Vision, right? The tone mapping is part of the implementation, and you can't have a random custom algorithm for it. It's HDR10 that's a half-assed incomplete spec relative to DV.

[Geoff D]

Dynamic metadata was always the solution to that problem, yeah...except it wasn't mandatory but an optional add on, and as the majority of HDR content on UHD disc is only in HDR10 then tone mapping issues are still rife, even with 2021 TVs never mind older ones.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Dynamic metadata was always the solution to that problem, yeah...except it wasn't mandatory but an optional add on, and as the majority of HDR content on UHD disc is only in HDR10 then tone mapping issues are still rife, even with 2021 TVs never mind older ones.

Yep! And even if the dynamic tone mapping function on a TV fixes the majority of the problems of HDR10 content, it's still not 100% perfect.

I feel like this technology of HDR was just pushed through without any real thought or logic put in place. It just seems more complicated than standard HD blu-ray ever was.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

Yep! And even if the dynamic tone mapping function on a TV fixes the majority of the problems of HDR10 content, it's still not 100% perfect.

I feel like this technology of HDR was just pushed through without any real thought or logic put in place. It just seems more complicated than standard HD blu-ray ever was.

The issue is that so many features and standards of the 4k format were made optional rather than mandatory. This left a void in terms of industry-wide standards and practices.

No mandates spells trouble... big trouble in such a far ranging media tech world.

[HDTV1080P]

The new JVC projectors being released in October 2021 (3 models to choose from), they are ideal for use with the Panasonic 4K Blu-ray players since only Panasonic has 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players in production that offer the HDR10+ feature.

The new JVC projectors are the worlds first projectors that support HDR10+ which is used by both the 4K Blu-ray format and 4K streaming providers. However no consumer projector on the market supports Dolby Vision HDR.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1340

[Wormicide]

I wish I knew if they were going to finally announce a new player or firmware. I want to get this player but not sure if it’s worth the cost or issues when you can get the 800m2 for half the price.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

The new JVC projectors being released in October 2021 (3 models to choose from), they are ideal for use with the Panasonic 4K Blu-ray players since only Panasonic has 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players in production that offer the HDR10+ feature.

The new JVC projectors are the worlds first projectors that support HDR10+ which is used by both the 4K Blu-ray format and 4K streaming providers. However no consumer projector on the market supports Dolby Vision HDR.

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...postcount=1340

That ^ ... Go big or go Dolby Vision HDR limited field of view (Apple iPhone).

* HDR10+ we know we all want it, big and lesser big.
And bring back the headphone jack.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Wormicide

I wish I knew if they were going to finally announce a new player or firmware. I want to get this player but not sure if it’s worth the cost or issues when you can get the 800m2 for half the price.

I highly doubt there will be a new player forthcoming.

[cotts902]

Whats the main issues with the 820

[NeilZ]

Originally Posted by cotts902

Whats the main issues with the 820

That a few discs have issues in Dolby Vision. One such case is with Knives Out where it freezes for some seconds at a crucial part of the movie. The other issue I've seen is some flickering on some films such as Ghost in the Shell 1995, basically requiring you shut off Dolby Vision if you have sensitive eyes.

It's still the best player on the market because it does auto switching between Dolby Vision and HDR10, and it has the optimizer which makes HDR10 so much better on most displays (in particular OLED's and projectors). However because of the lack of support to correct the issues above I see more and more people hesitating, or just leaving these players. Hopefully they take action soon.

[LordoftheRings]

Which brand of players offer good support in 2021?
By the way Sony recently released a new firmware update for their players.