Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Geoff D]

Yeah, it's so sad for Sony seeing as they sell their own player with the required DV profile. The sky hasn't fallen in for Sony or Dolby just yet.

[elwaylite]

I have an ATV4k, which I use for Amazon and use Infuse pro to play 1080p mkv's off my NAS. I am now using the 820 for Netflix, because Netflix HDR10 on the 820 looks better than DV on the ATV4K on my setup.

Once Panny adds Amazon, I'll likely only use the ATV for my network playback.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by Wendell R. Breland

Not for me because it will not have Amazon video. As of now my Sony UBP-X800 fills my streaming and media player needs. Use UHD BD and BD (with Dolby Atmos or DTS:X) on a Oppo 203 for quality playback.

IMHO, unless Panny makes a lot of changes the 820 will not be much use as a IP device. Time will tell.

The AppleTV now has an Amazon Prime Video app.

A Sony X800 has sold from $399 to $149, and an Oppo 203 sold for $599, and while you can spend as much as you like, so how many other buyers are going to drop upwards of $1K to purchase two devices for playback of 4K media?

A niche, at best, and some, such as Oppo, would say not sustainable.

[Kris Deering]

Oppo was sustainable, the parent company just has more incentive to devote their resources to their cellphone market.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

The AppleTV now has an Amazon Prime Video app.

A Sony X800 has sold from $399 to $149, and an Oppo 203 sold for $599, and while you can spend as much as you like, so how many other buyers are going to drop upwards of $1K to purchase two devices for playback of 4K media?

A niche, at best, and some, such as Oppo, would say not sustainable.

We could say the same about Panasonic here in the states. Their ineptness in misreading the marketplace with plasma demand, then progressing towards modern displays only to bail from the USA marketplace doesn’t inspire confidence in sustainably. You also bring up the price card, but we have the 820 being sold for $499, and their next model the 9000 at $999. Could it be you just misread the market demand for better products because you have this everything should be cheap attitude?

Yes OPPO Electronics is focused on that cellphone marketplace as a major player and it a marketplace that Panasonic is attempting to achieve 3% - 4% in the next 3 years while it can. It has nothing to do with Oppo Digital sustainably.

[elwaylite]

Hope about we move on from the posters and Oppo beta fanboys arguing? No one cares.

[tommyboy81]

what I'm worried about from Panasonic 820 is how will Panasonic be in listening to peoples issues and providing firmware updates? Will the service be like Oppo's
(which I hear is outstanding) or will it be that after 1 or 2 years we won't get anything anymore because they're focusing on the next big thing. (looking at you Sony)

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Oppo was sustainable, the parent company just has more incentive to devote their resources to their cellphone market.

Well, sustainable or not sufficiently profitable given their business model, the net is they are no longer manufacturing disc players. And to be clear, it's unlikely any manufacturer will be selling disc media players without streaming capability for $549 or $1299 at volume in the future.

Originally Posted by JohnAV

We could say the same about Panasonic here in the states. Their ineptness in misreading the marketplace with plasma demand, then progressing towards modern displays only to bail from the USA marketplace doesn’t inspire confidence in sustainably. You also bring up the price card, but we have the 820 being sold for $499, and their next model the 9000 at $999. Could it be you just misread the market demand for better products because you have this everything should be cheap attitude?

Well, it's a question of pricing strategy, and in my opinion there has been a great deal of wishful thinking on behalf of the industry on what consumers are willing to pay for UHD media, in the context of how the content has been positioned to same.

Needless to say, when you can buy a 4K DV version of Ready Player One two weeks in advance of the physical media release date for $19.99, or wait a few weeks and buy it for $12.99 or rent it for $5.99 on your streamer, it's been a debacle.

Originally Posted by JohnAV

Yes OPPO Electronics is focused on that cellphone marketplace as a major player and it a marketplace that Panasonic is attempting to achieve 3% - 4% in the next 3 years while it can. It has nothing to do with Oppo Digital sustainably.

Well, I'm not going to comment on the justification of Oppo leaving the disc media player market, because I have no way of knowing the reason, only Oppo knows. That said, if a company owns a manufacturing facility that can be more profitable by selling a different product than a disc media player, well then, it's not sustainable to continue manufacturing disc media players.

Originally Posted by elwaylite

Hope about we move on from the posters and Oppo beta fanboys arguing? No one cares.

Well, the simple truth is that all of the players introduced to date are flawed, in spite of the fact some are selling upwards and over $1K+.

I'd be happy to move on to a $200 disc media player which supports all of the apps and formats as does the AppleTV with the same fluid UI and stable playback.

This is not rocket science, and as such, the following should have been resolved years ago.

Why the industry could not agree on a single standard for HDR and related UHD discs, agree on a pricing model that would supplant DVDs with Blu-ray technology and price UHD discs inline with Blu-ray discs, ID/design/build a processor, related UI spec capable of stable 4K disc playback and streaming is a missed opportunity for profit at best, the end of physical media as anything other than a niche at worst.

[agoofykindasuperman]

Originally Posted by tommyboy81

what I'm worried about from Panasonic 820 is how will Panasonic be in listening to peoples issues and providing firmware updates? Will the service be like Oppo's
(which I hear is outstanding) or will it be that after 1 or 2 years we won't get anything anymore because they're focusing on the next big thing. (looking at you Sony)

Yeah, I have the UB900 player, and they've stopped updating it, far as I can tell.

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by cgpublic

The AppleTV now has an Amazon Prime Video app.

Good to know.

A Sony X800 has sold from $399 to $149, and an Oppo 203 sold for $599, and while you can spend as much as you like, so how many other buyers are going to drop upwards of $1K to purchase two devices for playback of 4K media?

A niche, at best, and some, such as Oppo, would say not sustainable.

This is a game where one can spend a lot or a little, just depends on one’s priorities. The Oppo UDP-203 was $549 + shipping in 2016, considering what it does, seems like a bargain when I reference it to some past purchase:

1985, Pioneer CLD-900, $1100.00 $2628.00
1985 Sony SL-HF900 βeta Hi-Fi, $1050.00 $2508
1997 Sony Sony DVP-S7700, $950.00 $1492
2006 Panasonic DMP-BD10, $1050.00 (purchased from Robert) $1313.00
2014 Sony FMP-X10, $500.00 $533.00

Just a sampling of source devices that I have purchased over the years. Second price is inflation adjusted for July 2018. And sometimes you purchase knowing the device will have a limited usable life (Sony FMP-X10). Still have a JVC D-VHS D-Theater tape machine .

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by agoofykindasuperman

Yeah, I have the UB900 player, and they've stopped updating it, far as I can tell.

For the Euro edition of the UB900 the first update was in April 2016, fifteenth and last update was in June of this year. After two years most of the kinks have generally been worked out regarding disc playback and internal operation on players like these, if any major faults pop up in the next year or two then I'd hope they'd fix them but most brands don't support their product lines indefinitely and 2+ years of firmware updates is pretty good going. It's not OPPO-style support where they're still adding features and not just working out kinks, but then not every manufacturer is OPPO. And if there are no actual problems with the Panny (and not just wishing for things that it simply doesn't do, e.g. lossless audio on playback of media files, not gonna happen) then what do you need another firmware update for?

[LordoftheRings]

I asked the question because some members were concerned about the Panasonic UB820's actual state regarding streaming apps. More apps might come in the future according to the latest reports, and Dolby Vision too.

Ok, it's not built like the 9000 but it's not priced like the 9000 either.
And with time, on the right timing, both of these players will go on sale.

It was interesting to read all the posts by some of the high caliber video people here.
What makes these two players number one interesting is of course the HDR Optimizer.
For many videophiles who are into 4K UHD moving pictures (4K front projectors and flat panels), it is the numero uno essence.

And if by any circumstance you are not yet equipped for four K, worry not, Panasonic is the best @ HDR > SDR.
_____

* I watched Predator 4K recently...it's about time! ...Best picture quality so far, not bad for a 1987 FOX flick. I have to mention this though, once more: FOX I believe was the first studio to make Dolby Atmos an exclusivity to their 4K discs. They cheapen on that one...the Predator trio, and on others too.
But yeah, the video quality is finally an improvement. Do that with all Alien flicks, plus Atmos, and we might have more love than we do for Disney.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by agoofykindasuperman

Yeah, I have the UB900 player, and they've stopped updating it, far as I can tell.

Probably because unlike Oppo they release players periodically every year.
Just different financial philosophy. If they keep updating the 900 it's bad for future sales of newer players.

With Oppo you just bought one player without worrying about next year and next.
Now that they are gone will be tough to find out about the 303 and 305 8K BR players.

Life's good, always take it with a smile. The best is yet to come; case in point...this thread right here...Panasonic 820 and 9000.
____&

P.S. I've just read Geoff's last post above...not bad for the 900 with its last June firmware update; that's only two months ago. I wouldn't complain about that.

[agoofykindasuperman]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

For the Euro edition of the UB900 the first update was in April 2016, fifteenth and last update was in June of this year. After two years most of the kinks have generally been worked out regarding disc playback and internal operation on players like these, if any major faults pop up in the next year or two then I'd hope they'd fix them but most brands don't support their product lines indefinitely and 2+ years of firmware updates is pretty good going. It's not OPPO-style support where they're still adding features and not just working out kinks, but then not every manufacturer is OPPO. And if there are no actual problems with the Panny (and not just wishing for things that it simply doesn't do, e.g. lossless audio on playback of media files, not gonna happen) then what do you need another firmware update for?

Yes, very true. I was kinda hoping more in terms of not needing to buy another player to get Dolby Vision after spending $700 on the 900, but alas, here I am...

[LordoftheRings]

People feel similar with the Sony X800. But now we got the X700 that fills the spot.

Going forward Dolby Vision is going to be everywhere, and better, and cheaper, and forever after. Panasonic is making sure of it. And who nose; Panasonic OLED in America for the future?

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by Kris Deering

Yes, I reviewed it for Sound and Vision. Review is turned in, just not sure when it will publish. Everything is slower on the print side of the world!

As I see this player in my near-future, I'd like to get your take on other aspects of settings for both the player and projector (JVC RS400 in my case).

I understand that the best result will entail using SDR2020 with HDR Optimizer On, and adjusting the Dynamic Range Slider according to the nits one's theater is able to achieve.

But there are also other Player settings (specifically Brightness, and Tone Curve Black and Tone Curve White), along with Brightness and Contrast settings on the Projector itself.

Do you have any generalized recommendations, or perhaps better, how to approach these settings?

I'm guessing that the Tone Curve Black and Tone Curve White on the UB-820 perform analogous functions for Gamma adjustments on the Projector (Dark Level and Bright Level), but haven't seen anything that would indicate how these might be adjusted, or if there are any objective standards/patterns upon which to base these adjustments.

People have also recommended using the Masciola pattern's to properly set one's system to optimize black and white levels. Are these patterns and adjustments still relevant if one uses the UB-820, and if so, how does one use them, before or after adjustments in the Player settings, etc.?

I think you see where I'm coming here - just wanting to fine-tune the image that is obtained with the basic recommendations. Or does the UB-820 approach render these other adjustments irrelevant?

Thanks!

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by agoofykindasuperman

Yes, very true. I was kinda hoping more in terms of not needing to buy another player to get Dolby Vision after spending $700 on the 900, but alas, here I am...

I hear ya, but Dobly was never on the cards for the early Pannys, even if they wanted to it's a very tricky thing to append to an existing system.

[Agent Kay]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

For the Euro edition of the UB900 the first update was in April 2016, fifteenth and last update was in June of this year. After two years most of the kinks have generally been worked out regarding disc playback and internal operation on players like these, if any major faults pop up in the next year or two then I'd hope they'd fix them but most brands don't support their product lines indefinitely and 2+ years of firmware updates is pretty good going. It's not OPPO-style support where they're still adding features and not just working out kinks, but then not every manufacturer is OPPO. And if there are no actual problems with the Panny (and not just wishing for things that it simply doesn't do, e.g. lossless audio on playback of media files, not gonna happen) then what do you need another firmware update for?

Yeah my 700 is pretty faultless bar not loving a few older exrental discs.
They only added Dobby to the new lines as they want people who buy non panafoncs TVs to buy one also.

[ack_bak]

I use a Roku Ultra (4K+HDR) for my streaming needs and love the thing. For the past year or so I had the Oppo 203+Roku and now I have the Roku Ultra paired with my UB820. I have seen them for under $80 brand new. There are just so many more channels and apps (also network playback) that Roku supports that Panasonic and other 4K Blu-Ray players never willl and I love the Roky interface.

[panasonicst60]

I have been noticing that my ub820 has trouble closing the disc tray when I pressed on the open/close button on the player. Seams to not respond. And if it does manages to close it takes a very long delay. I think it does respond to the remote button though from my limited testing.

Anyone notices this same problem? Hopefully it software related..let me know guys.