Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[mar3o]

I wouldn't not recommend a firmware patch. Then you're stuck on that firmware.

I'd either go with the Top Menu trick (which works for me most of the time but not all), or go with my advice in my signature and buy a dedicated region B player from the UK as a second player just for region B blu-rays. That has the befit of offloading some of the work from the UHD player to a second player, prolonging the longevity of the UHD player.

[hansolo]

The mentioned patch method allows going back to stock FW. One just needs to save files created during the process. Those files contain backup parts of the stock firmware.

Originally Posted by bl4ck

2. 1.76 will probably be the last version.
3. Newer ones are getting worse...

2. Could be. Only expect some minor disc compatibility patches in the future if even those.
3. Are you referring to broken DV output chain with some TV's? The TV or Player Led thingy. Which TVs/models this was again?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by Nakel

Perhaps the optical drive has reached end of life? Here's the parts store from Panasonic. The New UB9000: https://panasonic.encompass.com/model/MSCDPUB9000P1K
The older version: https://panasonic.encompass.com/model/MSCDPUB9000

This brings up an interesting question: what is the difference in the optical drive between the two? Different part numbers are listed for the two versions. My understanding has always been that the new version was just a different DAC, but apparently the optical drive was changed as well. TXP0036-A vs TXP0036.

I have the new version and the optical drive seems much different than my past panasonic players, quieter and better error correction

[Telemachus]

I was reading about the AVForum Patcher, seems like a sure thing, but hell if I'm flashing an expensive player with unofficial firmware still under warranty. All my locked discs work with the remote trick currently, so it would be senseless, maybe someday later, these things only get better with age.

[Hedrox]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

I was reading about the AVForum Patcher, seems like a sure thing, but hell if I'm flashing an expensive player with unofficial firmware still under warranty. All my locked discs work with the remote trick currently, so it would be senseless, maybe someday later, these things only get better with age.

It's not just the region free thing, the external subtitles feature opens up so many possibilities. Basically you'll never need to worry about a disc being English-friendly ever again.

I had some titles gifted to me from a friend from Germany that didn't have any English whatsoever, like City of God for example. They were pretty much ready to be sold off, but after patching I've added them to the self with the rest of my movies, since I can now add my own subtitles to them.

[Telemachus]

Originally Posted by Hedrox

It's not just the region free thing, the external subtitles feature opens up so many possibilities. Basically you'll never need to worry about a disc being English-friendly ever again.

I had some titles gifted to me from a friend from Germany that didn't have any English whatsoever, like City of God for example. They were pretty much ready to be sold off, but after patching I've added them to the self with the rest of my movies, since I can now add my own subtitles to them.

I may try this when my warranty is up. If the patcher even works in OSX doe

[calico]

Originally Posted by Ruined

I have the new version and the optical drive seems much different than my past panasonic players, quieter and better error correction

Both drives are now out of stock and link to TXP0184. I wonder if this is usable as a drop in replacement, or if any modification is needed. They don't really offer any information on it.

[PissedOffPeoN]

My 820 only plays blu rays now no dvds 4ks.. and if the blu ray has a scatch wont play that either, i need a new drive badly. I have to use ps5 now.

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by PissedOffPeoN

My 820 only plays blu rays now no dvds 4ks.. and if the blu ray has a scatch wont play that either, i need a new drive badly. I have to use ps5 now.

The PS5 would be a very respectable player if it supported DV.

[PissedOffPeoN]

Ya for real its so dang fast i was impressed i never used it before.. just had to get used to the controller menus.

[maverick22]

Originally Posted by Bernardo A.

The PS5 would be a very respectable player if it supported DV.

Yep, the old PS3 was a tank back in the day...solid!

If the ps5 had DV I would definitely pick it up!

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by maverick22

Yep, the old PS3 was a tank back in the day...solid!

If the ps5 had DV I would definitely pick it up!

The PS3 was completely ahead of its time if really think about it.

Wi-fi, HDMI, Blu-ray... In 2006. Unreal.

[Lannister1098]

I’m looking to get one of the Panasonic UB820 models in the future. The main reason why is that I’m tired of my old Sony X700 player being prone to potential hard locks and freezes on certain 100 GB 4K discs (last disc that this happened to me was Oppenheimer)

A couple questions regarding region locks.

What’s the difference between getting one from Best Buy (and using the region lock trick with the remote), or buying the player from 220 Electronics?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this player?

I’ve been looking to go region free for a little while now specifically for titles I can’t find in the US, specifically for Second Sight Films, Arrow Video titles, etc.

On 220 Electronics website they mention
“Firmware can be updated via internet at any time doesn't affect regional coding
Standard DVD region switching: Automatic
Blu-ray Region switching - 1 Button SUPER Fast & Easy”

Is it worth the extra money/hassle to go with 220 Electronics? Or is it better just to get the Panasonic player from Best Buy during a sale/Black Friday.


Thank you!

[Hedrox]

Originally Posted by Lannister1098

I’m looking to get one of the Panasonic UB820 models in the future. The main reason why is that I’m tired of my old Sony X700 player being prone to potential hard locks and freezes on certain 100 GB 4K discs (last disc that this happened to me was Oppenheimer)

A couple questions regarding region locks.

What’s the difference between getting one from Best Buy (and using the region lock trick with the remote), or buying the player from 220 Electronics?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of this player?

I’ve been looking to go region free for a little while now specifically for titles I can’t find in the US, specifically for Second Sight Films, Arrow Video titles, etc.

On 220 Electronics website they mention
“Firmware can be updated via internet at any time doesn't affect regional coding
Standard DVD region switching: Automatic
Blu-ray Region switching - 1 Button SUPER Fast & Easy”

Is it worth the extra money/hassle to go with 220 Electronics? Or is it better just to get the Panasonic player from Best Buy during a sale/Black Friday.


Thank you!

The top menu trick via remote works on some discs but is unreliable. Depends how well the region coding is implemented, for boutique labels it tends to work more than it doesn't, but locked studio titles are usually foolproof.

Check out the AVForum region free patcher (detailed instructions here), if it looks like something you're capable of doing, buy a new UB820 and patch it yourself. Otherwise, buy a modded one from 220.

[Sango]

Originally Posted by Hedrox

Check out the AVForum region free patcher (detailed instructions here), if it looks like something you're capable of doing, buy a new UB820 and patch it yourself. Otherwise, buy a modded one from 220.

I am considering doing this since I only completed part of the process. Just curious, am I able to revert back to stock firmware if I wanted?

I had my player since it was first released and still running like a charm since I do not use it that much.

As per the top menu trick, it works for the discs so far I have, which are a few anime Region B discs.

[Hedrox]

Originally Posted by Sango

I am considering doing this since I only completed part of the process. Just curious, am I able to revert back to stock firmware if I wanted?

Yes, when you're patching the relevant files from the firmware, the original copies of those files will be saved on the USB stck. So you can simply restore them through the same method, if you so desire (you'll need to hold on to them anyway in case you want to patch the player again, as the patch can only be done on those original files).
Also, if Panasonic releases a new firmware beyond the current 1.76, once you update, you'll loose the modded features, the player goes back to being vanilla.

[roar]

Add another brand new title that won't play in my UB9000, the 4K of Dune 2 just won't load... played first try on the PS5.

Has anyone had similar experiences and taken it for service and seen an improvement? The thought of throwing money away to have them tell me there is nothing wrong with it really would be the cherry on top. I may just retire it to e-waste if I have to pay much to get it working reliably. The anxiousness I feel when I put a brand new movie into this player and just hoping it reads is really not feeling worth it anymore.

[sapiendut]

Stories like your make my anxiety kicks up big time. My UB9000 is more than 4 years old. It plays every movie this far but it’s making me kinda afraid to play any disc.

[Rottweiler30]

Is there a certain colour space the player should be set to if just using 1080p blus?

[sapiendut]

No need. It will be done by the studio. REC709 for HD and BT2020/DCI-P3 for UHD.