Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[iaragorn1]

Originally Posted by Keoma

Old stuff was simply made better. I firmly believe this. My Oppo players are still solid and whisper-quiet, whereas every other player I have tested, including a new $1600 Magnetar player, are finicky as hell and extremely noisy.

I haven't been paying attention to Reavon or Magnetar recently, but are there lots of complaints about those two?

I'm starting to think about buying a new player and getting a Panny 450 with the mediatek soc. I get it, it's cheap as hell and built like it, but.

The Oppo's run with them installed (except maybe my 103d??can't remember) and are solid machines.

[Driver_]

Originally Posted by ronand

The "better/more consistent trick" is to get your player modified for region free playback. The panasonic 420/820/9000 players can be modded for free as long as the firmware is version 1.76 or lower.

Are you talking about an actual physical mod where a part is changed?
Any idea why it has to be firmware 1.76 or lower?

[deatheats]

Originally Posted by PuppetMasterBlu

Yeah I have never seen this before until Tremors 2. It is pretty bad.

Does switching off DV solve it? Never occured to me at the time for some reason.

Yes, HDR isn’t impacted.

[deatheats]

Originally Posted by Driver_

Are you talking about an actual physical mod where a part is changed?
Any idea why it has to be firmware 1.76 or lower?

There’s a software mod that requires some Linux know how which enables region free playback, external subtitle support, fixes a couple of major bugs (CPU usage related) among other things. The creators don’t have a version that works with 1.82 yet, but are working on it. There is also a risk of bricking your player if not performed correctly.

If you search for AV forums and region free Panasonic you will be sure to find more info.

[pr0darek]

Originally Posted by waxHead

... I’ll try the latest update from pr0darek in the next day or so.

My result may not work for you and others why?
I use modified fw where UOP(navigation restrictions) is disabled. But if the button lock icon doesn't show up... you'll be happy.

[drush9999]

Originally Posted by Compson

I’ve never hit the down arrow. Just STOP, followed by TOP MENU. But whatever works.

Yeah no need for the down arrow part, sometimes you need to press Top Menu twice instead of just once, depends on the disc.

[bs6268d]

Originally Posted by bs6268d

I have the same problem with my PS5 and LG C2 plus Bose soundbar. On Xbox, if your TV or soundbar doesn't support DTS it converts it to at least 5.1.

So is it confirmed the ub820 can't convert DTS to PCM 5.1 like on the Xbox? I really wanna buy one but not getting Pcm 5.1 with my DTS disc would be a huge bummer. I have a c2 and a Bose soundbar 900 that both don't support DTS.

[PuppetMasterBlu]

Originally Posted by bs6268d

So is it confirmed the ub820 can't convert DTS to PCM 5.1 like on the Xbox? I really wanna buy one but not getting Pcm 5.1 with my DTS disc would be a huge bummer. I have a c2 and a Bose soundbar 900 that both don't support DTS.

It does. I do it for my TV since it plays DTS tracks SUPER LOW. Converting to PCM fixes that.

[Dsneybuf]

I've noticed that if the disc's main feature has Dolby Vision, the player adds DV to the menu and bonus features as well. If I want to watch the SDR content in its original color/brightness levels, does an easier method exist than stopping the disc and turning off DV?

[Telemachus]

Originally Posted by Dsneybuf

If I want to watch the SDR content in its original color/brightness levels, does an easier method exist than stopping the disc and turning off DV?

Nope, just turn it off as needed. It doesn't annoy me so much with most labels putting the bonus features on the Blu ray anyway. Really only stings me a lot on Arrow discs.

[Dsneybuf]

Or for titles that don't include a 1080p disc.

[HDMan72]

I think its about time I pick up an 820. Been rocking my Oppo 203 but I think its time for a solid second player and my Oppo is set up for region free. Also been thinking about going bigger on screen size with a 77" Sony Bravia 8 or LG C4.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by HDMan72

I think its about time I pick up an 820. Been rocking my Oppo 203 but I think its time for a solid second player and my Oppo is set up for region free. Also been thinking about going bigger on screen size with a 77" Sony Bravia 8 or LG C4.

It's a terrific player, as long as you get a good 'un.

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by Bluesmudge

I've had my UB9000 since they were first available for pre-order. It's always been a picky player. Lots of pixelation issues with Disney 4k movies that would require me to get a replacement disc and I could never get it through the Daniel Craig 007 movies in 4k even after getting a replacement copy. My PS5 has never had issues playing the discs the UB9000 doesn't like.

Now my UB9000 has started to reject a majority of regular blu-ray discs I try to play. 4k and DVD seems to still work normally. Does this mean my drive unit is failing or that I just need to clean the laser somehow? I had spent the big bucks on this player hoping it would last decades, not just a few years.

The PS5 would be a very nice player if it had DV (and a non-slot load drive). It seems to handle triple-layer discs and lightly scratched discs perfectly.

[Bluesmudge]

Sorry, first time posting. I can't tell if I deleted my post or if I got it deleted by editing too many times or posting an external link. Here it is again:

I've had my UB9000 since they were first available for pre-order. It's always been a picky player. Lots of pixelation issues with Disney 4k movies that would require me to get a replacement disc and I could never get it through the Daniel Craig 007 movies in 4k even after getting a replacement copy. My PS5 has never had issues playing the discs the UB9000 doesn't like.

Now my UB9000 has started to reject a majority of regular blu-ray discs I try to play. 4k and DVD seems to still work normally. Does this mean my drive unit is failing or that I just need to clean the laser somehow? I had spent the big bucks on this player hoping it would last decades, not just a few years.

Is this the Panasonic OEM replacement drive the best part to repair it with? Or is there a disc cleaning product I should try? Hard to stomach the replacement part price when it's as much as an entire UB420

[HDMan72]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It's a terrific player, as long as you get a good 'un.

Do you have any recommended settings for a Sony Z9D?

[chip75]

Originally Posted by HDMan72

Do you have any recommended settings for a Sony Z9D?

Auto generally works very well, but you can set the resolution to 4K.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Bluesmudge

Sorry, first time posting. I can't tell if I deleted my post or if I got it deleted by editing too many times or posting an external link. Here it is again:

I've had my UB9000 since they were first available for pre-order. It's always been a picky player. Lots of pixelation issues with Disney 4k movies that would require me to get a replacement disc and I could never get it through the Daniel Craig 007 movies in 4k even after getting a replacement copy. My PS5 has never had issues playing the discs the UB9000 doesn't like.

Now my UB9000 has started to reject a majority of regular blu-ray discs I try to play. 4k and DVD seems to still work normally. Does this mean my drive unit is failing or that I just need to clean the laser somehow? I had spent the big bucks on this player hoping it would last decades, not just a few years.

Is this the Panasonic OEM replacement drive the best part to repair it with? Or is there a disc cleaning product I should try? Hard to stomach the replacement part price when it's as much as an entire UB420

Sorry you’re dealing with a finicky player. I’ve had players from all the major manufacturers fail at some point but my Panasonic players I currently own have been near flawless. It’s just the luck of the draw. I used my 820 last night for the first time in months last night on the living room TV (a Sony 65A80J) which operated perfectly. I have a 9000 in my HT equipment rack that gets used 1-2 week (owned since 2018-19) and also a BDT110 3D Blu-ray player that I’ve owned since 2013 that’s been reliable though I have a feeling that one is getting towards EOL. I even have a UB900 on a secondary basement TV that rarely gets used but never had an issue with it.

My only Panasonic BD failure was a BD35 that was sitting in storage for years. When I tried to power it up after 4-5 years it was DOA.

[I5o]

Originally Posted by Bluesmudge

Sorry, first time posting. I can't tell if I deleted my post or if I got it deleted by editing too many times or posting an external link. Here it is again:

I've had my UB9000 since they were first available for pre-order. It's always been a picky player. Lots of pixelation issues with Disney 4k movies that would require me to get a replacement disc and I could never get it through the Daniel Craig 007 movies in 4k even after getting a replacement copy. My PS5 has never had issues playing the discs the UB9000 doesn't like.

Now my UB9000 has started to reject a majority of regular blu-ray discs I try to play. 4k and DVD seems to still work normally. Does this mean my drive unit is failing or that I just need to clean the laser somehow? I had spent the big bucks on this player hoping it would last decades, not just a few years.

Is this the Panasonic OEM replacement drive the best part to repair it with? Or is there a disc cleaning product I should try? Hard to stomach the replacement part price when it's as much as an entire UB420

Gidday Bluesmudge,

I had to change the disc drive on my 2019 UB9000 and that has fixed the random rejection of Blurays same as your troubles.

I tried the alcohol cotton bud trick on the laser lens but no change so I got a new OEM Panasonic drive. If you read back on this forum I have pictures of the disc drive and instructions on replacing the disc dirve. But remember it is at your own risk and I take no responsibilty if you happen to stuff it up. The most tricky part is removing and putting back the small flexible 18 pin cable onto the disc drive and the motherboard but with great care and patience it can be done.

And if youhappen to go ahead and replace your disc drive you can open the top plate of your old disc drive and clean it it alcohol and cotton buds. Perhaps that may help it plus you would have a spare DvD and 4K disc drive.

IMO it is worth investing in your UB9000 and getting it fixed and sadly electrical items do have a wear and tear aspect to it. Good luck! Cheers

[I5o]

Originally Posted by HDMan72

I think its about time I pick up an 820. Been rocking my Oppo 203 but I think its time for a solid second player and my Oppo is set up for region free. Also been thinking about going bigger on screen size with a 77" Sony Bravia 8 or LG C4.

Gidday HDMan72,

I also have the UB820 and have tested and used a UB9000 disc drive in it and in my opinion there is better picture quality compared to the UB820 disc drive. There is extra weight and IC on the UB9000 pcb, you can see a comparison of both drives in my previous post on this forum. You can keep the UB820 disc drive once the UB9000 packs up anyhow just my 2 cents. Good luck! Cheers