Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Gretiem]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Because I use a projector I have to use the 9000 due to the customization features for HDR compression but for audio quality, the LX500 wins hands down. If you use OLED or LCD, the LX500 is a great all rounder. Too bad it doesn’t have any streeaming option.

Yea no projector here. I don’t care about streaming options as I have a shield and Apple TV 4K for that.

I just want a quality uhd player that has great build quality and is quiet.
Some people are saying the Panasonic has the best color... haven’t really heard much about the pioneer.

[sapiendut]

The quietest player on earth with the best build quality is the LX500 by far. Picture quality they are about the same. I have no preference either way when played back through my Panasonic FZ1000 OLED

[cjake]

Originally Posted by King Crimson

Any suggestions based on my collection? Its current.

I haven't had the chance to look through your collection yet, but I tested a couple of my titles with either a high MaxDML or high MaxCLL. The UB820 TV type is set to Middle/High Luminance LED (1000 nits). HDR Optimizer is turned On.

Mad Max Fury Road

Original:
MaxDML=4000 MaxCLL=9919

Optimizer modified:
MaxDML=1000 MaxCLL=1000

Blade Runner 2049 (USA Version)

Original:
MaxDML=10,000 MaxCLL=181

Optimizer modified:
MaxDML=181 MaxCLL=181


Because Fury Road had both MaxDML and MaxCLL > 1000, the Optimizer tone mapped to 1000 nits.

But because BR 2049 had a very low MaxCLL value of 181 nits, the Optimizer did not need to do tone mapping of highlights. And it reports 181 as both the MaxDML and MaxCLL values to the TV.

The Optimizer helps Max Max by tone mapping the very bright highlights that are well over 4000 nits down to inside of 1000 nits but leaving most of the content untouched. The 1000 nit TV is then able to display those highlights rather than clipping them, or compressing everything down to inside 1000 nits that can result in a darker overall picture. Existing TVs aren't capable of tone mapping just the bright highlights and leaving the rest untouched like the Optimizer can.

The Optimizer helps BR 2049 even though it doesn't need to do any tone mapping of highlights since MaxCLL is only 181 nits; well inside the capabilities of any HDR TV. By modifying MaxDML to 181 instead of leaving it at 10,000, it results in a much brighter picture on TVs that utilize MaxDML in their own tone mapping algorithms. In this case the Optimizer won't make much of a difference on TVs that only rely on MaxCLL and ignore MaxDML.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by cjake

I haven't had the chance to look through your collection yet, but I tested a couple of my titles with either a high MaxDML or high MaxCLL. The UB820 TV type is set to Middle/High Luminance LED (1000 nits). HDR Optimizer is turned On.

Mad Max Fury Road

Original:
MaxDML=4000 MaxCLL=9919

Optimizer modified:
MaxDML=1000 MaxCLL=1000

Blade Runner 2049 (USA Version)

Original:
MaxDML=10,000 MaxCLL=181

Optimizer modified:
MaxDML=181 MaxCLL=181


Because Fury Road had both MaxDML and MaxCLL > 1000, the Optimizer tone mapped to 1000 nits.

But because BR 2049 had a very low MaxCLL value of 181 nits, the Optimizer did not need to do tone mapping of highlights. And it reports 181 as both the MaxDML and MaxCLL values to the TV.

The Optimizer helps Max Max by tone mapping the very bright highlights that are well over 4000 nits down to inside of 1000 nits but leaving most of the content untouched. The 1000 nit TV is then able to display those highlights rather than clipping them, or compressing everything down to inside 1000 nits that can result in a darker overall picture. Existing TVs aren't capable of tone mapping just the bright highlights and leaving the rest untouched like the Optimizer can.

The Optimizer helps BR 2049 even though it doesn't need to do any tone mapping of highlights since MaxCLL is only 181 nits; well inside the capabilities of any HDR TV. By modifying MaxDML to 181 instead of leaving it at 10,000, it results in a much brighter picture on TVs that utilize MaxDML in their own tone mapping algorithms. In this case the Optimizer won't make much of a difference on TVs that only rely on MaxCLL and ignore MaxDML.

Nice explanation, seems clear and concise.

[Gretiem]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

The quietest player on earth with the best build quality is the LX500 by far. Picture quality they are about the same. I have no preference either way when played back through my Panasonic FZ1000 OLED

Does the pioneer have a hdr optimizer as well ?

Thanks for answering my questions .. much appreciated!

[sapiendut]

More like a limiter. You can set the type of display you use ranging from 200-1000 nits or reference (no conversion) but there is no customization like the Panasonic.

[King Crimson]

Thanks cjake. Very VERY happy with the 820, having the enhanced features of the 9000 and the region free abilities are amazing. Best investment to my HV collection I have ever purchased.

[DJJez]

Originally Posted by King Crimson

Thanks cjake. Very VERY happy with the 820, having the enhanced features of the 9000 and the region free abilities are amazing. Best investment to my HV collection I have ever purchased.

Region free abilties? how?

[King Crimson]

Originally Posted by DJJez

Region free abilties? how?

Custom firmware that I believe I am not allowed to link to. Complete region freedom and 9000 abilities that 820 has the ability to do, but for some reason Panasonic has disabled on their firmware for the 820.

[Wobulater]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Because I use a projector I have to use the 9000 due to the customization features for HDR compression but for audio quality, the LX500 wins hands down. If you use OLED or LCD, the LX500 is a great all rounder. Too bad it doesn’t have any streeaming option.

Are you comparing sound from 9000 and LX500 from HDMI or from analog outs?

[sapiendut]

Analog iuts

[Wobulater]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Analog iuts

So do you hear no difference using HDMI from 820, 9000 or LX500 feeding your receiver?

[sapiendut]

There are subtle differences with my preference leaning towards Pioneer when I turned PQLS on on my Pioneer LX801 receiver but without PQLS they just sound slightly different without me having any preference.

That’s why I ended up owning both

[mzupeman]

Just set this up and ran a few discs for testing.

The one I was most interested in was Dunkirk, since it was the only title to give two different Sony X800 players I had serious freezing problems. The movie plays fine on this player, thankfully.

Had to go with two HDMI cables - one to the TV, one to the receiver - because my Sony DN1070 is one generation shy of allowing Dolby Vision to pass through. Dolby Vision looks pretty flippin' great.

[Cortiz]

Originally Posted by King Crimson

Custom firmware that I believe I am not allowed to link to. Complete region freedom and 9000 abilities that 820 has the ability to do, but for some reason Panasonic has disabled on their firmware for the 820.

There a lot of region b locked Bd's that can be unlock via the top menu trick and you don't even need a custom firmware installed for that. Plus the Panny plays PAL as well.

[DJJez]

Originally Posted by Cortiz

There a lot of region b locked Bd's that can be unlock via the top menu trick and you don't even need a custom firmware installed for that. Plus the Panny plays PAL as well.

What is the top menu trick?

[mzupeman]

Originally Posted by DJJez

What is the top menu trick?

I know with the Return of the Living Dead UK bluray, you are greeted with a screen that says it’s region locked but just hitting the ‘top menu’ button on your player bypasses it and allows you to play the disc as intended anyway. I think that’s what they’re talking about

[DJJez]

Originally Posted by mzupeman

I know with the Return of the Living Dead UK bluray, you are greeted with a screen that says it’s region locked but just hitting the ‘top menu’ button on your player bypasses it and allows you to play the disc as intended anyway. I think that’s what they’re talking about

I just received my ub9000 today so will give it a go

I googled it and you have to press stop then top menu

[LordoftheRings]

We want to know the full scoop on that 9000; we all count on you DJ, make us proud.

[Apari]

Damn, the player did it again, there's no sound from netflix. Tried if the player is warm but it wasn't at all. I can get sound from everything else but not from netflix. Any idea if this is player or software issue?