Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by Cherokee Jack

I don't recall my PS2 routinely failing to get through films the way Sony's X700 and X800 series do. The DVD and BD eras also didn't need the equivalent of Dolby Vision or an HDR optimizer to make many discs look right on the uncalibrated entry-to-midrange televisions most consumers watch on. I'm sure benefits could be had by spending more on a dedicated player during the last few formats but I rather doubt it was a night and day difference like it is today. I say this having struggled through a few years trying to watch stuff like Westworld S1 on a Samsung MU8000 with a X800 (this was before the availability of the DV-compatible X700, not that it would have mattered on my Samsung).

And you'll find no argument for me regarding the value of the UB820. The only unit I'm tempted to replace mine with is the UB9000 and that's largely down to build quality.

I’m talking about market segment and the playback quality of those units. I had the X700 and although it was plagued with random freezing it never gave me any problem with reading most movies. Regardless, it’s a bottom of the rung player therefore I get bottom of the rung quality too. Hence I went with the 820 and two 9000 too.

[dyne]

Is there a term or model number to be looking for when I want to get a better remote for the 820 on eBay besides Panasonic UB820 replacement remote?

[chip75]

Hope that helps.

Originally Posted by chip75

Like I posted, I think the 9000s remote (N2QAYA000172) does have the Manual Skip buttons (along with the HDR Settings button).

Note: From looking at the manuals the N2QAYA000175 is the remote for the USA's DP-UB9000 and the N2QAYA000172 is the UK's DP-UB9000EB model. I couldn't find the US remote on eBay. The 130 and 131 are remotes for the DMP-UB900 the model that predated the DP-UB9000 (I think that's why it doesn't have the HDR Settings button on the remote).

[Yogi6807]

Originally Posted by dyne

Is there a term or model number to be looking for when I want to get a better remote for the 820 on eBay besides Panasonic UB820 replacement remote?

You want the 9000 remote.
Make sure it is the 9000 remote because they have the 900 remote there also. They look very similar.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Yogi6807

You want the 9000 remote.
Make sure it is the 9000 remote because they have the 900 remote there also. They look very similar.

I see a bunch listed but they’re located in China. While I’m sure they work fine, do we know if they’re a lower/knockoff quality?

[Yogi6807]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

I see a bunch listed but they’re located in China. While I’m sure they work fine, do we know if they’re a lower/knockoff quality?

Of course they aren’t as good as the real remote. They function the same though one is $15-30 the Panasonic original is much more. I have 2 of them one for my 820 and one for my 420 they work just fine. I paid $15 each for them. The +60 and -10 seconds buttons are very convenient. And having the Netflix button moved also helps. Somebody found the original to purchase it was only available somewhere in Europe. I just did a search I don’t see that listing anymore and the $100+ genuine remotes are for the 900 that were coming up. That remote will work if you bought it but it doesn’t have the hdr button and the other buttons I mentioned. I would just call or email panasonic to see how much a replacement remote would cost if you really want to spend that kind of money for a remote.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

I see a bunch listed but they’re located in China. While I’m sure they work fine, do we know if they’re a lower/knockoff quality?

The two I picked up were official 900 remotes with Panasonic's logo stickered over.

[Jay Mammoth]

So I’m taking it I should program my harmony for the 9000 remote?

[MarkGubarenko]

Originally Posted by Jay Mammoth

So I’m taking it I should program my harmony for the 9000 remote?

no, why, you can program it to 820. It's just original 820 remote is for people with small fingers

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by TheShape31

Panasonic N2QAYA000131

Make sure it’s OEM and not a cheap knockoff. I got mine here:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265518449370

Edit:
One seller now has it cheaper:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PANASONIC-N...edirect=mobile

So the ‘fakes’ look identical but don’t have the Panasonic logo at the bottom, unless I’m mistaken?

The real deal:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164332825...mis&media=COPY

The generic non-Panasonic version:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392651065...mis&media=COPY

Can I ask what the main advantages are of ditching the remote that comes with the player? My dislikes are design - it creaks, the eject button is right next to the display button, and - my main, day to day gripe - switching subtitles on/off mid-film is a massive pain.

I have a Sony OLED so only need this for the 820 player.

[hansolo]

I bought better remote for my Panny 820 from here.
Panasonic N2QAYA000131 and it's genuine. Quick shipping and I think it was even tracked. Also no customs hassle within EU.

They also have
https://www.remote-control-world.eu/...snulmg9pmajc21

and its low priced replacement
https://www.remote-control-world.eu/...snulmg9pmajc21

Both have HDR and ± skip buttons.

I think the cheap ...172 model was not available when I ordered so I chosed much cheaper ...131 genuine model (compared to genuine 172).

[grahams76]

Is it possible to quickly toggle through the subtitles available, without having to go to that cumbersome 'options' page?

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by TheShape31

I didn’t even realize the HDR Settings button wasn’t there, and otherwise it looks identical. It’s probably not something that I’ll ever need to use again, and if for whatever reason I do then the original UB820 remote is there. On top of that, the UB9000 replacement costs around twice as much.


The look can be replicated, but never the quality. Though the non-OEM remotes are much cheaper, so it’s up to you which is more important.


Thanks for the heads up on the correct model number!

It's not like the HDR settings aren't available without that button.

I recommend getting the remote with the skip buttons, where it has -10 and +60 below the chapter skip buttons. I managed to get an original replacement from whatever player with those buttons but without the HDR one for about $30 shipped.

[Naiera]

Originally Posted by grahams76

Is it possible to quickly toggle through the subtitles available, without having to go to that cumbersome 'options' page?

No, unfortunately that is not possible. My suggestion is to get used to opening the disc's own menu.

[grahams76]

Originally Posted by Naiera

No, unfortunately that is not possible. My suggestion is to get used to opening the disc's own menu.

I am expert level at that but it's such a bad design flaw. Not sure I really see the benefit of a new remote, for me, then.

[Naiera]

I find that it's worth every penny, but to each their own I had learned not to press that dumb Netflix button all the time before I received the UB900 one (I think it is), but it's still a great upgrade.

[hansolo]

Yes, that stupid stupid Netflix button . I never learnt not to push it accidentally. Usually my viewing room is very darkly lit. Much happier now with the new remote with back light and better button arrangement.

[dyne]

Thanks for the replies everybody. My main gripe is the Netflix button. Just a terrible place to put it. Do these work out of the box or is there a programming setup?

[Naiera]

They just work.

[Loneliest rider]

Originally Posted by chip75

Not impossible, but I'd imagine we'll be lumbered with cheap players and ridiculously expensive ones (which is a long shot), there won't be any middle ground.

That is exactly how it will be. Brands like Sony will keep on producing the low end players, while some new chinese brands make their entrance to the market. Because these newcomers can't sell players in large volumes anymore, they will be targeting the high end instead for maximum sales value. There's already one Oppo knockoff, Reavon.