Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Robert Zohn]

I have not heard this before. Try an electrical reboot. When the power cord is disconnected press the power button a couple times to fully discharge the capacitors before plugging the power cord back.

Let us know if the power recycle fixes the issue.

[Mobe1969]

Originally Posted by 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.

I'd put it down to those good awful non physical buttons. Another reason I'm waiting on the 9000, to upgrade from the old 900...

[panasonicst60]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I have not heard this before. Try an electrical reboot. When the power cord is disconnected press the power button a couple times to fully discharge the capacitors before plugging the power cord back.

Let us know if the power recycle fixes the issue.

I just did the power cycle and it seems to be working fine. It's a great player when it comes to image quality. The only real drawback that it's a very slow player when compared to the oppo 203. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Mobe1969

I'd put it down to those good awful non physical buttons. Another reason I'm waiting on the 9000, to upgrade from the old 900...

It's actually a physical button. Both power and opon/close buttons are. But doesn't feel like the highest quality ones. Yeah I couldn't stand those non physical ones. The 9000 would be nice but I don't see myself spending that much money for some thing that has identical image quality. Kinda like when I got the 203 instead of the 205.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by 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.

Same here.

In all honesty, and just like the UB900, it's just a slow player and not very responsive at times. Sometimes it takes a while before it powers on or ejects/closes the tray after hitting the designated button.

Still a great player though. I had already learned to be (extra) patient with the 900, so I'm used to it I guess.

[curlyjive]

I actually found it to be very fast. Especially loading discs, which to me is way faster than the 203.

[Robert Zohn]

If you selected fast disc loading in the set-up menu it does load discs and get to play very quickly and efficiently. However, I agree that navigating the Smart apps menu is slow and I have asked the engineers to see if these functions can be speeded up.

I also discussed the issue of no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio when playing BDs that were ripped onto a NAS and Panasonic tells me they can enable Atmos and DTS:X, but have been asked not to do so to be in compliance with copy-write laws on playing ripped content. We all know and agree that the vast majority of ripped content is legally owned, but some is not, but the copyright law covers all copied content and goes on to say the original disc must be used by the legal owner.

All original audio content does play with copied BDs on any Kaleidescape movie player.

[stevegee]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

If you selected fast disc loading in the set-up menu it does load discs and get to play very quickly and efficiently. However, I agree that navigating the Smart apps menu is slow and I have asked the engineers to see if these functions can be speeded up.

I also discussed the issue of no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio when playing BDs that were ripped onto a NAS and Panasonic tells me they can enable Atmos and DTS:X, but have been asked not to do so to be in compliance with copy-write laws on playing ripped content. We all know and agree that the vast majority of ripped content is legally owned, but some is not, but the copyright law covers all copied content and goes on to say the original disc must be used by the legal owner.

All original audio content does play with copied BDs on any Kaleidescape movie player.

So Panasonic could pass hidef audio but chooses not to - to be in compliance with copy-write laws. When Apple, Oppo, Roku, Nvidia, Plex, and so many other companies have no such issue.

If I seem upset about this feature missing - and people on the boards will say "just use a streamer" my displeasure comes from the fact that I cannot make use of the UB's great video processing on external files - USB or networked because the audio does not work at all.

So its a great machine for $500, if you want to just play disks.

[Robert Zohn]

Even if other companies pass advanced audio formats on ripped 4K BDs it does not mean that Panasonic should violate copy-write laws.

Now with all this said, I'm just the messenger and even though no one likes hearing this, including me, I wanted to pass along what I was told.

Just wanted to add the UB820 is a disc player and streaming device with a Smart app based interface. For now we have Netflix, with more streaming apps to come via Firmware updates. Please also note that ripped 4K BDs work with the original audio and video quality that's on the discs with all of Kaleidescape movie players. That's because Kaleidescape followed the copy-write laws.

Most importantly is the new and exclusive HDR Optimizer feature benefits all owners who can now enjoy the full color volume and complete dynamic tonal range of HDR10 content from discs, and the streaming apps.

Finally, wanted everyone to know that I wrote back and expressed the importance of supporting Atmos and DTS:X over NAS systems and sited some of the BD players that support this. I'll get back here when they reply.

[Bmoney003]

Originally Posted by curlyjive

I actually found it to be very fast. Especially loading discs, which to me is way faster than the 203.

Same here

[Mobe1969]

Is that fast disc loading new to Panasonic? Or does the older 900 have it? I never noticed that option. Is it buried somewhere in the menus on the 820?

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

If you selected fast disc loading in the set-up menu it does load discs and get to play very quickly and efficiently. However, I agree that navigating the Smart apps menu is slow and I have asked the engineers to see if these functions can be speeded up.

Your discussing Quickstart (under system) where the speed of start-up from standby mode is increased because the internal control unit will be powered, right?

[pathfinder2810]

Hi Robert I agree to buy original and legal products (and I do) but the majors should give me a compliant product with the highest quality audio and video. But when I put on the bd 2k Master Audio and on a 4k I put the Dolby Digital I am forced to do a job that I would gladly avoid. When the audio of the blu ray is better than the one available on the 4k version I am forced to do the mux. Furthermore, it is not clear why a separate legal media player unit is enabled for reading any audio video format, while those integrated into the blue ray players, with the exception of Oppo, are heavily castrated to make them useless and useless.

[evan201]

Loving every minute of the HDR optimized Infinity War on the 820/Epson 5040.

Epson Dynamic Range set to "auto" with these 820 settings.

image hosting free

[Shocchino]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Even if other companies pass advanced audio formats on ripped 4K BDs it does not mean that Panasonic should violate copy-write laws.

I think there's literally zero law against atmos and dts:x streaming.
They just decided not to support it, and that's a real shame.
I also found HDR optimizer is not working while streaming from a NAS, I don't know why, the setting is there, but it does nothing. Is it just me?

EDIT: I think I found a bug in the Tone Curve (White). I noticed that if a disc is loaded with a custom value already set (let’s say +5), if you move the the slider and set +5 again, you won’t get the same image. So if you find a good tone value, and load a new movie, you have to apply the setting again (just move the slider one notch and baci). It’s easy to notice using a nits scale, as the one you can find on Sony UHDs.
I didn’t test the Black one.

[Robert Zohn]

From what I'm told about the legality of streaming Dolby Atmos and DTS:X is fine, but it must be streamed from an authorized service, e.g. Netflix, and Kaleidescape, but ripped content on unconfirmed owners copy-write devices is not legal.

I'm not an authority, but this is what I was told.

[curlyjive]

Originally Posted by evan201

Loving every minute of the HDR optimized Infinity War on the 820/Epson 5040.

Epson Dynamic Range set to "auto" with these 820 settings.

image hosting free

Was this with sdr bt2020 output? I haven't found a screen where turning the optimizer on and off showed a difference but I also haven't spent time trying. I'm watching infinity wars this weekend so I'll check that one.

[DLCPhoto]

Originally Posted by DLCPhoto

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!

@Kris Deering

If/when you have time, I am still interested in your comments on the issues raised in my post above.

Thanks!

[madfloyd]

/\
||

I would like to know this too.

I have learned one thing that I haven't read here (or I just missed it). The HDR optimizer, when turned ON does alter the HDR metadata. It does this regardless of whether you output to SDR or HDR.

I use a Lumagen Pro and the info screen changes what it reports for HDR info (e.g. 1000 changes to 500) when the optimizer is on. I have NO IDEA what it's doing behind the scenes but whether I stay in HDR mode or use my Lumagen to convert to SDR it has a very positive effect.

Normally I use a movie server (I rip all my UHDs) but now I cannot see myself watching any 1000 titles without the UB820's optimizer so I will be spinning a lot more discs.

[JWB2]

Originally Posted by curlyjive

Was this with sdr bt2020 output? I haven't found a screen where turning the optimizer on and off showed a difference but I also haven't spent time trying. I'm watching infinity wars this weekend so I'll check that one.

Try the minister of magics face in the quidditch match from goblet of fire UHD. It makes an incredible difference. I can actually see his face now on sdr2020 optimizer on. Same on the ghosts from the harry/vold battle. Its a pretty incredible difference

[curlyjive]

Originally Posted by JWB2

Try the minister of magics face in the quidditch match from goblet of fire UHD. It makes an incredible difference. I can actually see his face now on sdr2020 optimizer on. Same on the ghosts from the harry/vold battle. Its a pretty incredible difference

HP UHD box set is on my wishlist, waiting for a sale