Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

Thanks for the response! I found one at a local store, it says "use American machines in Europe", "maximum 50 W" (the specs on these players are about 30 W), but it says "50 Hz" (the US player of course being 60 Hz - would this be an issue?

28 W (Typical) is the spec for the player. You have plenty of wiggle room at 50 W on that converter. If it really and truly converts European power specs to North American specs then it has to convert to 60 Hz cycles, or it wouldn't be fully compatible.

[Badas]

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

I suppose I could ask this question here as I couldn't find an answer via the search function. I ordered the DP-UB420 player from Amazon.com, thus I will get a US player delivered to my home here in Finland. Obviously I am aware we use a different type of power plug over here. On the back of the player it says AC 120 V, 60 Hz while on the EU version it would be AC 220-240 V, 50 Hz. I can use the power cord from my previous 4K Panasonic player, but do I also need an adapter or some type of converter also so that the player would function okay and not get damaged?

I've had multiple US players at 110 V that blew up using a down convertor.
Our power is 230V 50HZ. They work for a month then go up in smoke.

I personally wouldn't buy a US appliance unless it had multi voltage built in.
I did by a PS3 in 2008 from the US. That had multi voltage and is still running fine.

Just be aware.

[sschen]

Originally Posted by Badas

I've had multiple US players at 110 V that blew up using a down convertor.
Our power is 230V 50HZ. They work for a month then go up in smoke.

I personally wouldn't buy a US appliance unless it had multi voltage built in.
I did by a PS3 in 2008 from the US. That had multi voltage and is still running fine.

Just be aware.

Maybe you were just unlucky?

I have had half a dozen 110V US appliances in my house, and I haven't had a single failure. Most are imported from Amazon US.

I have had two US Onkyo AVR imported from Amazon US, running off the same 2000W stepdown transformer, but not at the same time. First Onkyo AVR was replaced due to loss of sound through HDMI. This is a known issue with some of the older generation Onkyo AVR. The same transformer is still working, and powering an US Onkyo RZ820 AVR I bought off Amazon US (i believe a couple of years ago). This stepdown transformer has two plugs, I use the second plug to charge the Lithium Ion batteries of a Hitachi cordless drill also purchased from Amazon US many years ago.

Over the years, I also ran a US LG HD-DVD/Blu-ray Combo player that runs off 110V. There is an Australian company called TorTech that makes very reliable stepdown transformer. Their stepdown transformer was the very first one I bought to power this player, and it is still operational after nearly 10 years. The LG player is still working last time I tried to use it maybe a year ago?

[stmhlm]

DP-UB9000/UB9004, DP-UB820/UB824, DP-UB420/UB424 Consumer Complaints

I decided to collect all the complaints about Panasonic 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players.
Stacey Spears, Spears & Munsil, will forward the following to Panasonic Corporation.
All complaints will be forwarded to the Chief Engineer of Panasonic's Blu-ray player team.

I'm asking owners on this forum, please post your complaint/s in this thread.
I will read/write/update this daily until 05/31/2021, May 31st, 2021.
I have posted this on AVSforum, AVforums and Blu-ray.com.

UPDATE: DOCUMENT COMPLETED!

Attn. Panasonic Corporation - Consumer Complaints
docs.google.com/document/d/1d-sAd9ozPTH5SR190PV4lhT8zsvaEEGoZqSWEkOutSI/

Last Updated: 24/04/2022
Sadly, due to Panasonic's lack of response, this endeavour has been ended.
There will be no further participation in this document and/or matter from my end.
The document cannot be made available for anyone else to access, it has been deleted.

Sent to the Chief Engineer of Panasonic's Blu-ray player team as of 06/05/2021, June 5th, 2021.
Updates will be posted as soon as they are available, if they're available.

DP-UB9000 - https://www.avsforum.com/threads/off...#post-60743649
DP-UB820/824 - https://www.avsforum.com/threads/off...#post-60743875
DP-UB420 - https://www.avsforum.com/threads/pan...#post-60752005
DP-UB9000 - https://www.avforums.com/threads/pan...#post-29270902
DP-UB820/420 - https://www.avforums.com/threads/pan...#post-29271190
DP-UB9000/820 - https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...3#post18909413

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

I managed to contact the Development Team behind DP-UB9000 from Panasonic, they told me to make a list of current complaints of the player as feedback.
I was told all possible implementations would be carried out worldwide, US/UK/EU etc.

Would you all help make a list?
I made an effort myself, but please help me supply and further explain the specific issues of these complaints in detail.
I do not own the UB9000, but seeing it's probably the best premium player out there currently, this is the only logical thing to do.

List looks as follows:

1) 20 minute automatic standby (remove or add options to turn off and/or alter the counter into hours similar to TV's)
2) resume playback (needs no explanation)
3) source direct output option (need your help here, 1080p as 1080p, lower resolution is upscaled to 1080p?)
4) aspect ratio controls (please assist here)
5) zooming controls (please assist here)
6) 23.976/24p playback from streaming services (needs no explanation)
7) sacd/dvd-a support (needs no explanation)
8) external srt subtitle support (similar to firmware 1.66 in china)

About time we stand strong, folks!
Posted on AVSforum, AVforums as well.

Will submit the list at the end of this month, May 2021.

How about regular/normal disc playback stability firmware support for the 820 and 420 while we're at it? That has been missing in action for quite some time.

Stacey Spears discussed an issue with Dolby Vision on Panasonic 4k players that could be fixed if they got in touch with Dolby Labs. Stacey could explain this much better.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

How about regular firmware support for the 820 and 420 while we're at it?

Stacey Spears discussed an issue with Dolby Vision on Panasonic 4k players that could be fixed if they got in touch with Dolby Labs. Stacey could explain this much better.

I have no clue about the 820 and 420, I have an OPPO myself.
Let me know everything you want fixed, I'll add it to the list, no worries.

Have you been in touch with Stacey Spears?
Do you have a contact address that I may use to get in touch with him?
Do you know the current status of the potential fix and if he ever was successful in sending them the feedback?

[Geoff D]

The 9000 uses the same core processor as the 820 and 420, this is why the firmware updates for these models (back when we got them, lol) are supplied in the same file at the same time.

Please aks them to look into Dolby Vision freezing on Lionsgate's USA releases of Knives Out and Midway, flickering DV layer on Lionsgate's USA Ghost in the Shell ‘95, badly flickering DV layer on StudioCanal's UK Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon, DV playback freezes at start of film on Pull Back Camera's UK Fanny Lye Deliver'd, and of coursh the crowning glory: Arrow's theatrical cut UHD of Donnie Darko stuttering so badly it’s like watching a stop motion version (HDR10 or DV makes no difference).

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

The 9000 uses the same core processor as the 820 and 420, this is why the firmware updates for these models (back when we got them, lol) are supplied in the same file at the same time.

Please aks them to look into Dolby Vision freezing on Lionsgate's USA releases of Knives Out and Midway, flickering DV layer on Lionsgate's USA Ghost in the Shell ‘95, badly flickering DV layer on StudioCanal's UK Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon, DV playback freezes at start of film on Pull Back Camera's UK Fanny Lye Deliver'd, and of coursh the crowning glory: Arrow's theatrical cut UHD of Donnie Darko stuttering so badly it’s like watching a stop motion version (HDR10 or DV makes no difference).

Makes sense, I edited my posts across all forums to contain the UB820/420 as well.

I will add your list of disc compatibility/playback issues as a separate note once I submit my email.
It is easiest for me to keep all post similar across all forums when I update them, AVforums.com limits my posts, too many line breaks.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by Yogi6807

How about the Dolby vision issues it has with certain discs. I can’t remember what they are as I don’t own any of them. One I think was ghost in the shell.

There's enough work for one man just keeping all these posts together, updated.

And, since I don't own any of these players, please dig up more information around the issue, and I will more than happily include and supply your complaints.

I will add the title you mentioned to Geoff D's list.

[Yogi6807]

Originally Posted by stmhlm

There's enough work for one man just keeping all these posts together, updated.

And, since I don't own any of these players, please dig up more information around the issue, and I will more than happily include and supply your complaints.

I will add the title you mentioned to Geoff D's list.

Geoff d already covered it. I deleted my post.

[chip75]

It's minor when compared to some of the other things, but I wouldn't mind if they managed to sort out the OSD distortion when playing back 4:3 DVDs. The other thing is to look into the issues with triple-layered UHDs.

[Gold Ranger]

It NEEDS an Audio Synch option from a pop up menu while the movie is playing!
It does no good having to stop the movie, go through menus, adjust the delay, then back to the movie at the beginning because there is no resume function!
Only to find out the Audio is still no in synch with the video!
Rinse and repeat until it's good or super close!

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Please aks them to look into Dolby Vision freezing on Lionsgate's USA releases of Knives Out and Midway, flickering DV layer on Lionsgate's USA Ghost in the Shell ‘95, badly flickering DV layer on StudioCanal's UK Shaun the Sheep Farmageddon, DV playback freezes at start of film on Pull Back Camera's UK Fanny Lye Deliver'd, and of coursh the crowning glory: Arrow's theatrical cut UHD of Donnie Darko stuttering so badly it’s like watching a stop motion version (HDR10 or DV makes no difference).

Geoff, I started to make a list describing all the freezing/stuttering/flickering issues.
I'm putting down titles, distributors, and flagging US/UK, adding links for the correct release, and a note with the particular issue.

You did not mention if Donnie Darko was US or UK, can you please post proper Blu-ray.com link for it, with the correct flag/release?

Thank you.

[Geoff D]

It’s the UK one. Didn’t mention a country as I wasn’t sure whether it was a joint US/UK release as some Arrow movies are. Can’t be bothered to look for a link.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

It’s the UK one. Didn’t mention a country as I wasn’t sure whether it was a joint US/UK release as some Arrow movies are. Can’t be bothered to look for a link.

There is only one hit in the UK:
https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Donni...lu-ray/285286/

Problem solved.

[Misioon_Odisea]

I would also like to report a couple of issues I found with my less-than-a-year-old (at the moment) Panasonic DP-UB420P-K, not sure if they're firmware related or if I received a defective unit but worth mentioning:

1.- My player has massive trouble playing back my "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" Blu-ray disc by Paramount Pictures on the segment from 00:59:20 until around 00:59:31 (Near the end of Chapter 12 and taking place during a signature part of the movie, to add injury). Audio completely stops and Video freezes to a halt into a corrupted and pixelated mess until the segment ends and proper playback resumes afterwards for the rest of the film. Tried different player settings and language track combinations to no avail. Video does not exhibit anomalies when fast forwarding or reversing, but corruption occurs when attempting to resume normal playback in the middle of the offending segment. And it's the exact same spot, always. Disc has been inspected before inserting into player, is clean and free of scratches and works properly in every other player I played it in, including my Sony UBP-X700.

[Show spoiler]

2.- Disc menu navigation is painfully slow on several Disney Blu-rays. It takes about six seconds in average for the player to react to remote control prompts. Movie playback itself works properly otherwise. Once again no such problem exists with my Sony UBP-X700. Example of offending titles? The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Emperor's New Groove, The Great Mouse Detective and Tarzan. Must be something relating to Disney's way of software implementation on those discs released during that era.

[Show spoiler]

Player is Region A/1, and all affected discs mentioned are US editions. Other than the problems mentioned above my UB420 is a very fine player, and I hope that these and all other issues can be fixed.

[stmhlm]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

I would also like to report a couple of issues I found with my less-than-a-year-old (at the moment) Panasonic DP-UB420P-K, not sure if they're firmware related or if I received a defective unit but worth mentioning:

1.- My player has massive trouble playing back my "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water" Blu-ray disc by Paramount Pictures on the segment from 00:59:20 until around 00:59:31 (Near the end of Chapter 12 and taking place during a signature part of the movie, to add injury). Audio completely stops and Video freezes to a halt into a corrupted and pixelated mess until the segment ends and proper playback resumes afterwards for the rest of the film. Tried different player settings and language track combinations to no avail. Video does not exhibit anomalies when fast forwarding or reversing, but corruption occurs when attempting to resume normal playback in the middle of the offending segment. And it's the exact same spot, always. Disc has been inspected before inserting into player, is clean and free of scratches and works properly in every other player I played it in, including my Sony UBP-X700.

[Show spoiler]

2.- Disc menu navigation is painfully slow on several Disney Blu-rays. It takes about six seconds in average for the player to react to remote control prompts. Movie playback itself works properly otherwise. Once again no such problem exists with my Sony UBP-X700. Example of offending titles? Wreck-it-Ralph, The Emperor's New Groove, The Great Mouse Detective and Tarzan. Must be something relating to Disney's way of software implementation on those discs released during that era.

[Show spoiler]

Player is Region A/1, and all affected discs mentioned are US editions. Other than the problems mentioned above my UB420 is a very fine player, and I hope that these and all other issues can be fixed.

Hello,

I would recommend you try and replace some of your discs and see if it's the disc or indeed the player that is causing the issues.
As you've mentioned some of your other players are not experiencing any issues, try contact Panasonic and report your issues.
Either you need to replace the discs or the player, that's what I'm thinking.
It's either one or the other, since you experience it differently from title to title.

Edit: I'll include your samples after having reconsidered.

[LordoftheRings]

If Panasonic ever offers the kind of customer service and firmware updates that Oppo used to, that'll be the day.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by LordoftheRings

If Panasonic ever offers the kind of customer service and firmware updates that Oppo used to, that'll be the day.

There will be snowball fights in hell before that happens.

[LordoftheRings]

Exactly