Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by vincentric

^Been testing out the 420 past couple of weeks. Long story cut very short, the optimizer has breathed some much needed life into the c6's underwhelming hdr10 processing. Particularly with the 420's hdr tv type set to basic luminance, I saw a major decline of near black hdr10 anomalies across a wide range of UHDs in many scenes I've grown familiar with over the years.

It still isn't perfect... some near black fugliness remains here and there, and for those looking for that image 'pop' may not want to use basic luminance with their oled since it will flatten the contrast more than you may want it to but the overall results of the optimizer with the c6 imo have been very good.

Good enough to have me start using the c6 again for hdr10.

Really wish Panasonic would bring their OLEDs over to the US, would look very closely at getting one if they did.

So far I've used the below 4K players for some time:
Oppo UDP203
Oppo UDP205
Panasonic UB420
Panasonic UB9000
Xbox One X

The UB420 is by far the best price/performance of the group for BDs. Fantastic PQ.

2nd place price/performance I'd say Oppo 203 due to it's extensive featureset and quick speeds - although if I owned the Panasonic UB820 I'd probably put that ahead of the Oppo 203 also

3rd place price/performance I'd say Panasonic UB9000 for overall best picture quality with it's extended HDR optimizer options. If only it had a few more features like Zoom and some of the tweaks the 203 has i'd move into 2nd.

4th place price/performance Oppo 205 - does nothing the UHD203 doesn't do for Blu ray and worse PQ than the UB9000 especially with projectors

5th place Xbox One X - massively feature deprived, it's only advantage is that its basically free if you own the console

[Mikke73]

Originally Posted by trekky76

So I was rewatching Endgame today and halfway though just after 1:30:00 the image froze twice and kinda broke up at those occasions. The disc played fine last year. Can't imagine it getting bad just after a year so did Panasonic do something with one of the last updates or is my player broken? I assume the issue was during a layer change..

As promised, I rewatched Endgame from 1:26:25 to 1:40:00, and had no problems on UB820 with the latest firmware version.

I suspect the problem is with your disc, if your player was broken I would assume you'd see problems with any disc.

[Daz_85]

Though the 820 can't be falted for picture quality or upscaling, over the past year owning it, I have experienced a number of audio issues.

My 820 player is hooked up directly to my LG LED TV via HDMI. No soundbar or AV amp in the chain.

The main culprit is Dolby Atmos. Though my TV is Atmos compatible, using Bitstream I've experienced clicks or popping sounds at different times watching 4K discs with that soundtrack. No issue with Atmos on the onboard apps such as Netflix. I've tried switching the player output to PCM, and while it solves the clicking and popping issue it also raises another one... muted audio at a certain point in certain films (layer change?).

So I finally decided to reactive Bitstream and force Secondary Audio to ON, which will downgrade the audio, but not to the extent where it's particuarly noticble on my setup. Good enough for now it seemed.

However a few nights ago I watched the Stallone film Daylight on Blu (non-Atmos soundtrack of course), and I had an audio drop out around 2-and-a-half minutes into the film. Damn. I've played this disc before using the PS4 with no issues on Bitstream. There should be no reason for it, and it's quite frankly annoying me that the player gives me so many issues with audio where there should be none. I've also never had issues playing Blu-rays with Atmos using the PS4.

Is this a case of the Panasonic player not being entirely compatible with the LG TV componants? I've tried swapping HDMI ports and cables around, but it's the same result. Very fristrating.

Is there anything else I can try? I don't have another player, or know anyone with another player model to try unfortunately.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Daz_85

Though the 820 can't be falted for picture quality or upscaling, over the past year owning it, I have experienced a number of audio issues.

My 820 player is hooked up directly to my LG LED TV via HDMI. No soundbar or AV amp in the chain.

The main culprit is Dolby Atmos. Though my TV is Atmos compatible, using Bitstream I've experienced clicks or popping sounds at different times watching 4K discs with that soundtrack. No issue with Atmos on the onboard apps such as Netflix. I've tried switching the player output to PCM, and while it solves the clicking and popping issue it also raises another one... muted audio at a certain point in certain films (layer change?).

So I finally decided to reactive Bitstream and force Secondary Audio to ON, which will downgrade the audio, but not to the extent where it's particuarly noticble on my setup. Good enough for now it seemed.

However a few nights ago I watched the Stallone film Daylight on Blu (non-Atmos soundtrack of course), and I had an audio drop out around 2-and-a-half minutes into the film. Damn. I've played this disc before using the PS4 with no issues on Bitstream. There should be no reason for it, and it's quite frankly annoying me that the player gives me so many issues with audio where there should be none. I've also never had issues playing Blu-rays with Atmos using the PS4.

Is this a case of the Panasonic player not being entirely compatible with the LG TV componants? I've tried swapping HDMI ports and cables around, but it's the same result. Very fristrating.

Is there anything else I can try? I don't have another player, or know anyone with another player model to try unfortunately.

If you are playing audio through your TV speakers, I doubt you are getting Atmos decoding anyway. It could be an issue with the TV rather than the player.

If you want real Dolby Atmos, I would suggest investing in a receiver with Atmos and DTS: X and some speakers and at least one sub.

You don't have to spend a fortune for decent equipment, but it would be a lot better than a sound bar.

[Fred Bang]

Originally Posted by Daz_85

Though the 820 can't be falted for picture quality or upscaling, over the past year owning it, I have experienced a number of audio issues.

My 820 player is hooked up directly to my LG LED TV via HDMI. No soundbar or AV amp in the chain.

The main culprit is Dolby Atmos. Though my TV is Atmos compatible, using Bitstream I've experienced clicks or popping sounds at different times watching 4K discs with that soundtrack. No issue with Atmos on the onboard apps such as Netflix. I've tried switching the player output to PCM, and while it solves the clicking and popping issue it also raises another one... muted audio at a certain point in certain films (layer change?).

So I finally decided to reactive Bitstream and force Secondary Audio to ON, which will downgrade the audio, but not to the extent where it's particuarly noticble on my setup. Good enough for now it seemed.

However a few nights ago I watched the Stallone film Daylight on Blu (non-Atmos soundtrack of course), and I had an audio drop out around 2-and-a-half minutes into the film. Damn. I've played this disc before using the PS4 with no issues on Bitstream. There should be no reason for it, and it's quite frankly annoying me that the player gives me so many issues with audio where there should be none. I've also never had issues playing Blu-rays with Atmos using the PS4.

Is this a case of the Panasonic player not being entirely compatible with the LG TV componants? I've tried swapping HDMI ports and cables around, but it's the same result. Very fristrating.

Is there anything else I can try? I don't have another player, or know anyone with another player model to try unfortunately.

I also had popping issue where the sound would be garbled after a few hours of watching movies. I returned the player and got a new one and the gardbled stopped, but I DO get some static/popping from time to time where I need to stop the player and resume the movie to fix it. My setup is the 820 hooked in my Sony x950g and then using optical passthrough from the TV to an old Harman Kardon receiver.

Never had any problems with the same setup and a Sony x800 player.

But at this point, since it occurs once every 5-6 movies, I've stopped being annoyed by it since I simply need to stop / resume the movie to resolve it.

[Daz_85]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

If you are playing audio through your TV speakers, I doubt you are getting Atmos decoding anyway. It could be an issue with the TV rather than the player.

If you want real Dolby Atmos, I would suggest investing in a receiver with Atmos and DTS: X and some speakers and at least one sub.

You don't have to spend a fortune for decent equipment, but it would be a lot better than a sound bar.

It's strange, as the TV has Atmos, though granted you can't really tell the effect.

To be honest, I do want to get a proper AV reciver and speakers but I was kind of holding off to see if HDMI 2.1 would prove whether it was worth waiting for.

Originally Posted by Fred Bang

I also had popping issue where the sound would be garbled after a few hours of watching movies. I returned the player and got a new one and the gardbled stopped, but I DO get some static/popping from time to time where I need to stop the player and resume the movie to fix it. My setup is the 820 hooked in my Sony x950g and then using optical passthrough from the TV to an old Harman Kardon receiver.

Never had any problems with the same setup and a Sony x800 player.

But at this point, since it occurs once every 5-6 movies, I've stopped being annoyed by it since I simply need to stop / resume the movie to resolve it.

It just seems a shame to me it does it at all. I'm very curious to see how the upcoming PS5 performs as a 4K UHD player, as I never had trouble with the PS4.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by Fred Bang

I also had popping issue where the sound would be garbled after a few hours of watching movies. I returned the player and got a new one and the gardbled stopped, but I DO get some static/popping from time to time where I need to stop the player and resume the movie to fix it. My setup is the 820 hooked in my Sony x950g and then using optical passthrough from the TV to an old Harman Kardon receiver.

Never had any problems with the same setup and a Sony x800 player.

But at this point, since it occurs once every 5-6 movies, I've stopped being annoyed by it since I simply need to stop / resume the movie to resolve it.

It sounds to me that the receiver or your optical cable is having issues and not so much the player itself. My receiver is over 10 years old (got it from my folks when they upgraded) and it has issues playing Dolby Atmos through it. I have my Panasonic 820 plugged into it and then the receiver is connected to my 1080p Samsung LCD TV. I have played some of the Star Wars films from the 4K disc just to look at them and the receiver is having issues processing the Dolby Atmos track and the 4K to 1080p signal. The picture freezes and pixelates. It plays normally when it HDMI bypasses the receiver to the TV so I know it's the receiver. It's just old tech that can't keep up with new tech. Luckily, I'm upgrading to a new 4K receiver and TV very soon! I would recommend the same thing!

[Fred Bang]

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

It sounds to me that the receiver or your optical cable is having issues and not so much the player itself. My receiver is over 10 years old (got it from my folks when they upgraded) and it has issues playing Dolby Atmos through it. I have my Panasonic 820 plugged into it and then the receiver is connected to my 1080p Samsung LCD TV. I have played some of the Star Wars films from the 4K disc just to look at them and the receiver is having issues processing the Dolby Atmos track and the 4K to 1080p signal. The picture freezes and pixelates. It plays normally when it HDMI bypasses the receiver to the TV so I know it's the receiver. It's just old tech that can't keep up with new tech. Luckily, I'm upgrading to a new 4K receiver and TV very soon! I would recommend the same thing!

Maybe but I had zero problems with my Sony x800 in the last two years with the exact same setup.

[vincentric]

Originally Posted by Daz_85

Though the 820 can't be falted for picture quality or upscaling, over the past year owning it, I have experienced a number of audio issues.

My 820 player is hooked up directly to my LG LED TV via HDMI. No soundbar or AV amp in the chain.

The main culprit is Dolby Atmos. Though my TV is Atmos compatible, using Bitstream I've experienced clicks or popping sounds at different times watching 4K discs with that soundtrack. No issue with Atmos on the onboard apps such as Netflix. I've tried switching the player output to PCM, and while it solves the clicking and popping issue it also raises another one... muted audio at a certain point in certain films (layer change?).

So I finally decided to reactive Bitstream and force Secondary Audio to ON, which will downgrade the audio, but not to the extent where it's particuarly noticble on my setup. Good enough for now it seemed.

However a few nights ago I watched the Stallone film Daylight on Blu (non-Atmos soundtrack of course), and I had an audio drop out around 2-and-a-half minutes into the film. Damn. I've played this disc before using the PS4 with no issues on Bitstream. There should be no reason for it, and it's quite frankly annoying me that the player gives me so many issues with audio where there should be none. I've also never had issues playing Blu-rays with Atmos using the PS4.

Is this a case of the Panasonic player not being entirely compatible with the LG TV componants? I've tried swapping HDMI ports and cables around, but it's the same result. Very fristrating.

Is there anything else I can try? I don't have another player, or know anyone with another player model to try unfortunately.

What are the audio output options available on your TV? If you can, try disabling atmos and choose pcm on the tv. On the 820 switch the audio back to pcm to match the tv and try disabling secondary audio again. Beyond that not sure what else to recommend that you haven't already tried. Perhaps try disabling any postprocess audio effects on your tv that might be enabled; disable any surround mode enhancers, equalizers, etc. and leave it at default standard setting.

Originally Posted by Ruined

So far I've used the below 4K players for some time:
Oppo UDP203
Oppo UDP205
Panasonic UB420
Panasonic UB9000
Xbox One X

The UB420 is by far the best price/performance of the group for BDs. Fantastic PQ.

2nd place price/performance I'd say Oppo 203 due to it's extensive featureset and quick speeds - although if I owned the Panasonic UB820 I'd probably put that ahead of the Oppo 203 also

3rd place price/performance I'd say Panasonic UB9000 for overall best picture quality with it's extended HDR optimizer options. If only it had a few more features like Zoom and some of the tweaks the 203 has i'd move into 2nd.

4th place price/performance Oppo 205 - does nothing the UHD203 doesn't do for Blu ray and worse PQ than the UB9000 especially with projectors

5th place Xbox One X - massively feature deprived, it's only advantage is that its basically free if you own the console

For the ones I've used in terms of overall quality and performance - oppo 203 = panny 420 > sony x 800 > lg up970 > xbox one x /s > sammy k8500.

What surprised me the most about the 420 is how quiet it is at spinning discs in spite of its flimsy build quality. Was expecting it to be around on par with the up970 and k8500 but it's a whole lot quieter than both, it can be a bit loud at startup but once the movie is actually playing it's pretty silent more on par with the oppo I'd say but definitely need to watch more discs on it first.

The 420's UI looks perfectly fine to me as well in spite of its outdated layout, the actual text and icons appear very clear and naturally sharp, it has a very clean and simple design that is easy to navigate.

Can't think of too many negative things to say about the 420 at this time if had to nitpick, perhaps the chapter search function could be a little more robust but in the end, the 420 has been a great little player for my needs so far it is looking like an absolute keeper.

[JohnCarpenterLives]

Ok, basic question, but I couldn't easily find it. To enable the 820's HDR tone mapping I just need to go into the advanced HDR options, and make sure "HDR Optimizer" is on, right?

Do you guys leave all the other settings in "Optimum HDR Adjustment" set to 0 to remain faithful to the source? Any suggested TV settings for HDR (not DV) content on the the Sony x950g?

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

Ok, basic question, but I couldn't easily find it. To enable the 820's HDR tone mapping I just need to go into the advanced HDR options, and make sure "HDR Optimizer" is on, right?

Do you guys leave all the other settings in "Optimum HDR Adjustment" set to 0 to remain faithful to the source? Any suggested TV settings for HDR (not DV) content on the the Sony x950g?

I leave all other settings at their default, except for turning on the Optimizer.

[Fred Bang]

Originally Posted by JohnCarpenterLives

Ok, basic question, but I couldn't easily find it. To enable the 820's HDR tone mapping I just need to go into the advanced HDR options, and make sure "HDR Optimizer" is on, right?

Do you guys leave all the other settings in "Optimum HDR Adjustment" set to 0 to remain faithful to the source? Any suggested TV settings for HDR (not DV) content on the the Sony x950g?

I leave everything to default except I put the dynamic hdr slider to 4 (natural) because I’m in a relatively bright living room.

[murphywmm]

Originally Posted by vincentric

What surprised me the most about the 420 is how quiet it is at spinning discs in spite of its flimsy build quality. Was expecting it to be around on par with the up970 and k8500 but it's a whole lot quieter than both, it can be a bit loud at startup but once the movie is actually playing it's pretty silent more on par with the oppo I'd say but definitely need to watch more discs on it first.

Agreed, I got the 420 a few weeks ago, and it's the quietest player I've ever owned. This is quite a difference compared to my PS3 and super loud LG region hacked player.

Now I have been reading that Panasonic players are sensitive to scratched discs and that does seem to be the case. I was watching the Criterion BD of "Now, Voyager" last night and about an hour in the disc began to macroblock and the sound began to pop. I checked the disc, and sure enough there was a scratch, about an inch and a half long. It doesn't seem like a deep scratch though so I was puzzled it would cause such a problem. Then I tried the disc on my PS3 and it played that section without issues. I'm requesting a return of the disc anyhow, since a brand new (and pricy) disc like this shouldn't be scratched up. This shouldn't be too much of a problem as I take good care of my discs - I am just worried about ones that may already be "pre-scratched" like this one was.

[jmpage2]

Originally Posted by Daz_85

Though the 820 can't be falted for picture quality or upscaling, over the past year owning it, I have experienced a number of audio issues.

My 820 player is hooked up directly to my LG LED TV via HDMI. No soundbar or AV amp in the chain.

The main culprit is Dolby Atmos. Though my TV is Atmos compatible, using Bitstream I've experienced clicks or popping sounds at different times watching 4K discs with that soundtrack. No issue with Atmos on the onboard apps such as Netflix. I've tried switching the player output to PCM, and while it solves the clicking and popping issue it also raises another one... muted audio at a certain point in certain films (layer change?).

So I finally decided to reactive Bitstream and force Secondary Audio to ON, which will downgrade the audio, but not to the extent where it's particuarly noticble on my setup. Good enough for now it seemed.

However a few nights ago I watched the Stallone film Daylight on Blu (non-Atmos soundtrack of course), and I had an audio drop out around 2-and-a-half minutes into the film. Damn. I've played this disc before using the PS4 with no issues on Bitstream. There should be no reason for it, and it's quite frankly annoying me that the player gives me so many issues with audio where there should be none. I've also never had issues playing Blu-rays with Atmos using the PS4.

Is this a case of the Panasonic player not being entirely compatible with the LG TV componants? I've tried swapping HDMI ports and cables around, but it's the same result. Very fristrating.

Is there anything else I can try? I don't have another player, or know anyone with another player model to try unfortunately.

I have the 820 hooked up via HDMI to my LG C9 and from that to my Denon 4500 AVR.

I am using eARC and passing Atmos from the 820 and have never experienced any audio issue.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Have been living with the UB820 for over a week now and overall I'm mighty pleased. Have not had a player of such a substantial build or size in many years and I kind of love it. This bad boy was clearly designed for continual, long-term use. Challenge accepted.

The optimizer seems to be exactly the tool I needed to get the most out of my X900F Bravia. Disc mastered a bit too dark to my eyes can at last be adjusted with precision. Alternatively, the ability to reign in overly bright titles from the likes of Sony is wonderful.

It's also largely ameliorated the HDR blooming issues that recent Bravia LED panels are so prone towards. End credits and subtitles are no longer a festival of light bleeding into dark. I wish it had more streaming apps so I could view things like Disney+ and VUDU with the optimizer as well, but it's not a big deal.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

Have been living with the UB820 for over a week now and overall I'm mighty pleased. Have not had a player of such a substantial build or size in many years and I kind of love it. This bad boy was clearly designed for continual, long-term use. Challenge accepted.

The optimizer seems to be exactly the tool I needed to get the most out of my X900F Bravia. Disc mastered a bit too dark to my eyes can at last be adjusted with precision. Alternatively, the ability to reign in overly bright titles from the likes of Sony is wonderful.

It's also largely ameliorated the HDR blooming issues that recent Bravia LED panels are so prone towards. End credits and subtitles are no longer a festival of light bleeding into dark. I wish it had more streaming apps so I could view things like Disney+ and VUDU with the optimizer as well, but it's not a big deal.

I wish the 820 was sturdily built, but it's only by comparison to the 420 or some $50 bargain basement player it seems that way.

[TravisTylerBlack]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

I wish the 820 was sturdily built, but it's only by comparison to the 420 or some $50 bargain basement player it seems that way.

Compared to its Samsung 4K predecessor the UB820 feels like upgrading from a dilapidated church organ to a grand piano. I can't afford the insane secondary market prices Oppo commands so this is it for me until the unlikely event something better comes along.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by TravisTylerBlack

Compared to its Samsung 4K predecessor the UB820 feels like upgrading from a dilapidated church organ to a grand piano. I can't afford the insane secondary market prices Oppo commands so this is it for me until the unlikely event something better comes along.

I still remember my Denon CD player from the 80's. Now, that was more like it. The tray was solid and the disc drive, spindle motor, and all relative components were rugged. It lasted 20 some years.

The 820 and even the louded Oppo (which I own) are a disgrace by comparison build-wise.

[sapiendut]

But your CD player from the ‘80s, after inflation etc also don’t cost as low as today’s $500 player either. It’s more like the price of UB9000.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

But your CD player from the ‘80s, after inflation etc also don’t cost as low as today’s $500 player either. It’s more like the price of UB9000.

Hell, the UB9000 isn't even built like a tank and it should be for that amount of money. I doubt it would last 10 let alone 20 some years.