Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Oscarilbo]

I would like to know what each of the HDR optimizer controls really does to the HDR image. There’s no a concrete explanation. While I had my Panny player image looked to me more saturated in colors compared to my sony player, but dull in contrast, and as precise as it really was it felt less exciting overall with the optimizer set to ON in standard mode. But I think I could have push it to a better place if I knew how the four optimizer controls exactly work and what does each one of them do to the image.
I also have Spears and Munsil UHD edition disc. How could I use the the player with it?

[X-rayvision]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

I would like to know what each of the HDR optimizer controls really does to the HDR image. There’s no a concrete explanation. While I had my Panny player image looked to me more saturated in colors compared to my sony player, but dull in contrast, and as precise as it really was it felt less exciting overall with the optimizer set to ON in standard mode. But I think I could have push it to a better place if I knew how the four optimizer controls exactly work and what does each one of them do to the image.
I also have Spears and Munsil UHD edition disc. How could I use the the player with it?

Great questions about the optimizer settings but its above my pay grade hopefully someone else answers. Did you try the player with the optimizer off, I never messed with the optimizers on my units, or should I say if I did I took the setting from AVSforum.com, but I cannot remember doing that with my first 820 but its very possible I did lol my memory isn't the same as it once was. I know for sure I set it to "oled". Ill be hooking up my new 820 this weekend, albeit on a different lg oled but if I notice a glaring difference ill let you know- ill also go back to my main home theater unit and look at the settings. Quick question, what TV were you hooking it up too, sony's TV's can by finicky with DV signals sent from non sony players, this could explain the downgrade you were seeing.

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by X-rayvision

No there are not any new 4k players scheduled to be released for 2020 (besides PS5 and New Xbox), CES put a direct end to that discussion pretty quickly, 4k players were a no show. If I were you id swoop up another 820 at the current sale price before they get discontinued.

That is actually false. CES is too expensive to utilize for most manufacturers. While some of the TV vendors have booths its focus is to highlight new technology, along with cars, phone, robots and many other things. As I posted a lot of the CES product announcements online here, its was very evident that some manufacturers barely used their CES presentations against products, and more a a general business plans address.

You should be looking at IFA Berlin as the principle launch point, with CEDIA that is usually very close to the same time as a spot where additional demonstrations and product announcements occur.

Online rags like FlatPanelHD and others made a big point of placing so much attention that nothing at CES meant something had changed, instead they never noticed that CES as it was has sailed away.

The prototypes of Panasonic, Samsung, Sony UHD BD players occurred at IFA Berlin. The center that CEDIA was planned to used is booked for COVID19 support for the remainder of 2020. There might be a virtual series of meetings.

[X-rayvision]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

That is actually false. CES is too expensive to utilize for most manufacturers. While some of the TV vendors have booths its focus is to highlight new technology, along with cars, phone, robots and many other things.

You should be looking at IFA Berlin as the principle launch point, with CEDIA that is usually very close to the same time as a spot where additional demonstrations and product announcements occur.

Online rags like FlatPanelHD and others made a big point of placing so much attention that nothing at CES meant something had changed, instead they never noticed that CES as it was has sailed away.

The prototypes of Panasonic, Samsung, Sony UHD BD players occurred at IFA Berlin. The center that CEDIA was planned to used is booked for COVID19 support for the remainder of 2020. There might be a virtual series of meetings.

Samsung pulled out of making 4k players years ago. Mainly because they dropped 3d support and never supported dolby vision. Even if they wanted to add dolby vision they couldnt because their own tv division refused to support it- it would just create customer confusion and make their 8k tvs look bad for not having it. So when you say samsung is making new 4k player this year you may want to double check the source of that article you read, as samsung tvs still do not support dolby vision- it not in line with their tv offerings thus they shit canned the players

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by X-rayvision

Samsung pulled out of making 4k players years ago. Mainly because they dropped 3d support and never supported dolby vision. Even if they wanted to add dolby vision they couldnt because their own tv division refused to support it- it would just create customer confusion and make their 8k tvs look bad for not having it. So when you say samsung is making new 4k player this year you may want to double check the source of that article you read, as samsung tvs still do not support dolby vision- it not in line with their tv offerings thus they shit canned the players

I said prototypes were shown in IFA Berlin, not recently. Two vendors used 2015 IFA.

Samsung has recent financial issues, resulting in some divisions ceasing production of products, one of those made BD players. Thats it. Not because of 3D support or not supporting DV.

Now back to the Panasonic topic. Sorry guys.

[X-rayvision]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

I said prototypes were shown in IFA Berlin, not recently. Two vendors used 2015 IFA.

Samsung has recent financial issue, resulting in some divisions ceasing production of products, one of those made BD players. Thats it. Not because of 3D support or not supporting DV.

Maybe europe is different but here in the states there is absolutely zero chance of a new samsung 4k player releasing in the US ever! Samsung is done with 4k here in terms of players. Here it was because they did not support dolby vision, cut 3d faster than any other manufacturer and the 4k players they made were crap. They never going to support dolby vision, thats one of the main features people look for in a player nowadays among other things. The players didnt sell well here mainly because the company has delusions of grandeur and refused to support dolby vision

Just so were not off track my original objection was too your reply to mine saying that a 4k player no show at ces means nothing because new player prototypes were shown ar a german convention, as if to imply we will get new players this year. You also included samsung in the list but i know for a fact they are out of the 4k player market, if you knew they were only showing a prototype from 2015 why even list them. You know these protos will never see the light of day. How does your response prove mine invalid, there will be no new 4k players this year outside of ps5 and xbox

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by X-rayvision

Just so were not off track my original objection was too your reply to mine saying that a 4k player no show at ces means nothing because new player prototypes were shown ar a german convention

Yes your off track because UHD BD prototypes occurred in 2015, also look at my location with this "Maybe europe is different but here in the states" comment. Also CES is EOL for most of the industry except new TV technology examples, if a company wants to spend the $$$ for a CES booth.

[Oscarilbo]

Originally Posted by X-rayvision

Great questions about the optimizer settings but its above my pay grade hopefully someone else answers. Did you try the player with the optimizer off, I never messed with the optimizers on my units, or should I say if I did I took the setting from AVSforum.com, but I cannot remember doing that with my first 820 but its very possible I did lol my memory isn't the same as it once was. I know for sure I set it to "oled". Ill be hooking up my new 820 this weekend, albeit on a different lg oled but if I notice a glaring difference ill let you know- ill also go back to my main home theater unit and look at the settings. Quick question, what TV were you hooking it up too, sony's TV's can by finicky with DV signals sent from non sony players, this could explain the downgrade you were seeing.

Oh yeah, pardon me I should have made clear my display its a 4K projector. Again, I can see image from the Panasonic player is good, but since my room, although no windows, its not pitch black neither. So lowering brightness peaks lowered also the perceived contrast. I think if I understood how HDR optimizer controls work exactly I could reach a better balance for my viewing.

[Canada]

Has anyone tried Hulk (Eric Bana) on the UB-820 I tried a new copy of it (no smudge marks, scratches or even dust that I could see) and it froze. I tried it again and it froze in the same spot around the 40 minute mark. Has anyone else had this problem with the disc in a Panasonic player?

[X-rayvision]

Originally Posted by Canada

Has anyone tried Hulk (Eric Bana) on the UB-820 I tried a new copy of it (no smudge marks, scratches or even dust that I could see) and it froze. I tried it again and it froze in the same spot around the 40 minute mark. Has anyone else had this problem with the disc in a Panasonic player?

Midway 4k is the only disk ive had playback problems with this player. I thought it was a faulty disk but sure enough the new disk froze in the exact same spot. I guess this player does not like that particular disk, i dont own the hulk movie otherwise id try it for you. Its possible it could be like midway, you wont know until you exchange it or try it on a different player.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

Oh yeah, pardon me I should have made clear my display its a 4K projector. Again, I can see image from the Panasonic player is good, but since my room, although no windows, its not pitch black neither. So lowering brightness peaks lowered also the perceived contrast. I think if I understood how HDR optimizer controls work exactly I could reach a better balance for my viewing.

With a projector, you're likely going to need SDR 2020 (assuming your unit gets more than 709 coverage) with the Optimizer On. You should have this calibrated on your projector along with a 2.4 gamma as this is what the player outputs with this mode. The other controls are really custom to your set-up to affect peaks, black, near black, etc. My calibrator used them on mine, but they are very specific to the set-up and even a little preference involved.

[Oscarilbo]

I may order a 820 now. Just a question
I recently learned that even if you have the HDR optimizer set to off, you can adjust dynamic range, brightness and white and black tone curves. Given that when I had my player HDR optimizer at ON made my HDR projector to look dimmer and therefore less exciting for my taste. What if I just leave the optmizer at off and just fine tune the sliders, just to bring some of those details back without sacrificing the overall brightness of the image? Wouldnt that be some kind of optimization too?

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Oscarilbo

I may order a 820 now. Just a question
I recently learned that even if you have the HDR optimizer set to off, you can adjust dynamic range, brightness and white and black tone curves. Given that when I had my player HDR optimizer at ON made my HDR projector to look dimmer and therefore less exciting for my taste. What if I just leave the optmizer at off and just fine tune the sliders, just to bring some of those details back without sacrificing the overall brightness of the image? Wouldnt that be some kind of optimization too?

My calibrator used some test patterns (including for HDR) for these other controls. I suppose if you are starving for lumens, you might want to turn off the Optimizer although I find having it turned on is beneficial. But I am pretty good with lumens in my set-up and room. Of course, there's the chance you run across a UHD BD with incorrect metadata that mucks with the Optimizer as well. I'm not sure if I have run across that yet. Lately, I've been testing it On and Off with a UHD BD. So far, leaving it on is definitely beneficial.

Just curious: what projector, screen size, and gain are you using?

[Oscarilbo]

Originally Posted by HeavyHitter

My calibrator used some test patterns (including for HDR) for these other controls. I suppose if you are starving for lumens, you might want to turn off the Optimizer although I find having it turned on is beneficial. But I am pretty good with lumens in my set-up and room. Of course, there's the chance you run across a UHD BD with incorrect metadata that mucks with the Optimizer as well. I'm not sure if I have run across that yet. Lately, I've been testing it On and Off with a UHD BD. So far, leaving it on is definitely beneficial.

Just curious: what projector, screen size, and gain are you using?

Thank you. My projector is BENQ W1720 4K HDR. in a 120” screen. I only watch movies in darkness and although I have no windows, my room its not pitch black since walls are of sort of semi dark beige tone.

I aldo have the Spears and Munsil UHD benchmark calibration Disc. I would very interested in learning how to use it with the HDR controls of the Panny player

[sapiendut]

For your projector you need to set your player to SDR2020.

[tama]

So I've been goofing off again with the LG OLEDS Active HDR feature in combination with the Optimizer set to 500nits. First I've notice that nothing clips. I'm retaining that which I was losing on the Optimizer OLED setting of 1000 nits. I went back because I noticed the Disney titles on own appeared overall dimmer then the Disney+ DV streaming counterparts when my active HDR setting was off. But the appear to match with Active HDR on in combination with the Optimizer on set to basic 500 nits as far as overall brightness is concerned.

[Cortiz]

for those of you who bought this player recently with the 1.64 firmware already installed, can you confirm if the frezzing issue in Midway and Knives Out has been corrected?

[tama]

Originally Posted by tama

So I've been goofing off again with the LG OLEDS Active HDR feature in combination with the Optimizer set to 500nits. First I've notice that nothing clips. I'm retaining that which I was losing on the Optimizer OLED setting of 1000 nits. I went back because I noticed the Disney titles on own appeared overall dimmer then the Disney+ DV streaming counterparts when my active HDR setting was off. But the appear to match with Active HDR on in combination with the Optimizer on set to basic 500 nits as far as overall brightness is concerned.

Another reason I'm going this route is I noticed that some WB titles such as Unforgiven and Batman 89 started to crush in blacks with only the Optimizer but no Active HDR activated.

[jrod8]

Apologies if this is a stupid noob question but do you all find yourselves adjusting your settings on the player and TVs very often? I'm finally considering upgrading from my beloved Panasonic ST50 Plasma but what I'm used to from 1080pSDR is a kind of "calibrate it and forget it" mentality - is that even a possibility with an OLED from LG or Sony and a player like this Panasonic? Or do you find yourselves constantly making adjustments from studio to studio, DV vs HDR10 vs HDR10+, etc.?

[Mikke73]

Originally Posted by jrod8

Apologies if this is a stupid noob question but do you all find yourselves adjusting your settings on the player and TVs very often? I'm finally considering upgrading from my beloved Panasonic ST50 Plasma but what I'm used to from 1080pSDR is a kind of "calibrate it and forget it" mentality - is that even a possibility with an OLED from LG or Sony and a player like this Panasonic? Or do you find yourselves constantly making adjustments from studio to studio, DV vs HDR10 vs HDR10+, etc.?

I did quite a lot of adjusting during the first month I had my LG E7 OLED & Panasonic UB820 player, but almost nothing after that.
Later I got my set calibrated, and I don't think I've made any adjustments to that. It's been 18 months since the calibration so I might have forgotten something I've done, but I definitely don't need to constantly make adjustments.