Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by Wormicide

If they can’t be bothered to fix Dolby Vision why waste money on this player? I keep buying and returning it before opening because I don’t want something that won’t eventually be fixed. At this point in its life cycle I might as well just get a ub420.

Because the UB 820 and 9000 are exceptional players. Sure there is a small Dolby Vision glitch. Big deal. The Panasonic Optimizer is what's really awesome about the players. On top of that, if you have an LG C9 or above, using the Dynamic Tone Mapping function on HDR 10 content will give you as close to Dolby Vision as possible. It's not a perfect solution, but it looks just as good as Dolby Vision.

[chip75]

I'd like the problem with triple layer discs to be addressed, along with the option of adding subtitles, the DVD issue that Geoff D has mentioned and the on-screen display distortion that affects 4:3 content.

When was the last update? it feels like it (1.60?) was 2019?

[Wormicide]

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

Because the UB 820 and 9000 are exceptional players. Sure there is a small Dolby Vision glitch. Big deal. The Panasonic Optimizer is what's really awesome about the players. On top of that, if you have an LG C9 or above, using the Dynamic Tone Mapping function on HDR 10 content will give you as close to Dolby Vision as possible. It's not a perfect solution, but it looks just as good as Dolby Vision.

Then like I said I should save $200 and get the 420. Why pay the extra for something that is borked.

[FilmFreakosaurus]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Please also know that this is in the hands of Dolby Vision and not in the control of any TV or Blu-ray player or even the Blu-ray disc vendor's control.

Dolby Vision locks out all control or manipulation of their content as they provide a locked end-to-end picture quality and control.

As I mentioned above, the Stacey Spears recommended fix can be addressed by Dolby as they seem to have a new bit of code, but the manufacturer has to work in concert with them to implement that fix. The other issue with Lionsgate DV discs seems to be in the area of a firmware patch that would address their disc mastering changes. Other 4k players do not have the same problem with those discs. More like a compatibility issue with Panasonic. Much of it seems to come down to Panasonic and their willingness to step up.

[sapiendut]

Originally Posted by Wormicide

Then like I said I should save $200 and get the 420. Why pay the extra for something that is borked.

Some people need CD playback, low nit projector setting, and amazing built quality. Plus USA is not the world. The only DV freezing problem is literally on 2 discs and US release only.

[Paperinoil]

New user here and I've been following the thread for awhile now. Kinda disheartened to hear about the switch to the Sabre DAC(but fully understand why the change needs to happen) in the revision that is coming. Hoping Panasonics engineers know about the now infamous IMD distortion hump and are able to implement the new chip well and eliminate that now well known issue.

Without opening the whole can of worms about DAC's sounding different, I will admit to being partial to the AKM "sound". Guess it's time to pull the trigger before they're gone.

[Better in Blu]

Originally Posted by Paperinoil

New user here and I've been following the thread for awhile now. Kinda disheartened to hear about the switch to the Sabre DAC(but fully understand why the change needs to happen) in the revision that is coming. Hoping Panasonics engineers know about the now infamous IMD distortion hump and are able to implement the new chip well and eliminate that now well known issue.

Without opening the whole can of worms about DAC's sounding different, I will admit to being partial to the AKM "sound". Guess it's time to pull the trigger before they're gone.

The UB-9000 is the best player on the market presently. Best A/V resolution of any other unit available....for now

[Marsstudd]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

The UB-9000 is the best player on the market presently. Best A/V resolution of any other unit available....for now

Has any other company announced a new upcoming player? I would like to get the best available but was wondering if I should wait for the new audio upgrade next year? I also get nervous when I probably shouldn’t that they will stop producing new ones altogether like Samsung for example.

[Paperinoil]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

The UB-9000 is the best player on the market presently. Best A/V resolution of any other unit available....for now

I have the 420 currently and I'm a fan. I've retired my UHP-H1. The 9000 should hold me over for a good long while.

[Better in Blu]

Originally Posted by Marsstudd

Has any other company announced a new upcoming player? I would like to get the best available but was wondering if I should wait for the new audio upgrade next year? I also get nervous when I probably shouldn’t that they will stop producing new ones altogether like Samsung for example.

Reavon is coming out soon with a universal 4k UHD player. Their top of line UBR-200 will also be SACD playback compatible. Will be pricey, but since I spent another $1,200 on a dedicated unit for such a feature, I will be interested in how it compares to the 9000.

[amper]

D Nice calibrated your TV?

[gnicks]

Originally Posted by chip75

I'd like the problem with triple layer discs to be addressed

What triple layer problem are you referring to? I've never had an issue with triple layer discs on either the 820 or 9000.

[bartleby]

I've just ordered the 820, and now reading these posts is making me wonder. Is the only difference between the 820 and the 420 the Dolby Vision support? Is the general video quality the same? Is the blu-ray (1080p) upscaling just as good on the 420 as the 820? I'm going to be using it with a 2020 Hisense H8Q, which supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision as well as HLG. I guess I thought that besides DV support,the 820 was considered superior in other ways, including upscaling. I jumped on this thread late, but from what I can gather, there are problems with Dolby Vision support on the 820 for only two US released titles? Which ones? Many thanks to anyone who can summarize the problems, and comparison between 420 and 820.

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by cupboy

I think the Oppo uses ESS. If so this won't be an upgrade over the AKM because the AKM is much better than what is in the Oppo 205.

The Oppo will not play 352khz 24 bit but the Panasonic will. Well, the older Panasonic anyway. Maybe Robert can check this when he gets the machine in. You can get these files from HD Tracks Warren Vache, First time out (on the 2xHD label) is one of the titles. And does the Oppo play DSD 256? I don't remember if it does or not.

Originally Posted by Paperinoil

New user here and I've been following the thread for awhile now. Kinda disheartened to hear about the switch to the Sabre DAC(but fully understand why the change needs to happen) in the revision that is coming. Hoping Panasonics engineers know about the now infamous IMD distortion hump and are able to implement the new chip well and eliminate that now well known issue.

Without opening the whole can of worms about DAC's sounding different, I will admit to being partial to the AKM "sound". Guess it's time to pull the trigger before they're gone.

Originally Posted by Marsstudd

Has any other company announced a new upcoming player? I would like to get the best available but was wondering if I should wait for the new audio upgrade next year? I also get nervous when I probably shouldn’t that they will stop producing new ones altogether like Samsung for example.

If someone/audio manufacturer can come up with a Super DAC in its well implemented player that can read and play those discs as well in all their total full resolution without any hump, that'll be the true real universal day.

[jrod8]

Has anyone had trouble with Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse? Just as it was getting into things, it started glitching up around the 28 minute mark I think it was (when Miles gets his hand stuck to everything). Never resolved and I haven't gone back to the disc. Total bummer because it's a title I've been waiting to savor with the 820 and my new CX

[Better in Blu]

Originally Posted by amper

D Nice calibrated your TV?

Yes he did. I've had DeWayne calibrate other previous Plasma's and was impressed with his knowledge and abilities.

[amper]

Originally Posted by Better in Blu

Yes he did. I've had DeWayne calibrate other previous Plasma's and was impressed with his knowledge and abilities.

Oh, I thought you meant THE real D Nice, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Nice

[panasonicst60]

Originally Posted by amper

Oh, I thought you meant THE real D Nice, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Nice

[Better in Blu]

Originally Posted by panasonicst60

I just literally spit out my coffee

[chip75]

Originally Posted by gnicks

What triple layer problem are you referring to? I've never had an issue with triple layer discs on either the 820 or 9000.

Some folks have had issues when certain discs have hit the third layer, those discs have worked fine with other manufacturers players. Hopefully they can look into it.