Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[gnicks]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Ooh...I wonder if the original UHD of Donnie Darko works properly now?

Nope. Still Donnie Darko: Stop Motion Edition. Tested it after Knives Out worked

[ibanezjp]

Is there a problem doing the update over the network? I updated my 820 today that way. I see a few people saying they had to do it via usb.

Also what exactly was the flickering problem? I’ve never had a disc freeze in my 820 so that was never a problem. Only weird thing I’ve had is when playing most Dolby vision discs the picture will drop off for a split second then come back. Happens maybe 3-5 over the course of a movie and is random. I always chalked that up to some handshake issue between the 820 and my Sony A8H. That’s not the flickering people described is it?

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by chip75

I'm sure they'll sort it out. Firmware updates shouldn't affect the mod, you don't have to reset the region code?

Older mods used mod chips that weren't affected by firmware updates, except in rare instances where the update changed the region flag's location in memory that the mod chip acted on. 220 & other reputable modders have long offered lifetime warranties on their mods just in case that happens.

Newer players like the UB820, however, are modded by a third party (probably a supplier to 220) who customizes the firmware (perhaps "hacked" is too strong a term) to disable the DVD region lock entirely (in a way that resists so-called "region code enhancements" used by studios to defeat earlier region-free players), enable selecting the Blu-ray region from the remote (that lock can't be disabled entirely), and modify the firmware updater so it only obtains updates from the modder or its firmware provider (not Panny).

If you update these players exclusively over the Internet, they should remain region-free as the third party will only release updates after customizing them. However, if you sideload an unmodded Panny firmware update onto such a player via USB (as Nori did), that will disable the region-free mod. I believe the only recourse in that case is to contact 220 & wait for them to provide a modded version of 1.69 that can be sideloaded like the Panny update.

I'm about to contact 220 myself (edit: just did), but all I need is an ETA for the modded 1.69 so I can install it over the Internet. Mine still shows no online updates from 1.60, apparently the latest modded firmware version; I'm certainly not about to sideload anything.

[tama]

Firmware update completed. Just in time for Halloween since I picked it up this morning and heard of the flicker issues.

[teddyballgame]

Update went smooth. Thought I would have to go to the menu and start the update but just powering up with the USB drive plugged in the player already knew what to do.

[Cerberus40000]

Updated my UK player just now over wifi and no more flickering on my import Dolby Vision Ghost in the Shell

[jonam]

Originally Posted by Scorsese

Just updated mine, doesn't look like it unfortunately

That is unfortunate.
😞

[thebarnman]

Originally Posted by Gold Ranger

I guess that guy that posted a while back really did help!
Maybe ...

That's exactly what I was thinking. I suggested at least three things that needed to be worked on and it was added to his list of things that would be nice to have updated on the Panasonic 820. As far as I know, my suggestions were not executed, but maybe just maybe will be in the future!

[thebarnman]

Originally Posted by garyd97

What is everyone's thoughts on quick start mode? Do you keep it on or off?

I keep it on!

[thebarnman]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Ooh...I wonder if the original UHD of Donnie Darko works properly now?

I had no idea, but the fact you bought "Donnie Darko" (2001) I figured it had to be a good movie. Never saw it and just watched the trailer. I now have it set to be delivered by Amazon!

If the update doesn't help with the playability of your disc, I hope you get the replacement soon (that is if you haven't already received it.)

[Tuc0]

So does this effect the regionfreedom mod? Thanks!

Edit: I see they now have one for 1.69

[eChopper]

Originally Posted by chip75

I tried the IT Vertigo and it still goes to shit when it hits that layer change around Chapter 20 (with my 420).

That disc , like many universal discs, may have been pressed by Sonopress

See if you can see the iFPi code

Most of the discs that cause my panny 9000 or Oppo 203 to freeze or pixelate tend to be pressed by Sonopress Europe. There’s a website in France that mentions this .

If I buy the same discs , pressed say at technicolor mexico, it doesn’t pixelate.

[MisterXDTV]

Originally Posted by chip75

I tried the IT Vertigo and it still goes to shit when it hits that layer change around Chapter 20 (with my 420).

Same here. But when i put the disc in my Sony X700 it works fine...

Makes no sense

[rickardl]

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Is this basically the firmware update that China has had for some time or did Panasonic add some newer patches?

China had 1.66 earlier, now they also have 1.69, same as everybody else.

[DAT_JB]

Originally Posted by gnicks

Nope. Still Donnie Darko: Stop Motion Edition. Tested it after Knives Out worked

The UB450 is still the Dolby Vision king

[hansolo]

Originally Posted by JackTwist

Knives Out froze at about the 2 hour mark and does not resume. The only way to watch all the way through was to disable Dolby Vision. Ghost in the Shell would flicker throughout the entire presentation.

Just tested Knives Out (imported US version) with Panny 820EG with 1.69A (enhanced) firmware. No DV flickering whatsoever and performs well at around 2h mark, which apparently has layer switch point. No frozing, not even a slight pause, playable to the end. Also tested GitS anime (US version), no DV flickering.

Originally Posted by CSM101

I tested Midway this morning as well and no freeze up on DV mode with 1.69.

Also checked. Again US imported version. I checked all the chapter points plus minus some minutes around them, playable from start to end. No DV flickering. Does freezing happen always at certain time point?

Originally Posted by FilmFreakosaurus

Is this basically the firmware update that China has had for some time or did Panasonic add some newer patches?

Problematic Lionsgate DV titles running smooth now?

Interesting. Why only in China and why shaft customers this long in NA and Europe? Also means 1.69A must be based on "China" version.

Originally Posted by chip75

I tried the IT Vertigo and it still goes to shit when it hits that layer change around Chapter 20 (with my 420).

This I watched quite recently. No problems. Playable from start to end. Nordic edition from 4-film set. This title does not have Dolby Vision.

Originally Posted by eChopper

That disc , like many universal discs, may have been pressed by Sonopress

See if you can see the iFPi code

Most of the discs that cause my panny 9000 or Oppo 203 to freeze or pixelate tend to be pressed by Sonopress Europe. There’s a website in France that mentions this .

If I buy the same discs , pressed say at technicolor mexico, it doesn’t pixelate.

Interesting info, I may have to dig around to find more to read. I also have Oppo 203.

Re: these Panny problems. I wasn't aware of them before purchasing the 820 unit and almost immediately went to 1.69A firmware so haven't really had any issues so far . I guess some times you just dodge the issues and have problem free experience.

[eChopper]

Just checked 2 copies of American Gangster UHD

Both were new

Both would pixelate around the scene where they tried to machine gun Denzel Washington and his wife , pre firmware update

With 1.69 they still pixelate on my Panasonic 9000

In contrast my hundreds of Blu rays would play fine

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by eChopper

That disc , like many universal discs, may have been pressed by Sonopress

See if you can see the iFPi code

Most of the discs that cause my panny 9000 or Oppo 203 to freeze or pixelate tend to be pressed by Sonopress Europe. There’s a website in France that mentions this .

If I buy the same discs , pressed say at technicolor mexico, it doesn’t pixelate.

Is there an easy reference guide for the IFPI codes anywhere? I tried looking up wiki or whatever but came away even more confused as there's a different code for who mastered it and who pressed it and oh no I'm confused again

[J Nada]

Hooray! Just tested Farmageddon before and after the update. No more flicker on 1.69!

[Geoff D]

Just updated over USB, verr painless, worked first time.