Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Paul.R.S

Has anyone had any experience cleaning the 820's optical/laser assembly, either via a cleaning disc or sending it in to an authorized service center or an adventurous soul opening the chassis themselves?

I took a look at the optical pickup unit in my 820 last week. It's easy opening it up yourself.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by DJR662

I took a look at the optical pickup unit in my 820 last week. It's easy opening it up yourself.

Yikes! That sounds scary. I've never tried anything like that. Do you have to unscrew things and such?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Yikes! That sounds scary. I've never tried anything like that. Do you have to unscrew things and such?

You only have to remove the cover of the discdrive's housing, that's it.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by DJR662

You only have to remove the cover of the discdrive's housing, that's it.

Interesting, do you just unscrew a few screws on the bottom?

Did you spray compressed air on the lens or something?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Interesting, do you just unscrew a few screws on the bottom?

Did you spray compressed air on the lens or something?

There's about 4-6 screws (bottom + sides) that hold the main cover plate in its place. After removing the cover plate, you'll have acces to the internal components. The housing of the optical drive has a plastic cover, which can be removed by unscrewing two screws (located on the sides) and then simply 'clicking' it out of its position.

Did nothing to the lens itself, though I did spray some air on the mechanisms in the housing. I just wanted to check if I could see anything that might be causing my issue, which is a rather peculiar one I think: my UB820 plays everything without any problems except UHD-BD66's...

[hansolo]

That sounds really peculiar. Failing BD66s but not BD100s? Maybe small part of the firmware code responsible for laser head unit is somehow messed. I'm not sure but if Panasonics allow force re-flashing the current firmware you are on (I assume it's 1.69), I would try to reinstall the latest firmware.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by hansolo

That sounds really peculiar. Failing BD66s but not BD100s? Maybe small part of the firmware code responsible for laser head unit is somehow messed. I'm not sure but if Panasonics allow force re-flashing the current firmware you are on (I assume it's 1.69), I would try to reinstall the latest firmware.

I'm not aware of any possibilty that allows doing such a thing. Also, my 820 has had this UHD-BD66 loading issue before the latest firmware was installed.

I don't think I'll be able to resolve this, so I'm just going to have to buy a new 820.

[HippieDalek]

Originally Posted by Rooksx

I have a UK UB820. The Dune (2021) 4k UHD won't play at all, it keeps saying there's a compatibility problem. Other 4K UHDs work just fine. Anyone else having an issue? I'm having the same problem with the standard Blu-Ray of The Sorcerer. I know there's nothing wrong with that disk as I was able to play it on my computer.

No problem with the UK Dune 4K disc on my UK UB820. Maybe try returning and swapping the disc?

[Paul.R.S]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I'm going to try opening the player and checking for dust, as suggested in the player thread.

Has anyone with problems with an out-of-warranty player tried this service?

https://peproductsupport.com/

James, especially given your trepidations I can't help but think having an e-mail or phone conversation with perhaps a technician about what specifically to do and how to best go about it might be a good idea.

[lgans316]

Watched American Werewolf in London and Paris back to back. Zero playback issues on my UB820. Got a brand new spare UB820 sitting in my cupboard. Hot it for a good price.

What surprised me was my Region free Toshiba BD player still playing despite being close to 10 years old. Remember buying it from Marks and Spencers for just £50.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by lgans316

What surprised me was my Region free Toshiba BD player still playing despite being close to 10 years old. Remember buying it from Marks and Spencers for just £50.

Some of that old gear was built solid. My 2007 PS3 still plays blu-rays without any hiccups as does my decade old region free modified Oppo 93.

My Pioneer DVL-909, purchased in 1997, still plays laserdiscs and DVDs as well as it ever did. All oldies, but goodies.

[Bunty2]

Originally Posted by dyne

They used to drop to $300 at Best Buy pretty regularly but I haven't seen them dip that low again since COVID. Hell, I haven't seen them have any substantial discount anywhere since.

I bought mine altogether used on Ebay for $454.25, so they're not even cheap used there.

[Leafs17]

I had an old Panasonic player hooked up to my ST60. Everything looked fine.

I got an 820 and changed no settings on my tv now I appear to have motion smoothing.

So I went back to the old one and everything is good again.

What would the setting be on the 820 that is causing this?

[sapiendut]

There is no motion smoothing on the 820. You may have not set it up properly to do 24fps

As usual, perhaps someone can link to the set up video which nearly 30,000 people have watched.

[Buck Turgidson]

This thing (820) never goes on sale in Canada smh

[sapiendut]

Canadian’s everyday price is the same price as USA’s occasional sale price.

[trekky76]

My player keeps having problems reading some discs. It just can't go to the menu even. Same disc in PS5 and no issues..

[trekky76]

Originally Posted by DJR662

There's about 4-6 screws (bottom + sides) that hold the main cover plate in its place. After removing the cover plate, you'll have acces to the internal components. The housing of the optical drive has a plastic cover, which can be removed by unscrewing two screws (located on the sides) and then simply 'clicking' it out of its position.

Did nothing to the lens itself, though I did spray some air on the mechanisms in the housing. I just wanted to check if I could see anything that might be causing my issue, which is a rather peculiar one I think: my UB820 plays everything without any problems except UHD-BD66's...

The cover is the top one right? I just couldn't remove mine when I tried. It's stuck to the front panel and I don't know how to remove it without applying too much force.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by trekky76

My player keeps having problems reading some discs. It just can't go to the menu even. Same disc in PS5 and no issues..

Like, not loading at all? If so, all UHD-BD66's by any chance?

Originally Posted by trekky76

The cover is the top one right? I just couldn't remove mine when I tried. It's stuck to the front panel and I don't know how to remove it without applying too much force.

Yeah, the top one. Initially, I thought it was stuck too. I forgot to mention I used a screwdiver to 'unclick' it. Also, when you insert it back into its place, you have to apply a little force.

[trekky76]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Like, not loading at all? If so, all UHD-BD66's by any chance?



Yeah, the top one. Initially, I thought it was stuck too. I forgot to mention I used a screwdiver to 'unclick' it. Also, when you insert it back into its place, you have to apply a little force.

Usually I can just hard reboot the player and it works but today News of The World refused to play.

Did you used the screwdriver to unclick it from the back or from the front? I just didn't want to put too much pressure to lift the cover.

Edit: Gave it another try. Managed to clean the optical drive carefully. The lock however was pain in the ass to put back. I managed to break that tiny plastic pin to the front but still it works now. The movie actually played now as well. Not a very reliable player it seems.