Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by sephirothkefka

The ribbon is just pressure fit. Carefully pulling it out should remove it and reinserting reconnects.

I'm not sure what you mean by pressure fit.

I don't see any way to remove it.

And even after I remove the screws holding the lid of the disc/laser assembly, it doesn't do anything, the lid won't come off.

[James Luckard]

I'll add something that may be helpful for anyone else here, who like me has no experience of going inside their computers and tinkering with them.

Opening up this machine and exploring inside it is something I'm finding EXCEEDINGLY difficult.

Again, this may come down to the fact that I'm just not used to doing neurosurgery on my computer, maybe everyone else here is, but none of the steps involved are easy, and many leave me afraid I'm going to break the machine.

I would not recommend opening the machine up unless you're HUGELY confident about your abilities with electronics, the machines are CLEARLY not designed to be opened by novices.

[trekky76]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I'm not sure what you mean by pressure fit.

I don't see any way to remove it.

And even after I remove the screws holding the lid of the disc/laser assembly, it doesn't do anything, the lid won't come off.

Look on the left side (from the front) and insert a small sharp object between the two pressed pieces of plastic. It should come out easily.

[James Luckard]

After ENORMOUS difficulty, I managed to get the lid off the laser/disc housing and ran some compressed air over it.

It did not help any, unfortunately.

The player is still glitchy, with the image breaking into rainbow-colored pixels frequently.

Must be something wrong with the disc drive itself, I'm sure replacing it would cost as much as a new machine.

I ordered a new player from Amazon, it'll be here Monday.

I've been happy with Panasonic for years, and I was happy with this player until it wore out. I especially like that Panasonic machines play 90% of foreign BDs.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by trekky76

Look on the left side (from the front) and insert a small sharp object between the two pressed pieces of plastic. It should come out easily.

Thanks! I managed to pop the lid off the disc housing without needing to remove the ribbon.

The ribbon is positioned perpendicular to the front though, so I'm not sure what the left side would be.

Yowza, opening this thing up was INTENSE.

I appreciate all the suggestions from everyone, though.

[James Luckard]

Interestingly, the problem I had was only with UHD discs:

Casino Royale, The Last Duel, West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain.

I never had a single problem with a BD.

Does the machine use different and separate lasers to read the different kinds of discs? I've read that some machines do.

[sephirothkefka]

Originally Posted by James Luckard

Interestingly, the problem I had was only with UHD discs:

Casino Royale, The Last Duel, West Side Story, Singin' in the Rain.

I never had a single problem with a BD.

Does the machine use different and separate lasers to read the different kinds of discs? I've read that some machines do.

Technically yes but they are all channelled through the same lens (one for cd one for dvd and one for bd/uhd).

[trekky76]

I've never had issues with bd either. The few glitchy discs I always replaced. The last one though I watched before with no issues before it wouldn't even recognize it anymore.

[sephirothkefka]

Originally Posted by trekky76

I've never had issues with bd either. The few glitchy discs I always replaced. The last one though I watched before with no issues before it wouldn't even recognize it anymore.

Main issue with UHD discs is the fact that the pits are shorter in legnth which allows it to store the extra data per layer (and how they could get away with 100gb discs). Ive found more issues with 100gb discs than 66s however though issues with 66s do crop up.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by sephirothkefka

Main issue with UHD discs is the fact that the pits are shorter in legnth which allows it to store the extra data per layer (and how they could get away with 100gb discs). Ive found more issues with 100gb discs than 66s however though issues with 66s do crop up.

It looks like all 4 titles that have given me trouble have been BD-66. Not sure if that's meaningful. I don't think I have many BD-100 discs.

[Paul.R.S]

Originally Posted by Paul.R.S

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.

Originally Posted by James Luckard

I checked out their website and looked around online.

My machine is out of warranty, so they would require me to pay shipping both ways. With a tracking number, I'm guessing that shipping the machine safely would probably cost about $40 each way.

They also charge a $50 flat fee for the item to enter their facility. The charge is applicable to any repairs done. This is similar to the situation with my first DVD player that broke years ago, which caused me to give up and buy a new one.

In this case, there's a base price of, say, $130 just to start the discussion about repairs. Additional parts and labor costs would build from there.

I generally don't like to spend more than half of an item's cost on repairs. I paid $350 for this new, on sale.

They also say on their website that they charge $50 even to give an estimate. That charge is also applicable towards any repairs, but is clearly designed to scare people off from bothering them. I've encountered it at car repair places too.

In addition, I can't find any reviews from Yelp or any other customer sites for this business. That gives me pause too. It does legitimately appear to be Panasonic's licensed repair center, now that they've shut their own center in Texas down, but it seems profoundly odd not to have any reviews online.

It also appears geared primarily towards cameras. The pages of the website are all titled "Panasonic Lumix Support" and the only mentions I could find of this business at all were a couple of people mentioning sending their cameras there for repairs.

I'm hoping I'll get some pointers on how to open up my machine and dust it out, and perhaps that will help.

However, barring that, I'm leaning towards buying a new one, while they're still available new from Amazon, rather then going down the repair route and spending nearly half of the cost of the item to have, at best, a repaired used machine. (bold mine)

James:

I've shared some comments with you privately but will reply in kind, publicly, now regarding your comments tonight about my April 7 post regarding that Panny support site.

To each their own, but . . . What a negative speculation derby your quoted comments are--particularly the bolded remarks. We simply have no idea yet what may come of submitting the form at that link. That's why I asked if anyone had any first-hand experience pursuing that option. If I owned the 820 and had half the problems you're experiencing I would have done it myself weeks ago.

It could lead to a place wherein you can't go further without sending the player in. Or you might be able to have a telephone or e-mail conversation with someone/a technician who could perhaps put your experiences in an even broader (repair versus tinker versus replace) perspective than the universe of owners herein. You may even be offered credits against shipping and/or repair costs depending on the sympathies of who you speak with.

Either way, we won't know until someone with problematic UHD BD player/disc experiences gives it a try. I was hoping that person would be you.

You cite a negative DVD player experience as though it's relevant or a good precedent and I'm not sure that's worthwhile/truthy. I can counter with my Pioneer PD-M6 CD player experience years ago, wherein I was able to have a lengthy dialogue with a repair technician about known issues with that magazine-style CD changer. (It was so significant that I remember the tech's name and employer: Ziggy of Jot's Electronics.) It was like a good conversation with an attorney about a personal legal matter: I find it helps me separate the substantive wheat from the emotional chaff and focus on the facts.

But both that experience of mine and the one you cite (with "[your] first DVD player . . . years ago") were so long ago that they likely have little bearing on the current UHD BD player situation.

Even if doing so ultimately resolved the issues you're experiencing (which it unfortunately didn't), I just find it bewildering that you were willing to spend a few hours of "EXCEEDINGLY difficult" effort to open your player up (something I did with a cheap Sony BD player and regretted: I couldn't put the damn thing back together properly) apparently before taking two minutes to fill out and submit a form to Panny. There's nothing binding about submitting that form. And it would take less time than it likely took to type up your post about your sleuthing efforts in connection with that site's bona fides or lack thereof.

Again, to each their own, I suppose. I wish you no bad luck, of course, but what I think is going to happen is your new player will perhaps play WSS, Royale, Singin' and/or Last Duel better . . . but unfortunately have issues with other discs.

I'm generally aware of stmhlm's efforts at the corporate level recapped two pages ago. I continue to look forward to someone sussing out what kind of response they get to submitting a player-specific inquiry to Panny.

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by Paul.R.S

James:

I've shared some comments with you privately but will reply in kind, publicly, now regarding your comments tonight about my April 7 post regarding that Panny support site.

To each their own, but . . . What a negative speculation derby your quoted comments are--particularly the bolded remarks. We simply have no idea yet what may come of submitting the form at that link. That's why I asked if anyone had any first-hand experience pursuing that option. If I owned the 820 and had half the problems you're experiencing I would have done it myself weeks ago.

It could lead to a place wherein you can't go further without sending the player in. Or you might be able to have a telephone or e-mail conversation with someone/a technician who could perhaps put your experiences in an even broader (repair versus tinker versus replace) perspective than the universe of owners herein.

Either way, we won't know until someone with problematic UHD BD player/disc experiences gives it a try. I was hoping that person would be you.

You cite a negative DVD player experience as though it's relevant or a good precedent and I'm not sure that's worthwhile/truthy. I can counter with my Pioneer PD-M6 CD player experience years ago, wherein I was able to have a lengthy dialog with a repair technician about known issues with that magazine-style CD changer. (It was so significant that I remember the tech's name and employer: Ziggy of Jot's Electronics.) It was like a good conversation with an attorney about a personal legal matter: I find it helps me separate the substantive wheat from the emotional chaff.

But both that experience of mine and the one you cite (with "[your] first DVD player . . . years ago") were so long ago that they likely have little bearing on the current UHD BD player situation.

Even if doing so ultimately resolved the issues you're experiencing (which it unfortunately didn't), I just find it bewildering that you were willing to spend a few hours of "EXCEEDINGLY difficult" effort to open your player up (something I did with a cheap Sony BD player and regretted: I couldn't put the damn thing back together properly) apparently before taking two minutes to fill out and submit a form to Panny. There's nothing binding about submitting that form. And it would take less time than it likely took to type up your post about your sleuthing efforts in connection with that site's bona fides or lack thereof.

Again, to each their own, I suppose. I wish you no bad luck, of course, but what I think is going to happen is your new player will perhaps play WSS, Royale, Singin' and/or Last Duel better . . . but unfortunately have issues with other discs.

I'm generally aware of stmhlm's efforts at the corporate level recapped two pages ago. I continue to look forward to someone sussing out what kind of response they get to submitting a player-specific inquiry to Panny.

I appreciate all of your advice. I truly do.

I've followed the path I thought was best.

[Paul.R.S]

Originally Posted by Paul.R.S

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

https://peproductsupport.com/

For any other interested parties:

Received a prompt reply to my initial inquiry about UHD BD player service. They don’t repair them—they either refund you or replace the unit. If out of warranty, replacement players are offered at “discounted pricing.” I have a follow up inquiry in asking about what those prices are.

[Wormicide]

I keep flip flopping on buying this player or the 420. Not sure if DolbyVision is worth the extra $250. One of the calibrators on AVS says DolbyVision is a �� show compared to HDR10.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Wormicide

I keep flip flopping on buying this player or the 420. Not sure if DolbyVision is worth the extra $250. One of the calibrators on AVS says DolbyVision is a �� show compared to HDR10.

I had the 420.

It's ok. I really liked it. I like the UB9000 a bit more but the 420 wasn't bad.

[Scorxpion]

Anyone please can try suicide squad 1st part freezes and hiccups unless u skip the chapter 1hour and 13 minutes. I did try on my ub900 1st generation no problem.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Scorxpion

Anyone please can try suicide squad 1st part freezes and hiccups unless u skip the chapter 1hour and 13 minutes. I did try on my ub900 1st generation no problem.

So, which player did it not work ?

At 1 hr 13 minutes sounds like it could be a layer change issue.

I think you are speaking about the UHD and I may have the disc to check. What I don't get is the part about no problem.... if you have a player that plays it .... seems like it's ok

[Paul.R.S]

Originally Posted by Scorxpion

Anyone please can try suicide squad 1st part freezes and hiccups unless u skip the chapter 1hour and 13 minutes. I did try on my ub900 1st generation no problem.

This is interesting to me. Works on the 9000 but not the 820? And the players use the same firmware.

Which deck have you put the most hours on?

[DavePS3]

Originally Posted by Scorxpion

Anyone please can try suicide squad 1st part freezes and hiccups unless u skip the chapter 1hour and 13 minutes. I did try on my ub900 1st generation no problem.

Clean the disc! Doesn't matter if it looks clean - use screen clean and wipe from the center to the edge in straight lines... like you're cutting a pie. Dry it. Works every time.

[Scorxpion]

Originally Posted by bhampton

So, which player did it not work ?

At 1 hr 13 minutes sounds like it could be a layer change issue.

I think you are speaking about the UHD and I may have the disc to check. What I don't get is the part about no problem.... if you have a player that plays it .... seems like it's ok

Ub820 just pixalated around 1 hour and 13 minutes. First I clean the disk probably will play fine from that point it didn't. I turn on my second backup player ub900 it plays fine without any problem. If you have it please can you try it on your player. Anyway this is the first disk I face this problem everything else is fine.