Panasonic UB820/UB9000 4K UHD Blu-ray player

[Tok]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

UHD players have gone on sale almost every year towards the holidays and stayed at full price after they're over, but the UB820 price last year was the lowest, not sure if it will hit that again, maybe they were clearing out stock. I might pick up the 420 as a backup to replace my X700 if it goes real low again.

I picked up a X800M2 at the end of January on sale for $250. Just went back on sale again for the same price. Sales on the 4K players seem to be fewer and fewer.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by sapiendut

Have you tried my guide in the signature?

The majority of settings you have in your guide is how mine is setup. Only changes I made is the the HDR Optimizer is set to Super High Luminance and since I use LG's DTM, I have the Dynamic Range Adjuster slider set to -5.

[PUsokrJosh305]

Originally Posted by pbz06

No, the 10bit vs 12bit doesn't affect saturation. That just allows for more color values and gradation in between. The saturation is based on the luminance of the colors and howo they are shown depends on the capabilities of the display and how it tonemaps the data (which HDR10 and DV handle differently). As you know, HDR10 is "static" (assuming you don't have engaged any DTM) and rolls off the high end a certain way. DV is "dynamic" and it tonemaps it differently. Think of the EOTF as a string that is too long to fit in a box. Think of HDR10 perhaps cutting the end of it and curving it a bit to fit it in the box. DV might instead stretch it a bit differently to fit it in. Since your TV is a WOLED, it relies on white pixel...which tends to wash out color with high luminance. DV likely tries to maintain that luminance/saturation by perhaps modifying the EOTF in other areas.

I simplified the explanation and likely didn't get it exact terms, but trying to explain why you may be seeing differences.

So, what you are saying is that my LG C9 is possibly tone mapping a certain way that somewhat washes out some of the saturation due to high luminace content?

Could my settings for the Optimizer affect that as well? I have it set to Super High Luminance instead of OLED. I also use LG's DTM and have the Dynamic Range Adjust Slider set to -5 to compensate for the DTM being too bright.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Tok

I picked up a X800M2 at the end of January on sale for $250. Just went back on sale again for the same price. Sales on the 4K players seem to be fewer and fewer.

Does it work?

I had 2 different X700's and neither was useable. Which, you know was amazing to me because Sony Blu Ray players were so reliable.

When they came up with X800(do over) I thought ... maybe they fixed these but then I think as many people with all 3 models compain about the random crashes.

My fix for my UB9000 disc tray using a belt from another player didn't last at all. I may order the OEM belt after I look into why it failed.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by bhampton

My fix for my UB9000 disc tray using a belt from another player didn't last at all. I may order the OEM belt after I look into why it failed.

What happened to the belt?

[jess1581]

I was enjoying my 9000 one day and then...

[ntotoro]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

UHD players have gone on sale almost every year towards the holidays and stayed at full price after they're over, but the UB820 price last year was the lowest, not sure if it will hit that again, maybe they were clearing out stock. I might pick up the 420 as a backup to replace my X700 if it goes real low again.

I was happy with my UBKM9 after the latest firmware update (which was almost two years ago, at this point), but the price of the 820 this past Christmas was too good to pass up. Now that I have one, it has become my main player LOL!

I wished it wasn't as "sensitive" to incomplete discs like the LG (it doesn't seem to care at all), but the Panny is such a better player in every sense.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by chip75

What happened to the belt?

I have to open it and see. It was refreshing to KNOW the belt was the whole problem. I may order the OEM belt and see if it's really in stock.

Edit I did order the OEM belt. It's about $10 shipped.

Edit2 I opened the UB9000 to check and the belt looked like it was still in place and not causeing trouble. Player is working for now and when I can I will try it with the OEM belt if they ship it and it's not backordered.

Edit 3 the first email I got about the order says it's backordered. No estimated shipping date.

[Tok]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Does it work?

I had 2 different X700's and neither was useable. Which, you know was amazing to me because Sony Blu Ray players were so reliable.

When they came up with X800(do over) I thought ... maybe they fixed these but then I think as many people with all 3 models compain about the random crashes.

My fix for my UB9000 disc tray using a belt from another player didn't last at all. I may order the OEM belt after I look into why it failed.

Picked it up primarily for SACD/DSD over HDMI. It works for that but I did have to buy a higher quality HDMI cable because the initial one spec’d at 4K60 was dropping out constantly at 4K resolution over a 15ft run to my AV10. I haven’t used it for 4K UHD but it’s in my system for a backup

I don’t find a significant difference between standard CD and SACD two-channel but it’s cool getting the 5.1 mixes on the albums that have it.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by PUsokrJosh305

So, what you are saying is that my LG C9 is possibly tone mapping a certain way that somewhat washes out some of the saturation due to high luminace content?

Could my settings for the Optimizer affect that as well? I have it set to Super High Luminance instead of OLED. I also use LG's DTM and have the Dynamic Range Adjust Slider set to -5 to compensate for the DTM being too bright.

Yes to your first question.

What I would do for testing, find a nice scene with high APL and high color luminance. Disable DV so you are in HDR10, and pause it at that scene. Make sure for now all your 820 settings are default and have HDR Optimizer "on". I'd use the OLED setting first though, and then toggle HDR Optimier on vs off so you can see the differences. I bet with "on", you'll have more of a restored color saturation than with "off". You can then play with your LG DTM setting and see how it affects it, and then compare with "high luminance".

Then! try DV again to compare how each setting is close or different.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Tok

I don’t find a significant difference between standard CD and SACD two-channel but it’s cool getting the 5.1 mixes on the albums that have it.

Neat. The only SACD I have is Dark Side of the Moon. The same 5.1 mix was featured on the Blu Ray of a box set.

Recently another box set has a new ATMOS mix and the stand alone disc is available now and cheap.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Does it work?

I had 2 different X700's and neither was useable. Which, you know was amazing to me because Sony Blu Ray players were so reliable.

When they came up with X800(do over) I thought ... maybe they fixed these but then I think as many people with all 3 models compain about the random crashes.

My fix for my UB9000 disc tray using a belt from another player didn't last at all. I may order the OEM belt after I look into why it failed.

If the X800 was reliable enough, I would get it for the source direct mode since I use my Radiance Pro to upscale to 4K. However, I think I am better off just using my Panasonic 420 for 4K and my Oppo 103D for 1080p. One player feels appealing to me for some reason, but it's no biggie switching inputs on my receiver. lol Also puts less wear and tear on my 420.

[Telemachus]

I would not want to ever use a Sony player again exclusively for UHD.

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

I would not want to ever use a Sony player again exclusively for UHD.

It's kinda ironic that Sony doesn't make the best players, given their overall involvement in optical media development.

Last week I came across a Youtube video that explained how Sony's laser system assembly for CD players won over Philips' back in the 80s.

[HeavyHitter]

Originally Posted by Bernardo A.

It's kinda ironic that Sony doesn't make the best players, given their overall involvement in optical media development.

Last week I came across a Youtube video that explained how Sony's laser system assembly for CD players won over Philips' back in the 80s.

I seem to recall that Panasonic was the real 'brains' behind Blu-ray (1080p)? Even though it was associated with Sony.

[Telemachus]

The last great piece of innovative hardware Sony made was the Playstation 3, which is the main reason Blu ray took off looking back, it's all been downhill since then. Also speaking of CD players, even in the 80s/90s Panasonic/Technics players were the best units. My favorite portable I still own is a Panasonic unit, I have one from 1993 it plays burned discs, 80 minute discs, doesn't skip or dropout on things that other players do, sounds great, high quality parts.

[Bernardo A.]

Originally Posted by Telemachus

The last great piece of innovative hardware Sony made was the Playstation 3, which is the main reason Blu ray took off looking back, it's all been downhill since then. Also speaking of CD players, even in the 80s/90s Panasonic/Technics players were the best units. My favorite portable I still own is a Panasonic unit, I have one from 1993 it plays burned discs, 80 minute discs, doesn't skip or dropout on things that other players do, sounds great, high quality parts.

The PS3 was a piece of technology completely ahead of its time. It had Blu-ray, Wi-fi, HDMI… All this in 2006, when most people outside Japan still used CRT TVs.

Here’s an interesting comparison between Sony’s and Philips’ laser tracking mechanisms:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=rvLCk...ature=youtu.be

Sony’s scheme turned out to be the default assembly used in all optical formats that followed.

[sa5150]

Picked up my Sony 800m2 for under $200 new a few years ago , Still have never had 1 problem . But I need a solid backup , Not plastic . I want the 9000 but I hear it has as much problems as the Sony . Belts breaking etc... on $1K plus player , I don't know what to do .

[sapiendut]

Whatever you buy there will be lemons. Both my 9000 have both been flawless, the same as my 820. The 700m and 800xm2, on the other hand, make me want drill my eyeballs. Oh and my Magnetar 800 so far have been flawless too.

[cybersoga]

Can someone please share some photos of the remote that came with their UB9000 so i can track one down.

Thanks