I had my player for 3-4 years and it not read my 4k disks it's very frustrating. You pay $500 for a blu ray player it's a hard pill to shallow I don't understand!!
I've owned two 820s and both had the same issue. The first started about 5 months of buying it. The second player showed it when I used it for the first time.
Interesting take on the issue. There seems to be quite a few people having issues with 4k disc players and not just those from Panasonic. I will say it’s often because of a problem disc whether it be from contamination or less than optimum disc production but there can also be issues with the laser assembly. Depending on the air quality in your home(dust, cooking oils, and such) can start causing the lens to read more errors. You can try to clean the lens carefully if you’re adept technically or even take a chance with a laser cleaning disc and sometimes make it read better. It can also just wear out to where the assembly has to be repaired. Thanks for the comparison with the two players.
I do agree I don't feel confident to take the player apart and clean the lens others who have commented already have done that and it appears to have sorted the problem for them.
Had somewhat similar problem while playing Criterion release Midnight Cowboy recently. In latter part of film when Dustin Hoffman tumbles down stairs, the disc would freeze for a couple seconds and then jump ahead a full minute or more. Cleaning disc, rebooting, etc., didn't work so I returned to Amazon, got a replacement and it plays perfectly. I have a two year old Sony UBP x700m and have been very pleased with it, though as you allude to, Dolby Vision is not auto for my unit, has to be turned on for a DV disc, turned off for non DV. And you're so right, the interruption of playback just takes you right out of the moment, so jarring and disappointing.
Given that 4k players have to work extremely hard over the course of the film reading 66/100gb discs, i dont see them lasting overly long. Ive had mine 14months with zero issues but i honestly dont believe ill get anymore than 5 years out of it.
That's bad. I have the 820 and it has stopped reading the discs completely. Today I even used the brush disc to clean the lens. No improvement. I was considering maybe taking the leap to the UB 9000, and now it seems that model has problems too? After spending $1,000? At this point, I may just get a Sony instead, my old Sony basic DVD player has never failed to read the disc.
@@FenderStrat19711Sony players are even worse - especially the X700. I have just upgraded to an 820 from a Sony for this reason, but the Sony struggled with 100 gig discs from day one. It's a well known issue that Sony players are the must susceptible.
MyUB420P is doing the same thing and i've only had it for around 6 months haha so i guess i gotta take it back already. Good thing i got the 4 year protection plan.
Right on the money! Had problems with my X1100ES early on with certain discs. Should have warrantied it, now I'm past😢. Just sprung for an 820 and it played the first problem disc perfectly.
Happens with Dunkirk and Princess Bride. Those are the only 2 issues I’ve had with the player. Everything else plays perfect so I don’t think it’s the player. It is only a year old. Others had issues with Princess Bride too.
I have this player and have not had any issues so far.Good to know if I do. I had issues of the same problem with my Sony that is had to buy the player I have now
Thank you for doing this. I also have a ub820 that’s over 3 years old and I’ve been having a lot of issues with triple layer discs. The movie will freeze at the exact same time and can be replicated over and over again. I’m wondering if they updated the optics on newer production runs of this player. I’m also curious about trying a lens cleaner disc to see if it’s simply dust/debris build up on the lens itself from years of use. If that doesn’t change anything I will open it up to get to the lens. I can play the same movies in my Xbox Series X with no issue so that rules out it being a disc issue.
@@letstalkcriterionI tried cleaning my discs and also took apart the player to clean the laser lens. Same issue persists. Mine on the back says manufactured in Feb 2019. Do you mind letting me know what the manufacturer dates on both your old and new players? I’d be curious if the disc drive is the same in older models vs newer ones.
@@kenmersereau8404 I was thinking about upgrading to the ub9000 but it sounds like you’re having the same issue. My 820 will now freeze up on any triple layer disc. If the ub420 goes on sale again I may pick one of those up and see if I can swap the disc drive to the 820.
3 years 820 - no problems- try the newest- best rated HDMI cord- I run mine thru the HDMI 4 plug in whitch is used to connect a game player like the XBox or Play Station- Problem Could be in the disc itself- or a software upgrade if available- Dont cheap- out on the HDMI connection!
Does the 420 play 100gb discs as good as the 820 & 9,000??? Trying to stay in a budget but also try my best to avoid the freezing, skipping & artifacting.
Had my 820 just over 3 years now, and had a couple of issues. First with Saving Private Ryan, brand new disc, 35 mins in, pixelated just like yours, i thought dodgy disc, even though i cleaned it within an inch of its life, sent it back and got a new one which played fine. That was a year ago. Had a few discs refuse to play unless i give them a spa day, a massage and a facial! And yesterday Jaws, which i have watched twice perfectly, pixelated after 40 mins. I do feel it is going to get worse!
I’ve got the UB 9000 and it’s just starting to have issues by not recognising 4k discs so it says High Dynamic Range conversion instead of High Dynamic Range.
I've got the DP-UB820. I noticed some artifacts, but never paid attention to them, just thought it was an occasional 4K thing..... but now my player will not read any discs. I get an error message, nothing plays. I even used a brush cleaner disc today, and that made no difference. I have considered that perhaps the UB9000 might be a more solid, better performing player, but now I see comments here that the UB9000 has issues too. I think it's a Panasonic problem, and I think it's time to consider a different brand, such as Sony, for a replacement. My player is ONLY two years old, and it's worthless now. I'm not pleased at al, my other DVD players have lasted forever. In fact, my old Panasonic BluRay is still working, I don't know why the Panasonic 4K had to quit on me. Thanks so much for this very helpful video, you have clearly shown that these issues are related to the player, and not the discs. From across the pond, Chris
I wouldn't bother with a Sony. I have just changed to a Panasonic 820 from a Sony 700 because it was so terrible with 100 gig discs. Sony players are well known to be the worst from day one.
I’ve not had the artifacting issues, but I received a copy of Equaliser 3 and it flashes on screen and does not play. Have ordered a lens cleaner as suspect this to be the issue (got a replacement disc and it did the exact same thing)
I was watching Battlestar Galactica 4k the other day and it went to pieces in the middle, I cleaned it and put i back in and it was worse...so I put the including Blu Ray in which played fine, I ejected that and put the 4k back in for one last try and it played flawlessly to the end - not sure if it was cause I put the Bluey in but it did something...
Thanks for enlighten us about this play. I have problems with my Panasonic UB820. I think Panasonic selling this particular model because there is no way to know the bad one.
I have the same issues. It actually got worst with the latest August 2023 firmware. Couldnt handle it so I bought a Reavon 4k Player. All the discs in this machine work fine
@letstalkcriterion I just looked at is as a birthday gift to myself. I'm glad your ub820 works well, but i became so frustrated that 1/4 of my 4k purchases would not play well in the panasonic. I wanted to ensure that this would not happen. My collection is growing, and the worst thing is sitting down, putting in a disk, then having to get up and fiddle with the player just to enjoy a nice film. The Reavon is certainly not for everyone, but it works great, and the region free options is amazing. I can now buy blu rays from outside of the US. I use UB 820 now for blu rays on another tv in my home aince it plays all blu rays fine.
Panasonic 820b and 9000 players can be very sensitve to smudges or small imperfections on discs. They are not as robust as Oppo's 203 and 205 players. I have a UB9000 and always check the disc surface before loadiing it. I always have a microfiber lens cleaning cloth handy to wipe a disc down if necessary. The Panasonics, in the past, had issues with some Lionsgate 100gb disc releases. Midway and Knives Out would freeze at specific points when Dolby Vision was being used. My Oppo-203 did not experience the same problems. I haven't seen this specific issue on my UB9000 in yquite a while though.
thanks for taking the time out to watch the video - now a couple of months in haven't cleaned or wiped a single disc and have had no disc problems since I replaced my UB820.
@@letstalkcriterion You're welcome. Despite it's archaic interface and limited video file playing abilities, my UB9000 gets first call when it comes to playing home disc releases. It edges out my Opp-203 just a bit in regard to picture quality. So will the UB820b. It has the same video processors as the UB9000.
Its absoloutly the player, mine is being sent in for reapir with Richer Sounds this week, due to simular, intermitent, issues. I have a feeling that they will not see the faulty though as it dosnt happen all the time.!
Have you updated the firmware, Panasonic have recently issued a new Version 1.76 in August. This may solve the issue with problem discs. These sort of issues are not uncommon, i am lucky to have a several players to try discs on if most of the players show the same problem i return the disc. Sometimes the disc will play on one player but not on another, the age and how well the laser is adjusted can make a big difference.
My is working with no issues, and it is very important to have a higher quality of the HDMI cord connection (I use ultra high speed HDMI 2.1 cable). I have 4k movies with free region and USA 4k disc all of them play with no problem.
Never had an issue with my UB84p.....though like all panasonic players from the early days of dvd, they are incredibly sensitive to scratches or fingerprints
Anyone know how to take the lid off one of these things? Thought I'd try cleaning the lens (cannot read disc) but after unscrewing the case something is still holding it at the front, Didn't want to break the buttons on top, I've searched everywhere and can't even find one person opening an 820.
For UB820 - Remove the 2 large side screws and 5 small black screws on rear ( 2 left, 1 middle, 2 right). The top plastic cover sort of pops off. It’s only locked in via plastic. No cables will rip if you remove. Please note the small plastic dual button piece that sits on top of the eject and power buttons. Set that to the side and don’t forget to add back when you re-attach panels at end. The thin metal cover slides back a little then can be pulled off. To get access to lens you just need to remove 3 small silver screws on top ( 1 rear, 2 front) of the disc holder compartment (black box with yellow warning label on top). No need to remove the entire disc holder “box”. Look for side plastic tabs on top rear sides that you pop out which allows cover to tilt top cover upwards then slide top cover back towards you and completely remove. Remember you need to detach from the side front corners if it’s still not sliding off. The lens should now be exposed. Sorry this is probably not fun following without pics :( Just trying to help as I had to figure this out just now with no guide so I could clean the lens with isopropyl 91 alcohol and qtip + compressed air. It fixed my glitch and skip issues on some movies so far but some are still borked which ps5 also shows similar issues (night of living dead). Fyi my unit is roughly 3 years old and just recently showed these issues regardless of discs. Hope this helps!
@@beebeedeluxe I figured out how to do all that eventually I didn't realise the lid was in 2 parts, Same thing cleaned with alcohol but it's still having trouble reading some discs but has helped reading others, It's just under 2 years old I don't have anything else to try the discs on, pc gamer.
@@JungleJeffarnold I had even more success cleaning the lens a 2nd time with more isopropyl alcohol. Hoping it’s not a fluke. Ps We need physical movies released on SD cards so we can retire discs and finicky friggin lasers :D
Just to add to my other comments, my 9000 makes some 4K discs do EXACTLY what is seen in this video - the picture breaks up into those pixelated images/distortions. What is the fix for this? Does the player need repair or replacement? I've also had mine for three or so years....
@user-kv3ue5fp4c I considered sending it in for service but the cost would probably be too much. These systems don't last too many years anyhow. I'm just going to buy the 820 model now
@@adamsultana8380 Well, the service is going to be less than what a new player would cost, probably a couple of hundred bucks if I had to guess with shipping, but my issue is that I had a bad experience with sending in my last UHD player, a Cambridge Audio CXUHD - I sent that $800 unit in (it was basically a clone of the Oppo UDP-203) after it developed a weird ticking noise when playing DVDs three times under warranty and they couldn't fix it. I suspect the same thing is going to happen with Panasonic once they receive my 9000. And while you are probably right that these things aren't designed to last long anymore, I'm having a hard time swallowing the fact that the FLAGSHIP player from this brand only lasted me three years.
Yep im getting this really badly now on this player i purchased yesterday from cex.. On all my dolby vision disks.. It eventually just completely freezes and crashes back to player menu.. Resetting and using different cables and ports doesn't resolve it.. Only maybe works properly again for few hours.. Shame really as it seems like a great player but unfortunately it will have to go back..
Only had one problem with mine. The Arrow Croupier disc every few seconds the picture would pulse bright, I thought it was how it was supposed to be for a few minutes (I’d not seen the film before) then tried it using the Xbox and the picture was fine.. I googled the problem but couldn’t find anyone with the same problem 🤷🏻♂️ my players about 3 years old too 😅
I've had the Sony ubp800 4k player for nearly 7 years and counting now! Plays all discs without a single glitch. Maybe I've just been lucky. Perhaps all makes of players can be prone to problems and its not just any particular type of machine that has faults.
Bought this player last week its a very good player. I came from a Sony x800 because it didnt play dolby vision. The build quality isnt as good as the sony but its an overall better player.
I thought I fixed my 3 year old UB820’s glitching and skipping issues after taking the unit apart and cleaning the laser lens with isopropyl 91 alcohol + Qtip + air duster and microfiber cloth. It fixed several movies but Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 4K around 58min mark was skipping/glitching badly no matter what and played perfectly in ps5. Cleaned lens 2nd time but loaded Qtip with much more isopropyl alcohol than 1st time, now movie plays flawlessly. Seems too good to be true
@@Hallywrx NP! I had a few scares where 2 movies skipped since I posted that update. I verified they have the same issue on my ps5. So basically this lens cleaning plan still holding up thankfully
@@beebeedeluxe Great to hear that there’s a solution to give the UB820’s a new lease on life. Mines 3yrs old and thought it was finished. Think the laser just accumulated humidity grime or dust. Super easy too, just a few screws.
that's about it - I've moved on again since I made this video now got a a Reavon 4K player not a single disc issue so far even discs that had problems are playing ok now.
This should serve people well in making s legitimate case for ripping media to file so they can actually play ot without having to purchase a new player every 5 years. VHS and Betamax players are still going strong😳
well the Oppo was really a high end player there is a the Reavon but its is quite expensive, tbh I'd just get another UB820 I have a spare player in case mine breaks down, at least I can continue watching discs while its being repaired.
I had a Panasonic UB9000 & had problems on lots of 4K discs. I have now got a Sony UBPX800 which plays the same discs without any problems. The Panasonic was nearly 3 times the price of the SONY.
So basically replacing the player each time you run into these problems isn't really very productive advise. Within time it will happen with your most current player, what then?..
@@letstalkcriterion only because I now have two anasoic ub820's and after around 7 months my current one is starting to pixekate randomly on a few 4ks, just like the first player, I think it might be a laser issue, so Iam now seeing if I can get it fixed or replaced.
@@letstalkcriterion in general it's an issue across a lot of other players, especially the Sony x700 and x800, even my oppo 203 high end player would do it, albeit only on occasion, if the oppo was dolby vision compatible I would of kept that player as it was pretty amazing in terms of quality and build. The Panasonic is still a great player, much better performance than the Sony budget players but Iam really starting to think that over a short period of time it's almost becoming an issue that we are most likely going to expect, Iam really not sure the rhyme or reasons, some you tubers tell you it's all you do with how you set the players settings, many saying to turn off the 4k upscaling but it makes no difference. Currently Iam looking into a repair or a replacement but Iam not very hopeful for this to be a perminent fix as I am sure this will start to happen again at some stage.
as you can see I used the same disc in a new UB820 and there were no playback problems whatsoever the disc quality is lesser now and the player reacts to this as its gets older my original player was developing issues over the past six months, I have to say I haven't had a problem with a disc since I replaced it.
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![อาจารย์ยอด : ลุงแว่วเล่าเรื่องผี [ผี]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Fd2Qsy4dqpM/mqdefault.jpg)
Got about five years of light usage out of mine. Thanks for the $500 paperweight Panasonic!
I had my player for 3-4 years and it not read my 4k disks it's very frustrating. You pay $500 for a blu ray player it's a hard pill to shallow I don't understand!!
Same mine died on about the 4 year mark on 4ks
@@jeremy3824 So sorry to hear about this it's a wonderful player when it plays!!
I've owned two 820s and both had the same issue. The first started about 5 months of buying it. The second player showed it when I used it for the first time.
Interesting take on the issue. There seems to be quite a few people having issues with 4k disc players and not just those from Panasonic. I will say it’s often because of a problem disc whether it be from contamination or less than optimum disc production but there can also be issues with the laser assembly. Depending on the air quality in your home(dust, cooking oils, and such) can start causing the lens to read more errors. You can try to clean the lens carefully if you’re adept technically or even take a chance with a laser cleaning disc and sometimes make it read better. It can also just wear out to where the assembly has to be repaired.
Thanks for the comparison with the two players.
I do agree I don't feel confident to take the player apart and clean the lens others who have commented already have done that and it appears to have sorted the problem for them.
Had somewhat similar problem while playing Criterion release Midnight Cowboy recently. In latter part of film when Dustin Hoffman tumbles down stairs, the disc would freeze for a couple seconds and then jump ahead a full minute or more. Cleaning disc, rebooting, etc., didn't work so I returned to Amazon, got a replacement and it plays perfectly. I have a two year old Sony UBP x700m and have been very pleased with it, though as you allude to, Dolby Vision is not auto for my unit, has to be turned on for a DV disc, turned off for non DV. And you're so right, the interruption of playback just takes you right out of the moment, so jarring and disappointing.
Is there such a thing as a cleaning disk for player..I had one years ago for dvd player..
Given that 4k players have to work extremely hard over the course of the film reading 66/100gb discs, i dont see them lasting overly long. Ive had mine 14months with zero issues but i honestly dont believe ill get anymore than 5 years out of it.
FACTS
Had my UB9000 for 4 years and 2 months before I started seeing issues, now it only loads certain discs and some not at all
@@adamsultana8380 I'm scared to buy one. I might just buy 4 cheap Walmart brands
Thank you for this video! I have a UB 9000 for the past few years, and I’ve been having this issue for around a year now.
Hope it helps I was struggling with it foe a few months until I got the replacement player.
That's bad. I have the 820 and it has stopped reading the discs completely. Today I even used the brush disc to clean the lens. No improvement. I was considering maybe taking the leap to the UB 9000, and now it seems that model has problems too? After spending $1,000? At this point, I may just get a Sony instead, my old Sony basic DVD player has never failed to read the disc.
@@FenderStrat19711Sony players are even worse - especially the X700. I have just upgraded to an 820 from a Sony for this reason, but the Sony struggled with 100 gig discs from day one. It's a well known issue that Sony players are the must susceptible.
@@FenderStrat19711I have both the UB820 and the Sony X800M2. The Panasonic is more reliable.
MyUB420P is doing the same thing and i've only had it for around 6 months haha so i guess i gotta take it back already. Good thing i got the 4 year protection plan.
Right on the money! Had problems with my X1100ES early on with certain discs. Should have warrantied it, now I'm past😢. Just sprung for an 820 and it played the first problem disc perfectly.
Happens with Dunkirk and Princess Bride. Those are the only 2 issues I’ve had with the player. Everything else plays perfect so I don’t think it’s the player. It is only a year old. Others had issues with Princess Bride too.
I have this player and have not had any issues so far.Good to know if I do. I had issues of the same problem with my Sony that is had to buy the player I have now
Thank you for doing this. I also have a ub820 that’s over 3 years old and I’ve been having a lot of issues with triple layer discs. The movie will freeze at the exact same time and can be replicated over and over again. I’m wondering if they updated the optics on newer production runs of this player. I’m also curious about trying a lens cleaner disc to see if it’s simply dust/debris build up on the lens itself from years of use. If that doesn’t change anything I will open it up to get to the lens.
I can play the same movies in my Xbox Series X with no issue so that rules out it being a disc issue.
Don't use a lens cleaner disc it could damage it you can open the disc drawer and blow air in that can dislodge dust on the lens.
@@letstalkcriterionI tried cleaning my discs and also took apart the player to clean the laser lens. Same issue persists. Mine on the back says manufactured in Feb 2019. Do you mind letting me know what the manufacturer dates on both your old and new players?
I’d be curious if the disc drive is the same in older models vs newer ones.
I can't unfortunately as I got rid of my old player.
Are replacement internal drives available? I have a 9000 and hate the thought of throwing the entire baby out with the bath water
@@kenmersereau8404 I was thinking about upgrading to the ub9000 but it sounds like you’re having the same issue. My 820 will now freeze up on any triple layer disc.
If the ub420 goes on sale again I may pick one of those up and see if I can swap the disc drive to the 820.
3 years 820 - no problems- try the newest- best rated HDMI cord- I run mine thru the HDMI
4 plug in whitch is used to connect a game player like the XBox or Play Station- Problem
Could be in the disc itself- or a software upgrade if available- Dont cheap- out on the HDMI connection!
Does the 420 play 100gb discs as good as the 820 & 9,000???
Trying to stay in a budget but also try my best to avoid the freezing, skipping & artifacting.
Had my 820 just over 3 years now, and had a couple of issues.
First with Saving Private Ryan, brand new disc, 35 mins in, pixelated just like yours, i thought dodgy disc, even though i cleaned it within an inch of its life, sent it back and got a new one which played fine. That was a year ago.
Had a few discs refuse to play unless i give them a spa day, a massage and a facial!
And yesterday Jaws, which i have watched twice perfectly, pixelated after 40 mins.
I do feel it is going to get worse!
I’ve got the UB 9000 and it’s just starting to have issues by not recognising 4k discs so it says High Dynamic Range conversion instead of High Dynamic Range.
I've got the DP-UB820. I noticed some artifacts, but never paid attention to them, just thought it was an occasional 4K thing..... but now my player will not read any discs. I get an error message, nothing plays. I even used a brush cleaner disc today, and that made no difference. I have considered that perhaps the UB9000 might be a more solid, better performing player, but now I see comments here that the UB9000 has issues too. I think it's a Panasonic problem, and I think it's time to consider a different brand, such as Sony, for a replacement.
My player is ONLY two years old, and it's worthless now. I'm not pleased at al, my other DVD players have lasted forever. In fact, my old Panasonic BluRay is still working, I don't know why the Panasonic 4K had to quit on me.
Thanks so much for this very helpful video, you have clearly shown that these issues are related to the player, and not the discs.
From across the pond,
Chris
Happy to highlight the issue the ub9000 is their flagship player and should last longer than 2 years.
I wouldn't bother with a Sony. I have just changed to a Panasonic 820 from a Sony 700 because it was so terrible with 100 gig discs. Sony players are well known to be the worst from day one.
Had mine 🤞 6 months no problems touch wood 🤞 great player
I got three years from my first player it's just the way it goes.
I’ve not had the artifacting issues, but I received a copy of Equaliser 3 and it flashes on screen and does not play. Have ordered a lens cleaner as suspect this to be the issue (got a replacement disc and it did the exact same thing)
To update this - I used the lens cleaner 2-3 times and it now works absolutely perfectly.
I was watching Battlestar Galactica 4k the other day and it went to pieces in the middle, I cleaned it and put i back in and it was worse...so I put the including Blu Ray in which played fine, I ejected that and put the 4k back in for one last try and it played flawlessly to the end - not sure if it was cause I put the Bluey in but it did something...
Have to say I’ve never experienced any problems with my UB820, I must be lucky
How many years do you have the player?
Wow, nice to see Big Pauly here!
No one cares
It's a matter of time and use.
Thanks for enlighten us about this play. I have problems with my Panasonic UB820. I think Panasonic selling this particular model because there is no way to know the bad one.
I have the same issues. It actually got worst with the latest August 2023 firmware. Couldnt handle it so I bought a Reavon 4k Player. All the discs in this machine work fine
A Reavon huh. You're clearly a wealthy chap.👍🏻
So far the new UB820 is working fine, a Reavon is a bit too pricey just at the moment.
@letstalkcriterion I just looked at is as a birthday gift to myself. I'm glad your ub820 works well, but i became so frustrated that 1/4 of my 4k purchases would not play well in the panasonic. I wanted to ensure that this would not happen. My collection is growing, and the worst thing is sitting down, putting in a disk, then having to get up and fiddle with the player just to enjoy a nice film. The Reavon is certainly not for everyone, but it works great, and the region free options is amazing. I can now buy blu rays from outside of the US. I use UB 820 now for blu rays on another tv in my home aince it plays all blu rays fine.
the 820 can also be bought region free. I bought a blu ray multi region panasonic 820 on Friday.
@@benpascall4297 from which website?
Panasonic 820b and 9000 players can be very sensitve to smudges or small imperfections on discs. They are not as robust as Oppo's 203 and 205 players. I have a UB9000 and always check the disc surface before loadiing it. I always have a microfiber lens cleaning cloth handy to wipe a disc down if necessary. The Panasonics, in the past, had issues with some Lionsgate 100gb disc releases. Midway and Knives Out would freeze at specific points when Dolby Vision was being used. My Oppo-203 did not experience the same problems. I haven't seen this specific issue on my UB9000 in yquite a while though.
thanks for taking the time out to watch the video - now a couple of months in haven't cleaned or wiped a single disc and have had no disc problems since I replaced my UB820.
@@letstalkcriterion You're welcome. Despite it's archaic interface and limited video file playing abilities, my UB9000 gets first call when it comes to playing home disc releases. It edges out my Opp-203 just a bit in regard to picture quality. So will the UB820b. It has the same video processors as the UB9000.
Its absoloutly the player, mine is being sent in for reapir with Richer Sounds this week, due to simular, intermitent, issues. I have a feeling that they will not see the faulty though as it dosnt happen all the time.!
Have you updated the firmware, Panasonic have recently issued a new Version 1.76 in August.
This may solve the issue with problem discs.
These sort of issues are not uncommon, i am lucky to have a several players to try discs on
if most of the players show the same problem i return the disc.
Sometimes the disc will play on one player but not on another, the age and how well the laser
is adjusted can make a big difference.
Yes i upgraded the firmware but I now have a new UB820.
Good to hear that you have a new player, some samples are going to have issues.
I hope your new one is trouble free.@@letstalkcriterion
My is working with no issues, and it is very important to have a higher quality of the HDMI cord connection (I use ultra high speed HDMI 2.1 cable). I have 4k movies with free region and USA 4k disc all of them play with no problem.
Good thing I got mine from Amazon cause I’m taking back. Mine is brand new and is doing this
Same problem only with 4k discs which had been played previously.
Never had an issue with my UB84p.....though like all panasonic players from the early days of dvd, they are incredibly sensitive to scratches or fingerprints
Anyone know how to take the lid off one of these things? Thought I'd try cleaning the lens (cannot read disc) but after unscrewing the case something is still holding it at the front, Didn't want to break the buttons on top, I've searched everywhere and can't even find one person opening an 820.
For UB820 - Remove the 2 large side screws and 5 small black screws on rear ( 2 left, 1 middle, 2 right). The top plastic cover sort of pops off. It’s only locked in via plastic. No cables will rip if you remove. Please note the small plastic dual button piece that sits on top of the eject and power buttons. Set that to the side and don’t forget to add back when you re-attach panels at end.
The thin metal cover slides back a little then can be pulled off. To get access to lens you just need to remove 3 small silver screws on top ( 1 rear, 2 front) of the disc holder compartment (black box with yellow warning label on top). No need to remove the entire disc holder “box”. Look for side plastic tabs on top rear sides that you pop out which allows cover to tilt top cover upwards then slide top cover back towards you and completely remove. Remember you need to detach from the side front corners if it’s still not sliding off. The lens should now be exposed.
Sorry this is probably not fun following without pics :(
Just trying to help as I had to figure this out just now with no guide so I could clean the lens with isopropyl 91 alcohol and qtip + compressed air. It fixed my glitch and skip issues on some movies so far but some are still borked which ps5 also shows similar issues (night of living dead). Fyi my unit is roughly 3 years old and just recently showed these issues regardless of discs.
Hope this helps!
@@beebeedeluxe I figured out how to do all that eventually I didn't realise the lid was in 2 parts,
Same thing cleaned with alcohol but it's still having trouble reading some discs but has helped reading others, It's just under 2 years old I don't have anything else to try the discs on, pc gamer.
@@JungleJeffarnold I had even more success cleaning the lens a 2nd time with more isopropyl alcohol. Hoping it’s not a fluke.
Ps We need physical movies released on SD cards so we can retire discs and finicky friggin lasers :D
I just bought a Panny UB420😊
Good move.
Not noticed any issues with my player Has played everything flawlessly since the 1.76 firmware update
Just to add to my other comments, my 9000 makes some 4K discs do EXACTLY what is seen in this video - the picture breaks up into those pixelated images/distortions.
What is the fix for this? Does the player need repair or replacement? I've also had mine for three or so years....
My 9000 has issues loading discs now, keeps saying Can't Read Disc. Namely with 4K Blu-rays and Blu-rays
@@adamsultana8380 Jesus Christ.... sorry you're having these issues. I'm ready to send my unit in for a service, but who knows what I'll get back.
@user-kv3ue5fp4c I considered sending it in for service but the cost would probably be too much. These systems don't last too many years anyhow. I'm just going to buy the 820 model now
@@adamsultana8380 Well, the service is going to be less than what a new player would cost, probably a couple of hundred bucks if I had to guess with shipping, but my issue is that I had a bad experience with sending in my last UHD player, a Cambridge Audio CXUHD - I sent that $800 unit in (it was basically a clone of the Oppo UDP-203) after it developed a weird ticking noise when playing DVDs three times under warranty and they couldn't fix it. I suspect the same thing is going to happen with Panasonic once they receive my 9000.
And while you are probably right that these things aren't designed to last long anymore, I'm having a hard time swallowing the fact that the FLAGSHIP player from this brand only lasted me three years.
I had this happen on Guardians of the Galaxy 3. That's the only disc I had issues with.
Probably just a disc cleaning issue there then. A lot of dscs pick up grease smears from the 'off gas' inside the cases.
I had problem with just one film, 1917, but after the firmware update this year, no probems whatsoever and I was able to watch the whole film again.
Have you did the latest firmware update?
Yes I did install 1.76 a bit while back
I have the same problem. On creed 3 I returned the move and it did it again. And the. It did it with mission impossible 6
I think the player is definitely sensitive to certain discs now.
Yep im getting this really badly now on this player i purchased yesterday from cex..
On all my dolby vision disks..
It eventually just completely freezes and crashes back to player menu..
Resetting and using different cables and ports doesn't resolve it..
Only maybe works properly again for few hours..
Shame really as it seems like a great player but unfortunately it will have to go back..
Ive now got a Reavon 4k player more expensive but no issues with any discs.
Only had one problem with mine. The Arrow Croupier disc every few seconds the picture would pulse bright, I thought it was how it was supposed to be for a few minutes (I’d not seen the film before) then tried it using the Xbox and the picture was fine.. I googled the problem but couldn’t find anyone with the same problem 🤷🏻♂️ my players about 3 years old too 😅
I've had the Sony ubp800 4k player for nearly 7 years and counting now! Plays all discs without a single glitch. Maybe I've just been lucky. Perhaps all makes of players can be prone to problems and its not just any particular type of machine that has faults.
I’ve only had this happen on two discs ever on Harry Potter 1 4K and elf blu ray
Anxiety Issues & good luck 🤞🏼
Bought this player last week its a very good player. I came from a Sony x800 because it didnt play dolby vision. The build quality isnt as good as the sony but its an overall better player.
Did you have the 800 mark 2?
@@M0J0jojo No first one without Dolby vision
I thought I fixed my 3 year old UB820’s glitching and skipping issues after taking the unit apart and cleaning the laser lens with isopropyl 91 alcohol + Qtip + air duster and microfiber cloth. It fixed several movies but Dawn of the Planet of the Apes 4K around 58min mark was skipping/glitching badly no matter what and played perfectly in ps5.
Cleaned lens 2nd time but loaded Qtip with much more isopropyl alcohol than 1st time, now movie plays flawlessly. Seems too good to be true
Good move its as good as new thanks to you putting in the time to put things right.
Thanks for the tip, just completed this with my glitching/pixelating UB820 and seems fixed, plays perfectly through previously noted problem areas. :)
@@Hallywrx NP! I had a few scares where 2 movies skipped since I posted that update. I verified they have the same issue on my ps5. So basically this lens cleaning plan still holding up thankfully
@@beebeedeluxe Great to hear that there’s a solution to give the UB820’s a new lease on life. Mines 3yrs old and thought it was finished. Think the laser just accumulated humidity grime or dust. Super easy too, just a few screws.
I bought an OPPO 203 the day they came out. Years of flawless service with an amazing picture for 550 bucks. I dread the day it stops working😢
Wish oppo had not gone out of business..it was best player ever.
My 2018 model crapped out on 4ks in early 2023
that's about it - I've moved on again since I made this video now got a a Reavon 4K player not a single disc issue so far even discs that had problems are playing ok now.
This should serve people well in making s legitimate case for ripping media to file so they can actually play ot without having to purchase a new player every 5 years. VHS and Betamax players are still going strong😳
This is the real danger to physical home video, not disc rot.
My player does this as well even with new discs. Frustrating for a $500 player.
so...when my 820 player dies...which is one the one to get? Now that Oppo is long gone...a player to rule them all...!
well the Oppo was really a high end player there is a the Reavon but its is quite expensive, tbh I'd just get another UB820 I have a spare player in case mine breaks down, at least I can continue watching discs while its being repaired.
I have the 9000 no issues.
that's a very robust player.
There supose to be another laser in the 9000 player. I thinking about uppgrade to the 9000. I already have the remote for my 820 player ;)
I had a Panasonic UB9000 & had problems on lots of 4K discs. I have now got a Sony UBPX800 which plays the same discs without any problems. The Panasonic was nearly 3 times the price of the SONY.
So basically replacing the player each time you run into these problems isn't really very productive advise. Within time it will happen with your most current player, what then?..
I only had one player before to that question i have no idea.
@@letstalkcriterion only because I now have two anasoic ub820's and after around 7 months my current one is starting to pixekate randomly on a few 4ks, just like the first player, I think it might be a laser issue, so Iam now seeing if I can get it fixed or replaced.
@ethanberry9846 it is worrying are Panasonic not using decent lasers most 4ks are 100gb and I think the player may be more sensitive to these discs.
@@letstalkcriterion in general it's an issue across a lot of other players, especially the Sony x700 and x800, even my oppo 203 high end player would do it, albeit only on occasion, if the oppo was dolby vision compatible I would of kept that player as it was pretty amazing in terms of quality and build. The Panasonic is still a great player, much better performance than the Sony budget players but Iam really starting to think that over a short period of time it's almost becoming an issue that we are most likely going to expect, Iam really not sure the rhyme or reasons, some you tubers tell you it's all you do with how you set the players settings, many saying to turn off the 4k upscaling but it makes no difference. Currently Iam looking into a repair or a replacement but Iam not very hopeful for this to be a perminent fix as I am sure this will start to happen again at some stage.
This is a disc problem. You need another disc.
as you can see I used the same disc in a new UB820 and there were no playback problems whatsoever the disc quality is lesser now and the player reacts to this as its gets older my original player was developing issues over the past six months, I have to say I haven't had a problem with a disc since I replaced it.