Panasonic DP-UB820 4K UltraHD Blu-Ray Player $538 ($231 off) + Delivery ($0 C&C/ In-Store) @ JB Hi-Fi

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Panasonic DP-UB820 4K UltraHD Blu-Ray Player $538 ($231 off) + Delivery ($0 C&C/ In-Store) @ JB Hi-Fi
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Thommo on 14/06/2024 - 14:41 jbhifi.com.au (546 clicks)
Last edited 14/06/2024 - 16:06 by 1 other user

This well regarded 4K UltraHD Blu-ray player supports automatic Dolby Vision (unlike the Sony X700 where DV has to be turned on manually), HDR Optimiser (unlike the cheaper DP-UB420), options for subtitle positioning and brightness, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos with 7.1 channel analogue output, USB media playback, WiFi for streaming and has two HDMI outputs with one for audio. The DP-UB820 also has an excellent upscaler to make older content like Blu-rays and DVDs look better. The reason you would buy this instead of a PS5 for playing 4K Blu-rays is Dolby Vision and the other features mentioned. The player maintains its value well on the second hand market when they rarely come up. Check for store stock before going to store, as there were none instore at four stores near me. I had the Good Guys price match. The DP-UB450GN is also on sale at JB Hi Fi at $279 ($120 off).

Electrical & Electronics 4k UHD Blu-Ray Player Blu-Ray Player Panasonic

Related Stores

JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi

Comments

  • iLikeBargainz on 14/06/2024 - 14:42
    -7

    lmao how can they still charge more than $10 for this?

      • Noobist45 on 14/06/2024 - 14:56
        +28

        "negligible difference" only applies to those who can't hear it. For me streaming and 4K disc is night and day difference. Also don't understand the constant convenience nonsense. Do we all live in a cupboard under the stairs with no room to store our Bluray collection? Or are we all so out of shape or have so little time we can't put a disc into a player ?

        • SlifSlif on 14/06/2024 - 15:06
          +3

          I upvoted you. It’s a fair statement. But there’s also no reason why you both can’t be correct. Convenience to those who cannot distinguish the difference between streaming 4K and hardware 4K is a fair trade for them, whereas it’s a deal breaker for people like us who enjoy the authentic video and sound experience the way the directors intended.

          In saying that, most of my stuff these days are enjoyed streamed on an iPad Pro, I don’t have the time and luxury (or dedicated space) to enjoy such things, definitely a future goal though.

          • Abaddon on 14/06/2024 - 16:52
            +1

            @SlifSlif: It's also not that convenient searching through multiple streaming services (and paying for multiple services) to find where the content you want is this month. There is also the censorship aspect, availability of extras (behind the scenes, commentary, etc you can't get elsewhere), etc. Depends on how much you care about whatever you are watching.

        • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:12
          -1

          I suppose it’s something people like me won’t understand or perhaps even appreciate. I’ve even gone strictly digital gaming. Yep, I spend MORE for something I can’t even sell once I’m done with it. Convenience can be very costly as well.

        • iLikeBargainz on 14/06/2024 - 16:56
          -3

          ever hear of that pirate thing people talk about?

          • Abaddon on 15/06/2024 - 19:44

            @iLikeBargainz: You're on OzBargain. If you get UHD discs on sale it can be cheaper than storage for a pirate (and should last a good wile longer).

      • Thommo on 14/06/2024 - 15:03
        +5

        Hi. You would buy this over the $319 Sony X700 for the convenience of not having to check the disk you are playing has Dolby Vision and having to turn it on, this reliably plays triple layer disks where there are many reports of the X700 skipping playback. And as mentioned in the post, the excellent upscaling of older content that is more than a negligible benefit.

        • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:21

          Yeah fair point mate. Just so you know, I’m not here to devalue your deal. Thanks for letting us know of the discount, just sharing my personal experience.

        • TheContact on 14/06/2024 - 15:23

          Last time the Panasonic was posted a bunch of people commented about playback issues as well, seems none of them are 100%. I have a X700 and have had no stability issues for instance. Wishing I grabbed the Panasonic when it was around $400 though..

          • Abaddon on 14/06/2024 - 16:55

            @TheContact: If you want 100% without playback issues then export to an mkv before viewing. Downside is you'll need to know you want to watch something an hour or so before you do (or a big hdd to do so in advance).

    • Thommo on 14/06/2024 - 14:45
      +9

      Hi. Because it is a media player? 4K videos look and sound better from disk than streaming. Streaming compresses the video and audio higher (5x +) than when run from disk. Disks have bonus features including commentaries. This player has great features for this price, I would not pay RRP for it.

      • smartazz104 on 14/06/2024 - 14:56
        +4

        Yes but why do Blu Ray players as a whole still cost so much? At some point they should have dipped under $99.

        • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 14:59
          -2

          Or better yet, $9.99.

        • spackbace on 14/06/2024 - 15:15
          +6

          Not enough people buy them, therefore don't have huge quantities being produced

            • spackbace on 14/06/2024 - 16:02
              +2

              @1r4n14n: Yeah, everyone jumped on vcrs, everyone jumped on dvd players, even blu-ray players to some extent (though consoles then took care of those).

              4K discs have clashed too much with streaming, and most people just don't care. Personally, I have a digital library of 4K remuxes, so I get where the 'purists' come from wanting that quality, I just cbf a) paying for physical media, and b) storing, and then swapping the discs over when you want to watch something.

          • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 16:04
            +1

            @spackbace: I didn’t think of this, good point.

        • Thommo on 14/06/2024 - 15:56
          +2

          Hi. I think because manufacturers are not bring out new players and there is advanced technology in the more expensive 4K players like upscaling.

        • Abaddon on 14/06/2024 - 16:55

          Blu-ray players did. UHD players, not so much.

    • NanookOz on 14/06/2024 - 14:52

      I know it's a bit of a joke and realistically the 'sale' price should be it's normal price but why on earth would Pana sell the best UHD disc player on the market that is less than $1000 for $10?

      • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:01

        To make a sale I suppose.

    • sqheaven on 14/06/2024 - 15:06
      +2

      Someone once hired me to fix their home cinema setup, I went there, it was a proper black painted room with in wall speakers, Integra receiver, everything high end, when I asked them to play something they took a DVD out from a sleeve, and on the wall we saw a video of maybe 720p or less, it was only maybe 3x4 inches video with terrible terrible audio, maybe a converted video to 4k a VHS, I was like this guy has no idea what he's doing. This player is for those kind of people lol 🤣

    • Kabal on 15/06/2024 - 10:45

      As someone who has one and loves ultrahd blu-ray… i kinda agree. The computer stuff in this probably costs like $5 at this point.

      I think the answer is because they can, and because it's a super niche product at this point cos normal ppl don't care and just stream.

  • mrjaytee on 14/06/2024 - 14:55
    +7

    Bought one a fortnight ago for a lil more than this. No regrets. Paired with some Sonos gear and an LG OLED it is amazing.

  • avjaMASH on 14/06/2024 - 14:58

    How does it compare to the $280 model DP-UB450GN though?

    • Thommo on 14/06/2024 - 15:11
      +9

      Hi.

      This has the upscaling if you are playing non-4K Blu-rays and DVDs, HDR Optimiser to adjust the peak brightness making some scenes on disks not using HDR10+ or Dolby Vision look better, the DP-UB450GN is narrower (320mm vs 430mm) and does not have a LED display, the DP-UB450GN tray is exposed (not covered by a panel covering the entire front) and has a red LED that lights when in playback (that might be annoying), a DC adapter instead of a power lead, no analogue audio outputs (only coaxial) and is passively cooled (the 820 has a fan). So basically get the UB820 if you are watching Blu-rays and DVDs or want to connect 7.1 surround using analogue connectors.

  • OlBluey15 on 14/06/2024 - 15:05

    I have a Samsung s90c OLED and a PS5 - anyone know how much of a picture upgrade this would be to the ps5 when my tv doesn't do DV and I only play 4k discs?

    • SlifSlif on 14/06/2024 - 15:10
      +3

      A standalone hardware to do one specific function will always outclass a jack of all trades (in this price range, I’m not talking about in general).

      It will be better, but with your current setup? I wouldn’t. If you have full dolby sound, a tv with DV, and all you’re missing is this piece then I would argue it’s a good upgrade to the ps5. Otherwise skip this chief.

      • pinkybrain on 14/06/2024 - 15:47

        almost as much as new ps5, so this is not worth getting

    • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:10

      Waste of money if your TV doesn’t support DV IMO.

      • HaydosK on 15/06/2024 - 02:06

        From other comments it seems to support hdr10+ and the 820 does also. Thats an upgrade from normal hdr10

    • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:19
      +1

      Per my comment below, It will look better (I’m not denying that), but can you justify the expense for the picture and sound quality? Only you can answer that.

    • Abaddon on 14/06/2024 - 17:02

      I'm in the same boat (Samsung, no Dolby Vision). So I stuck with an Xbox One S. When I've exported the video to Plex vs watching the disc directly via Xbox, I really don't see enough difference to justify a standalone player.

    • Saltysez on 14/06/2024 - 17:59

      Nothing. Only worth it for Dolby Vision and even then its a minimal difference so questionably actually worth it.

  • Duece1995 on 14/06/2024 - 15:06
    -1

    Isn't an xbox way better value?

    • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:10

      They can’t play DV via Blu-Ray either, only Gaming.

      • Duece1995 on 14/06/2024 - 15:12

        Sorry what is DV? Is that Dolby Vision? My S90C only supports HDR.

        • 1r4n14n on 14/06/2024 - 15:15
          +1

          Yep, Dolby Vision :)
          S90C supports HDR10+
          As for will it still look better than a compressed HDR10+ file? Sure, but by how much is another question.

    • xtommyk on 14/06/2024 - 15:11

      If you have a projector, yes.

      • radissimo on 14/06/2024 - 15:35

        xbox better for projector vs this?

  • Dreamcazman on 14/06/2024 - 15:38
    +1

    Amazon are currently the same price.

  • Cevolution on 14/06/2024 - 15:47
    +1

    I bought a second UB820 for using in my bedroom from JB for $12 more a few weeks ago, I might have to go back with my receipt and ask them for my $12 back.

  • TrailerTrash on 14/06/2024 - 16:25
    +6

    Great unit and amazing quality on my LG OLED. I recently flashed the firmware using this guide which is also discussed on AV Forums search regionfreedom; and it worked a charm!

    • jamesbelsey on 14/06/2024 - 16:36
      +2

      I did the same. Great player, now made even better by being region free.

    • ode1online on 14/06/2024 - 16:52
      +1

      Matched with a OLED TV would be magic. I am jealous. Thanks for the link.

    • Elyxar on 14/06/2024 - 17:24

      Wow that's involved. I only quickly skimmed the instruction. Why the need for the IP address? I read somewhere you can take it to your local Panasonic repairer and get it made region free for free?

      • Randolph Duke on 14/06/2024 - 18:10
        +1

        Only for DVD, not bluray.

    • Kabal on 15/06/2024 - 10:43

      Flashing it for region free was kinda terrifying lol… took so long with no real indication of progress.

      • Cevolution on 15/06/2024 - 11:05

        I personally wouldn’t bother going through all of that to make the UB820 region free for 1080p Blu-ray playback and voiding the warranty… I already have 4 region free BD players in my home, an Oppo UDP-203, an Oppo BDP-105 and an Oppo BDP-93 all with region free hardware kits installed, plus a Toshiba BDX3200 BD player which was sold as a region free/A/B/C Blu-ray player via software brand new out of the box from Toshiba.

        • Kabal on 15/06/2024 - 11:13

          Yeah if you don't mind having multiple players and you buy imported ultra HD discs - its really just bonus feature discs which aren't UltraHD that have region locking, which you could really just play with the cheapest blu-ray player you can find.

  • ode1online on 14/06/2024 - 16:50

    Great players. Thanks op.

  • hawkers89 on 14/06/2024 - 17:15
    +1

    Worth getting this for my Sony A90J?

  • frodoteabaggins on 14/06/2024 - 18:26
    +3

    Currently running this player on my Sony A95K. It's night and day difference how much of an improvement having a quality player like this for your physical media is compared to others. The upscaling alone on this for DVD's/BluRays is phenomanal and can bring new life to your library of discs. Big recommendation for this product from me.

  • newgas on 15/06/2024 - 06:34
    +10

    FYI - Good Guys Ebay $539 - Ebay plus 12% off FYSAV12 = $474.32
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/115250679510

    • kazmeyers on 15/06/2024 - 10:39

      AMAZING PRICE! Bought one, thanks!

  • ne-us on 16/06/2024 - 15:46

    Was reading up on disc freezing and you can try turn off 4K auto scaler in the player settings.

  • cheeksahoy on 17/06/2024 - 14:37

    There's a built-in hack that will let you play some Region A blu ray discs (hit stop then top menu). Beyond that, there's a more complicated but 100% successful solution to be found here:

    https://www.avforums.com/threads/lets-try-again-to-put-the-f…

    I use one of these units with my slightly older JVC projector for tone-mapping (since projectors cannot achieve true HDR).

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