expiredsupermanrob posted Mar 23, 2025 11:50 AM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expiredsupermanrob posted Mar 23, 2025 11:50 AM
Panasonic UB820 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player w/ HDR10+ & Dolby Vision
+ Free Shipping$362
$498
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BTW, IMO, should be setting your 420 to output 1080p for standard 1080p blu-rays as well.
Much better off paying a little more for the 420, it's ideal for the budget minded person imo.
Yes you lose DV on it compared to this but the Optimizer does so well with static HDR, regularly the difference isn't significant & that's IF the disc has a DV transfer, not all do.
Anyway, for all of my ripped content, I can play them without issue via Infuse software on my Apple TV. Now, I haven't dug too deep into this; I have only a few 4K blu-rays but haven't really checked their HDR format, or whether they even have HDR. Most of my purchases have been regular blu-rays.
Now, in my use case does it make sense to buy this? I'm tempted to have something that will be able to play 4K Dolby Vision; I know my PS5 or Xbox can't handle those. But Infuse software can play various DV profiles. So if I simply rip my next 4K DV purchase, will DV be maintained?
Do I still need this given my use case? Any insight would be appreciated.
This does not make sense in your case especially since you can get other players for less that will give you DV(ie Sony X700).
Heck I've seen the cheap LG UBK90 player at thrift stores for like $20-$25!
FYI almost all 4K disc will have a form of HDR(static/dynamic).
I was hoping Panasonic would do the same with the new HCX chipset but no rumors sadly!
You are better off getting their 420 model, basically the same minus DV.
Transfers vary widely for static & dynamic HDR so the differences will also.
With the Optimizer the differences are regularly not that significant imo.
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The 820 has some better upscaling tech and an "HDR optimizer". However, both of these features are mostly useless since many decent quality TVs made in the last few years come with better upscalers built in and don't need the "HDR optimizer". The 820 was built for the TVs of the mid-2010s and not the TVs of today.
The video tech in the 820 is 8 years old now. The reason the 820 is the suggested default for 4K players is that the 450 was not available in the USA until last year, so if you wanted Panasonic and Dolby Vision it was the only choice.
However, as of right now, the UB450 is mostly out of stock everywhere. If you're lucky you can find a Walmart B&M with one still on the shelf. If you're looking to upgrade to a Dolby Vision capable device over something like a PS5, I would wait until the UB450 comes back in stock. I picked mine up off the shelf a few months ago from walmart for ~$180.
The reason Panasonic players are highly regarded is the Optimizer & HCX chipset.
It's what separates them from everyone else imo.
You lose both of these on the 450.
I would give up DV before giving up either of those two.
BLU-RAYS STILL EXIST? LOL!
STREAMING!
PIRATE RIPS AND PLEX!
GAME CONSOLES!
There's a reason this exists separate to those options, if you don't know why and/or you're fine with those other options, this isn't for you.
For people who do know and want the difference, you're not saving them money by weighing in, you're just shitposting.
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