Blu-ray players have come a long way since the format first launched back in 2006. Early Blu-ray players were clunky, slow, and expensive.
But modern Blu-ray players like the Panasonic DP-UB9000 and DP-UB820 offer lightning fast disc loading, incredible upscaling, high-end audio playback, and a host of streaming options.
In this comparison, we’ll take an in-depth look at Panasonic’s two flagship Blu-ray players to see how they stack up against each other and which one is right for you.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | UB9000 | UB820 |
| Video Processor | Improved HCX | HCX |
| Chroma Processor | Advanced | Standard |
| Upscaling Quality | Excellent | Very Good |
| HDR Format Support | HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | HDR10 |
| Audio Components | High-end audiophile grade | Standard |
| Audio Quality | Superb | Excellent |
| Hi-Res Audio Playback | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Audio Out | Yes | No |
| Alexa Support | Yes | No |
| WiFi & Bluetooth | Yes | WiFi only |
| Processing Power | Faster | Slightly slower |
| Build Quality | Premium aluminum | Plastic |
| Price | $999 | $699 |
Key Differences Between Panasonic UB9000 And UB820 Blu-ray Players
- Picture Quality
Both the UB9000 and UB820 produce outstanding picture quality when playing Blu-ray discs, DVDs, and 4K Blu-rays. They utilize Panasonic’s HCX video processing engine to cleanly upscale lower resolution content to 4K. This results in increased clarity and detail compared to the source material.
The UB9000 has a slight edge here thanks to its higher end components. It utilizes a more advanced version of the HCX processor along with an improved chroma processor.
This allows it to upscale regular Blu-rays to practically indistinguishable from true 4K content. The UB820 is no slouch, but its upscaling isn’t quite as pristine.
When it comes to HDR performance, both players handle HDR10 content beautifully with expanded color gamuts and high dynamic range. But only the UB9000 supports Dolby Vision, which takes HDR quality to even greater heights.
So if you want the absolute best video performance for both physical media and streaming, the UB9000 is the way to go. But the UB820 still provides near top-tier quality at a more affordable price point.
- Audio Quality
Audiophiles will appreciate the excellent audio capabilities of these Panasonic players. They can play all major surround sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immaculately.
The UB9000 has a couple of advantages in the audio department. It utilizes superior audiophile-grade components like an enhanced power supply and improved dedicated audio circuitry. This allows it to reproduce sound with greater accuracy and dynamic range compared to the UB820.
The UB9000 also includes some extra features geared towards audio enthusiasts. This includes support for Analog to Digital Conversion (ADC) which allows you to digitize vinyl records at high resolution.
It also has XLR balanced stereo audio outputs for those with specialty audio setups.
But for most people’s home theater needs, the UB820 has more than enough audio fidelity and format support. Unless you have an ultra high-end speaker system, you’d be hard pressed to notice the difference between the two players in daily use.
- Streaming & Smart Features
A modern Blu-ray player needs to do more than just play discs. The UB9000 and UB820 offer excellent streaming integration with all the major 4K HDR services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube, etc. Available streaming apps are identical between the two models.
Both players have built-in Wi-Fi for easy wireless connectivity.
The UB9000 also adds Bluetooth support which lets you stream music easily from your mobile device.
The UB9000 features a faster and more powerful processor compared to the UB820.
You’ll notice slightly snappier response when navigating menus and loading apps.
But streaming performance is great on both models, so speed shouldn’t be an issue.
One nice bonus of the UB9000 is that it has an integrated Alexa voice assistant. You can use your voice to launch apps, search for content, control smart home devices, and more. Alexa support adds an extra layer of convenience if you utilize Amazon’s voice ecosystem.
- Build Quality & Design
Panasonic Blu-ray players are built like tanks and these flagship models are no exception. The UB9000 and UB820 both have sturdy metal chassis that feel premium.
The UB9000 sports an especially elegant look with its sleek aluminium front panel. A subtle status light glows different colors based on power mode. The UB820 has a less flashy plastic design but still looks fantastic.
Both players have high-end disc drives that promise reliability and quiet operation. You’ll also find solid buttons and input options on each model. But the UB9000 takes the luxury feel up a notch with metal operation buttons and premium RCA audio ports.
In terms of size, the UB9000 has a thicker profile while the UB820 is slimmer. This is largely due to the UB9000’s enhanced power supply and audio circuitry. Unless rack space is limited, the size difference shouldn’t matter much.
- Special Features
The UB9000 includes a few unique features you won’t find on the UB820:
- Alexa Voice Assistant – Use your voice to control the player and compatible smart home devices.
- HDR10+ support – Dynamic HDR format that competes with Dolby Vision. Provides scene-by-scene adjustments for optimal picture.
- ADC vinyl digitization – Convert vinyl records to high resolution digital audio files.
- XLR audio outputs – Balanced XLR ports for connecting to specialty audio gear.
The UB820 still has some nice extras like one-touch Netflix and YouTube buttons on the remote. But the UB9000’s expanded feature set caters more towards home theater enthusiasts.
- Price and Value
As Panasonic’s flagship 4K Blu-ray player, the UB9000 commands a premium price around $999. Meanwhile, the UB820 delivers much of the same performance at $699.
For most users, the UB820 represents a tremendous value. It’s an absolute joy to use with beautiful picture quality, dynamic sound, and smooth smart features. Media playback is virtually indistinguishable from the pricier UB9000 in day to day use.
AV enthusiasts who want every last drop of performance will appreciate the UB9000’s advantages. But for 100 bucks more, the Sony UBP-X800M2 delivers Dolby Vision support in a compact form factor. Other players like the LG UP970 also compete closely with the UB9000 at lower prices.
So while the UB9000 is an incredible player, its sky-high cost makes it hard to justify over the almost as capable UB820. Go with the UB9000 if no-compromise quality is a must. But for everyone else, the UB820 hits the sweet spot of performance and value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The main differences are the UB9000 has a higher-end HCX processor, audiophile grade audio components, Dolby Vision support, and extra features like Alexa voice control. But performance is very similar for most people’s needs.
Absolutely. With its near top-tier picture and sound quality, intuitive smart features, and solid build, the UB820 is an incredible 4K Blu-ray player for the price.
For home theater enthusiasts the UB9000 may be worth it. But at nearly $300 more than the UB820, its advantages don’t justify the cost for many buyers.
The UB900 was Panasonic’s previous flagship player. The UB9000 improves on it with faster processing, superior audio components, and new features like Dolby Vision and Alexa support. But the UB900 is still a solid option if found at a discount.
Conclusion
While both Panasonic players are excellent, most buyers will be better off saving money and going with the UB820. It delivers nearly identical performance to the UB9000 in real world use for $300 less.
Home theater aficionados can justify the UB9000’s high price, but it’s overkill for casual viewers.
Whichever model you choose, you can be confident in getting one of the very best 4K Blu-ray players on the market. Panasonic has crafted winners with the UB9000 and UB820.
Thank you for your informative review regarding the differences between the Panasonic 820 & 9000.
Your report however is inaccurate as you stated the Panasonic 820 does not support Dolby Vision, this is not the case as the 820 is fully compatible with Dolby Vision.