The Panasonic DMP-UB900 is the 1st THX-certified Ultra HD Blu-ray player.While this does not automatically signify an benefit over non-certified players,it does guarantee a typically
high baseline functionality level.
The DMP-UB900 also features the company’s High Precision Chroma Processor, which interpolates native 4:2:0 content on both Ultra HD and regular Blu-ray to a 4:4:4 format.In addition, Panasonic’s player offers
linear remapping of HDR content on discs for display on regular dynamic
range TVs. For those interested in 3D, the DMP-UB900 can also play Blu-ray 3D discs.
Netflix 4K streaming is supported on the DMP-UB900, andNetflix HDR is now said to be supported as of the
unit’s version 1.5 firmware upgrade.Other applications include YouTube,
Amazon InstantVideo, and Vimeo. Panasonic’s promotional materials for the DMPUB900 say it can stream native 4K
content from YouTube, but the 4K clips we checked out all indicated they were simply being delivered in typical HD
format. It turns our that the DMPUB900’s YouTube app doesn’t really support this. Even so, the DMP-UB900
does a good enough job of upconverting streamed content to 4K that
most people won’t be able to tell the
difference.Confusingly,the Panasonic omits Vudu and UltraFlix,the other two streaming applications at this time
offering 4K.
In aspect due to its audiophile intentions,the Panasonic DMP-UB900 also seriously outdoes its competitors when it
comes to connectivity.In addition to a pair of HDMI ports (one HDMI 2.0a) on the back panel (configurable for
video-plus-audio,video-only, or audioonly output),it also provides 7.1-channel analog, stereo analog,
and coaxial and optical digital outputs. There’s also a LAN connection back there.Around front,the previously mentioned USB port and SD memory card slot are hidden beneath a flip-down panel next to
the disc drawer.We always liked the SD card slot Panasonic provides on its players,a unique feature that lets you easily
and quickly view photos and video clips on your TV that were shot with a digital camera.
The Panasonic DMP-UB900’s HDMI menu provides settings to select output resolutions up to 4K/60p along with
4:4:4 (12-bit) or 4:2:0 (8-bit) color depending on the functionality of your display.There is also an Advanced
Settings submenu with options to select Deep Color and HDR output.A Video Settings menu provides
additional adjustments,for example advanced settings to tweak sharpness and noise reduction, along
with basic ones for luminance,gamma, and color. The player as well provides two picture memories to
store and recall your adjustments.
With the introduction of Panasonic’s DMP-UB900, we lastly have a player adequately suited up to provide
the high quality potential of not just Ultra HD Blu-ray, but regular Blu-ray,a format many enthusiasts have an
investment in and will continue to watch for years to come. In addition,
the DMP-UB900 sounds excellent when playing both hi-res audio files and CDs. Add to that list a full-featured
remote control and flexible connectivity solutions,and it becomes clear which Ultra HD Blu-ray player
is leading the pack-at least until models that also support Dolby
Vision begin to arrive.
Dimensions (WxHxD, Inches): 17.2 x 2.7 x 7.9
Weight (Pounds): 5.3 – Video Outputs: HDMI (2, 1 ver. 2.0a) • Audio
Outputs: 7.1-channel analog RCA, Stereo RCA, coaxial and optical digital –
Other: LAN , USB, SD Card slot
PANASONIC DMP-UB900 ULTRA HD BLU-RAY
PLAYER
PRICE: $600
Panasonic – panasonic.com
High-quality up-conversion
of Blu-rays and DVDs
Powerful detail improvement and noise reduction
Full-featured remote control