PANASONIC / 4K BLU-RAY PLAYER

Panasonic DP-UB820 / DP-UB9000 + Vertex

This guide sets the Panasonic player up for Dolby Vision through the Vertex, on a Dolby Vision TV or as LLDV on an HDR10 display, and shows where the menu names differ by region.

Panasonic DP-UB820 (2018; sold as DP-UB824 in some regions) and DP-UB9000 (2018). Menu names differ by region: US/Canada manuals say Video Settings, HDR TV Type, HDR Optimizer, Color, Resolution; the UK/EU UB9000 manual says Picture Settings, HDR Display Type, HDR Optimiser, Colour, Video Format. Both names are given below.

DOLBY VISION WITH THIS SETUP

Dolby Vision is a simple On/Off setting; it works on a Dolby Vision TV through the Vertex, and as LLDV for Dolby Vision discs only (HDR10 is never converted to Dolby Vision).

Native Dolby Vision: YESDolby Vision Setting = On. Panasonic: a Dolby Vision-capable connected device and a Dolby Vision disc are required.
LLDV via the Vertex: PARTLYHDfury lists the UB820 and UB9000 as LLDV sources for Dolby Vision content only. There is no LLDV or player-led option in the Panasonic manuals; the output follows the Vertex EDID.
HDR10: YESHDR/Color Gamut Output = HDR/BT.2020 (Auto) sends HDR10 when disc and display support it. HDR Optimizer works on HDR10 (PQ) material only.

Before you start

Connect the HDMI VIDEO OUT terminal to the Vertex. The HDMI AUDIO terminal is set to 'Audio Only' by default.
Menu names differ by region (Video Settings / Picture Settings, HDR TV Type / HDR Display Type, Resolution / Video Format). Look for either name.
HDR10 discs are never converted to Dolby Vision or LLDV on these players. Test Dolby Vision with a Dolby Vision disc.

1. Basic picture settings

Most items are in HOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI; the HDR and colour items are under HDMI → Advanced Settings.

ResolutionHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → Resolution (UK/EU: Video Format)Auto / AutomaticThe player picks the best format the EDID allows.
4K 60p outputHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → 4K60p Output (UK/EU: 4K(50p/60p) Output)4K/60p(4:2:0)4:4:4 needs a full 18 Gbps path; 4:2:0 keeps 4K60 well inside the Vertex limits.
24p outputHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → 24p OutputAutoFilms play at 24 Hz when the display accepts it.
HDR outputHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → Advanced Settings → HDR/Color Gamut Output (UK/EU: HDR/Colour Gamut Output)HDR/BT.2020 (Auto)Sends HDR when the content and the EDID support it.
HDR display typeHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → Advanced Settings → HDR TV Type (UK/EU: HDR Display Type)The type that matches your display (projector or TV type)Panasonic tunes HDR Optimizer to this setting. It has no effect on Dolby Vision.

2. Dolby Vision on a Dolby Vision TV

Dolby Vision onHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → Dolby Vision SettingOnNeeds a Dolby Vision-capable EDID and a Dolby Vision disc.
HDR10+ offHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → HDR10+ SettingOffPanasonic: if disc and display support both and both settings are On, HDR10+ takes precedence.

3. Dolby Vision (LLDV) on an HDR10 projector or TV

LLDV works for Dolby Vision discs only.

Dolby Vision onHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → Dolby Vision SettingOnThe same switch as for a DV TV. Whether the player sends LLDV depends on the Vertex EDID, not on a Panasonic menu.
HDR10+ offHOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → HDR10+ SettingOffOtherwise dual-format discs play as HDR10+ instead of Dolby Vision.
HDR Optimizer is paused[OPTION] during playback → Video Settings (UK/EU: Picture Settings) → Optimum HDR Adjustment → HDR Optimizer (UK/EU: HDR Optimiser)No action neededVideo/Picture Settings are disabled while Dolby Vision plays; HDR Optimizer works only on HDR10 (PQ) material.

THE VERTEX PART

Vertex settings for this setup

Dolby Vision TV: connect the TV to the Vertex BOTTOM output and follow part A — EDID "COPY BOT SINK" (or Automix with "DV Force Metadata"), No Scaling, InfoFrame tools off.
HDR10 projector or TV (LLDV): follow part B — upload an LLDV EDID into a free custom slot (CUSTOM 4–10) and select it for the Vertex input this player is connected to. Then make the display switch to HDR (part B2).
Connect the Panasonic HDMI VIDEO OUT to the Vertex input; a Dolby Vision TV goes on the Vertex BOTTOM output.
With the original Vertex, LLDV only works on a display that can be forced into HDR (PQ) mode by hand or uses a custom gamma curve (JVC), because LLDV is not flagged as HDR10 (HDfury).
For LLDV the Vertex must present an LLDV EDID uploaded to a custom slot. The Panasonic sends LLDV only for Dolby Vision discs (HDfury).
4K60p Output 4:2:0 keeps 4K60 signals well within the Vertex's 18 Gbps limit.

VERTEX DOLBY VISION SETUP — ALL STEPS →

Switch these off

HOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → HDR10+ Setting (when you want Dolby Vision)HDR10+ wins over Dolby Vision on discs that carry both.
HOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → Dolby Vision Setting (only when you test HDR10 or want HDR Optimizer on a dual-format disc)While Dolby Vision plays, Video/Picture Settings including HDR Optimizer are disabled.
HOME → Setup → Player Settings → HDMI → 4K60p Output = 4:4:4Needs a full 18 Gbps path; 4:2:0 is safer through the Vertex.

How you know it works

On the Vertex OLED Info page, the INP line shows the incoming signal. For TV-led Dolby Vision, RGB 8-bit is normal (Vertex manual p.113).
With a Dolby Vision disc playing, the [OPTION] → Video Settings (UK/EU: Picture Settings) menu is disabled. That is Panasonic's documented behaviour during Dolby Vision.
HDR10 test: with an HDR10 disc, the Vertex OLED Info page INP line shows the HDR flag and BT2020.

Problems and fixes

A Dolby Vision disc plays as HDR10+ or HDR10.

Set HDR10+ Setting = Off and Dolby Vision Setting = On, check that the Vertex EDID advertises Dolby Vision, then force a new handshake (re-select the input or power-cycle the player).

HDR Optimizer or the picture menu is greyed out.

Normal while Dolby Vision (or HDR10+) is playing.

An HDR10 disc does not play as Dolby Vision/LLDV.

Normal. Panasonic only outputs Dolby Vision/LLDV for Dolby Vision discs (HDfury).

No picture at 4K60.

Set 4K60p Output (UK/EU: 4K(50p/60p) Output) to 4K/60p(4:2:0).

I cannot find a menu item named in this guide.

Your manual uses the other regional name: Video/Picture Settings, HDR TV Type/HDR Display Type, Resolution/Video Format, Color/Colour.

NOT CONFIRMED BY THE MANUFACTURER

Menu items called 'HDR/Colour Output Settings', 'Dynamic Range Conversion Output', 'Dolby Vision (Low Latency)' or 'HDMI(MAIN)/HDMI(SUB)'. They are not in the UB820 (US) or UB9000 (UK/EU) manuals checked.
A minimum firmware version for LLDV output. Panasonic does not document one.

CHECKED AGAINST

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