Side by side
Panasonic UB820 vs Roku Ultra
Panasonic UB820
56 positive (80%) · 5 mixed (7%) · 9 negative (13%)
Trust + time weighted: +69%
AI summary — not a quote
The Panasonic UB820 is widely considered the benchmark 4K Blu-ray player for home theater enthusiasts, praised for its automatic HDR switching and superior tone mapping capabilities. While it is frequently cited as the 'least bad' option in a market of flawed players, it is highly valued for its ability to play discs that skip on other hardware and its excellent upscaling of standard Blu-rays.
Pros
- Automatic switching between HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision
- HDR Optimizer and tone mapping features are highly beneficial for projector users
- Excellent upscaling performance for standard Blu-ray discs
- Includes 7.1 analogue outputs for older audio setups
Cons
- Significant physical footprint, with some users comparing its size to a launch-model PS5
- High price point compared to budget or entry-level 4K players
- Occasional reports of 'temperamental' behavior with specific discs despite its premium status
Top excerpts
Felt like I was not getting full value out of the TV without a quality source so I ended up buying a UB820 and have never looked back.
I wanted to watch 4k BluRay so I bought a Panasonic 820. Visually I'm all set.
A Denon 3800 is supported by a Panasonic UB820, PS5, Fluance RT82 and Apple TV for streaming.
For 4k playback, I am big fan of the Panasonic 820, but for more budget minded system look to the Panasonic 450.
I have a Panasonic 820 and it is quite impressive how well it plays back standard BluRays.
Roku Ultra
9 positive (75%) · 2 mixed (17%) · 1 negative (8%)
Trust + time weighted: +69%
Top excerpts
I plugged my Roku ultra in and not a single issue. No lag, perfect ESPN experience and not a single wifi drop.
You are better off using a Roku Ultra and just plugging in to that with HDMI to the projector. ... The Roku will give you the best image.
The upscaler on a newer Roku Ultra is better than some cheap TVs.
Roku Ultra steamer
First smart tv for me thats faster than my Roku Ultra.