Panasonic DP-UB450 4K Blu-ray player review

The Panasonic DP-UB450 4K Blu-ray player delivers cinema-quality entertainment to your 4K TV. Able to play a range of disc formats and High-Resolution Audio. The rear features twin HDMI ports for superior connectivity.

 

Sporting a compact design, the DP-UB450 fits seamlessly and discreetly with your home AV equipment. It plays Ultra HD Blu-rays, 3D Blu-rays, Full HD Blu-rays, and DVDs. You can also listen to your audio CDs using the unit.

 

With four times the resolution of a standard Blu-ray disc, each image has incredible depth, natural motion, and realism. Panasonic’s HCX (Hollywood Cinema Experience) processor delivers Hollywood studio-level picture quality.

 

The unit also supports all High Dynamic Range (HDR) formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+.

 

Supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks, enjoy an immersive sound equal to the impressive 4k image quality. Enjoy High-Resolution Audio playback that gives a more authentic, immersive listening experience of master studio sound quality.

 

Compatible with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa Voice Assistants. Plus, as Google Home integrates with services such as Google Photos and Google Maps, your Panasonic Blu-ray player is an entertainment powerhouse.

 

Offering dual HDMI sockets, it’s highly flexible while ensuring the very best in picture and sound quality. The first HDMI handles both video and audio, while the second HDMI is dedicated to audio.

 

With 4K networking, enjoy your home movies on the big screen and with 4K detail. Realise the true potential of your HDR TV, with the Panasonic DP-UB450 Blu-ray player. 8/10

 

 

 

 

 

Design

As a budget-friendly Blu-ray player, the Panasonic DP-UB450 offers multiple connectivity options. That said, it isn’t available in an exciting colour; nor is it built to last 10 years. Panasonic has instead focused on building a technologically advanced unit. Let’s explore it in more detail.

 

Measuring 32cm wide, its compact design and small footprint make it ideal for tight spaces such as in the bedroom, kitchen, or for travelling. Weighing in at 1.2 kg, it’s also lightweight.

 

The disc tray on the left is the first element that stands out. Next to this is a USB port, a remote control signal sensor and a power LED. On top of the unit are two buttons. The first opens/closes the disc tray and the other is a standby/power switch. So, keep the remote handy!

 

On the rear, there’s a good amount of connectivity over the Panasonic DP-UB150, another budget-friendly 4K Blu-ray player. It offers a power input, LAN port and 2 HDMI outputs (1x video and audio, 1 x audio only) and a separate digital audio output.

 

Finally, the compact remote. Featuring plenty of buttons, it includes power, menu options, and playback controls. It also has buttons for scene selection, colour balances and the settings menu. The remote is essential as there are no operational controls on the unit.

 

 

 

 

Features

The design and construction of the Panasonic DP-UB450 may feel slightly budget, but it does pack a punch with lots of exciting features. For the best results, you should be using a 4K TV.

 

As a 4K Blu-ray player, it displays images up to four times the resolution of a standard Blu-ray disc. Using Panasonic’s HCX (Hollywood Cinema Experience) processor, it displays a Hollywood studio picture quality.

 

It handles a range of formats, including 4K Blu-rays, 3D Blu-rays, regular Full HD Blu-rays, and DVDs. It also plays audio CDs, allowing you to your collection. Plus, you can enjoy even more media by using the USB port on the front of the unit.

 

Supporting HDR formats, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, the Panasonic DP-UB450 tweaks every image for optimum visuals. You’ll always experience a premium picture with incredible details.

 

The audio side is equally impressive as the DP-UB450 can handle High-Resolution Audio playback, which faithfully recreates the immersive listening experience of master studio sound quality.

 

Connect to your audio system, and enjoy Hi-Res music via streaming or USB. Compatible with a wide range of formats, including AIFF, WAV, and FLAC, the Panasonic DP-UB450 is more than a Blu-ray player.

 

Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X ready, simply connect to any AV receiver to enjoy an immersive sound.

 

Like using voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa? Both are compatible with the DP-UB450. You can ask the unit to find content without navigating through complex menus. Access services such as Google Photos and Google Maps using Google Home.

 

Enjoy home-made movies and photos on the big screen, thanks to the built-in 4K networking. Rewatch in stunning 4K detail and relive those family moments.

 

 

Set-up

With a range of connectivity, the Panasonic DP-UB450 Blu-ray player is flexible when it comes to setting it up. It’s worth noting that only a power cable comes in the box. You’ll want to order an HDMI cable or two, and maybe a digital coaxial cable when you buy the unit.

 

Setting up the DP-UB450 with a TV is easy as you can simply connect them with an HDMI cable. There are two options when it comes to using the unit with an AV receiver. You could connect them with an HDMI cable or use two HDMI cables to feed your display and AV receiver.

 

If you plan to use the digital coaxial output to feed a speaker set up, you’ll need an additional cable. But again, this isn’t brain surgery!

 

Thankfully, Panasonic has included batteries for the remote. Within a few minutes, you can get the Blu-ray player working. As there are no control buttons on the unit, you’ll need the remote to complete the set up wizard and then operate your DP-UB450.

 

Once you’re up and running, it’s worth first trying Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs. When you’re happy, try playing content from the USB and finally, connect to the internet using an Ethernet cable and enjoy access to even more content.

 

There are many features to experiment with over and above playing Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs. All of which make this Panasonic Blu-ray player exciting.

 

 

 

 

Performance

Even on a non-4K TV, the Panasonic DP-UB450 still provides an improved image quality with a wide colour palette from bright whites to deep blues. Of course, with a 4K, it comes into its own thanks in part to the Panasonic HCX chip.

 

Some users have experienced some glitches at the start, which magically disappear after the first use. That said, it handles a range of formats with ease from Blu-rays to Hi-Res audio and more. The USB port further extends the options.

 

HDR mode provides yet another improvement, whether you opt for Dolby Vision or the basic HDR10+. So, it’s worth experimenting with these settings if your display handles HDR.

 

If you’re buying the Panasonic DP-UB450 for your media room, you’ll want to try using it with an AV receiver and enjoy Dolby Atmos or DTS: X. Both offer a richer audio experience that’s fully immersive. Well worth the investment in a surround sound system.

 

 

Is the Panasonic DP-UB450 Blu-ray player worth buying?

Having reviewed other budget-friendly 4K Blu-ray players, the Panasonic DP-UB450 Blu-ray player is a solid unit. However, the similarly priced Sony BDP-S6700 offers a better range of functions.

 

Our biggest issue with the DP-UB450 is it feels quite generic. Also, it doesn’t live up to the Panasonic quality we know and love. It appears that Panasonic used the majority of its budget to develop a technologically advanced unit, not one that will last years.

 

Putting that to one side, it offers a few superb features such as playing 4K and 3D Blu-rays. It can handle multiple HDR formats and is Dolby Atmos and DTS: X ready. Even on a non-4K TV, it enhances the image resolution thanks to its HCX processor and software.

 

If you’re looking for your first Blu-ray player or second unit for around the home, the Panasonic DP-UB450 is worth considering. 8/10