Panasonic aims to entice movie lovers and gamers alike with its 2024 TV lineup. At a grand reveal in Düsseldorf, Germany, the Japanese consumer electronics giant has unveiled three new OLED TVs, along with a highly specified Mini LED model, stacked with features and boasting brilliant picture quality.
The Luxe Review was at the event, getting an early first look, and we were dazzled.
The new OLED trio join the flagship Z95A and Z93A announced earlier this year at CES in Las Vegas, and they could be the best OLED range yet from the brand.
The Japanese giant unveiled three new OLED TVs, along with a highly specified Mini LED model, stacked with features...
Topping the new group is the Z90A 4K OLED TV. Available in 42-, 48-, 55-and 65-inch screen sizes, it features an ultra-bright Master OLED Pro (MLA) panel, coupled to a HCX Pro AI Processor MK II. It's worth noting that the 42-incher is also the smallest OLED I've seen to have a built-in soundbar.
Positioned below is the Z85A 4K OLED, followed by the entry-level Z80A OLED, available in 55- and 65-inch screen sizes. All models offer High Frame rate support up to 4k 120Hz for smooth gameplay from PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles, as well as NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium certification, for stutter free PC gaming.
Connect your PC using a NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card, and the TV automatically optimises input lag and VRR settings.
Up close, these OLEDs are hugely impressive. The Z90A is the obvious standout, demonstrating superb HDR handling, and well balanced brightness. Picture performance is underwritten by Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive.
Demo footage of the panel, shown in a darkened booth, of sparkling crystal glass lit against a pure black background, stressed the quality of black level performance and improved dynamic contrast compared to last year's premium Panasonic screen, the MZ2000. It looked stunning, and I think it'll make a cracking home cinema screen.
I expect the performance of the Z90A to match that of the Z95A, which also runs a Master OLED Pro (MLA) panel. The two sets are distinguished mainly by the Dolby Atmos sound system built into the latter.
Utilising a built-in light and colour sensor, the screens can also monitor ambient light in the viewing room and adjust picture settings accordingly - so no need to mess about with picture settings.
A strong rival to these OLEDs though could well be the W95A, a QD Mini LED TV with excellent dynamic range, and wide colour. The W95A will ship in 55-, 65- and 75-inch screen sizes, and looked fabulous on the showroom floor.
It's supported by the W90A, available in 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-inch screen sizes. This model has a Full Array LED backlight with Local Dimming Ultra technology. Both models run the HCX Pro AI Processor MK II.
The W95A and W90A are Panasonic's first LED TVs to offer Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 144Hz. They're also AMD FreeSync Premium certified.
Smart TV credentials are solid. All of Panasonic's premium TVs this year are built around the Amazon Fire TV smart platform, and have Freeview Play terrestrial tuners in the UK. That means they'll offer all the main streaming services, as well as mainstream catch-up TV players, and have Alexa on hand.
Gamers are also particularly well catered for, with a True Game Mode said to reproduce picture quality exactly as the Game Developers intended. A Game Control Board gives gamers quick access to input lag and VRR, and RPG and FPS presets.
Panasonic also confirmed that it is the official TV partner of Blizzard's Diablo IV Vessel of Hatred, which launches later this year.
Ease of use is high. I particularly like the way the Game Control Board can be added to the MyApp button on the remote control, for one-click access. There's also Dolby Vision gaming support up to 144Hz.
Both the W95A and W90A have Dolby Atmos audio. The QD Mini LED has a Dynamic Theatre Surround Sound system, with front facing speakers, built-in.
Prices are to be confirmed, but expect the entire range to make a splash when they arrive in stores June-July.
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