After learning about Panasonic‘s new commitment to smart TV issues, the evolution of its higher-end models seems interesting to me. Although the best thing is that, together with the use as a consumer device, they are also presented as a product that could be a great tool for video professionals.
Panasonic’s new OLEDs point to Hollywood
In an event focused on showing the whole range of products that Panasonic has prepared for this 2020, also those of Technics, there were some that stood out above the rest. And is that the sound equipment, their cameras or the range of products focused on beauty are interesting, but the real protagonists were TVs and especially the OLED range.
The new proposal of Panasonic televisions improve, as it could not be otherwise, seen the previous year. The same are not very big jumps, but enough to attract new buyers interested in renewing television. Although, the big changes are in the OLED range.
There are three OLED models: Panasonic HZ1000, HZ15000 and HZ2000 . As you can imagine, the latter is the highest-end and the one that includes the best that Panasonic is currently able to offer. Without detracting from the performance that the other models can offer.
All are focused on offering the best image quality. And to achieve this, the key will be in the calibration. In the 2019 range they already offered a very good series calibration, something that for the less advanced user always comes in handy. In this, the big news is the Filmmaker Mode . This is nothing other than a mode where the TV does not apply any algorithm or improvement via software on the image being played.
Why is this important? Because it allows the image to look like the director wants it to look . As you know, the different modes that allow smoothing the images, improving contrast, scaling content or other aspects of the video signal can sometimes be more harmful than beneficial. Therefore, following the criticism of many Hollywood directors and actors, manufacturers have decided to give this option for the most purists to see things as they are.
Together with this mode, this new range also integrates Intelillent Sensing , a system that analyzes the lighting of the room at the level of brightness and temperature to adapt the level of illumination of the screen. Works? The truth is that yes, as the room light turned on or off the brightness changed and allowed to be aware of a greater level of detail to improve the contrast.
However, I have to say that if you like cinema, it is normal that when you go to watch a movie or series the room you have perfectly controlled on lighting issues. Moreover, the ideal is that you always do it with the minimum possible light. As if it were a movie theater.
Next to the image issues, the really important thing, the sound seems to have also been taken into account and in the new HZ1500, for example, it sounded pretty good thanks to the use of five speakers: two squawker at the bottom, a subwoofer about 80mm in the center and two upper speakers that project the sound up and the wall so that the robot favors the simulation of surround sound.
Then, on little design issues where to innovate. The screen is reduced in thickness where allowed and always limited by the electronics, it offers good connectivity and the base has been changed to a round design that allows it to rotate and keep the aesthetic look from the point you look at it . Regarding the price and availability date, they will arrive from May at a price that would start at 2,000 and 3,000 euros .
Panasonic OLED, a tool for professionals?
There was a detail that caught my attention in these screens: Panasonic also guides them as a great tool for video professionals. And, thanks to its software and OLED technology itself, they could be a good option for color correction issues and final visualization of a video production.
A reference monitor for color correction issues of brands such as Sony or Canon costs about 30,000 or 40,000 euros . It is an investment that few companies can afford. Normally, they are color studies that work at a very high level, but a small producer does not have an easy choice. Therefore, they have to look for alternatives.
This new OLED range and especially the serious HZ2000 seems to be aimed at those professionals who are looking for a screen to show the final work to clients and have a much clearer idea of how it would look at its highest quality. Hence the professional profiles that can be adjusted in more detail.
Although the really important thing is that, with some studies they will have some special agreements that will allow the TV software to be completely open. This is done to prevent a bad configuration decision from worsening the display of content, but those who opt for this option will have greater control of the image and that, in terms of savings, could make a difference.
Likewise, it seems that along with everything they push with their Lumix cameras of the new Full Frame series or the inexhaustible Lumix GH, Panasonic is giving a full range to creators looking for solutions that do not involve a disproportionate investment.
Therefore, if you dedicate yourself to video themes and look for a screen to see how the final result of your production would look on a high-end screen, this new Panasonic HZ2000 may interest you.
Panasonic and the 8K
Finally, along with a range of LED TVs that are also quite complete by offering support for high dynamic range video, 4K resolution and different screen diagonals, the obvious question was, will there be Panasonic 8K screens?
The sure answer can already be advanced by you. Yes, there are already and will be used for the Tokyo games, but they will not be released to the public. Doing so would be like saying “we can do it”, but the user would not add any real value and an increase in the price of the product.
When there is an offer of real and firm content, then the logical step will be taken to increase the resolution. But right now they are committed to improving the image quality of their televisions without raising the 4K resolution.
Personally, I think its position is correct and I can say that, indeed, the new Panasonic screens look great. Even so, I cannot make a hundred percent accurate judgment, because such a screen requires a series of tests that cannot be done in a demo environment. But as soon as we can try them, be sure that we will tell you everything.