The Panasonic TV range for 2020 is more comprehensive than ever, thanks to a new model of OLED TVs that offer an even cheaper entry point for Panasonic fantasy cinema TVs. In addition to high-end OLEDs like the HZ2000, HZ1500, and HZ1000 (two of which have already given five stars), there's a new HZ980 model that should bring the price of entry to an OLED home theater down. There are plenty of LCD models, too, of course, including the HX940, HX900, and HX800, though Panasonic tends to settle for a smaller range than Samsung. When it comes to TVs, Panasonic has been steadily going strong, with brilliantly broad HDR support, a multitude of high-end OLED panels, and sets like the GX800 hitting that mid-range price point. It's not all perfect, with Disney Plus still nowhere to be found and Panasonic being slower to support HDMI 2.1 than many other TV brands. But Panasonic's cinematic reputation means its 2020 TV lineup is still worth a look. So which Panasonic TVs are on the way in 2020? Let's take a look at what's on the market, what we know is coming soon, and what sets from last year are still worth your time.
New Panasonic TVs for 2020
The Panasonic HZ2000 OLED is the TV maker's flagship device for 2020. This model was announced at CES 2020 and is available in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes. It's the successor to last year's GZ2000, a TV we've given five stars to in our review. The new model has a custom OLED panel and extensive HDR support, with a few improvements that could make it one of the best TVs of the year again. The HZ2000 will use the same HCX Pro smart processor as Panasonic's 2019 OLED lineup, but with a few tweaks to HDR functionality, including Filmmaker mode. We first heard about Filmmaker Mode in late 2019. It promises to show movies "as intended" by their directors and creators. Sounds good, but often these attempts at color control lead to flat viewing experiences as they don't let home TVs play to their advantage. We'll have to wait and see if Filmmaker Mode is any different in this regard.Panasonic television technology 2020
In addition to new TV models launching in 2020, we anticipate a number of TV technology announcements and additional features from Panasonic coming soon or expected to be added to various devices in the new range. The first is Dolby Vision IQ, which we already know is inside Panasonic's 2020 flagship TV, Panasonic's HZ2000 OLED TV, as well as the HZ1500 and HZ1000 models. Designed to make shows and movies look great in any room at any time of day, the new feature was announced at CES 2020 alongside the new Panasonic HZ2000 OLED and LG Gallery Series OLEDs, two of the first TVs in use new technology. It works by using dynamic metadata encoded in Dolby Vision content with a light sensor built into the TV. This information is used to modify image settings and display a more accurate image. This means that Dolby Vision IQ can tell you're watching TV in a brightly lit room where a lot of dark detail is lost. To compensate, the TV can automatically increase the brightness without having to go into the picture settings and do it yourself. The next new tech worth mentioning is Filmmaker Mode, which we first heard about in late 2019. It promises to show movies the way the makers want you to see them. The idea is that recreating cinematic works with precision can be difficult, even for high-end smart TVs.Filmmaker mode sets the correct frame rate and aspect ratio, adjusts color and contrast, and turns off noise reduction and image sharpening. You no longer need to dive into image menus to change the image as you wish. You want to know more? Visit https://t.co/ZbqNyBO5XJ pic.twitter.com/JrNGOGnCzOJ June 25, 2020 In fact, there are many differences in panel technologies, processing techniques, and lighting networks. No TV model can truly display the exact same image, and the default settings of many 4K TVs will often change or distort the image a film director or colorist saw on the production set. Filmmaker mode will attempt to correct some of the more drastic changes in image settings, avoiding excessively high contrast settings and suppressing motion smoothing, which is a processing technology designed to 'smooth' fast-moving scenes, like action sequences or car chases. There is a similar Netflix Calibrated mode, which has already been implemented as standard on some Sony Bravia models and some of the 2019 Panasonic range. You already expect a good picture on a new OLED TV, but the mode offers another way to play with your settings to get an image that suits you. It's also likely to appeal to those who want the most faithful recreation of their favorite Netflix shows and movies. However, Panasonic lags behind the competition in a few places, namely the lack of HDMI 2.1, which is present in LG, Sony and Samsung TVs these days. There's still no Disney Plus support, which means you'll have to resort to plugging in a game console or streaming key to enjoy classic Disney movies.
Panasonic TV 2019 range: what came out last year?
Let's take a look at the Panasonic TV models that the Japanese brand introduced last year, from their high-end OLEDs and a 4-inch 75K HDR LED to more affordable offerings.- Discover all the CES 2020 covers from LaComparacion. We'll be live in Las Vegas to bring you the latest technology news and releases, as well as hands-on reviews of everything from 8K TVs and folding screens to new phones, laptops, and smart home devices.