Panasonic Launch FZ950 & FZ800 OLED TV with HDR10+ Support

Panasonic has unveiled its new lineup of OLED TVs at a Hollywood event – apt given the close collaboration between the Japanese brand and post-production studios in constant pursuit of video fidelity – in advance of CES 2018. There are two new ranges, namely the FZ950 and FZ800 series which are direct replacements for 2017’s EZ1000 and EZ950 series. In the UK, the models will be known as the Panasonic FZ952 and FZ802 respectively due to the addition of Freeview Play.

Two screen sizes will be available for each range, namely the 55-inch Panasonic TX-55FZ950 and TX-55FZ800, as well as the 65-inch Panasonic TX-65FZ950 and TX-65FZ800. For consumers wanting larger screen sizes, the 77in Panasonic EZ1000 (which was launched at IFA 2017) will be carried over to 2018.

Several improvements have been made over last year’s OLED models, namely the outgoing Panasonic EZ1000/ EZ1002 and EZ950/ EZ952, such as:

• HDR10+ dynamic metadata support out of the box, allowing viewing of several hundred hours of HDR10 Plus content on Amazon streaming service;
• Dynamic LUT that will analyse the incoming video signal, and deploy the appropriate LUT (look-up table) to more accurately portray the darker and especially brighter scenes;
• Additional calibration controls near black (5% and a world-first 2.5% luminance level), supported by CalMAN’s auto-calibration feature;
• Updated HCX processor;
• Absolute Black Filter on the midrange Panasonic FZ800; and
• Next iteration of Dynamic Blade Speaker with 80w rated output on the Panasonic FZ950.

Both the Panasonic FZ950/ FZ952 and FZ800/ FZ802 will be using the same 2018 OLED panel and HCX processor, so differentiation will come from design and sound. There’s no 3D or true HDMI 2.1 support, but it’s the same case for every new 2018 TV to be launched at CES.

The Japanese brand remains firmly committed to its “Hollywood to Your Home” philosophy, continuing its collaboration with post-production giant Deluxe and its Company 3, EFILM and Encore subsidiaries to ensure technical accuracy.

The Panasonic FZ950 and FZ800 will start shipping in Spring 2017. Prices remain unannounced, but the company said they will be competitive, with the FZ952 coming in at a lower launch price than last year’s EZ1002.