Last year Panasonic presented the GZ2000 at CES, a very special OLED TV that immediately became a reference point for image quality. This year the Japanese house is ready to renew its offer in the higher end of OLED TVs with the HZ2000, a product that has very little to share with the other models.
The reason? For specifications and functionality the HZ2000 outclasses every other competitor, unfortunately also in the price. That of the new model has not yet been communicated but the GZ2000 started from a cost of € 3499 last year, for the 55-inch variant. The top of the range Sony, the AG9, cost instead from 2999 €. In practice 500 € more, to have even more specific specifications.
The best OLED TV of the year?
Panasonic HZ2000 is a normal high-end OLED TV at first glance. 4K, full compatibility with all HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10 +, and Audio Dolby Atmos. Features that we find in many other models, but the appearance is deceiving. The first and important difference is the peak brightness: the HZ2000 offers 20% higher brightness than normal OLED TVs, thereby increasing the contrast and dynamic range. Another element of differentiation concerns the calibration options, since they are available two more calibration steps, of 0.5% and 1.3%, values that we do not find on other televisions and which allow a very fine setting of the panel.
Not even missing possibility to calibrate the Dolby Vision profile, option previously excluded from other televisions, and automatic calibration with CalMAN is also present.
Compatibility with HDR is extended to the format Dolby Vision IQ, which automatically adjusts the brightness based on the viewing environment. Also present the Filmmaker Mode, used here in tandem with the Intelligent Sensing technology. The HZ2000 is in fact equipped with sensors that detect ambient light, consequently adjusting the video settings.
The two functions are similar on paper but the Filmmaker Mode with Intelligent Sensing acts on all HDR standards except Dolby Vision, in this case it is the Dolby Vision IQ technology that intervenes.
If on the video front the available options seem to be designed more for professionals than for normal users, even on the audio front Panasonic has spared no expense, inserting a soundbar and speakers facing up, to offer a more faithful reproduction with Dolby Atmos, also calibrated by the engineers Technics.
The creation of this TV was curated together with Stefan Sonnenfeld, colorist who has made several successful films such as Wonder Woman, Beauty and the Beast or Pixel, just to mention the last ones. As in the model of last year, also the panel used in the HZ2000 is specially chosen at the factory, to offer superior performance. In short, Panasonic has aimed high with its top of the range, creating the brightest OLED TV available today and compatible with all the technologies announced so far for the mass market. The arrival is expected in 2020 at a price not yet confirmed.
