The HZ2000 sits proper on the prime of Panasonic’s present TV vary, elevated above its siblings with a so-called ‘Skilled Version’ OLED panel and an built-in speaker system that boasts real upward-firing Dolby Atmos drivers.
We beloved the HZ2000’s predecessor, the GZ2000, with which it shares a lot of its design and expertise, and we’re huge followers of the extra reasonably priced HZ1000, so the omens listed here are superb certainly.
One thing, although, has gone reasonably fallacious right here, and the difficulty lies principally within the sound division.
Pricing
The Panasonic TX-55HZ2000B launched in 2020 at a worth of £3295, however has since been closely discounted and might now be yours for £2299.
Whereas that’s an enormous drop, the HZ2000 nonetheless instructions a giant premium over its HZ1000 sibling, which on the time of writing is on the market for £1499. That further £800 will get you Panasonic’s upgraded ‘Skilled Version’ OLED panel and a much more superior speaker system.
Each TVs are additionally accessible as 65in fashions, however Panasonic doesn’t at the moment promote a 48in or 77in OLED, nor does it promote shopper OLEDs within the USA or Australia.
Options
The HZ2000 appears to be like roughly equivalent to the GZ2000 it replaces, and that makes it a reasonably utilitarian aesthetic proposition. Not that there’s something fallacious with that – Panasonic has resisted the urge to push flashy designs, as a substitute selecting to permit the efficiency to do the speaking.
A key a part of the HZ2000 proposition is its superior, Technics-tuned, Dolby Atmos sound system, which consists of a soundbar subtly mounted beneath the display screen and a set of drivers firing upwards from the highest of the set’s rear. In complete, the system’s amplification is rated to an impressive-sounding 140W.
No different producer has but taken the identical method, and maybe that’s not less than partly due to the repercussions it has when it comes to design. Whereas nearly all OLED TVs have an enclosure mounted to the rear of the panel for audio system, processing {hardware} and connections, the HZ2000’s is far bigger than most, with the set measuring just below 8cm front-to-back in all however the prime two corners.
Panasonic TX-55HZ2000B tech specs
Display screen OLED
Decision 4K
Working system My House Display screen 5.0
HDR codecs HDR10, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10+
HDMI x4
USB x2
Optical x1
The LG OLED55CX is beneath 5cm at its thickest level, whereas the Samsung QE55Q90T is 3.5cm thick throughout. Finally, all which means is that the Panasonic will stand off the wall greater than most and also you might need to level to these skinny corners with a view to present that it truly is an OLED.
In addition to having these further audio system, the HZ2000 differs from its siblings, corresponding to the superb HZ1000, by using a Skilled Version panel. Panasonic doesn’t provide a lot element on the variations between its commonplace and Skilled Version panels, but it surely’s a customized panel (equipped, as with all OLED panels, by LG) that goes by further tuning by Panasonic’s engineers, leading to a brighter image than is usually accessible from an OLED TV.
Apart from these two additions, the HZ2000 is similar because the HZ1000. It’s powered by the HCX Professional Clever Processor (launched with 2019’s OLED TVs), and it boasts assist for each HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR codecs (together with light-sensing Dolby Vision IQ), in addition to Netflix Calibrated and Filmmaker Mode, although we’d suggest avoiding these final two on account of the boring image they produce.
The working system is My House Display screen 5.0, which is straightforward to make use of, but in addition reasonably boring and fewer app-packed than many rivals. When you get Netflix with full Dolby Imaginative and prescient and Atmos assist, Amazon Prime Video with HDR10+ and Atmos, and the complete suite of catch-up apps courtesy of Freeview Play, the likes of Disney+, Apple TV and Google Play Films & TV are all lacking. When it comes to music, the one app of notice that’s on board is Deezer.
It’s additionally value noting that the HZ2000’s HDMI sockets lack assist for 4K@120Hz (often known as HFR, or High Frame Rate) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), making it a lower than supreme alternative for players, significantly those that personal PS5 and/or Xbox Series X consoles. ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) are not less than supported.
Image
As with the HZ1000, the HZ2000’s Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ mode, which is designed to supply a constant Dolby Imaginative and prescient expertise no matter ambient lighting circumstances, skews a little bit dim and mushy for our tastes. It’s not a foul picture, but it surely feels as if Panasonic is enjoying issues a bit secure right here, and the punchier, crisper Dolby Imaginative and prescient image offered by the Award-winning Philips 55OLED805 makes for the extra thrilling watch. The brand new Dolby Imaginative and prescient Vivid preset takes issues too far the opposite approach and we are able to’t assist however want Panasonic had stored its Dolby Imaginative and prescient Brilliant mode alongside Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ.
Nonetheless, a barely boring Dolby Imaginative and prescient efficiency isn’t the top of the world, particularly when the HZ2000’s image efficiency is in any other case exemplary. Taking part in Blade Runner 2049 on 4K Blu-ray, the HDR10 picture pops from the display screen. This movie is all about distinction, and the Panasonic ensures that the neon indicators and holographic billboards of downtown LA pulse brilliantly in opposition to the darkish sky and grubby, monolithic buildings. Pure, inky black is delivered as required, and the place some OLEDs maintain again when requested to ship a vivid spotlight in an overwhelmingly darkish picture, the HZ2000 delivers all the dramatic dynamism you may hope for.
Element ranges are distinctive, each within the uncommon vivid moments and the much more widespread dimly lit scenes, and there’s a supreme sharpness that makes every part appear extra three-dimensional. Movement processing is implausible, too. Go away Clever Body Creation on the default Max setting and also you get a few of the sharpest and smoothest movement accessible from any TV. It’s surprisingly pure and genuine on this mode, too, efficiently avoiding the so-called cleaning soap opera impact. It introduces occasional shimmer round tough motion, however dropping Clever Body Creation to Min leads to the perfect total steadiness, despite the fact that it permits some blur and judder in. All advised, Panasonic is now proper up there with Sony for movement dealing with, and that actually is saying one thing.
Dropping all the way down to Fargo on HD Blu-ray, the HZ2000 proves itself to be a particularly succesful upscaler, too. Because the hapless Jerry pulls into the King of Golf equipment bar for his fateful assembly with Carl and Grimsrud, there’s a slight extra of image noise that may be diminished by dropping the Sharpness setting by a number of factors, however the image is in any other case lovely, with completely balanced colors, a number of element and nuanced, refined shading. The image merely appears to be like appropriate and pure, and that is the Panasonic’s biggest power throughout all sources. Even early episodes of Peep Present in standard-def are passably clear and naturally balanced.
Apart from a barely disappointing default Dolby Imaginative and prescient setting, the HZ2000 is an outstanding all-round performer within the image division. The one downside is that the considerably extra reasonably priced HZ1000 can be excellent. Final time round, the GZ2000 delivered a clearly higher image than its extra reasonably priced siblings, however right here the improve is lots much less apparent. Brilliant highlights are barely punchier and there’s a little bit further vibrancy, however we’re speaking small margins right here. On image alone, it’s not value spending further on the HZ2000 over the HZ1000.
Sound
With the image enhancements being so marginal, the HZ2000 must justify its premium over the HZ1000 nearly totally with its audio efficiency, and that is the place issues take a shocking and disappointing flip.
Taking part in our favorite Dolby Atmos check scene, the airplane bombing run in Unbroken, the HZ2000 continues the place the GZ2000 left off when it comes to spaciousness and scale. The front-facing bar sends out results far to the left and proper whereas the upward-firing audio system ship sound correct as much as the ceiling and a good distance into the room. It isn’t full digital encompass sound, however the HZ2000 fills a room extra successfully than some other TV-integrated sound system that we are able to consider.
Nonetheless, whereas this flagship mannequin is undeniably weightier and extra spacious than the HZ1000, it’s additionally badly missing readability and precision. The location of results is sort of imprecise and dialogue is buried as soon as the motion kicks in. The Dialogue Enhancement choice might help with the latter, but it surely additionally provides an audibly processed essence to voices that makes them sound a bit unnatural.
Involved that we’d have obtained a defective pattern, we name in a second HZ2000 in addition to a pattern of the GZ2000 that it replaces, however doing so solely confirms our suspicions. Not solely does the second HZ2000 pattern sound the identical as the primary, it sounds considerably worse than the older GZ2000, which is cleaner and crisper, with better-projected dialogue. The HZ2000’s supply is muffled and sounds extra closed in and cluttered compared with the GZ2000. It’s considerably much less punchy and dynamic, too.
All advised, the outgoing mannequin is thrilling and fascinating the place the HZ2000 isn’t. Extra importantly, although, the HZ2000 is much less clear and clear than the cheaper HZ1000, and that’s a giant worth to pay for the added spaciousness and weight.
Verdict
With the image enhancements over the HZ1000 proving to be so slight, the HZ2000 must justify its worth premium nearly on sound alone. That’s a job we had little doubt it might accomplish, such was the audio high quality of its GZ2000 predecessor, however Panasonic has taken a shocking backwards step right here: whereas the spaciousness and scale stays, punch, readability and dynamics have taken a success.
With a bit of luck, that is only a blip and the corporate’s already-announced flagship JZ2000 OLED for 2021 might be a return to kind. If you happen to’re trying to purchase a Panasonic OLED proper now, although, we heartily suggest that you simply keep away from the HZ2000 and as a substitute select the HZ1000 and a separate soundbar. Doing so will get you an nearly equally beautiful image and markedly higher sound.
SCORES
- Image 5
- Sound 3
- Options 4
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