19:36, 8904 views Panasonic has showed at CES 2014 a curious prototype LCD TVs with “carpet” backlit. As promised, the model went into the series and was named AX900 – now it’s new flagship. It is surprising, but in our time of endless marketing experiments Panasonic remain true to the formula of “the image above all else.” And, I think, with the new reference model, they again hit the mark.
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The design of new items is not too catchy look all that we talked about design AX800, is true for the AX900. TV, perhaps a little too minimalist. Thin frame, “invisible” stand with a powerful counterweight – it migrated here almost unchanged. But as for the filling, then everything is going to be much more interesting!
TV was developed with the participation of Hollywood Laboratory Panasonic (Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory), which, they say, “the dog ate” on working with video in 4K. Therefore, great attention was paid to the signal processing, colors, and setting the TV. In fact, we have not even just a consumer model, and semi-monitor with great customization options and plenty of nuances, aimed at enthusiasts. Everything in order.
The Japanese have identified three major categories, which set the standards of their plasma TVs: the dynamic range (contrast, black depth), color rendition and finally, the correspondence between the image and the viewing conditions.
An impressive contrast was established by the complete system of local dimming on the entire screen. TV version in size 55 and 65 inches can boast 128 individual zones blackout. But the main “trick” in a completely different: to avoid the effect of the “halo” around bright objects on a dark background, AX900 analyzes the image matrix size of 5 x 5 zones instead of 3 x 3 traditional solutions.
Moreover, each zone is regulated by the brightness smoothly and not on the basis of the “on / off”. This led to impressive performance the depth of black, which, generally speaking, are not typical for LCD panels IPS. However, the whole truth, we learn while testing the TV.
The color rendition AX900 has absorbed all the achievements AX800: a wide color gamut of 98% DCI for saturated colors in the shadows, and full support for 4K sampled at 4: 4: 4. But there is a key difference: AX900 provides professional color management system (CMS), which allows to build a 3D LUT amendment in 8000 points!
This is an unprecedented feature, which first appeared in the consumer TV. Previously, these features were available only on video processors or professional equipment. This allows you to achieve the perfect color reproduction under different standards, based on the preferences and needs of the user. A range of “professional” mode is now configured in accordance with the recently adopted by BT.1886. In general, semi-professionals who need to monitor to work with the Ultra HD video, will be satisfied.
Furthermore, TVs equipped with a sensor that analyzes the surroundings (light) and automatically adjusts the settings for it. In principle, such a function – is not uncommon, but Panasonic promises an advanced implementation. The sensor has a direct link with the image processing unit, which makes the auto-thinner. Well, let’s see how it will work in reality.
Of course, in addition to the images are not forgotten, and ‘smart’ network functions. By and large, they are similar AX800, AX900 but a more powerful quad-core processor Pro5, which allows the TV to easily work with Netflix 4K. But for AX800 announced a software update that adds compatibility with Netflix 4K. However, the Russian audience, this service is still, alas, is not available. More AX900 trained to recognize the audience and offer personalized content and broadcast over a home network or external live video – especially advanced function.
As you can see, the new top-end series AX900 Panasonic engineers have invested almost all its know-how, this time without unnecessary compromises. Uncompromising will cost television – most likely, it will be even higher than competitors’ offers. However, the product turned curious, at the intersection of consumer and professional equipment. Therefore, it is more likely to become the strongest LCD 4K-TV, albeit at a high price. At least, that’s the best Panasonic released in its postplazmennuyu era. What’s New in 55 and 65-inch version will go on sale in the fall, including in Russia.
Following the announcement of the new AX900 held Ultra HD TV Series X940. The main feature here – it’s a huge 85-inch diagonal, which is the most suitable time to enjoy 4K. Technically TV largely repeats the AX900, but the individual zones of illumination has less and calibration options are more modest, without the 3D LUT. However, on first impressions it is more or less comparable with the AX900, judging by the exhibition conditions.
A snack Panasonic again teased visitors a separate stand with 4K OLED TV prototypes. This time they were all concave shape, and the manufacturer did not specify the panel – it is possible that the panel is a third-party manufacturing. But it does not matter!
It is important that the image – just awesome: an unattainable level of contrast, lively and incredibly natural colors. Live it all looks just perfect!
We can only hope that Panasonic will stop teasing us these prototypes and the production model will release on this promising technology that only now has the potential to replace the plasma.
Mikhail Kuznetsov
All materials website
