TVs & Audio | June 15, 2023
Cinephiles and demanding gamers are the ones who set the bar highest when it comes to looking for a new television. Pleasing both market niches at the same time may seem like a challenging task, but that’s what the Panasonic MZ1500 and MZ800 aim to do. These OLED TVs offer cinematic image quality and a wide range of gaming-specific features that will capture the attention of these target audiences.
Panasonic has specified that the MZ1500 will be available for purchase in August 2023, although the price has not been revealed yet. As for the MZ800, the wait won’t be as long since it will be released in June, and its price is expected to be announced in the coming days or weeks.
The Panasonic MZ1500 takes over from its younger brother, the LZ1500, delving deeper into aspects such as color accuracy, for which they once again collaborate with Stefan Sonnenfeld, one of Hollywood’s most renowned colorists. This makes it one of the TVs that offers an image closest to what you would see in a movie theater compared to other models on the market. This model will be available in two sizes: 55 and 65 inches, a suitable size that will fit well in all kinds of living rooms.
The MZ1500 panel features the Master OLED PRO technology commonly found in Panasonic’s latest models. This technology, developed in Japan, provides an enhanced level of brightness and dynamic contrast, resulting in an improved viewing experience.
Inside, it houses an HCX Pro AI processor that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze the image instantly and adjust color, contrast, and clarity levels in real time, sparing the user any headaches. One of the notable strengths of the MZ1500 is its ability to naturally render scenes with fast motion. This is particularly beneficial when watching action-packed movies or playing video games with many simultaneous on-screen events, as it prevents excessive noise and chaos in the image.
In addition to image processing, Panasonic also employs artificial intelligence to optimize the sound on its new television. With the Auto AI function, the signal is quickly analyzed to adjust both the sound and image settings. This feature eliminates the need to constantly adjust the remote control when switching between scenes filled with sound effects and quieter dialogue moments in a movie.
The attention given to the Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV doesn’t mean that other aspects, such as gaming features, are neglected. Gamers will find in this model some specifications that allow them to get the most out of demanding video games, including AAA titles. It is compatible with key HDMI 2.1 features, enabling full 4K resolution display. It has a variable refresh rate of 120 Hz and keeps both latency and input lag at very low levels, avoiding frustrating synchronization issues and delays when playing online.
The MZ1500’s compatibility also extends to services like AMD FreeSync Premium or Nvidia G-Sync, adapting its settings when connecting a device with an Nvidia RTX graphics card. Additionally, with the True Game Mode feature, gamers can enjoy the same color accuracy as in movies, enhancing the realism of the gaming experience.
Another release from Panasonic for 2023 is the MZ800, another OLED TV with a notable feature in its operating system. The Japanese brand is incorporating Google TV for the first time in one of its models, making it much easier and more intuitive for users transitioning from using smart TVs from other brands. It will also have built-in Chromecast, allowing for streaming from other devices.
Beyond the novelty of Google TV, the Panasonic MZ800 TV also emphasizes design by adopting a minimalist frameless style. In terms of the display, HDR content is presented with clarity, highlighting the level of detail and brightness, along with immersive Dolby Atmos sound. Similar to previous models, it will also include the Filmmaker Mode, which allows viewers to experience movies exactly as intended by the creators, bringing the cinematic experience to their homes.
Once again, the gaming audience has been taken into consideration. Panasonic has included the Game Mode in the MZ800 series, which reduces input lag and latency. It also features HDMI 2.1 ports for maximizing online gaming performance, along with full 4K image resolution to fully immerse yourself in the action of your favorite games.
In addition to the Game Mode, there are several sound modes available to adapt the audio experience in your living room or bedroom to the specificities of each game.
Another aspect to consider is the world of streaming. More and more users are consuming live streams on platforms like YouTube or Twitch from their TVs, rather than settling for the small screens of their mobile devices. That’s why the MZ800 includes direct access to Twitch through Google Play, allowing quick access to all the content on this platform, which features a mix of gameplay videos of popular titles and more reflective podcasts.
