Panasonic Mz1500b (tx-65mz1500b)

The Panasonic MZ1500 is the newest TV taking a look to exchange the What Hello-Fi? Award-winning Sony A80L because the perfect OLED for the general public. That includes a forged spec sheet and providing splendidly delicate however correct image high quality throughout all our tests, it has so much to supply and there is a robust argument that it is the perfect performance-per-pound fashion in Panasonic’s new OLED vary. However there are a couple of compromises you wish to have to concentrate on, particularly relating to Panasonic’s claims about audio high quality.

Value

The Panasonic MZ1500 is to be had in 55-inch and 65-inch choices. Once they introduced in August the 55-inch fashion carried a £2200 (round $2800 / AU$4100) RRP whilst the bigger 65-inch fashion on take a look at retailed for £2900 (round $3700 / AU$5400).

That made it a lot more pricey than the rival LG C3 and slightly under the Sony A80L in the case of release pricing. 

When it first got here out the LG C3 55-inch price  £2100 / $1900 / AU$3299 whilst the 65-inch choice set you again £2900 / $2600 / AU$4299. The 55-inch A80L retailed for £2399 / $2999 whilst the 65-inch price £2999 / $3700 at release.

All 3 TVs had been discounted since release, however the Panasonic MZ1500 continues to be the most costly of the bunch. It’s shut between it and the Sony A80L, however the LG C3 is considerably extra reasonably priced and can possibly stay so. As at all times, for those who’re in search of a bargain on any of the aforementioned units be sure you control our perfect TV offers information, the place our workforce of professionals lists the most productive financial savings they’ve noticed on units we will for my part suggest.

In case you’re opting for between the MZ1500 and MZ2000, you’re taking a look at a worth hole of round £500 at 55 inches and a whopping £1000 at 65 inches.

Design

The MZ1500 appears all however similar to Panasonic’s older LZ2000 and similar to its flagship sibling, the MZ2000. This implies this can be a reasonably chunky unit that includes a devoted speaker bar fixed underneath the display and makes putting a devoted separate soundbar subsequent to unattainable, because of area constraints. It’s attention-grabbing to notice that the inclusion of a speaker bar for the MZ1500 is a reversal of a choice made for remaining ’s LZ1500, which had hidden audio system. This alteration might be just right information for many who completely refuse so as to add a devoted sound machine however dangerous information for the ones for whom a TV’s built-in sound machine is superfluous.

The one giant design distinction of word between the MZ1500 and MZ2000 is that the flagship fashion companions the low-slung speaker bar with devoted up- and side-firing drivers.

This is a part of Panasonic’s ongoing center of attention to create TVs that put serve as over shape and implies that if you wish to have a nearly invisible portal to the arena of house cinema you’ll most probably want the A80L, which is slimmer and undeniably much less noticeable when we now have the 2 subsequent to one another in our take a look at rooms.

It’s nice to peer the pedestal stand design we beloved at the Panasonic TX-65LZ2000B make a go back. The stand smartly slots into the again of the TV and is secured with 4 elementary screws. In addition to having an overly small footprint that allows you to simply position it on even moderately small TV stands making an allowance for its dimension, it additionally swivels, making it so much more uncomplicated to regulate the display’s perspective at the fly and get entry to the TV’s ports to switch out consoles, sound methods, and the like.

The one design function we’re a little bit unhappy about is that the faraway additionally stays in large part unchanged since remaining ’s fashions. This implies it’s a reasonably sizeable affair, that doesn’t have the movement controls observed at the LG C3 or backlighting of the A80L’s faraway. Taking into consideration Panasonic’s dedication to turning in films in the way in which they had been supposed and {that a} darkish room is perfect for image high quality, we’re relatively stunned that the faraway is not backlit.

Options

On the subject of options, the Panasonic MZ1500 is just right however now not the most productive in school in each house. The MZ1500 comes with a Grasp OLED Professional panel. According to our time chatting to Panasonic reps at an previous press demo we all know the MZ1500 makes use of the similar OLED EX panel because the LG C3. The Grasp OLED Professional branding refers to additional fine-tuning and optimisations Panasonic has executed to check out and spice up image high quality in key metrics, like max brightness and color authenticity.

Then again, processing, which is a key think about TV image high quality, is treated by way of the similar new HCX Professional AI processor observed in Panasonic’s dearer MZ2000, and less expensive MZ980 OLEDs.

That is necessary because the chip goals to strengthen a key house by which Panasonic already has a robust observe file – Filmmaker Mode. Particularly, the new chip goals to let the MZ1500 be offering an much more practical, “because the director supposed” image by way of the usage of the processor’s complicated smarts to evolve the image’s settings reactively to any ambient lights within the room. 

The speculation is that whether or not the lighting fixtures are on or the nice and cozy solar is blazing during the window, you’ll see the image as supposed – even though we nonetheless suggest gazing films in pitch-black prerequisites for the most productive effects.

HDR beef up may be nice due to the inclusion of each the Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ ‘dynamic’ HDR requirements (in addition to usual HDR10 and HLG). If truth be told, Panasonic has long gone so far as together with beef up for the ‘IQ’ model of Dolby Imaginative and prescient and ‘Adaptive’ model of HDR10+, which necessarily do the automated image changes described above for Filmmaker Mode however in step with those particular HDR codecs.

The aforementioned processor additionally brings Panasonic’s complicated color stability smarts to next-generation gaming. Particularly, it powers a new True Sport Mode, which Panasonic claims will let the MZ1500 ship “exactly” the best color stability and distinction when gaming. There’s additionally source-orientated HDR tone mapping, which goals to supply extra correct HDR when operating fashionable video games.

As an added perk it additionally helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient gaming, one thing the Sony A80L doesn’t, however the LG C3 does. 

Unfortunately, in spite of those bonuses the MZ1500 does nonetheless have a few problems. First, it repeats one in every of our greatest gripes with many flagship TVs – it handiest options two HDMI 2.1 sockets, one in every of which doubles because the eARC port. If, by way of some miracle, you’ve now not graced the pages of What Hello-Fi? earlier than and are not acutely aware of the problem right here, it is that it limits the collection of next-generation consoles (or gaming PCs) that may be hooked up in some way that maximises functionality

Regardless that the TV’s HDMI 2.0 inputs can run ALLM, the PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S and any PC with a contemporary graphics card nonetheless all want an HDMI 2.1 enter to run 4K/120Hz and VRR (which makes video games smoother, extra responsive and in most cases glance higher, in line with our checking out). Any Dolby Atmos soundbar or speaker machine additionally wishes eARC, because of this you’ll be able to handiest have one next-gen console or field hooked up for those who’re additionally the usage of a devoted sound machine, which you in point of fact will have to when making an investment this a lot in a TV.

Our 2d, and handiest different, gripe with the MZ1500’s options is that, due to its use of Panasonic’s House Display screen working machine, the TV doesn’t have as just right a number of apps as its Sony and LG opponents. At the leisure entrance, when you get the standard suspects of Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Top Video, there are some notable absences.

For a get started, you get Apple TV+ fairly than the full-fat Apple TV app. This implies you’ll be able to handiest circulation content material from Apple’s personal subscription provider and you’ll be able to’t acquire or hire films or TV presentations by the use of Apple’s very good pay-as-you-go retailer.

There are not any cloud gaming products and services, akin to GeForce Now, Xbox or Steam Hyperlink, both. Specialist apps also are few and some distance between – we in particular lamented the absence of Crunchyroll and Shudder throughout checking out.

In contrast to its opponents, Panasonic’s working machine additionally doesn’t have a devoted recreation menu, which is a little bit unhappy, as we’ve discovered the short settings to be a godsend when you wish to have to optimise your TV for Halo with out digging into the exhaustive major image settings menu. 

Image

In case you’ve learn any of our fresh Panasonic TV critiques, “balanced”, “because the director supposed” and “correct” are phrases and words we’ve constantly used to explain image high quality. Having put the MZ1500 via its paces in our take a look at rooms towards its giant brother, the MZ2000, and direct opponents together with the Sony A80L, we’re happy to verify this stays the case.

Beginning with HDR10 functionality, we tasked the TV with taking part in Blade Runner 2049 in Filmmaker Mode, which removes just about all superfluous processing and gives probably the most original image in line with our checking out. Right here the MZ1500 provides a perfectly correct, delicate image that feels in point of fact original. 

Whether or not it’s the dust-filled farm within the opening scene or the neon skyscrapers of downtown LA, the MZ1500 delivers a perfectly immersive and correct revel in. Pores and skin tones particularly glance splendidly heat and correct, even in comparison to the A80L which, in spite of having superb punch and in most cases showing brighter in some circumstances, has a relatively cool tone by way of comparability. That is very true within the opening farm scene, the place Dave Bautista’s pores and skin appears relatively blue by way of comparability. 

This authenticity is aided by way of Panasonic’s reliably delicate strategy to movement dealing with. Staring at Ok’s flying automobile zoom over LA we don’t realize any of the shimmering or synthetic cleaning soap opera impact that plagues many less expensive units, or ones with extra competitive processing.

Element ranges also are implausible. Whether or not it’s the debriefing scene on the central police station or Ok playing dinner along with his holographic female friend at his condo, the MZ1500 delivers remarkable element – each stray, dirt-covered hair and knitted trend in his clothes stays splendidly crisp and original with none whiff of artificiality. Even vivid scenes that in point of fact push top white ranges to the utmost retain this glorious degree of element.

And that’s the important thing factor we realize with the MZ1500: fairly than push for flashy max brightness or processing tips to catch the attention, Panasonic has as soon as once more fascinated about turning in a constantly original revel in. This implies you don’t get moderately the similar “pop” and intense distinction and top whites observed at the Sony (or an MLA set such because the MZ2000 or LG G3), however there are advantages.

One such receive advantages involves mild once we transfer to Pan on 4K Blu-ray – a troublesome take a look at disc as a result of it’s mastered to 4000 nits. Throughout a in particular vivid scene by which the flying pirate send sails into the sundown, whilst the Sony provides extra punch and noticeably upper peaks, the Panasonic delivers superb color hues and keeps extra element within the very brightest segments of the image.

Dolby Imaginative and prescient’s functionality throughout Most sensible Gun: Maverick tells a equivalent tale. In spite of the film being difficult for plenty of units, the MZ1500 keeps its color accuracy and element ranges. The place remaining ’s fashions may once in a while make the sunkissed military pilots glance relatively like Oompa Loompas, with their pores and skin tones having a distinctly crimson tone, the Panasonic provides superb realism – sure we all know that’s an ordinary factor to mention a couple of Most sensible Gun movie…

The one minor word we now have is that, whilst the image is spectacular, the MZ1500 tends to understate issues, with many scenes missing the dynamism we now have skilled at the A80L, which conversely can once in a while over-hype its image. 

That is in particular noticeable when taking part in The Batman, a famously darkish movie in tone and mastering. Throughout the long-lasting automobile chase scene, whilst there’s a fabulous quantity of shadow element, with each delicate element of Batman’s swimsuit as boulevard lamps flash during the Batmobile’s home windows obviously introduced, the image lacks the similar intense pop and sense of dynamism we get with the Sony A80L we run it towards. 

How a lot of a subject that is will in large part come down on your preferences. In case you worth authenticity, Panasonic’s subtlety is implausible, permitting you to concentrate on the film fairly than the TV, however it’ll do away with some consumers preferring extra punch.

Transferring directly to SDR functionality with True Grit, a movie that includes an old-timey grainy high quality, the MZ1500 delivers forged effects. Colors are heat and retain an original really feel that also holds the grainy high quality supposed by way of the director. The one minor factor is that there’s a component of black weigh down, the place some element is misplaced in very darkish portions of the image, however this disc is especially difficult on this regard and the Sony A80L fares handiest marginally higher.

Sound

We’ve made no secret that we at all times suggest making an investment in a correct sound machine or soundbar when purchasing a TV. And in spite of Panasonic’s advertising claims across the MZ1500’s audio, which immediately states you gained’t desire a “cumbersome separate speaker machine”, our recommendation isn’t any other right here.

The set comes with a stripped-down speaker machine in comparison to the MZ2000. It includes a new integrated front-firing speaker and subwoofer that goals to ship “an immersive spatial” soundstage.

Throughout our checks we discover that, whilst the speaker bar is a step up on many TV speaker methods (particularly the relatively weedy one featured at the LG C3), it nonetheless isn’t the most productive in school or a alternative for a just right soundbar, let by myself a complete speaker bundle.

We commence with our usual pressure take a look at, the place we play the beginning of bankruptcy two of Blade Runner 2049. Right here, throughout the bass-heavy scene, the MZ1500 delivers extra energy and bass than each the C3 and A80L, even though it nonetheless sounds strained and a slight speaker rattle creeps in. Regardless that this sounds unfavourable, that’s nonetheless a greater functionality than maximum TV audio system, and indicative of the reality it does certainly be offering extra low-end heft than its direct opponents.

This may be very noticeable throughout the take a look at flight scene of Most sensible Gun: Maverick, the place Maverick zooms over the bottom at low altitude making a sonic growth. The growth holds a lot more have an effect on by the use of the MZ1500, making all of the scene relatively extra immersive and relaxing because of this.

Then again, it doesn’t fit the directional high quality of its Sony A80L rival. Tasking it with the condo scene in Blade Runner 2049 is especially difficult because it calls for the audio system to handle hologram Joi’s disembodied voice, which jumps round Ok’s central audio. Right here we get a a lot more directional high quality from the Sony, with Joi’s voice conserving a a lot more distinct position from Ok’s. Ok’s voice additionally feels extra direct and regulated by the use of the Sony, giving the discussion a extra immersive really feel.

Outdoor of this, the Panasonic in most cases compares smartly with opponents, with midrange voices being notable for his or her heat. We do, even though realize the TV can start to sound strained when taking part in intense top frequencies.

To reiterate, you’ll want to get an exterior audio machine if you wish to have the most productive revel in imaginable.

Verdict

The Panasonic MZ1500 doesn’t reinvent the Jap large’s position within the TV marketplace, however in maximum tactics, that’s no dangerous factor.

The step-down OLED within the corporate’s 2023 lineup delivers the similar original, understated image high quality Panasonic’s develop into well-known for in recent times. Throughout all our tests, colors and movement all cling a gorgeous authenticity that makes for a gorgeous viewing revel in, particularly if you wish to revel in films because the director supposed. In case you’re a cinephile who cares about authenticity and will’t come up with the money for the Sony A95L or MZ2000, then the MZ1500 is an unbelievable choice.

Then again, its center of attention on understated authenticity implies that its image can every so often lack the dynamism and “wow” issue you get on some competing units. Working it face to face with the A80L, which lately prices much less, the MZ1500 can in some circumstances glance a little bit flat and absence the distinction and dynamism of its rival.

For players, the LG C3, which prices considerably much less and gives superb (however now not moderately as very good) image high quality, with the added perk of progressed HDMI 2.1 connectivity, is some other key contender that we’d suggest over the MZ1500 at its present worth.

SCORES

• Image 5
• Sound 4
• Options 3

MORE:

Learn our assessment of the 65-inch LG C3

Additionally believe the Sony A80L

Learn our hands-on assessment of the Panasonic MZ2000

Absolute best OLED TVs: the newest and biggest fashions, rated and ranked