The Panasonic LZ800 OLED 4K UHD Smart TV is a flagship television combining cutting-edge technology and stunning design. It promises to deliver an immersive viewing experience with its OLED panel and smart features. In this review, we’ll delve into the technology behind this TV, explore its smart capabilities, and assess its design, picture quality, sound quality, remote control, connectivity options, compatibility, and app store offerings.
Technology
The Panasonic LZ800 boasts OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology, renowned for producing deep blacks and vibrant colors. OLED displays don’t require a backlight, as each pixel emits light. This results in superior contrast ratios and a wider color gamut than traditional LED TVs. Additionally, the LZ800 features 4K UHD resolution, providing four times the pixels of Full HD for incredibly detailed images.
Smart Features
Panasonic has equipped the LZ800 with a range of smart features to enhance your entertainment experience. It comes with an intuitive operating system that offers easy navigation and access to various streaming services. You can stream your favorite content from popular platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube in stunning 4K UHD quality.
Design
The design of the Panasonic LZ800 is both sleek and minimalist. Its slim bezels and sleek profile make it an attractive addition to any living room. The TV sits elegantly on a sturdy stand that complements its aesthetics. The build quality is impressive, and it exudes a premium feel.
Picture Quality
The standout feature of the LZ800 is its OLED display, which delivers exceptional picture quality. The individual pixels can be turned on and off independently, resulting in perfect black levels and infinite contrast. Colors are vivid and accurate, making movies and games come to life. HDR (High Dynamic Range) support further enhances the viewing experience by adding more detail to bright and dark scenes.
Sound Quality
While the LZ800 focuses primarily on visuals, it doesn’t neglect audio quality. It features a built-in sound system that delivers clear and immersive sound. However, for audiophiles or those seeking a more cinematic experience, an external soundbar or audio system may be a worthwhile addition to complement the stunning visuals fully.
Remote Control
The TV comes with a user-friendly remote control that offers convenient access to all the TV’s features and settings. The buttons are well laid out and responsive, making navigation a breeze. Additionally, it supports voice commands, allowing you to control the TV with your voice, which is especially handy for searching for content or adjusting settings.
Connectivity Options
The Panasonic LZ800 is equipped with a variety of connectivity options to accommodate your entertainment needs. It includes multiple HDMI ports, USB ports, and audio outputs, making connecting your gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, sound systems, and other devices easy. It also has built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet for seamless internet connectivity.
Compatibility
This TV is compatible with a wide range of devices and content sources. Whether you have a gaming console, a streaming device, or a set-top box, the Panasonic LZ800 can easily integrate into your entertainment setup. Its HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) support simplifies the connection of soundbars and home theater systems.
App Store
The Panasonic LZ800 comes with its app store, providing access to a selection of apps and services. While it may not have the extensive app library of some other platforms, it covers the essentials and offers a smooth experience for streaming, browsing, and more. Additionally, you can customize your app selection to suit your preferences.
Gaming Experience
The Panasonic LZ800 OLED TV offers an outstanding gaming experience. Its OLED technology ensures fast response times and vibrant colors, which are crucial for gaming. With a low input lag, it’s highly responsive to controller inputs, making it ideal for gamers who demand precision. Whether you’re into action-packed shooters or immersive open-world games, this TV delivers an excellent gaming experience.
Viewing Angle
One of the strengths of OLED technology is its wide viewing angle. The Panasonic LZ800 maintains its exceptional picture quality even when viewed from the side. This is a significant advantage for larger gatherings or when you have seating arrangements not directly in front of the TV. It ensures that everyone gets a great view.
Voice Control
Voice control is becoming increasingly important in modern smart TVs, and the Panasonic LZ800 doesn’t disappoint. With built-in voice recognition, you can control various TV functions using voice commands. This feature enhances convenience, allowing you to change channels, adjust volume, or search for content without picking up the remote.
Input Ports
In terms of input ports, the Panasonic LZ800 offers a generous selection. It includes multiple HDMI ports, USB ports, and audio outputs. This means you can connect a variety of devices simultaneously, such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, soundbars, and more. The availability of multiple HDMI ports ensures that you don’t have to switch cables when switching between devices constantly.
Wall Mount Compatibility
For those who prefer wall-mounting their TVs, the Panasonic LZ800 is compatible with VESA wall mounts. This means you can easily mount it on the wall to create a clean and modern look in your living space. Check the VESA mount pattern and size specifications to ensure compatibility with your chosen wall mount.
Calibration
Consider professional calibration to get the most out of the Panasonic LZ800’s picture quality. While the TV has preset picture modes, professional calibration can fine-tune the settings to match your viewing environment perfectly. This ensures that you’re getting the most accurate colors and contrast levels.
Software Updates
A smart TV must stay up-to-date with the latest features and improvements. Panasonic regularly releases software updates for its TVs, including the LZ800. These updates can enhance the user interface, fix bugs, and even introduce new features. It’s advisable to keep your TV connected to the internet to receive and install these updates automatically.
In The Box
When you purchase the Panasonic LZ800 OLED TV, you can expect to find several items in the box. This typically includes the TV itself, a remote control, batteries for the remote, a user manual, and a power cable. Some packages may also include additional accessories or cables, so check the box’s contents upon delivery.
VS Other Brands
Comparing the Panasonic LZ800 OLED TV with other leading brands is essential for making an informed decision. While the Panasonic LZ800 offers exceptional picture quality and smart features, it’s essential to consider how it stacks up against competitors in terms of price, available sizes, and unique features. A side-by-side comparison with other OLED TVs from brands like LG, Sony, and Samsung can help you determine which best suits your needs.
Size Options
The Panasonic LZ800 OLED TV is available in a range of size options to suit different living spaces and preferences. You can choose from sizes such as 55 inches, 65 inches, and 77 inches. The variety of sizes ensures you can find the perfect fit for your room and viewing distance.
4K Resolution
The LZ800 boasts 4K Ultra HD resolution, which means it has four times the number of pixels as a Full HD TV. This results in sharper and more detailed images, making it ideal for watching 4K content from streaming services, Blu-ray discs, and gaming.
8K Resolution
Unlike some competitors, the Panasonic LZ800 is not an 8K TV. It offers 4K resolution, the most common standard for high-definition content. While 8K TVs are available in the market, 4K is still the prevailing resolution for most consumers.
HDR Technology
High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology is a key feature of the LZ800. It enhances the contrast and brightness of the TV, allowing it to display a wider range of colors and more detailed images. HDR content, such as HDR10 and Dolby Vision, is becoming increasingly popular, and this TV is well-equipped to handle it.
OLED Technology
The Panasonic LZ800 uses OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology for its display. OLED panels consist of self-emissive pixels that can individually turn on and off. This results in perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratios. Additionally, OLED collections offer faster response times than traditional LED/LCD screens.
MicroLED Technology
MicroLED is a relatively new display technology that offers similar benefits to OLED, such as excellent contrast and fast response times. However, MicroLED TVs are not currently offered in the LZ800 lineup. Panasonic focuses on OLED technology for this particular model.
QLED Technology
Panasonic LZ800 does not utilize QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) technology. QLED is a technology primarily associated with Samsung TVs. It enhances color accuracy and brightness by using quantum dots to improve LED/LCDs.
Ambient Mode
Ambient Mode is a feature that allows the TV to blend into your living space when not in use. It can display decorative content, such as artwork or images, or mimic the appearance of the wall behind it. The Panasonic LZ800 offers a version of Ambient Mode, making it a stylish addition to your home.
One Connect Box
The Panasonic LZ800 does not come with a separate One Connect Box. This feature is commonly found in Samsung TVs and centralizes cable connections, reducing cable clutter and making installation and maintenance more convenient.
Future
Panasonic had not announced specific future updates or models related to the LZ800. However, it’s essential to keep an eye on Panasonic’s product releases and updates for any new developments in their OLED TV lineup.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
The Panasonic LZ800 OLED 4K UHD Smart TV is a strong contender in the OLED TV market. Its OLED display technology ensures exceptional picture quality, and the inclusion of HDR support enhances your viewing experience. While it doesn’t offer 8K resolution or MicroLED/QLED options, it excels in its category. Various size options make it versatile, and Ambient Mode adds style to your living space. If you’re in the market for a high-quality OLED TV with 4K resolution, the Panasonic LZ800 is worth considering. However, if you require 8K resolution or other display technologies, you may need to explore alternative models from different manufacturers.
