Panasonic hopes to win the gaming crowd with its flashy new flagship OLED. Grab a ticket, buddy.
Panasonic says that the new JZ2000 OLED, available in 55- and 65-inch screen sizes, will have higher peak and average brightness levels, a saturated sound system with side and on-screen speakers, as well as gamer-focused features such as VRR (Variable Refres Rate). It is not clear if the screen also supports other HDMI 2.1 features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). (We asked Panasonic and will update it when we hear it.) But it has features through its own Game Mode Extreme that work to reduce the delay and provide a smoother gaming experience.
The OLED is also released with a brand new processor called the HCX Pro AI, which according to Panasonic analyzes and improves the sound and image quality in real time. Like other TV producers who are hyping up for powerful new processors and AI’s upscaling this year, Panasonic says its TV audio and video will make it look more lifelike. It also comes with a filmmaker mode that adjusts the image settings based on environments for environments.
In terms of its audio capabilities, Panasonic says its 2021 flagship OLED will include both sideways and speakers on the unit that can deliver a Dolby Atmos experience. This is quite a requirement, and it is very difficult to subtract the height without the addition of surround speakers. However, the company says the JZ2000 can pick up ‘directional sounds’, thanks in part to the addition of more speakers than were included on the models that came before it.
At the front of the feature, the JZ2000 is equipped with the latest version of its original OS My Home Screen, which also includes a new user interface. The OLED also supports Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Vision, HDR10 + and HLG Photo, as well as voice control features. In addition, a handy feature called Dual Bluetooth Connection will allow two people to connect two different Bluetooth devices, such as headphones, to the TV at the same time to listen silently.
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Panasonic says it has yet to finalize its U.S. distribution plans, and no pricing has been announced yet. But at least on the game front, Panasonic certainly has some competition.