Five models are on the menu for the Z90B series: the Panasonic TV-42Z90B (42", 109 cm), Panasonic TV-48Z90B (48", 122 cm), Panasonic TV-55Z90B (55", 140 cm), Panasonic TV-65Z90B (65", 165 cm) and Panasonic TV-77Z90B (77", 196 cm).
Panasonic Z90B TV, Master Oled Pro panels££££
The Panasonic Z90B incorporates the latest generation of Oled EX panels from LG Display, equipped with a new exclusive heat sink. As such, Panasonic representatives in Wiesbaden declare that the Z90B screens, competitors of the LG C5 series, offer a higher peak brightness than the latter.
Panasonic Z90B Oled TV, main specifications££££
The Panasonic Z90B televisions of course offer all the equipment to display an ever more beautiful image, with a particular focus on video games: Game Control Board function (see below), optimization of Input Lag for games 60 Hz to 1.5 ms (and 10.5 ms in 120 Hz), management of [abc]HDR10+[/abc], of [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] up to 144 Hz (Game Mode Extreme), AMD FreeSync Premium or G-Sync certification in Gaming mode.
There is also an integrated sound bar and the Dynamic Theater Surround Pro process delivering a total power of 80 W to place the viewer at the center of the action. [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc] compatibility is of course present. Namely, the 55''/65'' diagonals have a swivel stand, but not the 42'', 48" and 77 inch diagonals.
TV Panasonic Z90B, HCX Pro AI Processor MKII££££
The Panasonic Z90B TVs feature the MKII version of the HCX Pro AI Processor chip already present on the Z95B. Powerful, the latter allows, for example, support for HDR Dolby Vision gaming compatibility up to 144 hertz. For its part, the new 4K Remaster Engine algorithm, still based on Machine Learning technology to adapt in real time (analysis of the image every second) the best settings according to the content displayed, is announced to be even more efficient. For example, it gives pride of place to noise reduction for content from a streaming service and to the reduction of the banding phenomenon inherent in Oled technology. Namely, Machine Learning is associated with a huge image database with more than 1 million video clips. Of course, the HCX Pro AI Processor MKII chip also automatically acts on the sound delivered by Panasonic Z90B televisions, again by finely adapting the settings to the nature of the program displayed: film, sport…
TV Panasonic Z90B, Game Control Board££££
As already mentioned, video games are another of the aspects particularly taken care of by Panasonic on Oled Z90B TVs. In addition to a minimum Input Lag of 1.5 ms with 60 Hz games (10.5 ms otherwise), we note the presence of HDMI 2.1 connectors (plus two HDMI 2.0) compatible with [abc]VRR[/abc], [abc]ALLM[/abc] and [abc]HFR[/abc] 4K/144. Note that the management of the [abc]eARC[/abc] function is also in place.
Still in the video game chapter, we can mention the new specific True Game Mode setting, equivalent to Filmmaker Mode for game developers. Once this is activated, the displayed image sticks as closely as possible to the intentions of the development studio. Likewise, there are sound settings dedicated to certain game categories: RPG or FPS for example. The first favors a balanced sound environment with excellent clarity of dialogue; the second will highlight the sound effects that can serve as clues to the player (footsteps to anticipate enemy movements, etc.). This True Game mode can be calibrated, notably with Calman, whose eponymous function is making a comeback on Panasonic Z90B TVs. [abc]ISF[/abc] calibration is also available.
As always, the option to disable Tone Mapping (conversion of the colors of an image with a greater dynamic range than that of the broadcaster in order to avoid Clipping or clipping) and specify the TV's Clipping level via the menu is available. This way, content producers can fully utilize the TV's performance in this area, so that Clipping actually occurs at the maximum capacity of the TV, and not before. The result is a more colorful and more natural image. This is also particularly interesting with a connected gaming PC or game console, it is better to deactivate the TV's Tone Mapping and let the game display its HDR values at best for an image at the maximum potential of the broadcaster.
TV Panasonic Z90B, HDR Dolby Vision IQ and Filmmaker Mode££££
As a reminder, the Dolby Vision IQ process proposed by Dolby Laboratories aims, in the presence of HDR Dolby Vision content and taking into account the information from the TV's brightness sensor, to always offer optimal image quality regardless of the ambient light conditions, without having to play with the remote control.
But also to best adapt the TV's image settings based on real-time analysis of the content displayed. Thus, on a snowy landscape, the [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] IQ influences the color temperature to get closer to the whiteness of the powder.
The Filmmaker Mode option of Panasonic Z90B TVs is associated with the Intelligent Sensing process. The latter uses the brightness sensor of the televisions to adjust the rendering of the [abc]HDR[/abc] according to the lighting environment. More generally, and with the aim of constantly improving the quality of the displayed image, the Z90B TVs integrate an [abc]RGB[/abc] sensor capable of adapting the color temperature displayed on the screen according to that of the environment, no longer only influencing the brightness alone.
Panasonic Z90B TV, Smart Fire TV, Amazon Alexa built-in££££
The new Smart Fire TV feature offers access to all the best streaming services and Smart Home apps of the moment (Netflix, Amazon, Disney+, Apple TV+ and YouTube…). The integration of linear and streaming content sources is perfectly seamless. A Prime Video calibrated mode is available: it automatically adjusts image settings (brightness, color temperature, compensation, etc.) according to the nature of the content displayed.
Fully compatible with the Alexa ecosystem, Panasonic Z90B TVs allow complete control of Alexa devices via their integrated Dashboard. Precision, the TV can also be "controlled" vocally thanks to its integrated "Far-Field" microphone, without using the remote control.
Apple HomeKit and [abc]AirPlay 2[/abc] compatibility are also included. It is therefore possible to control the TV by voice (Siri) or from an Apple device (iPad, iPhone, Mac computer). Also worth noting is the Fire TV Ambient Experience function (see photo below) to transform the TV into a giant photo frame or to display certain information provided by the multitude of Alexa widgets available.
In addition to a [abc]DVB-T[/abc]2, [abc]DVB-C[/abc] and [abc]DVB-S[/abc]2 tuner, Panasonic Z90B televisions have a Penta tuner allowing the reception of TV channels via IPTV. All you need is an RJ-45 socket near the TV or to connect it to the home Wi-Fi network, and that's it. It is therefore possible to receive DTT channels (through a dedicated application, Molotov for example) on a TV without a box and without being connected to an antenna socket.
Finally, it is worth mentioning the presence on the remote control of Panasonic Z90B TVs of a button called MyApp. This, programmable, allows you to access a channel or application of your choice directly with a simple press, or even a specific voice command. Of course, there is the dual connection [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] for simultaneous connection of two suitable devices. Thus, it is for example possible to enjoy the sound of the TV on two separate wireless headphones.
Availability of the Panasonic Z90B Oled TVs is expected for the month of June. Indicative prices still unknown.
Reminder of the key features of Panasonic Z90B TVs:
• 10-bit panel
• [abc]Oled[/abc] panel
• [abc]Ultra HD[/abc] [abc]4K[/abc] panel
• 144 Hz panel
• Master Oled Pro Cinema panel
• Processor: HCX Pro AI Processor MKII
• Wide Color Gamut function
• Multimedia gateway function [abc]UPnP[/abc] ([abc]DLNA[/abc])
• Amazon Alexa function
• CalMan Calibration function
• [abc]eARC[/abc] function
• [abc]VRR[/abc] function
• [abc]ALLM[/abc] (Auto Low Latency Mode) function
• Oled Superb Motion Drive function
• Intelligent Sensing function
• Game Control Board function
• Bright Booster function
• [abc]Bluetooth[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]HDR10+[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]Wi-Fi[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]HEVC[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]Dolby Atmos[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]HDR10[/abc] compatibility
• [abc]HDCP[/abc] 2.3 compatibility
• HDR10+ Adaptive compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision Gaming (144 Hz) compatibility
• [abc]HDR Dolby Vision[/abc] IQ
• Filmmaker Mode certification
• Prime Video Calibrated Mode certification
• Outputs: 1 optical, 1 headphone
• Inputs: 2 [abc]HDMI[/abc] 2.1, 2 HDMI 2.0, 3 [abc]USB[/abc] (including 1 3.0 port), 1 port [abc]Ethernet[/abc], 1 CI+ port
• Smart Fire TV multimedia
• Input Lag: 1.5 ms with 60 Hz games, 10.5 ms for others
• Dual tuner [abc]DVB-T[/abc]2
• Dual tuner [abc]DVB-S[/abc]2
• Tuner Dual tuner [abc]DVB-C[/abc]
• Power: 80 W