Archive - April 2017

Panasonic releases new LEICA 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. wide angle zoom lens for Lumix G cameras

Panasonic is expanding its LEICA F2.8-4.0 Series with a versatile new wide angle zoom lens, the LEICA DG VARIO-ELMARIT 8-18mm / F2.8-4.0 ASPH. H-E08018 (35mm camera equivalent focal length: 16-36mm).

The new lens, offering a stylish metallic black design, will be available in Australia in June priced at $1599rrp. It further strengthens the capabilities of Panasonic’s DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless) interchangeable lens lineup for LUMIX G digital cameras.

The H-E08018 is designed to deliver outstanding optical performance in a variety of shooting situations. The versatile 16-36mm focal length zoom range is great for shooting everything from dynamic landscapes to snapshots, and with a fast F2.8-4.0 aperture range the lens offers excellent low-light performance.

The LEICA 8-18mm lens also excels in video recording with a micro-step drive system for smooth aperture control. The 67mm filter thread allows for the use of ND and PL filters to further enhance the lens’ versatility. The lens can withstand use in harsh conditions with a rugged splash and dustproof design and is freeze proof down to -10°C.

Built to precise quality standards, the H-E08018 is comprised of 15 elements in 10 groups, including an aspherical ED (Extra-low Dispersion) lens, two ED lenses and an UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) lens to deliver sharp images while thoroughly suppressing distortion and chromatic aberration.

The H-E08018 is compatible with the LUMIX G sensor drive at max. 240 fps to take advantage of the high-speed, high-precision Contrast AF. The AF tracking performance in zooming is also improved thanks to high-speed frame analysis for focus control.

Following the release of the H-ES12060E and H-E08018, the LEICA F2.8-4.0 Series lineup will further expand with an additional 50-200mm (100-400mm, 35mm camera equivalent) telephoto zoom lens.

For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au.

LUMIX DC-TZ90 camera the versatile choice for travellers

Panasonic Australia expands its popular LUMIX Travel Zoom series with the TZ90 – offering 30x zoom, 20MP sensor, 4K capabilities, flip-up rear monitor and high-resolution EVF

Panasonic Australia expands its popular ‘Travel Zoom’ Series with the introduction of the highly versatile LUMIX DC-TZ90.

When you want a pocketable camera for your travels, this model covers all bases – combining 30x optical zoom to get close to the action, a 20 megapixel MOS sensor for excellent image quality and 4K Video and Photo capabilities to capture fleeting moments.

The DC-TZ90 has a handy 180-degree tiltable rear monitor for video blogs or selfie shots. In addition, the high resolution 0.2-inch 1,166k-dot Electronic View Finder (EVF) with eye sensor makes it easy to frame shots in high-contrast situations.

The new LUMIX DC-TZ90, with a choice of silver or black models, is priced at $599rrp and will be available in Australia in July from photographic specialists and consumer electronics retailers.

An array of capabilities for the keen traveller

High-quality imaging and responsive shooting

The LUMIX DC-TZ90’s powerful LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens has a 30x zoom (24-720mm -35mm camera equivalent). This ensures crystal clear images from high zoom to wide shots; while the 20MP high sensitivity MOS sensor captures the fine detail in every image.

The TZ90 uses DFD (Depth From Defocus) technologyi to minimise focusing time, for a quick autofocus (AF) speed of around 0.1 sec; and supports high-speed burst shooting at 10 (AFS)/5 (AFC) frames per second (fps) to capture fast-moving subjects in crisp detail. The DC-TZ90 also features convenient AF functions for the user, such as Touch AF, 49-point AF, and Low-light AF.

Capture your favourite travel moments at their best in 4K

The DC-TZ90 has the latest in 4K Video and 4K Photo capabilities to achieve impressive creative shots. It captures smooth 4K Video in 3840 x 2160 at 25p.

For still shooting, 4K Photo with 4K Pre-burst mode shoots 30 frames per second before and after the shutter is released to capture the defining shot. Batch Save stores an entire burst sequence of up to 150 frames at just one press of a button.

The Post Focus feature, once set, allows you to choose the focal point of an image after it’s been taken. You can then use the touchscreen to select the exact area you want to focus on – ideal for macro shots of food. Focus Stacking allows the user to combine focal points to achieve complete foreground to background focus.

For video shooters, 4K Live Cropping provides amazing flexibility – for example, cropping to create smooth, slow zooms or stable pans – while maintaining Full HD picture quality in the final footage.

Hands free selfies with the flip-up monitor

The LUMIX DC-TZ90 has a large 3.0-inch 1040k-dot touch control monitor that flips 180 degrees, ideal for video blogs or selfies.

Once the LCD monitor is flipped up, Self Shot Mode is triggered. Capabilities include Face Shutter, which triggers the shutter after you wave your hand in front of your face, and Buddy Shutter, which operates when the camera detects two faces next to each other. This is ideal to take a quick shot with friends, especially when using a selfie stick. In these modes, the camera can take the shot immediately, or after a 3-second or 10-second countdown.

The camera offers a 4K Selfie mode, and in addition, Panorama Selfie mode takes advantage of the flip up screen to fit in large groups against dramatically scenic backgrounds. Background Control mode offers Defocus, where the subject’s face is sharp and the background is blurred for a natural, attractive portrait; and Clear, where the subject and background are both sharp.

Fun to use Beauty Mode effects include ‘Beauty Retouch’ – incorporating ‘Aesthetic Retouch’ for an improved skin texture, firmer face and whiter teeth; or choose the colour of foundation, lips, cheeks and eyeshadow in ‘Make-up Retouch’. In ‘Defocusing’ mode the subject’s face is sharp and the background is blurred for a natural, attractive portrait; and ‘Soft Skin’ provides a subtle effect for bright, fresh skin tones. There’s even a ‘Slimming’ mode.

Other features for ease of use

  • 5-axis HYBRID OIS+ (Optical Image Stabiliser)ii
  • Wi-fi connectivity using the Panasonic Image App
  • Easy to use control ring on the lens barrel
  • RAW image processing in-camera
  • Creative Control filters
  • Creative Panorama
  • AC/USB charging

For further information, please visit www.panasonic.com.au.

i Still image recording only
ii 5-axis compensation works in video recording except for 4K video recording

LUMIX-DC-TZ90-camera-travellers-zoom-02 LUMIX-DC-TZ90-camera-travellers-zoom-03

 

Panasonic offers Australia’s widest 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player lineup

New players offer high contrast, vibrant colours and smooth motion

Panasonic has expanded its 4K Ultra HD Premium Blu-ray player range with two new models – the DMP-UB400 and DMP-UB300 – providing consumers with wider access to Panasonic’s premium Blu-ray capabilities.

Ultra HD Blu-ray is the next-generation Blu-ray Disc standard that not only delivers true-to-life 4K HDR resolution, but also supports the BT.2020 set of standards – providing a significantly wider gamut of colours that offer richer and more vibrant displays. The new players are Ultra HD Premium Certified.

“With these competitively-priced new models, Panasonic is opening up the amazing cinema-level viewing experience of 4K Blu-ray to a greater number of Australian consumers,” said Doug Campbell, Category Manager, AV and Imaging, Panasonic.

Panasonic’s new Ultra HD Blu-ray Players render fine details like never before thanks to their high 4K resolution. It provides life-like depth effects and vivid colours through high contrast between dark and light areas; and displays sharp and beautiful images enhanced by smooth motion.

The Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) Blu-ray R&D facility has also provided an extra boost in the development of the new players, creating and refining a new processor to provide the thrilling home entertainment experience that creators intended for every movie and TV program.

For more flexibility and convenience, the DMP-UB400 features Twin HDMI outputs. By separating video and audio signals, transmission of the picture and sound is clearer and more accurate. The DMP-UB400 and DMP-UB300 also support high-resolution audio formats such as WAV, FLAC, ALAC and DSD, as well as popular 4K Video on Demand.

Panasonic will also expand the range later in 2017 with the introduction of the DMR-UBT1 4K Ultra HD Premium Blu-ray Player and Full HD Recorder. This model will include a two terabyte hard disk drive, and offer Full HD recording onto HDD or Blu-ray disc, as well as offering 4K UHD playback.

The three new models join the Panasonic lineup, which is the largest range of Blu-ray players and recorders on the market today. Panasonic will continue to offer the acclaimed DMP-UB900 in 2017.

Picture-enhancing technologies faithfully reproduce original images

The DMP-UB400 and DMP-UB300 incorporate a HDR 4K engine, called the HCX (Hollywood Cinema Experience) Processor for Ultra HD Blu-ray, which inherits the high picture processing capability of the DMP-UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player launched last year.

The HCX Processor is a variant of the HCX2 chipset used in Panasonic’s award winning 4K Pro HDR televisions. Accordingly, using Panasonic’s 4K Pro HDR TVs together with the Panasonic 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Players delivers the most accurate movie playback, true to the filmmaker’s intention. It also reproduces Ultra HD Blu-ray and 4K video images from the Internet with precise colours and optimal brightness.

In ordinary up-sampling, the system samples adjacent, upper and lower colour pixels, and uses them to create intermediate pixels in what is called a “2-tap process.” Panasonic uses a “multi-tap process” to compare a number of pixels in addition to those in the upper and lower positions, and to therefore create optimal pixels. By increasing the accuracy of the multi-tap process to interpolate the decoded 4K (4:2:0) signals of Ultra HD Blu-ray content to 4K (4:4:4), it delivers beautiful, natural pictures with lifelike depth and vivid colours.

The DMP-UB400 and DMP-UB300 also have an original 4K Direct Chroma Up-scaling function to deliver 4K-quality pictures with high resolution and beautiful colours from 2K content.

Panasonic 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Players maximise the image expression that is inherent to Ultra HD Blu-ray, reproducing images with greater brightness and beauty than ordinary Blu-ray Disc images even when played on a non-HDR TV.

With conventional Blu-ray Players, the images in dark scenes can be difficult to see in bright room conditions. Panasonic’s HDR Adjustment function faithfully reproduces dark and bright areas regardless of the viewing environment. In this situation, the user can activate the function to forcibly raise the brightness of low-brightness areas. Even when switched to a bright scene, the image is analysed and optimised.

Unique audio technologies achieve rich sound reproduction

The DMP-UB400 features two HDMI outputs to isolate and transmit TV (4K Video) and amp audio. The twin HDMI arrangement separates audio and video signals to supress unwanted noise and achieve high-quality audio reproduction. The DMP-UB400 also switches off unnecessary circuits – such as HDMI, coaxial or optical output etc – to reduce noise and enhance performance.

The DMP-UB400 and DMP-UB300 are also designed for high-resolution audio reproduction. In addition to conventional WAV/FLAC/MP3/AAC/WMA formats, DSD (5.6 MHz/2.8 MHz) and ALAC music files can be reproduced. Simply connect to a home audio system to enjoy music sources equivalent to studio master sound quality.

The distinctive, warm, comforting sound characteristics of tube amplifiers are faithfully simulated by the DMP-UB400. Six different kinds of sounds, including vacuum tubes with 96-kHz/192-kHz up-sampling, can be enjoyed in exceptionally high-quality.

Fully-fledged network functionality makes it easy to enjoy a variety of 4K sources

As demand for 4K content continues to expand, the DMP-UB400 and DMP-UB300 Blu-ray players support 4K VOD (Video on Demand) services and offer a new video viewing experience for those who demand uncompromised quality in picture and sound.

The DMP-UB400 offers the convenience of mirroring content on your smartphone or tablet, and includes built-in WiFi.

Users can also reproduce 4K videos (MP4) that they’ve taken with a camera or camcorder and can output JPEG data in 4K resolution.

Stylish and compact design – DMP-UB400 and DMR-UBT1

Panasonic’s 3D glass cut design in a compact body features a bevel cut finish on all four sides to present a subtle yet distinctive presence; perfect for complementing any flat-panel television.

Key features

  • DMP-UB300: RRP $449; Available in June.
  • DMP-UB400: RRP $549; Available in June.
  • DMR-UBT1: RRP TBA; Available in September.

For more information, please contact Panasonic on 132 600 or visit the website: www.panasonic.com.au.

UB400-UB300-split

UBT1

 

Panasonic launches dynamic new audio offerings with Bluetooth

The latest audio lineup from Panasonic epitomises the company’s philosophy of creating high-quality experiences that everyone can enjoy.

The company’s new Soundbars, Urban Audio, Micro and portable systems are designed for clear, dynamic sound, and every model in the range provides wireless Bluetooth® capabilities- so users can enjoy listening to music from their favourite sources around the home at the touch of a button.

Panasonic Soundbars: bringing dynamic theatre-audio to your living room

Panasonic has unveiled two new Soundbars – the SC-HTB688 and SC-HTB488 – designed to fill the room with clear, rich and rounded sound, which is stronger and more immersive than standard TV speakers can deliver.

Panasonic’s years of experience in audio technology and speaker design is reflected in the new devices, allowing you to get the most out of any audio source. The Soundbars connect to the subwoofer via a wireless connection, for an optimised, cinema-like sound to enhance your viewing experience.

Bluetooth® wireless technology is also integrated to enjoy music from a smartphone or tablet. Whether you’re using your tablet to hear internet radio or a smartphone to listen to your favourite music or podcasts, the new Soundbars are ready to be paired with any Bluetooth device.

The perfect match for your TV

When combined with a Panasonic TV, the new Soundbars are the perfect addition to create a sense of having your own cinema at home.

Their compact design allows for a clutter-free living space, regardless of whether a TV is wall-mounted or free-standing. If the TV is free-standing, the Soundbars fit neatly beneath it without obscuring the view thanks to their slim and stylish profile.

The SC-HTB688 offers 300W total output power and 3.1 channels, while the SC-HTB488 offers 200W and 2.1 channels. Both bars support HDMI with Audio Return Channel (ARC) and optical connections. The speakers have been designed for clear, high-fidelity music playback.

Panasonic Urban Audio – for power and performance

urban-audio

Panasonic has introduced three models in a new range of ‘urban audio’ products which provide a stylish twist on the standard mini system and feature Bluetooth for easy music streaming.

  • The Urban Audio SC-UA7 is a freestanding one-box speaker with a distinctive hexagonal design that packs a ground-shaking 1,700W of power output, making it perfect for parties and home entertainment.
  • The SC-UA3 boasts a powerful amplifier, producing expansive sound in a stylish compact body designed for benchtops or shelves. The system allows users to play music from a variety of sources, including Bluetooth, USB, CD and radio.
  • The SC-UX100 is a compact mini system that delivers strong bass and clear room-filling sound. Its luxe design looks great in any room, while Bluetooth and DJ Jukebox features make it the life of every party.

SC-UA7

The 2.1 channel Urban Audio SC-UA7 combines its unique design with phenomenal power and performance, all in a single box. Whether you’re enjoying an action-packed movie or it’s your turn to select a dancefloor-filler on the SC-UA7’s sleek touch display, the robust bass can turn a good audio experience into an unforgettable one.

The SC-UA7’s 1,700W of power is complemented by a unique Airquake Bass configuration that can be physically felt when near to the speaker. Four small ports pull sound forward from the dual woofers, preventing air from escaping to create an extremely powerful sound.

In addition to great bass performance, the SC-UA7’s midrange woofers and tweeters are positioned across three sides of the box for a 180-degree sound range that fills every corner of a room. In total, the all-in-one speaker boasts 10 separate speaker units – two 16cm woofers, four 8cm midrange woofers and four 6cm tweeters.

The SC-UA7 also offers simple operation and a range of playback options. Bluetooth functionality means you can stream all your favourite tunes directly from a mobile device, while the Panasonic Max Juke app allows you to compile playlists and perform operations such as volume, play, pause and EQ settings.

The system also includes two USB ports for music sharing and playback, as well as enough internal memory to store around 1,000 songs. Additionally, if you want to use the speakers for home entertainment, an optical input ensures simple connectivity with a TV.

SC-UA3

The feature-packed SC-UA3 delivers 300W in a sleek, compact design, complete with a handle so it’s easy to move it from room to room.

The all-in-one design of the SC-UA3 provides dynamic sound and multimedia capabilities with Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for linking to audio from a smartphone, tablet or other device, allowing the user to be in complete control. The versatile system also offers a CD player, FM radio and ‘Jukebox Request’ functionality so the music never has to stop.

In addition to aligning the woofers and tweeters, Panasonic has added two more tweeters at the corners so that the SC-UA3 delivers music equally over a wider area. Outward and forward-facing tweeters are found on both the left and right sides, whereas the angle of the four tweeters and Aerodynamic Port (on the left and right), are aligned to offer better sound pressure levels compared to conventional models.

The SC-UA3’s compact horizontal design has a matte finish on the sides, creating a beautiful contrast with the hairline edge of the upper section. The central buttons are backlit and the line running along the distinctively-designed handle is also illuminated. These blue lights break up the black surface, adding to the urban design feel.

SC-UX100

The SC-UX100 makes a stylish addition to any home with its premium, compact design enhanced by a matte black finish with gloss accents and an adjustable illumination feature.

Wireless Audio with Bluetooth is incorporated so you can stream your favourite tunes to the SC-UX100 from your smartphone or tablet. The DJ Jukebox plays songs from a USB device with Mix Play mode, and with Panasonic’s original MAX Juke App, users can operate playlists and play requests to add even more fun to parties.

With 300W output power, the newly-designed speaker achieves bass sound with plenty of punch and well-balanced sound overall. The speaker units use a 13cm woofer and 5cm tweeter that are optimised for its 2-way system. The front surface of the woofer unit is enlarged, and the front aperture of the tweeter is shaped to emit a wider, more expansive sound.

Panasonic Micro Systems: superior audio throughout the home

ALL-connected-HC1012

Panasonic’s latest micro systems offer users a choice of design, as well as excellent sound quality. The SC-PMX152 and SC-HC1020 are designed for music streaming with AllPlay™ compatibility.

  • Panasonic’s SC-PMX152 and SC-PMX82 are compact bookshelf systems with audio capabilities that further improve sound quality, designed to meet the needs of today’s increasingly popular high-resolution sound sources.
  • The SC-HC1020 in stylish black is an all-in-one music streaming system that can be wall-mounted or placed on a desk or bedside table. The SC-HC397 is also wall-mountable and available in silver.

SC-PMX152 and SC-PMX82

With top-quality audio components, 3-way speaker systems, and sleek dimensions finished with a compact design, the SC-PMX152 and SC-PMX82 not only look great but deliver the best audio experience to quality-orientated music lovers.

The SC-PMX152 is Panasonic’s latest addition to its ALL Connected range, which frees the listening experience, so that users can enjoy online music services, digital collections, CDs, radio and more, all over the home. With this model, users can access their favourite internet radio stations from six presets accessible from the main unit or the remote.

The intuitive operation of the Panasonic Music Streaming App lets anyone quickly and easily control ALL Connected Audio in various rooms, using an existing WiFi network. In addition, the app can be used to easily control Bluetooth® music streaming, CD playback, radio and USB re-streaming, as well as providing links to Spotify and ALLPlay radio powered by TuneIn. For instance, CD re-streaming enables the user to listen to their music collection anywhere in the house.

Both models offer Bluetooth Re-Master, which compensates for any audio signals that are lost due to data compression when streaming Bluetooth. This feature provides high-quality playback of sound sources from Bluetooth-compatible devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Panasonic is driving innovation with the SC-PMX152’s CD High-Res Re-Master function which provides high-quality sound from various sources – including CDs, MP3s and smartphones. By delivering high-frequency sounds of 20kHz or more, far beyond ordinary CD playback, MP3 Re-Master compensates for any lost audio signals that exceed the audible range. Via DSP processing, distorted components of the high frequency are replaced by harmonic signal components with less distortion.

To ensure authentic and impressive sound, both devices are equipped with Panasonic’s innovative new 3rd-generation LincsD-Amp solution. This delivers a more refined, pristine sound as it corrects issues such as jitter and unwanted distortion in digital music playback. Additionally the Variable Gain technology enhances clarity at low volumes.

Panasonic continues to evolve its high-performance 3-way speaker system to ensure the most from both models’ updated amp technology and 120W power output. By combining this 3-way design with a Super Sonic Tweeter, the SC-PMX152’s speakers are capable of reaching the ultra-high 100kHz frequency range. This ensures that the speaker is able to produce beautifully dynamic sound packed with the sort of tiny details that bring high quality recordings to life.

Premium aluminium material is used on the front panel of both models. For added sleekness, an extra aluminium top panel is included on the SC-PMX152’s main unit. Both systems combine compact size, high grade design and an elegant finish, complementing a wide range of room décor.

SC-HC1020 and SC-HC397

The SC-HC1020 houses high-quality performance in a sleek wall-mountable design. The speakers have a new fabric mesh material and mirrored front panel, a design that harmonises with any space and offers a warm modern feel. Its sound mode delivers a wider sound field with outstanding clarity.

Like the SC-PMX152, the SC-HC1020 is part of Panasonic’s lineup of ALL Connected audio products. It can re-stream CD, Radio and USB content to other ALL Connected devices; as well as supporting music streaming services such as Spotify and AllPlay Radio powered by Tunein. Users can access their favourite internet radio stations at a touch of one of the five pre-set buttons.

Enjoy rich and robust bass and experience music exactly as it was meant to be heard thanks to the 3rd generation LincsD-Amp. The latest version of this technology corrects issues such as jitter and power supply noise that usually cause distortion in digital music playback.

The speaker position has been moved higher on the device, to limit obstacles and create a clear reverberation when the speaker is wall-mounted. This creates a wider sound field for an optimal room-filling sound. The wall-mount mode also optimises the sound with digital signal processing and suitable EQ settings measured against the baffle effect of the rear wall.

The SC-HC1020 has 40W power output, with two speakers that adopt the Twisted Acoustic Port, a unique shape designed for increasing resonance. The slim SC-HC397, available in silver, offers convenient wall mounting, DAB+ radio, CD playback and 40W power.

Portable Audio – RF-D20U

Portable-radio

The RF-D20U is a compact, splash-proof radio with a vertical design, available in a choice of either two tone black and white, or sleek black. In addition to DAB/DAB+/FM Radio, this all in one model supports Bluetooth so you can stream your smartphone music wirelessly. A USB port allows smartphone charging.

The splash-proof design is IPX3 rated, ideal for use from the kitchen to the outdoors, so you can hear your favourite sounds wherever you please. The radio operates on AC power or AA batteries. Other handy features include 5-channel memory, clock and alarm and an easy to read LCD display with white backlighting.

Pricing and availability

MODELAVAILABLERRP
SOUNDBARS
SC-HTB688May$549
SC-HTB488April$449
URBAN AUDIO
SC-UA7April$769
SC-UA3July$439
SC-UX100Now$329
MICRO SYSTEMS
SC-PMX152June$879
SC-PMX82May$549
SC-HC1020May$449
SC-HC397May$379
PORTABLE AUDIO
RF-D20UJuly$179

For more information, please contact Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au.

 

Panasonic Australia introduces Master OLED TV

Stunning new OLED offering the centerpiece of expanded 4K Pro HDR Ultra HD lineup

Panasonic has unveiled its OLED flagship – the EZ1000 Series ‘Master OLED’ – delivering a premium visual and audio experience with Panasonic’s ‘Absolute Black Filter’, and the integrated Technics ‘Dynamic Blade Speaker’.

Panasonic has delivered its most accurate and detailed picture ever with the EZ1000. In this model, the stunning contrast and rich colour of OLED combine with Panasonic’s professional-grade processing technologies, honed over the company’s 79-year history in TV research and development.

This marks the introduction of Panasonic’s first OLED TV range in Australia, with the 65-inch EZ1000 Series launching in July, and a 77 inch model in November. In addition, the EZ950 Series OLED will offer 65 and 55-inch models, both available in July.

Panasonic will also release a premium range of 4K Pro HDR Ultra HD LED LCD TVs at the top of its 2017 LED LCD lineup, the EX780 Series; and the entry-level 4K HDR Ultra HD EX600 Series.

Panasonic OLED

For industry experts and film enthusiasts alike, OLED screens represent the ultimate in picture quality. OLED’s unique ability to have each and every pixel produce its own light and colour leads to incredibly rich, natural colours and industry-leading contrast.

Doug Campbell, Category Manager, AV and Imaging, Panasonic, explained: “For Panasonic, these innate OLED talents are just the start. Panasonic OLED TVs take OLED’s unique qualities and add a powerful mix of hardware and software innovations that’s born from decades of experience in developing TV technology, as well as a 20-year collaboration with Hollywood.”

Panasonic 4K Pro High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology

4K_PRO-HDR_UHD

Panasonic’s 4K Pro HDR technology is the ‘brain’ behind the EZ1000 and EZ950 OLED TVs and its premium EX780 LED LCD range.

At its heart are three key capabilities – the Studio Colour HCX2 (Hollywood Cinema Experience 2) 4K Processor; HEXA Chroma Drive 4K Pro; and Hollywood Tuning.

Panasonic’s HCX2 Processor represents the culmination of decades of technological knowhow derived from the production of Panasonic’s reference quality Plasma, LED LCD and OLED TVs and professional broadcast and film-making equipment – and delivers an unprecedented level of accuracy to an array of colours, and clarity and gradation to black levels.

HEXA Chroma Drive 4K Pro uses professional quality colour management technology to capture every nuance and detail – incorporating 6-colour reproduction; a colour correction system that uses professional 3D look up tables for astounding accuracy; and panels that can show almost 100 per cent of the DCI colour space, critical to producing a truly authentic high dynamic range (HDR) picture.

To maximise the true potential of these components, Panasonic TVs are tuned by a Hollywood colourist to deliver an accurate cinema experience true to the film-maker’s vision.

Panasonic OLED lineup

EZ1000 Series ‘Master OLED’

ez1000-series

Panasonic’s impressive EZ1000 Series ‘Master OLED’ will be available in 77-inch and 65-inch screen sizes.

Because Plasma and OLED are both self-emitting technologies, Panasonic has been able to apply its expertise in fine-tuning Plasma technology and use the same methodologies within  the specialised HCX2 processor, to deliver the full potential of OLED.

The EZ1000 Series features Panasonic’s ‘Absolute Black Filter’ which reduces reflections and delivers blacks with precision and depth even in the most challenging technical conditions such as off-black scenes with deep shadows which can look grey due to OLED’s brightness. As a result, the ‘Absolute Black Filter’ delivers the purest, most accurate black levels.

Panasonic hasn’t just focused on achieving stunning pictures for the EZ1000. Outstanding audio is assured by the slim, fully-integrated ‘Dynamic Blade Speaker’, with Technics engineers involved at every stage of development, from mechanical and electrical circuit design through to sound tuning. This deceptively slim audio system houses no less than 14 multiple speaker units (eight woofers, four squawkers and two tweeters, plus a quad passive radiator to boost bass).

Doug Campbell added: “The return of our iconic Technics brand in the EZ1000 sees Panasonic uniquely positioned to deliver a completely new level of audio experience to TV users.”

Superbly accurate pictures

HCX2

With the EZ1000 and EZ950, Panasonic has pushed the boundaries of television technology to deliver superbly accurate pictures. Panasonic’s 4K Pro HDR technologies unlock the full contrast and colour potential of the latest OLED screen technology, with unprecedented black levels and the most accurate colours ever seen, resulting in pictures of extraordinary precision and spectacular beauty.

Panasonic’s newly forged Studio Colour HCX2 4K Processor delivers an unprecedented level of accuracy to an array of colours, and clarity to the exceptional black levels and ground-breaking brightness of the HDR OLED panel.

Each OLED panel makes its own light – this means reproducing detail in dark areas is a particularly tough challenge as a consequence of the relatively large jump from off (zero black) to on (above black). Through the application of processes honed during decades of plasma screen production, Panasonic’s engineers were able to significantly enhance the production of fine detail, especially in those near-black areas.

Fine-tuned by Hollywood professionals to deliver picture quality true to the film-maker’s vision, the Studio Colour HCX2 4K Processor has been refined to handle OLED technology’s exceptionally large gamut of one billion colours. The result is more precise colour reproduction, especially in areas that are particularly difficult to reproduce such as dark shadows and bright highlights.

Hexa-chroma

HEXA Chroma Drive 4K Pro provides natural, rich colours with 6-colour reproduction which adds three complementary colours (CMY) to the three primary colour areas (RGB). A vital component is the colour-correcting system which includes the use of professional 3D Look Up Tables. Uniquely, every single brightness step has a complete database of colours stored on the processor to ensure that the most accurate colours are always displayed, even with the most challenging of material.

The EZ1000 and EZ950 OLED TVs can show almost 100 per cent of the DCI colour space, which is critical to producing a truly authentic HDR picture. Professional colorists can upload and use their own Look Up Tables through the USB ports, while the panels also feature Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) calibration settings, are compatible with Portrait Displays’ CalMAN calibration software, and are THX certified – yet more proof for consumers of their amazing precision.

In addition, with extreme colour accuracy, super-deep blacks, unprecedented near-black detailing and high OLED brightness, the TVs are supremely well equipped to handle HDR’s extreme contrast and colour demands.

Elegant Design

art-interior

The EZ1000 and EZ950 are both crafted according to Panasonic’s Art and Interior design ethos. Taking inspiration from the foremost principles of interior design, they blend style with premium materials. The top-of-the-line EZ1000 has an ultra-slim panel to integrate elegantly and seamlessly into the modern home. It represents the ultimate blend of form and function with its powerful ‘Dynamic Blade Speaker’ sound system, which is integrated into its stand, so that the screen seems to float above the speaker. The EZ950 also impresses with its minimalist pedestal design.

Multi-HDR support – EZ1000, EZ950, EX780, EX600

All Panasonic’s 4K HDR models, both OLED and LED LCD, offer the benefits of HDR multi-format capabilities. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is vital for accurately revealing fine detail in scenes that combine the darkest and brightest of content.

Meeting strict criteria concerning resolution, bit depth and colour gamut, the TVs are fully compatible with HDR10, a compulsory feature on UHD Blu-ray content and used by streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Video.

Furthermore, with compatibility for Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) HDR (as developed by NHK of Japan and the BBC), Panasonic unequivocally shows its commitment to the latest technology, which will be the bedrock of future television broadcasting.

With HDR gaining traction on 4K games consoles, Panasonic’s fastest-ever 4K HDR Gaming mode will meet the demands of the most proficient of gaming enthusiasts. It substantially reduces input lag to improve performance when playing 4K HDR games, especially those with fast movement that require quick reaction times.

Panasonic LED LCD

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Complementing Panasonic’s new line-up of 4K Pro Ultra HD OLED TVs, the latest generation of LED models feature next-generation processing, enhanced LED lighting, and the latest LCD panels. Panasonic offers consumers exceptional HDR picture quality throughout the entire 4K range.

EX780 Series 4K Pro HDR UHD LED LCD

Panasonic’s 4K Pro HDR picture technologies also ensure superior performance from the company’s premium LED LCD range.

The Panasonic EX780 Series – available in 75-inch, 65-inch and 58-inch screen sizes – proudly bears its 4K Pro HDR hallmark with a Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory-tuned display that is designed to show vision exactly as the film-maker intended – with wide cinematic colours, inky blacks with subtle gradations, and outstanding levels of brightness.

The EX780 has a 200Hz (Hertz) Super Bright panel for excellent clarity and smooth motion, and is powered by the same Studio Colour HCX2 4K processor as Panasonic’s pro-grade OLED TVs. The processor boosts picture quality with digitally enhanced Local Dimming of the LED backlighting, which combines fine control of the physical backlight operation with additional processing to deliver better localisation of black levels and class-beating HDR images.

The EX780 includes Panasonic’s HDR Brightness Enhancer designed to optimise HDR picture quality in brightly lit rooms. Dark scenes, which can be difficult to see in these conditions, are optimised to increase the luminance of their low brightness areas, allowing the scene to be enjoyed as it was intended, even in a brighter environment.

Swivel and Lift Design

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The TH-58EX780 incorporates Panasonic’s innovative ‘Swivel and Lift’ design, allowing the panel to be adjusted to four different heights and swivelled to ensure the perfect viewing angle. Cables are also neatly hidden from view in the stand’s central pole. The TH-65EX780 can also be conveniently swivelled.

EX600 Series 4K HDR UHD LED LCD

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With the introduction of the EX600, for the first time Panasonic now offers the benefits of HDR on all of its 4K TV Series. Delivering impressive 4K viewing, the TV incorporates a 100Hz Super Bright panel, Advanced Colour Processing, and Adaptive Backlight Dimming. This allows the TV to process and display a truly natural HDR picture from HDR10 and HLG sources with rich colour and excellent detail in both high brightness areas and dark shadows. The EX600 Series is available in 65-inch, 55-inch, 49-inch and 43-inch screen sizes.

Panasonic Smart TV – EZ1000, EZ950, EX780, EX600

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All Panasonic’s 2017 4K TVs feature the My Home Screen 2.0 interface. It’s easily customisable and provides a quick and intuitive means of finding content from multiple sources such as broadcast channels, web pages, apps and external devices. The latest features include folders for multiple users, a My App button on the remote that can be customised for faster access to favourite content and a revamped Media Player app that supports 4K HDR10 and HLG content playback. The EZ1000 and EZ950 also include Control 4’s Simple Device Discovery Protocol.

With more and more Australians bingeing on streamed TV, it’s conveniently simple to stream shows and clips from Amazon, Netflix, BigPond Movies and YouTube, and watch video from those key sources in 4K HDR quality. Panasonic also offers Freeview Plus support.

Panasonic’s TV streaming feature allows users to easily stream broadcasts from their main TV to a second device such as tablets or smartphones in another room. Twin HD Tuneri lets the viewer enjoy picture in picture functionality, record one program while watching another, or watch one program while streaming another to a smartphone or tablet device. Swipe and Share also makes sharing content between the TV and smart devices over the home network easier than ever. And with TV Anytime and the Panasonic Media Centre App, stream live TV shows or movies on your tablet or smartphone wherever you are in the world.

MODELAVAILABLERRP
OLED
TH-77EZ1000NovemberTBA
TH-65EZ1000July$8899
TH-65EZ950July$7199
TH-55EZ950July$4999
4K Pro HDR UHD LED LCD
TH-75EX780April$7199
TH-65EX780April$4499
TH-58EX780May$3299
4K HDR UHD LED LCD
TH-65EX600May$3299
TH-55EX600May$2199
TH-49EX600May$1999
TH-43EX600May$1799
Full HD LED LCD
TH-55ES500June$1899
TH-49ES500June$1649
TH-40ES500June$1399
HD LED LCD
TH-32E400May$499

For more information, please contact Panasonic on 132 600 or visit: www.panasonic.com.au.