Introduction
The 50-inch TX-50AX802 is a second generation 4K Ultra HD Panasonic TV, following on from last year's exploratory 65-inch WT600 model.
Also available in 58- and 65-inch screen sizes (TX-58AX802 and TX-65AX802 respectively), it combines an 8 million pixel image with a formidable armoury of features and innovative user experience: the AX802 is the first 4K Ultra HD TV to offer an integrated Freetime catch-up service (once the sole preserve of Freesat's satellite set top box), and boasts a Standby Info bar mode allied to a room sensor which activates when anyone is near.
The TX-50AX802 is surprisingly heavy for 50-inch panel, a testament to its substantial build. Rather cleverly it comes with a heavy counterweight pedestal block that sits hidden from sight behind the screen, giving the illusion that the screen is resting on nothing more than its metallic-edged frame.
A camera is built into the bezel; when engaged it stands bolt upright in a not very subtle fashion. Connections comprise four HDMIs (2.0 compliant, with one ARC ready), three USBs (one rated 3.0), CI, slot, component/composite/Scart legacy input via adaptor, Ethernet and a 4K playback capable SD card slot. There's also a DisplayPort input, allowing PC users to run high frame rate 4K from high-spec PCs. Wi-Fi is built in. The set has twin Freeview HD and Freesat tuners.
Features
The TX-50AX802 doesn't skimp on the internet connected front. It's so smart it should come with a motarboard. We've long been fans of Panasonic's 'my home screen' interface, and here it's joined by a 'my stream content' recommendation system. You can tune recommendations by 'starring' them with the touch pad remote Bluetooth controller; the more you favourite, the more accurate the set's recommendations become.
Preset 'my home screens' include one dedicated to the Freetime TV guide, with an on demand shortcut, search, and curated content showcase. Of course you don't need to use any of the presets, as it's simple enough to build your own. Just arrange whatever apps you use most on a blank grid surrounding the live TV window. If you like to stream files from a NAS, just place the media server app on your Home Screen launch page.
Big name connected services available include Vimeo, BBC News & Sport, Wukai.TV, Skype, Dailymotion and Netflix. Significantly, the set isn't compatible with the nascent Netflix 4K service though, despite having an integrated HEVC decoder.
Panasonic tells us this is down to the configuration of the chips used, and is unlikely to be resolved. An inability to offer native 4K streaming could prove off putting for those with a fast enough fibre broadband to stream the service.
Also new this year is the info bar, effectively a televisual fridge magnet. This only activates when the TV is in Standby, and offers up the time, a local weather forecast, a 'my stream' highlight and skyped messages whenever someone activates the proximity sensor.
The info bar automatically enables the set's microphone and camera, which stands erect from the top of the screen. The proximity sensor detects changes in temperature, which means it could also be randomly triggered by passing pets.
The AX802 supports media playback from USB and a networked NAS. When it comes to video we found the screen will play MOV, AVI, WMV, MPG and MKV, while audio support covers WMA, MP3, AAC/M4a and FLAC.
Additional features include display mirroring (Miracast) from compatible smartphones and TV Anywhere remote sharing functionality, which when used with the brand's TV Remote 2 app allows users to watch live broadcasts remotely or even access recordings from any attached USB drive.
Picture quality
The image performance of the TX-50AX802 is remarkable. Impeccable detail, vibrant colour and high levels of contrast rank this screen into the premiere league of current picture performers. Colour reproduction is outstanding, thanks no doubt to the set's 4K Studio Master Drive. Images have a lushness that wouldn't look out of place in a Brazilian rain forest. A wide colour gamut mode, dubbed the Colour Remaster function, is available in Min and Max strengths.
Black level performance is similarly profound, with deep, smooth shades of dark. This delicious sense of inkyness comes at the expense of some crushed blacks. In scenes of predominant darkness, we also noted backlight unevenness evidenced by a slight bloom from the edge-lighting. For the most part this isn't detectable during general viewing though.
The set earns a 2000Hz BLS (backlight scanning) rating, the fastest in the Panasonic fleet. It also boasts the brand's Local Dimming Pro technology, although we noted some curious side effects of this, particularly during Uma Thurman's burial scene in Kill Bill Vol 2. Instead of being lost in blackness, the AX802 had her body pulsating with unintended backlit blobbyness.
There's also a dimmer function, which turns down the edge-lighting above and below a letterboxed movie for better border blacks and contrast.
Picture presets
Off the shelf picture presets include dynamic, normal, cinema, THX cinema, THX bright room, true cinema, custom, professional 1 and professional 2. A good proportion of these modes pander to increasingly irrelevant sackcloth calibration and look dull and unengaging as a result. For the most part we'd ignore them. If a display is capable of a high dynamic range and extended colours, there's no good reason to self flagellate. Tune up the picture from the Normal preset instead.
Panasonic's high frame rate Intelligent Frame Creation processing has traditionally extorted a high price for its icy smoothness. When encountered on the brand's beloved plasma models, the default advice was always 'turn it off.' With 4K LED we can be a little more forgiving.
IFC comes in min, mid and max flavours, all of which are powerfully effective. If you want to track a volley at Queens Club or follow feet in Rio's stadia they offer astonishing clarity. For a more cinematic presentation, the mode can also be turned off; there's no massive penalty in terms of lost motion picture resolution.
The minimum setting is powerful enough to maintain moving detail, with negligible artefacting. This would be our choice for general TV content or sports. Unfortunately mid and max IFC settings often bring with them acute artefacts, seen as smudging around certain moving objects.
3D capability
The set is Active Shutter 3D compliant, and comes with two pairs of battery powered glasses. While there is some inevitable crosstalk double imaging in its stereoscopic images, the sense of depth is pleasantly exaggerated. Colour fidelity remains exceptionally good despite the 3D processing. Flynn Ryder's blue waistcoat (in Tangled, Blu-ray) pops in a way we haven't seen before, while the level of upscaled detail is truly impressive.
Of course 4K Ultra HD really comes into its own on larger 65-inch plus screens. Get close to a big 4K image and you can examine scads of detail without ever being aware of any pixel structure. So are such benefits still apparent on this relatively small 50-incher? The answer, at least with native 4K content, is they most definitely are.
With no Netflix 4K to call on, our prime 4K source was video content shot on Panasonic's GH4 system camera. MP4 h.264 2160/30p and MOV files captured at 2160/24p, display with astonishing levels of clarity. Exteriors shot around London's China Town on a sunny day dazzle with detail and texture. By way of contrast, the TV doesn't deliver this supernatural zing when upscaling Full HD tuner content. Pictures look very good, and have a suitably pixel-dense sheen, but they're not comparable to native UHD content. The set does a more overt upscaling job when handling Blu-ray.
While Netflix 4K is AWOL, the AX803 will also play 2160p clips from YouTube's 4K channel, and these can look dazzling depending on the quality of encoding. There's also a 4K web browser available.
Usability, sound and value
Initial setup stokes up Panasonic's voice assistant which guides you through the install. If you fluster the instructions, this robotic voice begins to sound increasingly frantic.
The Freetime UI proves an inspired way to view catch-up content. There's no longer a need to click your way through to individual apps, just browse back in time when a channel allows it and hit play, this automatically triggers the relevant channel's catch-up amp; the guide's earlier arrow backwards only appears when a channel supports catch-up.
When it comes to overall usability Panasonic's 'my home screen' layout impresses. It's easy to live with, reducing the number of clicks needed to get to preferred apps. However, while clever, the jury is out on the ithnfo bar. It's only real purpose seems to be to startle whoever walks into a room; the TV makes a triumphant toot, as if to say 'gotcha, and here's the weather…'
Two remotes are supplied. The main IR controller is a weighty affair with a luxurious metallic finish, while the other is a lightweight silver Bluetooth Touch Pad with integrated microphone. The latter is ultimately frustrating to use, as the pad doesn't seem sensitive enough to consistently register confirmational taps. Thankfully the premium IR zapper is eminently usable, but annoyingly lacks a star button to fine tune the 'my stream' function.
Sound
Onboard TV audio has been a bit of an Achilles' ear for Panasonic in the recent past, and here it just passes muster. Secretive 2x 4w downward firing drivers are significantly helped by a rear-facing central 10w mid-range driver, which offers enough body and volume to postpone any need for a soundbar. Assorted processing is on hand supposedly to widen the soundstage, but it's not particularly effective. Audio performance is predominantly monophonic.
Value
The Panasonic TX-50AX802 is a spectacular screen offering excellent connected catch-up functionality. In terms of image quality it really shines, albeit with niggling caveats – the backlight illumination is uneven and Full HD upscaling isn't indicative of the amazing resolution that the set can offer with native 4K content. That said, its £2K asking price seems something of a steal.
Comparisons
Sony KD-55X9005B - £2699
Adopting Sony's new wedge-shaped design with forward facing magnetic fluid speakers, the KD-55X9005B may be an acquired taste, but its picture performance and feature set is outstanding. 4K image quality is terrific, bolstered by excellent UHD upscaling. A wide range of streaming Internet services are also provided, including Netflix 4K.
Samsung UE55HU8500 - £2699
Poster boy for Samsung's curved UHD initiative, the UE55HU8500 will undoubtedly polarise opinions. Curvature regardless, it's a spectacular 4K screen, offering excellent UHD image quality and a raft of appy-based features and gesture/voice tomfoolery.
Verdict
Typically available for around £2K, the TX-50AX802 can be considered fine value. This is an impressive 4K UHD panel capable of an outstanding picture performance.
Colour fidelity and black level performance are particularly noteworthy. The implementation of Freetime, with a roll-back EPG and full complement of mainstream TV catch-up services, also makes a refreshing change from having to launch individual channel apps.
There's no getting around the fact that the set's inability to play Netflix 4K content could prove difficult to ignore for many though. Overall design and build quality is admirably high.
We liked
The TX-50AX802 delivers cracking picture quality with Full HD sources and is capable of a stunning native 4K performance. The Freetime roll-back TV programme guide makes catch-up part of the regular linear TV watching experience. Panasonic's my Home Screen launch page makes it easy to create a bespoke UI, and the curated my Stream content recommendation engine is a fun addition.
We disliked
There's no getting around the fact that the Bluetooth Touch Pad controller is awkward to use. Despite having an HEVC decoder, the set is incompatible with Netflix 4K. Arguably Full HD upscaling is not quite as effective as that seen on rival screens.
Final verdict
Make no mistake, the Panasonic TX-50AX802 is a stand-out 4K UHD TV in most every sense. With its metallic trim and crafty hidden pedestal, the set looks superb and (pedantic niggles aside) its picture performance is a richly hued wow. Throw in a superior connected feature roster with snazzy Freetime roll-back programme guide, and you're more than halfway a winner
The fly in the ointment, and it's difficult to know if this is a big fly or not, is its unfortunate incompatibility with Netflix 4K (wrong type of chips apparently). That said, it sells for considerably less than its nearest rivals, which should sweeten the deal.
James Potter