Verdict
An excellent OLED TV, the Panasonic MZ1500 dazzles with a shiny, vibrant HDR efficiency, its audio system supplies heft to soundtracks, and its gaming options rival that of LG. There are areas the place rival TVs edge it, however general, the Panasonic TX-65MZ1500 places in a marvellous efficiency.
Execs
- Fabulously participating HDR efficiency
- Impactful sound system
- Accessible good interface
- Aggressive gaming options
Cons
- At present dearer than shut rivals
- LG higher for premium gaming expertise
- Restricted app choice
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Grasp OLED ProfessionalExcessive brightness display for HDR content material -
Dynamic Theater Encompass ProfessionalDolby Atmos suitable sound system -
HDRHelps all flavours of HDR codecs
Introduction
2023 is Panasonic’s most aggressive assault on the TV market in a number of years with 5 OLED TVs that supply a variety of choices for viewers to tuck into.
The Panasonic MZ1500 is the step-down OLED from the flagship MZ2000 Micro Lens Array mannequin. Not like earlier years, there’s no efficiency parity by way of the display, however basically the MZ1500 packs the wonderful display from the LZ2000, and in contrast to the MZ2000 it’s simpler to mate this TV with a sound system of your individual selection.
Given Panasonic’s obvious aggression, does the MZ1500’s efficiency bode nicely for the remainder of the vary? Right here is my in-depth overview of the Panasonic TX-65MZ1500.
Design
- Swivel stand
- Fast to assemble
- Minimalist aesthetics
In relation to aesthetics, you’ll be able to financial institution on a Panasonic OLED trying the identical yr in and yr out. The bezel that encases the TV is tremendous skinny and barely seen from a seating place.
Meeting is fast and straightforward, a case of screwing the stand in with the 4 provided screws. It took me about 90 seconds to place the TV collectively.
The stand can swivel, which is helpful for avoiding glare, and the central pedestal doesn’t require an enormous piece of AV furnishings to take a seat on, although the width of this 65-inch TV will in the end dictate the place it’s positioned.
The Panasonic MZ1500 might be wall-mounted although the majority on the backside of the rear panel means it wouldn’t sit flush towards a wall.
On the backside of the entrance display is a strip that signifies the TV’s speaker, however extra on that within the ‘Sound High quality’ part.
There’s an adjunct to assist filter cables via that attaches to the stand. It feels flimsy at first and fiddly to place collectively however as soon as affixed it doesn’t transfer – or not less than it didn’t over the course of testing.
Software program
- Refreshingly simple to make use of
- Freeview Play integration
- Leisure mode in ‘my surroundings’ function
Panasonic has launched Android TV and Hearth TV to its UK fashions, however for its OLED vary it has caught with the tried and examined My Residence Display screen, now in its 8th model.
It’s exceedingly uncomplicated to make use of. Press the ‘Residence’ button and up comes a double-stacked row of apps – paid-for apps on the underside, UK catch-up and on-demand on prime. Press ‘Apps’ and that opens the principle display for entry to extra apps.
The choice isn’t as nice in quantity as Samsung Tizen or LG webOS, however Panasonic appears content material with its smaller library, specializing in dwelling leisure with the likes of Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Apple TV+, YouTube, and Rakuten TV. Sports activities and music aren’t as thorough with a number of notable apps in DAZN, YouTube Music, and Deezer.
Freeview Play integration (for UK prospects) brings a hub that’s dwelling to an digital programme information (EPG), field units, ‘really useful’ picks, and an space for programming you’ve ‘favourited’.
Press the ‘Menu’ button and up springs a customisable row of settings (image, sound, power saving, voice management, and many others). Head to ‘Important Menu and that opens the total menu expertise, and I’ve at all times appreciated that the outline of every setting is clearly defined.
The ’my Surroundings’ perform is accessible by way of the app part. It really works equally to Samsung’s Ambient Mode, offering a calming soundscape replete with idyllic photos or movies, a few of which assist Dolby Atmos audio. You’ll be able to add your individual photos and movies from a USB stick.
The distant is unchanged from the redesign of a pair years again. Panasonic solely provides one and it’s large and hefty – it’s unlikely to get misplaced between the cushions – nevertheless it’s simple to make use of with clicky buttons responses and fast entry buttons to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Freeview Play and extra.
Options
- Speedy enter lag
- Nvidia/AMD VRR assist
- Alexa built-in smarts
Panasonic’s made large steps to courtroom the gaming crowd and there are extra options than earlier than.
Gaming latency hasn’t modified because the JZ1000 mannequin I reviewed a number of years in the past. I measured enter lag on the 65MZ1500 at 14.3ms, which is faster than the Sony A80L however slower than the LG C3 and Samsung S95C.
Its assist for 4K/120Hz and Variable Refresh Charges (VRR) does imply enter lag might be lowered additional for speedier gameplay. PC players are catered for with assist for AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync, which improves color efficiency, latency, and picture stability. Auto low latency mode acknowledges when a console or gaming PC is linked and places the 65MZ1500 into its lowest latency.
The Recreation Management Board is a sequence of customisable settings accessible throughout gameplay, exhibiting HDR and VRR settings amongst different particulars. There’s additionally a Recreation Sound mode that optimises the TV’s output for RPG or FPS video games, and a True Recreation mode that acts like Filmmaker mode to supply probably the most correct color copy.
There’s built-in Amazon Alexa and ‘Works with’ Google voice management when a speaker such because the Nest Audio is linked. A function that’s gone below the radar is the Multi Window perform the place you’ll be able to watch two sources concurrently (similar to Samsung’s Multi View).
Connectivity consists of 4 HDMI inputs – HDMI 1 & 2 are rated to the two.1 normal, however one is the top quality audio eARC port for sound methods. Meaning prospects want to decide on between both having each inputs for a gaming console/PC; or utilizing it to plug in a sound system.
Three USB ports, Ethernet, CI+ 1.4 slot, analogue video enter, digital audio output, aerial and satellite tv for pc ports, plus a headphone output (switchable to subwoofer) are offered. Wirelessly there’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and with the latter you’ll be able to ship audio to TV by way of Bluetooth or join the Panasonic MZ1500 to a sound system by way of the Audio Hyperlink perform. Chromecast shouldn’t be supported.
Image High quality
- Full home for HDR codecs
- Impressively pure upscaling
- Wonderful darkish room viewing expertise
All the principle HDR codecs are supported, from HLG and HDR10 to HDR10+ Adaptive and Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ. The latter two adapt the MZ1500’s efficiency in darkish and brightly lit rooms, so the viewer can see all of the element they’re meant to.
Peak brightness is excessive. I measured the Filmmaker mode preset at 1153 nits on a 5% window and 1140 nits on a ten% window. Different modes hit round 1000 nits, with Regular and Recreation mode vary from 860 to 960 nits.
Watching sequence 2 of Basis on Apple TV+ and the primary few episodes register all kinds of each saturated and refined colors. With HDR content material, the Panasonic MZ1500 takes a balanced strategy to making use of brightness – highlights equivalent to candles burning and fireworks exploding have nice influence, producing a superb sense of distinction when set towards the TV’s wealthy black ranges.
The excessive ranges of brightness assist the set’s color quantity efficiency, describing colors with extra selection and hues. In comparison with a (55-inch) Sony A80L, the 2 are evenly matched in image phrases, however the reds of the robes worn by the Basis monks are brighter, whereas the blue of a sky takes on paler shade, though white tones are managed with extra brightness on the Sony.
Pores and skin tones are dealt with with a wealthy, heat look, although I are inclined to favour the A80L’s extra pure look. That stated, the 2 TVs are evenly matched however for the upper brightness on the Panasonic.
It’s the inclusion of Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ that widens the efficiency between the 2 TVs. Watching in a brightly lit check room, the Sony usually edges out the Panasonic with extra seen darkish element within the photographs of the silo from the Apple TV+ sequence of the identical title.
Flip the lights off and the MZ1500 depicts black ranges with extra depth and richness – the Sony seems washed out by comparability – and there’s an abundance of element in darkish scenes that slips previous the A80L. A darkish scene in the direction of the top of Silo’s second episode and I can see way more of the area Juliet is in, in addition to the define of her face and her facial options. On the Sony it’s more durable to see.
The HDR10+ Adaptive efficiency is simply as dynamic as Dolby Imaginative and prescient with Marvel Girl 1984. There’s a beautiful sense of distinction within the July 4th fireworks scene, the colors of Marvel Girl’s costume is wealthy and daring, highlights are intensely portrayed (equivalent to Diana’s Lasso of Fact). Whichever HDR is on present, it’s usually a stunning trying 4K HDR picture.
Stepping all the way down to HD and normal definition, and there’s a number of readability in an upscaled Blu-ray of Independence Day. It seems sharp and outlined however by no means to the purpose of being overly processed. Colors are natural-looking, pores and skin tones are various – the impression the Panasonic MZ1500 offers is one which’s true to the supply. Fantastic element is superb, distinction is beautiful – the movie merely seems nice.
One other fascinating word is how comparable the color efficiency is throughout a number of modes (not less than with SDR content material). Color temperature and brightness differ, after all, the cool temperature of ‘Regular’ and ‘Dynamic’ modes is noticeable, however the TV doesn’t essentially alter the look. It’s a really constant picture.
With a DVD of X-Males 2, the primary impression is that it’s not dangerous for a 576i picture on a 65-inch 4K display. There’s noise nevertheless it’s managed nicely – no matter processing is utilized is mild sufficient. Colors are wide-ranging and confidently described; complexions are good – maybe slightly too heat however various so it doesn’t really feel like Panasonic is making use of a heat filter to every little thing.
Fantastic element is clearly missing – I can see it (or lack thereof) within the strands of individuals’s hair however the movie, in Filmmaker mode particularly, seems higher than I anticipated.
As normal, Panasonic provides a variety of choices inside its IFC (Clever Body Creation) function when making use of movement processing. I’d suggest skipping ‘Max’ and ‘Mid’ choices.
Viewing the scene in The Northman the place a village comes below Viking assault, there’s judder as quickly because the Vikings begin operating with some notable jitter and flickering. ‘Mid’ is much less extreme nevertheless it’s the ‘Min’ possibility that’s the smoothest and most pure.
It’s the identical conclusion drawn from a 4K Blu-ray of 1917. The ‘Max’ setting options an excessive amount of judder because the troopers stroll via the trenches and throughout No Man’s Land, and there’s noise because the digital camera passes near-field objects. ‘Min’ smooths out the 24fps ‘stutter’ of movie simply sufficient with out incurring any noise or judder. I discover it probably the most steady, smoothest, and clearest of all of the choices.
Sound High quality
- Weighty bass efficiency
- Heat presentation (for probably the most half)
- Supply of dialogue may very well be clearer
Panasonic says it’s given the MZ1500’s 50W Dynamic Theatre Encompass Professional audio system a bass increase over the LZ1500, and whereas it gained’t rival a subwoofer for depth or a soundbar by way of dimension, it provides an actual thump and heft to soundtracks.
The beats of the drum in The Northman’s Atmos soundtrack are thunderously loud, whereas with Elvis (4K Blu-ray), there’s actual punch and weight to the percussion of the movie’s musical performances that offers them life, dynamism, and power that’s sorely lacking with the Samsung S95C and LG G3 OLED.
When a bomb goes off in 1917 and a trench collapses, the TV does nicely to explain the heft and energy of the scene with out skimping on element or readability.
The Sony A80L’s Acoustic Floor Audio+ sound system is sharper, crisper, and tasks voices from the display higher, nevertheless. The MZ1500 doesn’t get as loud because the Sony can however continues to be loud for a TV. Round or above quantity degree 60 and it will get slightly too energetic; the TV emphasises energy on the expense of subtlety.
Although this method helps Dolby Atmos, don’t anticipate sounds to encompass your viewing place. Dialogue and sound results match their placement on display, and it’s a spacious soundstage. A soundbar may enhance issues however I don’t assume you’ll must rush out for one. In comparison with the flagship MZ2000, it’s simpler so as to add an exterior audio system.
Dialogue is warmly conveyed although it’s not the sharpest. Viewing the Gom Jabbar sequence from Dune, the MZ1500 may use an additional ounce of readability to explain dialogue. When Jessica recites the Litany Towards Worry, there are a number of sentences I couldn’t catch it doesn’t matter what sound mode the TV was in.
Curiously, when watching The English on iPlayer within the TV’s ‘Customary’ audio mode, it’s a lot crisper in tone. Dialogue slides in the direction of being edgy, onerous, and at occasions sibilant. It’s probably extra to do with the sequence’ stereo monitor, nevertheless it’s odd that it solely occurred in iPlayer.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
You need an OLED for TV, dwelling cinema, and gaming: Spectacular upscaling, a greater gaming efficiency than the Sony A80L, and a terrific HDR image. The MZ1500 edges out its closest rivals for image high quality.
If you wish to avoid wasting cash: Buying on this space of the market isn’t low cost, however the LG C3, Sony A80L and Samsung S90C value much less, and Panasonic OLED TVs don’t usually drop in value as a lot as their rivals.
Last Ideas
There’s one thing ‘genuine’ in regards to the Panasonic MZ1500’s image efficiency. It’s an achieved OLED in each regard. The HDR picture is wondrous, the sound system brings energy and bass to soundtracks, whereas the design and good interface are each easy and accessible.
Sure, the choice of apps is proscribed however if you happen to’re into dwelling cinema all the principle ones are coated. The LG OLED65C3 provides a (barely) faster enter lag and boasts extra premium gaming options, however the MZ1500 covers most if not all of the bases. The assist for less than two 4K/120Hz could also be irksome to these with greater than two HDMI 2.1 sources, however 4K/120Hz continues to be not often supported in gaming.
A fly within the ointment is the Panasonic launched later than its rivals and incurs a better asking value. So although the Sony XR-65A80L (£2899/$2299), Samsung QE65S90C (£2799/$2599), and LG OLED65C3 (£2899/$2600) launched at comparable costs, they’re a number of hundred kilos cheaper on the time of overview.
Chances are you’ll really feel you’d not need to gamble on the Panasonic, although for its all-round efficiency, the Panasonic TX-65MZ1500 is value cashing in your chips for. Try our Finest TV listing for extra choices.
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We check each tv we overview totally over an prolonged time frame. We use business normal assessments to match options correctly. We’ll at all times let you know what we discover. We by no means, ever, settle for cash to overview a product.
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FAQs
The MZ1500 OLED helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient Gaming, however solely up 4K/60Hz in comparison with the LG C3 OLED that helps it as much as 4K/120Hz.
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Producer
Display screen Dimension
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Dimension (Dimensions with out stand)
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HDR
Forms of HDR
Refresh Charge TVs
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HDMI (2.1)
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