Two of last year’s high-end Panasonic models have finally been updated to process HDR content via HDMI. Netflix’s HDR streams, however, are not yet supported.
HDR update for 2015 Panasonic TVs
The flat CX800 and curved CR850 were launched in spring 2015 as part of the 2015 line-up. At that time Panasonic sold them as HDR-capable but owners have had to wait more than a year for the update.
To install the update you need to download it from the web and transfer it to a USB stick as Panasonic has yet to release it as an over-the-air update. Instructions are available on the website but it is fairly straight forward.
Via HDMI, not Netflix yet
With the update CX800 and CR850 will be capable of receiving and processing HDR input from an HDMI source such as a UHD Blu-ray player. However, be aware that CX800 and CR850 do not live up to the industry’s minimum requirements for HDR set in UHD Premium. Only Panasonic’s 2016 DX900 can reproduce HDR as intended. You will see some effect, though.
Once you have installed the update it is important that you go to “Setup-> HDMI HDR Setting” and set up the HDMI port that the UHD Blu-ray player is connected to to expect an HDR signal. The TVs to not auto-detect HDR signals. Do not activate the “Rec.2020 Colour Remaster” setting in the picture menu as it is only an “upscaling” feature designed to remap colors for non-HDR content.
CX800 and CR850 do not yet support HDR via USB or Netflix. Netflix will first have to issue an update for its Firefox OS app to enable HDR streams. It is unclear if playback via USB will be added later.
HDR update works with:
Europe: TX-55CR850E, TX-55CRW854, TX-65CR850E , TX-65CRW854, TX-50CX800E, TX-50CXW804, TX-55CX800E, TX-55CXW804, TX-65CX800E, TX-65CXW804 |
UK and Ireland: TX-55CR852B, TX-65CR852B, TX-50CX802B, TX-55CX802B, TX-65CX802B |