In 2017, all of Panasonic’s 4K models will feature HDR capabilities. One of them will also feature the new, more advanced HCX2 video processor. EX780, EX700 and EX600 will be available in 40 to 75-inch sizes. There is no new flagship LCD model. 

No new 9 series LCD TV
Last year, Panasonic launched a flagship LCD TV in the form of DX900. No new 9 series LCD was announced at Panasonic Convention. In the high-end space, Panasonic will instead offer two OLED TV ranges while the rest of the line-up will consist of mid-range LCD TVs. 

The new EX780 will be the highest-specced LCD TV from Panasonic in 2017. It will be available in 50, 58, 65, and 75-inch sizes with 4K resolution, HDR capabilities, and a new HCX2 picture processor. Panasonic says that it has “been crafted using the same Art & Interior design ethos as Panasonic’s flagship OLED TVs”.

The company also highlighted “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” for EX780. It is not clear if this is true full-array local dimming but FlatpanelsHD is currently in Frankfurt for the Panasonic Convention so we are chasing more details.

Another thing worth noting is that none of the TVs are curved. Only the EX780 will feature 3D.


2 HDR formats & HDR game mode
Panasonic says that all of its 2017 4K LCDs will feature support for both the HDR10 format and the HLG broadcast format (through a firmware update). The company has so far chosen to ignore the more premium Dolby Vision format.

The company did not provide full specifications for the HDR capabilities. Of course specifications alone are not enough but we know from our 2016 TV reviews that lots of mid-range LCD TVs claim to support HDR on paper but are not actually capable of delivering it. We are eager to find out more about Panasonic’s offerings but it appears that none of the TVs are “UHD Premium” certified.

All of the new OLED and LCD TV in 2017 will include “Panasonic’s fastest-ever 4K HDR Gaming mode” to ensure a good HDR gaming experience with PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One S. The company says that input lag has been “substantially reduced” but no figures were provided.

The 2017 TVs will also offer apps from Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube – all 4K HDR capable.


EX700 & EX600 mid-range 4K TVs
Below EX780 is the EX700 series that will be available in 40, 50, 58, and 65-inch sizes. It features “local dimming” and 4K resolution. Panasonic says that it is HDR capable but did not offer specifications.

- “Local dimming married with a Bright Panel, Brilliant Contrast and new Advanced Colour Processing ensure that the EX700 can both process and display a truly natural HDR picture from HDR10 and HLG sources with exceptional colours and particularly impressive levels of detail in both high-brightness areas and dark shadows,“ said Panasonic

EX700 has a “switch design”, which allows the user to adjust the pedestal’s width. The new design was first introduced last year and offers some added flexibility that customers have requested. The frame on EX700 is made from metal.


EX600 will be Panasonic’s most affordable 4K TV. It will be available in 40, 49, 55, and 65-inch sizes, all compatible with HDR. EX600 features a similar, flexible “switch design” that allows the width of the stand to be adjusted.

Lastly, Panasonic will release ES500 and ES400 HD ranges. We have included more details on these in the table at the bottom.


My Home Screen 2.0
After Mozilla choose to discontinue work on the open source Firefox OS platform, Panasonic has picked up the flag. It will integrate Firefox OS under a new “My Home Screen 2.0” banner in 2017 and bring certain new features to the platform.

The 2017 TVs are “proudly using the Panasonic’s user-focused My Home Screen 2.0”, the company said. New features includes favorites folders for multiple users, a My App button on the remote that can be customized, and a revamped media player app that supports video encoded in 4K HDR10 and HLG.

While there was some speculation that Panasonic could team up with Google and use the Android TV platform, the company has for now chosen to continue development on its own. That is a curious decision considering how Panasonic sought help from Mozilla to avoid doing exactly that only a few years ago.

Panasonic’s 2017 LCD TV will be available in spring. No pricing details were announced.


 
Panasonic EX780
 
 
 50, 58, 65 and 75” sizes
 
 
 4K UHD LED TV with 2400Hz (BMR) – cutting-edge Cinema Display for premium picture and motion quality
 
 Studio Colour HCX2 Processor – professional 3D look-up tables deliver accurate colours for Hollywood Cinema Experience
 
 Super Bright Panel – high transmittance panel with ultra-efficient backlight produces clear bright images in HDR
 
 
 Enhanced Local Dimming – rich gradation thanks to high quality backlight control and targeted optimization
 
 Multi HDR Support – HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma support for Blu-ray, streaming and broadcast
 
 Switch Design – gives you flexibility and harmony for your lifestyle thanks to a unique, “Swivel & Lift” pedestal (Lift function is not available on 65”, swivel and lift function is not available on 75”)
 
Panasonic EX700
40, 50, 58 and 65” sizes
 
4K UHD LED TV with 1600Hz (BMR) – high-performance panel delivers smooth motion clarity and supreme performance
 Wide Colour Spectrum – a wider colour range lets you experience more natural scenes and an enhanced viewing experience
 High Dynamic Range (HDR) – get ready for life-like images that are much closer to the way your eyes see the real world
 Local Dimming – rich gradation thanks to high quality backlight control and optimization
 
 Multi HDR Support – HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma support for Blu-ray, streaming and broadcast
 
 Switch Design – gives you flexibility and harmony for your lifestyle thanks to a smart, adjustable pedestal  (depending on screen size, two styles for 40”)
 
Panasonic EX600
40, 50, 58 and 65” sizes
 
4K UHD LED TV with 1300Hz (BMR) – advanced 4K panel for excellent picture quality and clear motion
 High Dynamic Range (HDR) – get ready for life-like images that are much closer to the way your eyes see the real world
 Adaptive Backlight Dimming – enjoy crisp dark scenes and high contrast thanks to the constantly optimised backlight
 
 Multi HDR Support – HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma support for Blu-ray, streaming and broadcast
 Switch Design – gives you flexibility and harmony for your lifestyle thanks to a smart, adjustable (vertical) pedestal (Depending on screen size, two styles for 40”)
 My Home Screen 2.0 – intuitive easy-to-use interface with powerful media player
 
Panasonic ES500
24, 32, 40, 49” sizes
 
 Full HD LED TV with 600Hz (BMR) – high-speed panel for great motion picture quality (depending on screen size, 24” and 32”: HD Ready)
 Swipe & Share – share and stream pictures, movies and music from your iOS and Android smartphones via the Panasonic TV Remote 2 app
 Adaptive Backlight Dimming – enjoy crisp dark scenes and high contrast thanks to the constantly optimised backlight
 In-house TV Streaming – place the TV anywhere in your home and enjoy programmes streamed from a dedicated server
 My Home Screen – customise the start-up screen to quickly access your favourite apps or the App Market
 
Panasonic ES400
32, 40, 49” sizes
 
 Full HD LED TV with 400Hz (BMR) – enjoy clear motion quality and bright picture in Full HD resolution (depending on screen size 32”: HD Ready)
 Swipe & Share – share and stream pictures, movies and music from your iOS and Android smartphones via the Panasonic TV Remote 2 app
 Adaptive Backlight Dimming – enjoy crisp dark scenes and high contrast thanks to the constantly optimised backlight
 In-house TV Streaming – place the TV anywhere in your home and enjoy programmes streamed from a dedicated server
 My Home Screen – customise the start-up screen to quickly access your favourite apps or the App Market