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Group test: 4K Ultra HD TVs<br />
PANASONIC TX-50CX802<br />
£1,299 inc VAT • panasonic.com/uk<br />
It’s taken Panasonic a few attempts, but with its CX802 range, the<br />
brand has pretty much delivered an irresistible 4K TV. Stylish, well<br />
specified and at a price that doesn’t seem an overly risky investment,<br />
it merits serious short-listing. The screen comes in four variants. The<br />
version reviewed here is the 50in TX-50CX802, but it’s also available<br />
in 40-, 55- and 65in screens sizes.<br />
Build quality is excellent. Just 46mm thin, the panel is framed<br />
by a metallic bezel with a stylish chamfered edge. A half-moon<br />
pedestal stand leaves only two chromed feet visible.<br />
The set features just three HDMI inputs, but all support HDCP<br />
2.2. There’s also a trio of USB ports, SCART and component AV for<br />
legacy kit, ethernet LAN, a digital optical audio output and SD card<br />
slot. Dual-band Wi-Fi is integrated. The set comes with two remote<br />
controllers: one IR, the other a Bluetooth trackpad. The Panasonic<br />
has both Freesat and Freeview tuners, offering both Freesat freetime<br />
and Freeview Play roll-back programme EPGs.<br />
In addition, the CX802 also has the new Firefox OS, which<br />
is a minimalistic joy to use. An Info Frame offers viewing<br />
recommendations, notifications, weather and web clips, accessible by<br />
the direction key. Just press for the Info Bar, and it slides into view.<br />
Key apps include Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube, plus catch-up<br />
from all four main broadcasters. Both Netflix and Amazon apps are<br />
4K capable, confirming the presence of an HEVC decoder.<br />
2160p image quality is outstanding. There’s a richness to its images<br />
that’s lacking on cheaper sets. High contrast, superbly nuanced<br />
colours and voluminous detail make streamed 4K look outstanding.<br />
Build<br />
Features<br />
Performance<br />
Value<br />
Overall<br />
At the heart of the TX-50CX802B is Panasonic’s 4K Studio Master<br />
Processing chip shop. Pictures are detailed and dynamic, while the<br />
screen’s black level is performance class leading. Often a failing of<br />
edge-lit screens, but here made a strength, backlight uniformity is high.<br />
The usual picture presets are bolstered by a variety of THX modes<br />
for dark room movie watching. However, these don’t always work well<br />
in the average living room. THX Bright Room is a good compromise,<br />
but Normal is generally the best all-round option. IFC (Intelligent<br />
Frame Creation) is best kept on its minimum setting. The screen is<br />
also reputedly firmware upgradable to support HDR (High Dynamic<br />
Range) content, which will be available on Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.<br />
If the set does has a weakness it’s in its limited backlight<br />
control. The Dynamic Backlight adjustment is crude, causing<br />
bright halos around light sources in dark scenes.<br />
The screen does a fabulous job upscaling Full HD, particularly<br />
Blu-ray, to 4K UHD. The set is Active Shutter 3D capable, and<br />
performs well. Tangled (Blu-ray) reveals some crosstalk double<br />
imaging, but the presentation is engrossing. Given that this<br />
set has a largely hidden sound system, performance is good.<br />
There’s certainly enough volume (40W) to hold your attention.<br />
VERDICT: Overall, we rate the TX-50CX802 a superior 4K panel that is<br />
both fun to live with (Firefox rivals LG’s webOS for stylish simplicity),<br />
while combined Netflix/Amazon UHD app support offers up a<br />
surprising amount of 4K content. The set looks great with both UHD<br />
and upscaled HD. This is one of the best 4K Ultra HD TVs of the year.<br />
TEST CENTRE<br />
February 2016 www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews 75
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