Panasonic’s high-end VIERA series pushes the boundaries of picture quality for the ultimate cinematic experience

Ultra HD and Full HD TVs combine premium image quality and full network connectivity with my Stream, Info Bar, TV Anywhere and Remote Sharing

Amsterdam, 24th March 2014 - Panasonic has today announced its new European VIERA 4K Ultra HD flagship series, the AX802 as well as the Full HD model AS802, combining "Beyond Smart" features, supreme picture quality, and cutting-edge designs. Furthermore, following the merger of Panasonic’s Plasma and LED LCD engineers, the AX802 series will be the first 4K UHD TV to take advantage of the unparalleled picture quality know-how which Panasonic gained through developing its critically acclaimed plasma TVs.

The AX802 series comes in sophisticated black and is available in screen sizes of 50, 58 and 65 inches. Additionally the AS800 comes in titanium metal in screen sizes of 47, 55, and 60 inches. Panasonic also additionally announced that it will release another 4K Ultra HD series TV, the AX902, in the autumn. The AX902 offers a superior panel, the highest class of local dimming, and a powerful processor for a seamless, beyond smart experience. The AX902 is another testament to ultimate 4K picture quality encased in a modern, timeless design.

4K Ultra HD Picture Quality

Panasonic’s Ultra HD (UHD) 4K TV, the AX802 series, is designed to provide an unprecedented, intense and immersive cinematic experience in your home. With UHD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, four times as many pixels as a conventional Full HD device, the AX802 series stand out with their superior image sharpness, showing every nuance in perfect detail. Even 2D and 3D movies provide a more intense and real experience than ever before.

The AX802’s powerful Hexa Processing Engine PRO combined with advanced image processing and innovative picture rendering, maximises the image quality for both native 4K content as well as content created with resolution lower than 4K. With its powerful 2000Hz Back Light Scanning (BLS) and the 4K ‘Intelligent Frame Creation’ engine, the AX802 guarantees breathtaking sharpness and a smooth, clear image, even when watching fast action scenes.

The high-end Local Dimming PRO of the AX802[1] offers an excellent class of dimming to boost contrast performance, enabling dynamic images with the deepest blacks and ultra-whites. This system provides additional details in both dark and bright areas, by analysing and optimising the individual image areas in real-time. This achieves the Supreme Contrast on the AX802, underlining its stunning picture quality.

To deliver colours which are truly faithful to the original source, the AX802 uses LCD panels equipped with a newly developed, high-colour-space LED backlight. In particular, the Studio Master Colour[2] enables Panasonic’s 4K LED TVs to reproduce colours accurately even at low saturation and brightness levels, greatly enhancing the picture quality of dark scenes. In fact, THX recently awarded the AX802 with the coveted THX 4K Display certificate for excellent image quality, achieving perfect colour reproduction exactly as movie directors intend when re-mastering their films. THX tested more than 30 different areas to certify the TV as providing a truly 4K cinematographic viewing experience. Additionally, the AX802 and AS802 are isf certified, demonstrating that the TVs are capable of being calibrated professionally.

4K content at your reach

The AX802 is the perfect TV to experience 4K Ultra HD content at a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. The series is equipped with the new HDMI 2.0 port, which is compatible with the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection(HDCP) 2.2 Protocol, and allows 4K content to be transmitted at high frame rates. Supporting input signals of up to 60 frames per second, the AX802 series is the ultimate choice for consumers looking to access the next level in home entertainment, as well as professionals – such as those working in small TV studios – for whom picture quality is imperative.

In addition to HDMI 2.0 port, the AX802 is equipped with a DisplayPort terminal which can transmit 4K signals at 50/60Hz without any reduction in colour or frame rate performance. PC gaming enthusiasts can easily connect their PC via the 60p-capable DisplayPort and enjoy the latest blockbuster games in incredible detail and with extremely high motion clarity. The advanced scaler also enables you to enjoy your favourite Full HD Blu-ray Disc movie or TV show with stunning motion clarity.

Photography enthusiasts can also enjoy their pictures on the 4K Photo Viewer or via the 4K Swipe & Share function accessed by the Panasonic TV Remote 2 App on their tablet or smartphone. The VIERA 4K UHD TVs also support 4K video playback from USB, SD card or online sources as they are compatible with the new HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) format, which is ideally suited for ultra-high resolution video content.

Additionally, the 4K web browser further enhances web pages and with Panasonic’s 4K Channel you can access a wide range of high resolution content at any time.

Flexible networking options

As the high-end series in the 2014 European VIERA TV range, Panasonic has equipped the AX802 and AS802 with the widest range of input signals so you can get content from virtually any source. The Twin HD Tuner can simultaneously receive two separate HD programmes via cable, satellite or DVB-T and in parallel record one of those channels on an external USB hard drive. You can start watching a show that was previously recorded while recording another one, or watch a live broadcast while recording a second programme and send it via the internet or a private network to your tablet or smartphone.

With integrated Wi-Fi and DLNA capability, you can surf the internet and access an ever-increasing number of Internet Apps, all from the comfort of your couch, as well as enjoy multimedia content such as photos, movies or music that are stored on a home network device or USB media.

Intelligent features for the easiest operation

With brand new features including my Stream, Info Bar, TV Anywhere, and Remote Sharing, the 2014 VIERA high-end models provide a whole new level of TV entertainment.

My Stream, available in both the AX802 and AS802 series, totally redefines the TV viewing experience. The service provides individualised channels of personalised content for you and your family members, aggregated from a variety of sources. You have access to films and TV shows from cable, terrestrial broadcast, and Video on Demand (VOD) sources based on your viewing preferences, allowing you to easily access the content you love, without spending the time searching for it. Recorded content, home movies, family photos and online videos are also seamlessly included in the my Stream interface.

Using the new “My Button” on the TV’s touchpad remote or the Panasonic TV Remote 2 App, you can build up a personalised profile of your favourite content. Pressing this button alerts the TV that you specifically like the kind of content you are currently viewing and, using the programme metadata together with advanced algorithms, the service presents you with further recommendations.

Voice Print recognition technology, available via the touchpad remote and the Panasonic TV Remote 2 App, is used to identify which member of your household is using the TV and automatically calls up their my Stream profile. In addition, the innovative voice interaction and control functions not only understand individual words, but also whole sentences. Additionally with more integrated voice commands[3] available, you can easily find the content you are looking for.

The VIERA AX802 and AS802 are designed and built to ensure easy operation, even for the most non-technical of users. This includes an optimised My Home Screen, VIERA’s start-up screen that can be personalised to the individual preferences of each family member. There are now additional options for downloadable home screens, including screens themed around sports (football), gaming, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

A new and innovative Info Bar automatically displays useful information for the whole family, quickly and conveniently. A proximity sensor coupled with Face Recognition technology via the built-in camera work together to recognise your presence and automatically display relevant information, such as the weather forecast, messages, time and notifications. This all happens without even turning on the TV! If you’re out of the house, you can also send a text, video or picture to a family member via the Panasonic Cloud with the TV Remote 2 App, which they will be able to access from the TV’s Info Bar.

TV anywhere you are

With the VIERA AX802 and AS802, you don’t have to be at home to access great content. Using the Panasonic TV Remote 2 App and connecting to the Panasonic Cloud, you can stream live TV shows or movies on your tablet or smartphone wherever you are in the world, from a USB hard disk drive connected to your TV. If you are travelling, TV Anywhere enables you to start watching a movie at home, turn on the recording before you leave the house and then continue to watch from where you left off when you reach your hotel. If you forget to start the recording, you can still do this on the road thanks to the Panasonic TV Remote 2 App.

It's never been easier to share important moments with friends or family instantly - from anywhere worldwide - thanks to Remote Sharing. Just use the Panasonic TV Remote 2 App on your smartphone or tablet to share messages, videos and pictures via the Panasonic Cloud to your TV at home even while you’re on the road.

Eco Friendly

The new high-end models offer smart eco functions and intelligent power saving controls to help save energy and conserve resources. An ambient light sensor automatically detects how bright the image should be and adjusts the display accordingly. Likewise connected devices consume power only when necessary.

AX902 Series

Panasonic announced that it will introduce the AX902, a further 4K UHD series TV in autumn of this year. The AX902 will include several as yet undisclosed picture quality and ‘beyond smart’ advances.

Note to editors - Breakdown of 2014 high end European VIERA LED LCD TVs:

AX802

·  Superb 4K Images meet Cutting-Edge Connectivity Options

·  Ultra HD LED TV with 2000Hz (BLS) - exceptionally fast panel for impressive motion picture quality and 3D

·  my Stream - enjoy content recommended to match your preferences, easily via an intuitive interface

·  4K Studio Master Drive - for more accurate colour and richer, smoother gradation at virtually any brightness

·  Info Bar - walk by the TV in standby and immediately get the time, weather, any new messages and more

·  Hexa Processing Engine PRO - fast processing power, with HEVC decoder, delivers thrilling 4K entertainment

·  Freetime built-in

AS802

·  Full HD IPS LED TV with 1800Hz (BLS) - high-performance panel for stunning motion picture quality and 3D

·  my Stream - enjoy content recommended to match your preferences, easily via an intuitive interface

·  Local Dimming - revel in entertainment with more depth thanks to deep blacks and fine dark gradations

·  Hexa Processing Engine - fast processing power delivers a thrilling entertainment experience

·  Advanced Colour Spectrum - means more intense viewing with a natural colour range and brighter images

·  Freetime built-in.

[1] AS802: Local Dimming

[2] AS802: Advanced Colour Spectrum - more intense viewing with a natural colour range and brighter images

[3] Voice Assistant: availability varies by location.