[fafrd]

[EDIT: The below post is ERRONEOUS based on the erroneous initial article published by HDTVTEST. They published a correction the next day stating that the AX800 is Edge Lit Pseudo-local Dimming (ELPD) while the AX900 is in fact Full Array Local Dimming (FALD). I'm not going to correct the initial post beyond this comment since it has already been copied and reposted...]


Two articles posted today on the Panasonic AX800 and AX900.


The most important one is this HDTVTEST article found by jetjockey: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/ax900-201403243688.htm


Most important point is that both the AX800 and AX900 are confirmed by Panasonic to be FALD:


'Contrary to what you might have heard or read before, a Panasonic spokesperson told HDTVTest that the AX800 – comprising the 50in TX-50AX800, the 58in TX-58AX800 and the 65in TX-65AX800 – features full-array local dimming LED backlight with 32 dimmable zones (branded as “Local Dimming PRO” by the Japanese manufacturer).'


'The range-topping Viera AX900 gets an upgrade in the number of LED clusters that can be switched on or off independently of each other, but only on the smaller screen sizes. The 55″ TX55AX900 and the 65″ TX65AX900 direct LED televisions will feature 128 dimming zones, carrying a moniker of “Local Dimming ULTRA”.


Only the 58" AX800 has been priced so far (MSRP of $3800) so we will need to wait to see where the 65" AX900 prices, but in any case, it is great to see a major brand with Panasonic's reputation for PQ commit the entire top of their 2014 lineup to FALD!


Here is the second article that posted today from flatpanelshd: http://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1395647244 (much less information, but confirmation that Panasonic appears to have begun a campaign).

 

[golem]

Looks like they are keeping DisplayPort on their panels, that makes it very interesting as long as they got rid of the flaws of last years models

 

[*UFO*]

If Panasonic can follow through and deliver a set with low input lag like in their previous line-ups (excluding 2013), then I will be very interested in these.

 

[soapbox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by golem  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24525917


Looks like they are keeping DisplayPort on their panels, that makes it very interesting as long as they got rid of the flaws of last years models

 

Indeed, 2014 Panasonic 4K TVs may be the only way for us PC gamers to enjoy 4K gaming at 60P this year.

 

I just seriously hope they fixed those vertical bars from last year's model...

 

Speaking of DisplayPort, anyone knows how to get sound from PC to AV receiver when the graphics card only has DisplayPort outputs, and no HDMI?

 

[wtfer]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fafrd  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24525898


Only the 58" AX800 has been priced so far (MSRP of $3800) .

I hope that is the suggested MSRP.

I wonder what the price hike will be on the AX900 compared to that

 

[Stereodude]



Quote:
Originally Posted by soapbox  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup/0_50#post_24603042


Speaking of DisplayPort, anyone knows how to get sound from PC to AV receiver when the graphics card only has DisplayPort outputs, and no HDMI?

You get a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter that supports audio.

 

[soapbox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fafrd  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24525898


Two articles posted today on the Panasonic AX800 and AX900.


The most important one is this HDTVTEST article found by jetjockey: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/ax900-201403243688.htm


Most important point is that both the AX800 and AX900 are confirmed by Panasonic to be FALD:


'Contrary to what you might have heard or read before, a Panasonic spokesperson told HDTVTest that the AX800 – comprising the 50in TX-50AX800, the 58in TX-58AX800 and the 65in TX-65AX800 – features full-array local dimming LED backlight with 32 dimmable zones (branded as “Local Dimming PRO” by the Japanese manufacturer).'

 

I checked the HDTVTest article today and it says AX800 is Edge-lit, not FALD:

 

The Panasonic AX800 – comprising the 50in TX-50AX800, the 58in TX-58AX800 and the 65in TX-65AX800 – features edge LED backlight with pseudo-local dimming (branded as “Local Dimming PRO” by the Japanese manufacturer).

 

Am I missing something?

 

[soapbox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Stereodude  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603203



You get a DisplayPort to HDMI adapter that supports audio.

Thanks for a quick reply. Does that include bit-streaming of DTS-HD and TrueHD?

 

[Stereodude]



Quote:
Originally Posted by soapbox  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup/0_50#post_24603224


Thanks for a quick reply. Does that include bit-streaming of DTS-HD and TrueHD?

It claims to have that support. Some of that depends on the sound device integrated into the graphics card of the PC.

 

[soapbox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Stereodude  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603240



It claims to have that support. Some of that depends on the sound device integrated into the graphics card of the PC.

I'm looking at the new Radeon R9 295X2 that handles 4K pretty well, but it only comes with 4x miniDisplayports, no HDMI, hence the question.

 

[fafrd]



Quote:
Originally Posted by soapbox  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603221

Quote:
Originally Posted by fafrd  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24525898


Two articles posted today on the Panasonic AX800 and AX900.



The most important one is this HDTVTEST article found by jetjockey: http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/ax900-201403243688.htm



Most important point is that both the AX800 and AX900 are confirmed by Panasonic to be FALD:



'Contrary to what you might have heard or read before, a Panasonic spokesperson told HDTVTest that the AX800 – comprising the 50in TX-50AX800, the 58in TX-58AX800 and the 65in TX-65AX800 – features full-array local dimming LED backlight with 32 dimmable zones (branded as “Local Dimming PRO” by the Japanese manufacturer).'


 

I checked the HDTVTest article today and it says AX800 is Edge-lit, not FALD:

The Panasonic AX800 – comprising the 50in TX-50AX800, the 58in TX-58AX800 and the 65in TX-65AX800 – features edge LED backlight with pseudo-local dimming (branded as “Local Dimming PRO” by the Japanese manufacturer).

Am I missing something?

HDTVTEST posted a correction the next day and I thought I had edited all of my mistaken posts based on the initial article, but looks like I missed this one.


AX800 is edge lit pseudo-local dimming (ELPD)

AX900 is full array local dimming (FALD)

 

[Hawkmoon]



Quote:
Originally Posted by golem  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24525917


Looks like they are keeping DisplayPort on their panels, that makes it very interesting as long as they got rid of the flaws of last years models

I completely agree. I loved their first 4k as I thought the colors and especially the DisplayPort was a great thing, but with the damn vertical lines that showed through it was in no way acceptable. If they can deliver a set without those lines and continue to improve black level and reduce input lag, I would definitely get one.

 

[Hawkmoon]



Quote:
Originally Posted by soapbox  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603042


Indeed, 2014 Panasonic 4K TVs may be the only way for us PC gamers to enjoy 4K gaming at 60P this year.


I just seriously hope they fixed those vertical bars from last year's model...


Speaking of DisplayPort, anyone knows how to get sound from PC to AV receiver when the graphics card only has DisplayPort outputs, and no HDMI?

Get a sound card. When I had the first 4k Panasonic and of course took it back, what I used was a USB Sound Blaster External Sound Card. It just plugged into the USB port, then I ran a Optical Cable from it to my receiver and boom, 5.1 audio with video being sent by Display Port. Damn, it was incredible gaming at 4k/60fps, but those damn lines!

 

[Hawkmoon]



Quote:
Originally Posted by soapbox  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603224


Thanks for a quick reply. Does that include bit-streaming of DTS-HD and TrueHD?

That will not work if you want to maintain 4k @60fps though. The HDMI ports on the new Panasonic should be HDMI 2.0, but there is no such adapter that takes Display Port to HDMI 2.0. The adapter that guy is talking about, would send your audio, but it would limit your framerate to 30fps at 4k.

 

[soapbox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkmoon  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603596



Get a sound card. When I had the first 4k Panasonic and of course took it back, what I used was a USB Sound Blaster External Sound Card. It just plugged into the USB port, then I ran a Optical Cable from it to my receiver and boom, 5.1 audio with video being sent by Display Port. Damn, it was incredible gaming at 4k/60fps, but those damn lines!

Hi Hawkmoon 

 

I thought optical cable cannot bitstream DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD? I thought one needed HDMI for supplying Hi-Res multichannel audio to receiver...

 

[soapbox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawkmoon  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603606



That will not work if you want to maintain 4k @60fps though. The HDMI ports on the new Panasonic should be HDMI 2.0, but there is no such adapter that takes Display Port to HDMI 2.0. The adapter that guy is talking about, would send your audio, but it would limit your framerate to 30fps at 4k.

No, no, I only need the adapter to supply audio to AV receiver.

 

4K @ 60p will be sent to TV's displayport input from a separate displayport output on the graphics card.

 

There are 4 miniDisplayports on R9 295X2, so this shouldn't be a problem using desktop cloning? Or is it?

 

[wtfer]



Quote:
Originally Posted by fafrd  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603336


HDTVTEST posted a correction the next day and I thought I had edited all of my mistaken posts based on the initial article, but looks like I missed this one.


AX800 is edge lit pseudo-local dimming (ELPD)

AX900 is full array local dimming (FALD)

How can it be edge lit when it has 32 zones, more than Vizio's E & M series, which are full FALD despite the lack of zones?

It's either full array local dimming or not.

 

[conan48]

Is the 65" passive or active 3D?

 

[fafrd]



Quote:
Originally Posted by wtfer  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603725

Quote:
Originally Posted by fafrd  /t/1524183/2014-panasonic-ax800-and-ax900-4k-fald-led-lcd-lineup#post_24603336


HDTVTEST posted a correction the next day and I thought I had edited all of my mistaken posts based on the initial article, but looks like I missed this one.


AX800 is edge lit pseudo-local dimming (ELPD)

AX900 is full array local dimming (FALD)

How can it be edge lit when it has 32 zones, more than Vizio's E & M series, which are full FALD despite the lack of zones?

It's either full array local dimming or not.

The M Series has 32 zones, organized as an 8 vertical X 4 horizontal matrix of dimming zones.


The E Series has 16 zones, organized as an 8 vertical x 2 horizontal matrix of dimming zones (the same organization as the pseudo-local dimming zones of an edge-lit set, but all of the LEDs are directly behind the LCD panel rather than being only along the outer edge).


The AX800, assuming it has 32 pseudo-local dimming zones, would be organized as a 16 vertical x 2 horizontal matrix of edge-lit dimming zones. Since the reference to the 32 dimming zones in the AX800 was from the same initial mistaken article from HDTVTEST, I'm not sure the AX800 actually has 32 dimming zones.


In any case, dimming zones and whether the LEDs are located behind the LCD panel or along its edges are independent factors (though once the dimming zones are organized in a true X x Y matrix where X and Y are both >2, that is only possible with a Full Array Backlight).

 

[Hawkmoon]

Well it looks like the 58" version has been released as the Panasonic Website now allows you to order it. It is showing up for $500 off the MSRP. Anyone going to take the plunge? I want to really badly as the display port for 4k gaming is what I am after, but after being burned by Panasonic's previous 4k, I might wait and see. I am also looking more towards the 65" version and their high-end 65" version. I just hope input lag and the dreaded vertical lines are not in this one as well. So who is jumping in first??? lol