http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/tx-50ax802b-201405193778.htm Looking to replace my aging Panasonic 50" plasma and this gets great reviews, anybody got one or seen it in action.
I'm interested in this TV as well. Does anyone know if the TV will accept an native 120hz signal through the DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 inputs. Is the DisplayPort input 1.2 or 1.3? Does it support Adaptive Sync? Would NVIDIA 3DTV Play work with it?
From this review http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/tx-50ax802b-201405193778.htm "Only HDMI 4 is 4K-capable, but at least it supports up to 3840×2160 resolution at 4:4:4, as does the included DisplayPort socket." Ive found it for £1149 with a 5 year warranty and 2 x sets of 3D glasses plus Panasonic headphones thrown in. http://www.rgbdirect.co.uk/Products/Television/3D-LED-TV/Panasonic/TX50AX802B Il be paying a visit in April
It will be replacing my 50" Panasonic plasma from 2008, the plasma doesn't have optical in so connectivity with my Q Acoustics sound bar is less than ideal, plus its starting to show image burn on deep blacks.
Ive looked at lots of forums regarding this TV and a few suggest there have been problems with a number of screens. When they are good they are very good but there have been plenty of returns. Plus, Panasonic are releasing a newer model range in May, specs are not final but hopefully some or all of the niggles with the 800 series will be addressed plus it looks like more HDMI 2 sockets will be used. So ive decided to hang on to see some reviews.
That TV is an old model. The model names and choices vary from country to country, so I looked up the UK TV's. The TX-50AX802B has been replaced by the TX-50CX802B, and there are some differences. (Old --> New) Panel: 4K 2000 Hz BLS IFC --> 4K 1600 Hz BMR IFC HDR not specified --> HDR (after firmware update) Speakers: Front Slim Speakers x 2, Woofer (75 mm) x 1 --> Front Slim Speaker x 2, Woofer x 2 Speaker Output 18 W (4 + 4 + 10) --> 40 W (10 W x 2 + 10 W x 2) (come on, 4W speaker for left/right isn't much) Processor: Processing Engine=HEXA-Processing Engine Pro --> Unique Processing Engine=Quad-Core Pro (even though it is quad core vs hexa core for the old version, it's likely the processor cores are much more powerful) I should also point out there are several other changes and additional features, I just thought I'd point out some of the things people really care about . If it's not available yet, I think it would be worth the wait, unless you get the old model at extreme discount! It might be worth looking to at least the 55 inch model, it would make sense as part of an upgrade.
The model I quoted was the UK model and it came out around 18 months ago so not really old. I know, as per my post below, the CX series isn't out until May in the UK but the main AV reviewing websites have yet to get their hands on them. As with most things newer isn't always better. Viewing distance and angles in the room it will go in make anything above a 50" a silly choice.
In modern tech sense, it is considered old! 18 months is actually extended time, probably because of it being a slower market currently, normally TV's are updated yearly now. That is true in many respects, however it's unlikely they will bring out something that is worse that an 18 month old TV. That's a long time in TV world, especially considering by May it will be 20 months... approaching 2 years. Panasonic really can't afford to bring out a bad model range. Two years ago the 4K panels were in their infancy, I can't imagine the new panels being a backwards step seeing as they are a completely new panel. Makes sense, but keep in mind people say it's around 55 inch where 4K TV's really start to shine over 1080P TV's.
All true, the only reason im moving on from my 6 year old Panny Plasma is connectivity (limited HDMI and no Optical) and im now seeing minor burn (Sky pause and menu) on deep blacks.
Ah okay, fair enough! The main reason why I was suggesting it was a bad idea buying now is because the new model could be a lot better, especially since it's 4K which is still in the growth stage of market penetration and still have room for noticeable improvement. The old 4K model is like buying a two year old TV in 1080P, probably worse so due to the technologies involved. Anyways, even if the new model isn't as good as I'm suggesting it might be, in terms of the improvements over the old model, there is still the point on price. It wouldn't be cost effective buying the old model for full price now, when there could potentially be discounting when the new model comes out. You might be able to haggle them down a bit more than list price as well. If you wait two to three months, you probably won't have too much regret, other than buying the old model anyway for the same price (but still a saving over the new model) come 3 months. If you buy now however, there is a big chance you will regret to some extent not waiting for the new model. The new model will probably be more energy efficient as well, and for normal TV viewing you probably wouldn't need the extra power to run an external sound system, just because the old model's speakers appear like, on paper, reminiscent of laptop speakers. A whole 4 W maximum power isn't exactly brilliant! Of course, this isn't an issue if you always use an external receiver anyway, but it is something to possibly think about. I think they may have deliberately limited the onboard sound system, since it was expectation that you use an external receiver with a high end TV anyway. However, quite often for normal night TV viewing people just use the onboard speakers which is why the newer model has possibly an acceptable speaker system for general viewing. I'm just guessing here of course, based on what I've read/heard, and the actual change in specs.
The older model had already dropped massively in price, available for just over £1000 which is £500 down from launch price in late 2014. That made me suspect a newer model is coming out and lo and behold the Panasonic site starts to show the newer model. Im out the UK until the end of the month so wouldn't have committed until I had a good eyes-on. Sound isn't an issue as ive got a Q Acoustics M4 running from my PS3 and Skybox, sound is amazing which is what I would expect for the money. Power use isn't an issue as im only in the house for 5 weeks every 15 and the rest of the time my partner is working during the day.
Ah okay! Well, in that case if it's over £500 less than the newer model it wouldn't be so bad . You could probably haggle them down a little more than that as well.
you know they've removed the displayport off the new one so the old one remains the only one for us pc gamers
One less HDMI as well. You would need to be sitting 15 feet away from this screen if you wanted to use it as a monitor. Im happy with my 27" iiyama AH-IPS LED Monitor 2560x1440 is fine for me.
you get used to it. £849.99 on ebay from panasonic direct with 12m warranty. You only ever need 1 hdmi because who buys a 4k tv without an amp with at least dolby atmos and 9.2 surround and 8 inputs
I assume you are jesting? Skybox, PS4, HTPC. RGB in London gives a 5 year warranty plus free headphones
I'm sitting a mere 3 feet from this exact tv now it arrived today and its just fine for gaming. All inputs running through an amp to the 4k hdmi slot. 4k netflix is insane!!!!
Whatever. Anyway folks has anyone figured out how to remove the plastic film around the edges of the screen? It seems to be built into the plastic.