Panasonic's OLED TV MZ2000

Stephanie Prange

January 5, 2023

Panasonic has announced its flagship OLED TV for 2023, the MZ2000, available in 55-, 65- and 77-inch sizes.

Panasonic’s latest flagship model comes with a state-of-the-art new panel and remarkable heat management system, alongside a host of proprietary picture processing, gaming and audio improvements, according to a press release.

The MZ2000 introduces a completely new era in the possibilities of OLED expression and brightness, according to the press release.

The MZ2000 uses Panasonic’s new custom module, called the “Master OLED Ultimate,” which uses a state-of-the-art panel with Micro Lens Array, combined with a new multi-layer heat management configuration developed by Panasonic engineers. The result is a major step-up in brightness, with peak brightness increases of approximately 150%, and average brightness also improved compared to last year’s models, according to the company. The combination of the new module with Panasonic’s HCX Pro AI Processor ensures every detail is clear, with realistic highlights and stunning color accuracy, the press release states.

As with previous models, the MZ2000 supports a range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ2, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG Photo, the still image format that brings still photography into the HDR world.

Subscribe HERE to the FREE Media Play News Daily Newsletter!

The new MZ2000 OLED employs the color-tuning skills of Stefan Sonnenfeld. Sonnenfeld, founder and CEO of Company 3 is a trusted collaborator of some of the world’s best filmmakers and is among a handful of leading artists who have championed the power of color grading to tell stories and communicate emotion, according to the press release. Described by NPR as the “da Vinci of the movies,” Sonnenfeld has applied his skills as a colorist to many of the most acclaimed and popular features of the past decade: Top Gun: Maverick, A Star Is Born, Wonder Woman, Man of Steel, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Jurassic World, 300 and many more. Like many other leading colorists, he uses Panasonic OLED screens as large-format client reference monitors in his daily workflow, according to Panasonic.

In addition, the MZ2000 features an improved Filmmaker Mode that ensures that viewers can enjoy their content exactly as the artist intended, according to Panasonic. Ambient color temperature sensing has been upgraded for Filmmaker Mode, ensuring accurate picture reproduction in any lighting conditions; for example, by lowering the temperature in response to warmly lit conditions, or brightening the dark tones in extremely light environments.

As well as optimizing the picture based on its surroundings, the MZ2000 also improves the streaming experience for most sources, according to the company. Important for streamed content that can vary from HD and beyond, the Streaming 4K Remaster algorithm identifies the resolution and analyses textures by area to deliver more detailed, cleaner images through adaptive advanced processing. The result is crisper and more natural-looking streamed content.

With support for HDMI 2.1 key features, full 4K resolution, up to 120Hz refresh rate, ultra-low latency, and input lag, VRR, and AMD Freesync Premium, the MZ2000 is also “the perfect solution for gamers,” according to Panasonic. The MZ2000 is also Nvidia G-Sync Compatible. When connected to a system using a Nvidia RTX graphics card3, it automatically optimises input lag and VRR settings for tear- and stutter-free gaming sessions, on a TV validated and now recognized by Nvidia. The new True Game Mode brings all the color accuracy features available for movies into the world of gaming, while improved HDR Tone Mapping delivers source-oriented expression from the gaming device, according to Panasonic. In addition, True Game Mode is calibratable and shows the Calman Calibrated logo after adjustment with Portrait Displays Inc.’s industry-standard color calibration software. Meanwhile, Dolby Vision2 Gaming unlocks the most lifelike visuals each game has to offer.

The model also features newly added gaming sound modes. Available to set up in the MZ2000’s upgraded Game Control Board, RPG (Role-Playing Game) Sound Mode is designed to make users feel as though they are submerged inside the game’s virtual world, while FPS (First-Person Shooter) Mode provides accurate audio location, allowing users to hear subtle sounds such as footsteps for a tactical advantage.

For 2023, the Bass Booster algorithm has been upgraded. When selected from the menu, it delivers a deep, fast responding bass, meaning that customers can enjoy truly dynamic sound through Panasonic’s 360° Soundscape all-in-one TV audio package. Tuned by Technics, the multiple built-in upward-firing, side-firing, and front-firing speaker units produce a fully immersive spatial soundstage with Dolby Atmos, according to Panasonic.

Running the length of the TV behind the front speaker grille, the array speakers allow for a wider, more precise soundstage, as well as the ability to adjust the relative audio volume in different parts of the room.

The MZ2000 comes with three Sound Focus modes: Pinpoint Mode, which allows the sound to be directed to one specific point; Area Mode, which lets you shift the sound to a group of people in a specific area of the room; and Spot Mode, which boosts the volume in one spot while allowing other to still hear the sound.

Directional sound, for instance, allows parents with young children sleeping behind a wall on one side of the room to direct the sound away from them and allows consumers to boost the volume for a viewer who is hard of hearing.

The MZ2000 features the latest iteration of Panasonic’s smart TV OS, my Home Screen 8.0, which supports all major video streaming services and comes with improvements to the Bass Booster function, accessibility features, and the myScenery function. Panasonic has worked with the German Federation of the Blind and Partially Sighted to further improve our accessibility options. In the initial set up, the MZ2000 offers different setting options for both hearing and visually impaired users, which then can be guided through the initial setup by Voice Guidance to simplify the first-time installation of the Panasonic TV. In addition, it provides a function for visually impaired users to learn the buttons by audible feedback.

The MZ2000’s myScenery feature allows viewers to choose a selection of restful images and videos and has new nature sounds, which have been collected from all over the world by the Joy Foundation and newly encoded in Dolby Atmos format.