Pros & Cons
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- Feature-rich.
- Excellent color reproduction.
- Includes both touchpad and conventional remote controls.
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- Expensive.
- Mediocre black levels and contrast ratio.
- Little native 4K content available.
- Doesn't currently support Netflix 4K content.
Panasonic TC-65AX800U Specs
| Black Level | 301.63 |
| Contrast Ratio | 2320:1 |
| HDMI Ports | 4 |
| Input Lag (Game Mode) | 37.5 |
| Panel Type | LED |
| Refresh Rate | 240 |
| Resolution | 3840 by 2160 |
| Screen Brightness | 0.13 |
| Screen Size | 65 |
| Streaming Services | 1 |
| Video Inputs | Component |
| Video Inputs | Composite |
| Video Inputs | DisplayPort |
| Video Inputs | HDMI |
| Video Inputs | USB |
Ultra-high definition (UHD, or 4K) television still has a way to go before it's feasible for consumers, since very little 4K content is available through any reliable means. This hasn't stopped every major HDTV manufacturer from pushing the inevitable technology and making 4K screens stand on the highest tiers of their television lines. It was the case with LG's UB9500 and Sony's X900B series, and it's certainly the case with Panasonic and its AX800 line. They're striking, feature-filled, bright LED televisions capable of displaying 3,840 by 2,160 pixels, just like Sony and LG's 4K screens.
We tested the $4,499.99, 65-inch Panasonic TC-65AX800U, and while it produced a disappointing contrast ratio, its color accuracy was impressive. It's still very pricey, with little content available in its native resolution (especially with no Netflix 4K support yet). If you really want a high-end HDTV, you can find the impressive LG 55EA9800 for less than $4,000 now. It's 10 inches smaller and only 1080p, but its curved OLED screen offers a superior picture and a much flashier profile. Otherwise, you should consider just getting a solid and much less expensive screen, like the Sony KDL-60W850B.
Design
Panasonic really went out on a limb with its design for the 65AX800U. The screen itself is a fairly standard 30.7-by-51.5-by-1.7-inch (HWD), 72.8-pound flat panel with a thin, glossy black metal frame running around its edge. However, it sits on a remarkably dense block of a base that stays almost completely hidden by the display itself. The HDTV is angled slightly back, held securely in place by the very heavy base, and stabilized further by a relatively flimsy, silver-colored metallic foot that runs the length of the screen. It manages to look both minimalist and unique, and the slight angle makes it a bit friendlier for low television stands and entertainment centers. If you don't want the HDTV to lean back on its base, you can use the included wall brackets.
View All Basic controls sit behind the screen a few inches in from the right edge, and include Power, Input, Volume Up/Down, and Channel Up/Down buttons. The left side of the screen holds three USB ports (one of which is USB 3.0), three HDMI ports, an SD card slot, and an optical audio output. The remaining HDMI port, along with combination component/composite video inputs, an Ethernet port, an antenna connector, and a DisplayPort, sits facing downward.
