Panasonic W70A Review: Entry-level Google TV

The Panasonic W70A represents the company’s entry-level range of Google TV models. It is positioned between the Panasonic W80A QLED and the TiVo-equipped Panasonic W60A. This television features direct LED backlighting paired with a 60Hz IPS panel.

The IPS technology provides the W70A with excellent viewing angles. The Google TV interface is user-friendly and efficient. Sound quality is consistent with what is expected from televisions in this category. However, a notable limitation is its relatively low brightness, which does not exceed 270 nits. In the review of the Panasonic TN-65W70A 4K HDR TV, we will explore the product’s strengths and weaknesses in greater detail.

Panasonic W70A – Review

Design

The Panasonic TN-W70A features a classic minimalist design, supported by a stand that includes a metal plate atop a cylindrical leg. This base elevates the TV by slightly over 5 cm, providing sufficient space for a compact soundbar to be placed in front of the display. The refined Gun Metal Grey finish, paired with solid build quality, reflects Panasonic’s commitment to excellence.

Connection ports are positioned on the left side when facing the front, with additional ports located at the rear. This layout is similar to that of the Panasonic MX700. When mounted on a VESA-compatible bracket, this arrangement may hinder the TV from sitting flush against the wall. Given its substantial thickness of over 8 cm, the TV may not present a sleek appearance when wall-mounted.

The screen bezels are slim, akin to those found on the W90A series. The remote control features a familiar elongated shape made of black plastic, equipped with numerous buttons for ease of use. It fits comfortably in the hand, and includes a microphone button above the four-way joystick for voice control functionality.

Panasonic TN-65W70A

The Panasonic 65W70A TV features an IPS panel, which may not be ideal for those who prioritize deep blacks and high contrast. Additionally, the absence of local dimming results in the appearance of silvery and dark blue patches instead of true black areas on the screen.

This issue becomes particularly evident in test videos showcasing intricate scenes with dark imagery. The contrast ratio, ranging from 1000:1 to 1300:1, is less than impressive, especially for evening viewing in low-light conditions. Scenes that are meant to captivate with their dark depth often appear flat and lack the intended ambiance.

HDR

The HDR performance of the Panasonic W70A leaves much to be desired. With brightness levels ranging from 250 to 300 nits, it falls short of delivering the vibrant cinematic effects expected in bright, dynamic scenes. As a result, images that should radiate with brilliance appear rather flat, and finer details in illuminated areas tend to be lost at moderate panel brightness.

On a positive note, the HDR effect remains consistent. The television does not experience excessive light bleed or detail loss during abrupt scene transitions, providing a predictable and stable viewing experience, albeit one that lacks excitement. Another drawback is the limited color gamut coverage. The absence of an additional quantum dot layer (QLED) results in colors that appear rather uninspiring, with reds lacking depth, greens missing saturation, and shades rendered inaccurately.

In scenes featuring bright light sources, the television struggles significantly to maintain detail in the brightest regions. Color accuracy is subpar, and the limited color gamut results in some shades appearing washed out. An intriguing feature is the dynamic tone mapping, which is intended to enhance brightness and contrast in complex scenes.

However, in practice, enabling this feature often detracts from the viewing experience, rendering the picture unnatural. It is also perplexing that this function is only accessible in Game mode, while HGiG, which should be standard for gaming, is available in Movie mode. This inconsistency in the TV’s software indicates a clear need for improvement.

The W70A is compatible with several widely used HDR standards, including HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Notably, Dolby Vision outperforms HDR10, offering greater detail in shadow areas and a more nuanced and natural interplay of light. The dynamic metadata effectively manages brightness and contrast across individual scenes, contributing to a more cohesive viewing experience.

Panasonic W70A

Color accuracy

In Film mode, the white balance in SDR is significantly skewed, exhibiting an overabundance of red and a marked reduction in blue tones. This imbalance results in an image that appears overly warm, often taking on a yellowish hue. Conversely, when viewing 4K HDR content, the image presents a stark contrast, becoming excessively cool and bluish, which detracts from the naturalness and depth of the scenes.

In essence, the factory color settings of the Panasonic W70A series are lacking. The image fails to achieve a neutral tone, and inaccuracies in white balance and gamma necessitate comprehensive calibration to unlock the television’s full capabilities. Nevertheless, the TV offers considerable flexibility during the calibration process.

Utilizing the 4K Colour Engine allows for a marked improvement in white balance for both HD (SDR) and 4K HDR content. The issues of excessive red in SDR and overly cool images in HDR are resolved. Additionally, with further calibration, the brightness gamma characteristic can be enhanced, ensuring stability while preventing excessive brightness or loss of detail in darker regions.

Through calibration, the W70A is optimized, resulting in a more natural image and effectively rectifying the factory setting errors. However, hardware limitations, such as inadequate color gamut coverage and a subpar panel in terms of brightness, hinder the achievement of truly remarkable results, particularly with HDR content.

Panasonic W70A

Motion and Game Processing

The W70A series features a 60Hz panel, which suggests optimal performance for viewing movies, series, and standard television programs. However, during more fast-paced scenes, such as sports events or video games, the panel’s limitations become apparent. On a positive note, it includes a motion smoothing feature known as “Effect,” which offers three adjustable levels: low, medium, and high.

These settings allow users to tailor the motion smoothness to their liking, reducing motion blur and enhancing the clarity of fast-moving visuals. In practice, the Medium setting tends to be the most adaptable, delivering a good balance of smoothness without introducing an excessive “soap opera effect.” While the High setting may be beneficial for sports broadcasts, it can disrupt the natural flow of motion in films.

This TV is particularly well-suited for board games. The 60Hz panel does not fully leverage the capabilities of the latest generation of gaming consoles, especially in fast-paced titles. The absence of HDMI 2.1 limits its potential, although features like ALLM and VRR help reduce screen tearing. Unfortunately, a Game Bar is not included.

Regarding signal lag, the Panasonic W70A performs admirably, achieving a latency of 12 ms, which is nearly imperceptible. Gaming on this TV is responsive, with character movements and reactions occurring almost instantaneously. Notably, even in Dolby Vision games, the TV delivers impressive performance.

Smart TV

The Panasonic W70A operates on Google TV, which is a significant advantage. It offers a wide range of applications, including all major streaming services, YouTube, and various lesser-known platforms. The system functions efficiently, with intuitive and seamless menu navigation. Additionally, it features Bluetooth connectivity, enabling users to connect headphones or other wireless devices.

However, there are some drawbacks. The absence of AirPlay may pose challenges for Apple users. Furthermore, it lacks a USB recording feature and picture-in-picture (PIP) capability. Despite these limitations, the Panasonic W70A compensates with its Google TV functionality and user-friendly interface.

The integrated media player does have some restrictions. Notably, it does not support certain subtitle formats. Additionally, users may encounter issues with specific file formats, which can result in error messages or audio problems. Fortunately, the Google TV platform allows for the easy installation of alternative media players that can address these limitations.

Panasonic TN-65W70A

Sound

The 2 x 10W audio system on the Panasonic W70A delivers a commendable performance for a television in its category. The sound is relatively well-balanced, though the bass response is minimal. Dialogue comes through clearly, and the overall audio quality is crisp and enjoyable. However, it is important to manage expectations regarding a cinematic experience or robust bass. For those seeking enhanced sound, investing in a soundbar would be advisable, as the TV’s slim profile imposes certain limitations on audio output.

Connections

The Panasonic W70A TV features a range of switching capabilities. It includes three HDMI 2.0 inputs and offers various outputs such as optical audio, eARC (HDMI), and a 3.5 mm mini-jack for headphones. For network connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, as well as a 100 Mbps Ethernet (LAN) connection. Additionally, Bluetooth functionality has been previously noted.

Conclusion

The Panasonic W70A is primarily a basic model with certain limitations. Its contrast and black levels are notably poor, and the brightness, at approximately 270 nits, falls short in well-lit environments. Nevertheless, if wide viewing angles and direct access to Google TV services are essential, this television may be a suitable option. Otherwise, it would be advisable to explore alternative models that typically provide superior black levels, increased brightness, and fewer frustrating menu problems at a comparable price.

Panasonic W70A Specifications