Panasonic unveils Z95A and Z93A OLED flagship TVs with Fire OS

Panasonic has announced two new OLED flagship TVs at CES 2024, the Z95A, available in 65- and 55-inch screen sizes. and the 77-inch Z93A. Both of these models are built around the Fire TV OS.

Promising superior image and audio quality, via a new processor, HCX Pro AI Processor MK II, and brighter MLA (Micro Lens Array) panel combo, the models support Dolby Vision IQ Precision, and a 360 Soundscape Pro Dolby Atmos sound system, tuned by Technics.

Panasonic is also putting the emphasis on gaming. Both the Z95A and Z93A offer a144Hz refresh rate, with full Dolby Vision support.

The new Alexa-enabled models feature a smart home dashboard, and allow direct voice control through far field mics, so users can launch apps and search for content. The sets are also compatible with Apple Home and AirPlay.

A new Fire TV Ambient Experience also allows the screens to function as an in-home gallery, and information display, through customisable Alexa widgets.

The new Z95A utilise a Master OLED Ultimate panel, while the Z93A gets Master OLED Pro Cinema size glass.

The Panasonic Z95A Master OLED Ultimate panel module is equipped with a Micro Lens Array and multi-layer heat management configuration developed by Panasonic. The company cites improvements in driver technology and heat management for the brightness boost.

Final colour-tuning is courtesy of leading Hollywood colourist Stefan Sonnenfeld.

Sonnenfeld has worked on Top Gun: Maverick, A Star is Born and HBO’s White Lotus, and uses Panasonic OLED screens as large-format client reference monitors in his daily workflow.

The new HCX Pro AI Processor MK II used in both Z95A and Z93A powers a new 4k Remaster Engine which, Panasonic says, elevates streaming picture clarity, by combining AI and mathematical models for crisp, natural images, and superior streaming noise reduction. Banding has also been reduced.

Dolby Vision IQ Precision is a picture enhancement system that aims to reveal extra details, and is an evolution of Dolby Vision IQ, which works in tandem with a TV's embedded ambient light sensors, and adjusts the light levels in each area of the screen to draw out more detail, without boosting the brightness to a point where the image looks washed out.

The sets also boast an improved iteration of Game Mode Extreme, and True Game Mode, a picture pre-set specifically tailored to enhance colour accuracy, including optimal white balance and grayscale settings. The provision of HDMI 2.1 High Frame Rate and VRR up to 144Hz means more frames per second, resulting in faster, smoother gameplay.

There’s also an HDR Picture Adjustment with Tone Mapping OFF feature, which allows gamers to manage HDR at source, rather than the TV.

Of the integration of the Fire TV OIS, Akira Toyoshima, President, CEO of Panasonic Entertainment & Communication Co, says: “With such vast options, the real challenge becomes pinpointing exactly what you want to watch. Therefore, our new mission goes beyond just providing great picture and sound. It’s about simplifying the process of content discovery, ensuring it's not just easy but delightful.”

“At Panasonic, our commitment has always been to produce the most accurate picture quality. This doesn’t only come from technical precision but also through collaborations with Hollywood's best colorists. And for the most tailored viewing experience, we've incorporated AI to recognize the type of content you're viewing and adjust both picture and sound settings to perfection,” adds Toyoshima.

Price and availability for the Z95A and Z93A have yet to be announced.