- Matching (Score)
- Our verdict
- Competing TVs
- TV appearance
- Where to buy
- Contrast and black detail
- HDR effect quality
- Factory color reproduction
- Color reproduction after calibration
- Smoothness of tonal transitions
- Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
- Blur and motion smoothness
- Console compatibility and gaming features
- Input lag
- Compatibility with PC
- Viewing angles
- TV efficiency during daytime
- Details about the matrix
- TV features
- Playing files from USB
- Apps
- Sound
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Panel technology: LCD IPS Brand: PANASONIC Resolution: 3840x2160 Operating system: Google TV Model year: 2024
Our verdict
5.8
Overall rating
The Panasonic W70A draws attention primarily because of its advanced Google TV operating system, which gives us access to a multitude of popular applications (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, etc.). In terms of picture quality, the IPS panel offers wide viewing angles, so colours do not lose their intensity even when you watch a film from an angle. Gamers will also not be disappointed, as it features VRR and ALLM, along with low input lag (around 12 ms) – all of this translates to pleasant experiences during occasional gaming, despite the standard 60 Hz refresh rate.
However, it's worth noting that this is rather a basic model and has its limitations. The contrast and blacks are simply weak, which is a typical phenomenon for IPS panels, especially in dark rooms. A brightness level of around 270 cd/m² is also insufficient in heavily sunlit rooms, so the picture can seem washed out. Certain shortcomings in the software itself cannot be overlooked either. Google TV is a great foundation, but sometimes settings are scattered in surprising places, and the quality of translations leaves a lot to be desired.
It must be considered that the competition is offering more and more in a similar (or slightly higher) price range. Can the Panasonic W70A hold its own in such an environment? On one hand, it tempts with a rich app base and decent support for gamers, but on the other – the market is flooded with more polished TVs equipped with better specifications. However, if wide viewing angles and straightforward access to Google TV services are priorities, we can give it a chance. In other cases, it’s worth exploring among competitive models that often offer better blacks, higher brightness, and fewer annoying issues in the menu at a similar price.
Advantages
Wide viewing angles thanks to the IPS panel
Efficient and intuitive Google TV system
Supports Dolby Vision
Suitable for occasional gaming - VRR, ALLM, Low input lag of 12 ms
Readable fonts when working with PC thanks to chroma 4:4:4
Bluetooth and voice search on the remote
Decent sound quality for a TV in this class
Disadvantages
Poor blacks and low contrast - IPS panel
Brightness at 270 cd/m² is too low for comfortable viewing in a bright room
Software bugs (features are either poorly translated or are in the wrong places)*
No AirPlay support
No USB recording feature and no PIP mode
*This state of affairs applies at the time of publishing this review, which is December 2024. We hope that Panasonic will manage to address these significant shortcomings in future updates.
Movies and series in UHD quality5.1
Classic TV, YouTube5.2
Sports broadcasts (TV and apps)5.3
Gaming on console6.8
TV as a computer monitor6.0
Watching in bright light4.0
Utility functions5.8
Apps10.0
Sound quality6.6
Complete the survey to find out what fits your preferences
Competing TVs in this price range
LG OLED C4 42”
Go to reviewSamsung Neo QLED QN90D / QN92D 43”
Go to reviewSamsung The Frame LS03D 43”
Go to reviewPhilips The One (PUS8959 / PUS8919 / PUS8909 / PUS8949 43”
Go to reviewSharp GR8 43”
Go to reviewSamsung Q60D / Q67D / Q68D 43”
Go to reviewHisense A7NQ 43”
Go to reviewLG UT8100 (IPS) 43”
Go to reviewTCL C655 / C69B (43" - 50") 43”
Go to reviewSony X75WL 43”
Go to reviewTV appearance
HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 0 x HDMI 2.1 Outputs: Toslink (Optical audio), eARC (HDMI), ARC (HDMI), Mini-Jack (Headphones) Network Interfaces: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Ethernet (LAN) 100Mbps
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Contrast and black detail
2.5/10
Local dimming function: No
Contrast between the black background and the bright spotlight illuminating Jack. Scene from the movie Oblivion (Universal Pictures).
Result
1,100:1
Contrast between the glare on the chameleon's skin and the black near the edge of the screen below. Scene from the Spears&Munsil test disc.
Result
1,250:1
Contrast between the reflection on the helmet and the black on the black film strip. Scene from the movie Arrival (Paramount Pictures).
Result
1,300:1
Contrast between the actress's face and the black film strip at the top edge of the TV. Scene from the movie Gravity (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Result
1,250:1
Contrast between the colorful balloon and the black slice between the falling objects. Scene from the Pioneer Kuro test disc (2008).
Result
1,050:1
Visibility of details in the lights:
The Panasonic W70A is equipped with an IPS panel, which unfortunately is not the best choice if we care about deep blacks and high contrast. Additionally, the lack of local dimming means that instead of pitch-black areas on the screen, we see rather silvery and navy-blue patches. This was particularly noticeable in our tests on demanding screens with dark scenes. The contrast value, which hovers around 1000:1, is far from satisfactory – especially if we plan to watch movies in a darkened room. Scenes that should mesmerise with the depth of darkness instead look flat and lose their atmosphere.
Halo effect and black detail visibility:
HDR effect quality
4.4/10
Supported formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Color gamut coverage: DCI P3: 78.0%, Bt.2020: 57.0%
Luminance measurements in HDR:
The measured point is the setting sun against a bright sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
247 nit
The measured point is the moon against a dark, starry sky. Scene from the movie Life of Pi (20th Century Fox).
Result
257 nit
The measured point is the flashlight on the rifle, which shines directly at the camera. Scene from the movie Gemini Man (Paramount Pictures).
Result
278 nit
The measured point is the tail light of a helicopter flying at night. This is a very small light point, the essence of the HDR effect. Scene from the movie Sicario 2: Soldado (Lionsgate).
Result
289 nit
The measured point is the sun visible directly between the clouds. The scene is very bright and should blind the viewer as in nature. Scene from the movie The Meg (Warner Bros. Pictures).
Result
293 nit
HDR on the Panasonic W70A unfortunately does not impress. A brightness level of 250–300 nits is simply too low to feel the true magic of cinematic effects in dynamic, bright scenes. Images that should “explode” with light appear rather flat, and fine details in bright areas often get lost in the average luminance of the panel. On the plus side, the HDR effect is at least stable. The TV does not suffer from excessive brightening nor lose details with sudden scene changes. Everything is predictable and calm, though unfortunately lacking in impact. Another issue is the colour gamut coverage. The W70A is not equipped with an additional layer of quantum dots (often known as QLED), which is why the colours appear rather average. There is a lack of depth in reds, saturation in greens, and precision in reproducing subtle shades.
Scene from the movie “Pan” (about 2800 nits)
Scene from the movie “Billy Lynn” (about 1100 nits)
We checked how the Panasonic W70A performs with demanding HDR scenes, where high-end televisions have the opportunity to showcase their full potential. Unfortunately, the initial tests revealed clear issues with brightness and detail management in the extreme parts of the image. In the film Pan, where intense light sources appear on screen, the television struggled significantly to maintain detail in the brightest areas. The sun on the horizon, instead of being a distinct point, spread out into a uniform patch of light. It was slightly better in the fireworks scene from Billy Lynn – the light effects looked decent, but the colour consistency left much to be desired. Poor colour gamut coverage meant some shades simply looked washed out.
An interesting feature is the dynamic tone mapping, which in theory should help manage brightness and contrast in challenging scenes. However, in practice, it turned out that its activation does more harm than good – the image becomes unnatural, and details vanish in overly bright areas. Even more surprisingly, the dynamic tone mapping feature was only available in game mode, while HGiG – which should be standard in gaming – was found in movie mode. This is quite a mess in the television's software, which clearly needs improvement. Perhaps Panasonic will fix this issue in future updates, but as of the testing date (December 2024), the situation looked just like this, and we must mention it out of journalistic duty.
HDR luminance chart:
The Panasonic W70A supports several popular HDR standards, including HDR10 and Dolby Vision. And although the presence of Dolby Vision in a TV from this price segment is a significant plus, it's hard to say that it fully delivers here. In Dolby Vision, the picture actually looks better than in HDR10. You can see more detail in the shadows, and the play of lights is more subtle and natural. Dynamic metadata manages brightness and contrast well across individual scenes, resulting in a more cohesive effect. Unfortunately, even Dolby Vision cannot overcome the limitations of the TV itself – primarily the low panel brightness (250-300 nits). The HDR effect, which ideally should amaze with the intensity of lights and the depth of colours, is simply… adequate here.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
3.9/10
The Panasonic W70A was tested in movie mode, which theoretically should guarantee the most natural image reproduction. Unfortunately, as is often the case with budget televisions, reality turned out to be far from ideal.
In HD (SDR) content, the white balance was significantly disrupted by an excess of red and a noticeable drop in blue tones. The result? The image had a distinctly warm, almost yellowish glow, which is clearly visible in the comparison photo. In the case of 4K HDR materials, the situation reversed. Here, the image became excessively cold and bluish, causing scenes to lose their naturalness and depth. The differences are visible even to the naked eye, especially in the bright areas of the image. The Colour Checker palette test confirmed our observations. Most colour samples did not hit their intended points, 'drifting' towards warmer shades in SDR and cooler ones in HDR. In terms of brightness characteristics, both gamma and the EOTF curve showed significant issues. The image tended to excessively brighten certain areas, disrupting the balance and leading to a loss of detail in both darker and brighter regions.
In summary – the factory colour reproduction settings in the Panasonic W70A leave much to be desired. The image is far from neutral, and errors in white balance and gamma mean that solid calibration is needed to extract the full potential from this television.
Color reproduction after calibration
5.7/10
Panasonic W70A, despite its limitations, gave us plenty of room to manoeuvre during calibration. Thanks to well-developed tools, we were able to achieve a much better white balance in both HD (SDR) and 4K HDR content. The issues with excessive red in SDR and overly cool images in HDR have disappeared. The gamma brightness characteristics have also been improved, now maintaining stability and not leading to excessive brightening or loss of detail in darker areas.
So where is the problem? Unfortunately, there are barriers that even professional calibration cannot overcome. Poor coverage of a wide colour gamut means the television cannot fully convey colours in HDR materials. There is a lack of saturation, and subtle colour transitions still appear somewhat “flattened.” Another limitation is the brightness management due to the IPS panel used. In a comparison photograph with an actress's face in colourful clothing, it is clearly visible how some shades are distinctly muted, and colours lose their depth and vibrancy.
Calibration has extracted from the W70A as much as it could. The image is now much more natural, and the factory setting errors have been effectively corrected. Unfortunately, the hardware limitations in the form of poor colour gamut coverage and an average panel mean that even after calibration, we are unable to achieve spectacular effects, especially in HDR content.
Smoothness of tonal transitions
8.3/10
In terms of the smoothness of tonal transitions, the Panasonic W70A performs really well. The transitions between colours are smooth, without any noticeable and annoying "banding" or sudden jumps in hue. Even more demanding scenes, where subtle gradients dominate, look surprisingly good. Of course, a trained eye will notice some imperfections, especially in the brighter areas of the screen, where slight colour banding can be observed. However, this is not something that significantly affects the viewing experience and will be practically unnoticeable for most users.
Unfortunately, what detracts from the overall effect is the unevenness of the backlighting of the panel, which is quite noticeable and can distract from the quality of the tonal transitions themselves. This is particularly evident on uniform backgrounds, where the differences in brightness between various areas of the screen become more pronounced.
Image scaling and smoothness of tonal transitions
7.8/10
Smooth transition function
Image without overscan on the SD signal
We checked how the Panasonic W70A handles upscaling content that is lower quality than 4K, and I must admit that the TV performs quite decently in this regard. The feature responsible for smoothing tonal transitions is called "Zeroing Counter." The optimal setting turned out to be the Average option, which effectively smooths out colour gradation issues while not ruining the film grain. This is the setting we recommend for most users, as it provides a balance between enhancing the smoothness of transitions and maintaining the naturalness of the image.
When it comes to image scaling, the Panasonic W70A performed really well. The test chart with the model looked positive – details in her clothing were well reproduced, and the contours of her face maintained sharpness. In the background, we noticed a slight "jagginess" on thin branches, but these are details that only a very attentive eye will catch. However, it's worth noting a certain quirk of this model – the TV has a tendency to overscan, meaning it slightly crops the edges of the image. It’s not a very intense phenomenon, and for most users, it will be practically unnoticeable, but if we care about perfectly framing the shot, it's worth keeping this in mind.
Blur and motion smoothness
4.7/10
Maximum refresh rate of the panel: 60Hz
Film motion smoothing option: Yes
Blur reduction option: No
BFI function 60Hz: No
BFI function 120Hz: No
The Panasonic W70A is equipped with a 60 Hz panel, which immediately suggests that the TV is best suited for watching movies, series, or everyday television content. In more dynamic scenes, such as sports broadcasts or games, the limitations of the panel become more noticeable. However, it is worth noting the presence of a motion smoother called “Effect”, which offers three levels of adjustment – low, medium, and high.
Each setting allows you to adjust the smoothness of motion to your own preferences, minimizing the motion blur effect and improving the clarity of dynamic shots. In practice, the Medium setting seems to be the most universal – it offers better smoothness without the excessive “soap opera effect” that can look artificial in feature films. The High setting may work well for sports broadcasts, but in movies, it can disrupt the natural character of motion.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Despite these options, the 60 Hz panel has its limitations, and motion blur can be noticeable in more demanding sequences, especially with fast camera movements or dynamic action scenes.
Console compatibility and gaming features
6.2/10
- ALLM:
Yes
- VRR:
Yes
- VRR range:
47 - 60Hz
- Dolby Vision Game Mode:
Yes
- Correct implementation of HGIG:
Yes
- 1080p@120Hz:
No
- 1440p@120Hz:
No
- 4K@120Hz:
No
- Game bar:
No
The Panasonic W70A is a TV that is likely to suit casual gamers more than hardcore players. The 60 Hz refresh rate doesn't fully utilise the potential of next-gen consoles, especially in dynamic titles. The lack of HDMI 2.1 slightly limits its capabilities, but fortunately, it includes features like ALLM, which automatically switches to game mode, and VRR, which helps minimise screen tearing. It's also worth noting the support for Dolby Vision in games and HGiG, making HDR more predictable and looking solid. It's a pity, though, that it lacks Game Bar. This feature is now standard in many TVs and provides quick access to the most important settings for gamers. The W70A performs well for gaming, but it does have its limitations. It will do fine with more laid-back titles, but more demanding gamers may feel unsatisfied.
Input lag
10/10
In terms of signal delay, the Panasonic W70A performs really well. With a score of 12 ms, it's a value that is practically below the threshold where noticeable lag can be mentioned. Playing on this TV is responsive, and character movements or reactions in games are immediate. Interestingly, even in Dolby Vision mode, which often poses issues with input lag, the TV handled it very well. This is a pleasant surprise, as many manufacturers struggle with this, and HDR often increases the lag to a level that becomes noticeable during fast-paced games.
| SDR | HDR | Dolby Vision |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p60: 12 ms | 2160p60: 12 ms | 2160p60 DV: 12 ms |
| 2160p60: 12 ms |
Compatibility with PC
6/10
Chroma 444 (maximum resolution and refresh rate): Yes
Font clarity: Very Good
Readability of dark text and shapes: Very Good
Input lag in PC mode (4K, maximum refresh rate): 12ms
Matrix subpixel arrangement: RGB
Max refresh rate: 60Hz
G-Sync: No
The Panasonic W70A handles itself quite well as a work monitor. Thanks to its IPS panel and 4:4:4 chroma support, the text is clear, sharp, and readable. Even small fonts look good, without any blurring or jagged edges. For office work, web browsing, or document writing, this television is really suitable.
Gaming on PC is a bit of a different story. The 60 Hz panel means that more dynamic titles don’t look as smooth as they could on a higher refresh rate screen. The lack of G-Sync or FreeSync support doesn’t help either, so screen tearing may occur.
Viewing angles
6.2/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 69%
For a TV with an IPS panel, the viewing angles on the Panasonic W70A are really impressive. The image maintains decent quality even when viewed at a wider angle. Colours don't significantly lose saturation, and details remain well visible. Of course, everything comes at a cost. In this case, it's the weaker blacks, which become even more washed out when viewed at an angle. However, this is a standard compromise with IPS panels and is hard to consider surprising.
TV efficiency during daytime
4/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Average
Black levels during daytime: Good
The Panasonic W70A is fitted with a satin matrix that average manages to reduce reflections of light. Glare isn't overly bothersome, but in bright rooms, especially in direct sunlight, it can be noticeable. The main issue, however, is the brightness at a level of 270 cd/m². It's simply too little to comfortably watch television in full sun. The image becomes washed out, and darker scenes lose detail and depth.
Matrix brightness
Average luminance SDR
Panasonic W70A: 272 cd/m2
Details about the matrix
Software version during testing: R3.1.1.0.0.V0.0.20.26
Image processor: m7632 2gb ram
Subpixel Structure:
Panel uniformity:
Backlight Type: White LED
TV features
5.8/10
System operacyjny: Google TV
TV reception: DVB-T, DVB-T2, DVB-S, DVB-S2, DVB-C
- Recording to USB (terrestrial TV):
No
- Recording programming:
No
- Picture in Picture (PiP):
No
- Screen mirroring (Windows Miracast):
Yes
- AirPlay:
No
- Voice search in native language:
Yes
- Ability to connect a keyboard and mouse:
Yes
- Possibility to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV:
Yes
- Possibility to simultaneously use Bluetooth headphones and the TV speaker:
No
- Audio only mode:
Yes
- RF remote control (no need to aim at the screen):
RF
- Backlit remote control:
No
- Teletext:
Yes
Panasonic W70A runs on the Google TV system and it's fair to say that this is one of its strong points. There are really a lot of applications – all the popular streaming services, YouTube, and even less known platforms. The system runs smoothly, and navigating through the menu is intuitive and hassle-free. The remote has a built-in microphone, so you can use voice search in Polish. This is a significant convenience, especially when you need to quickly find a movie or an application. Additionally, there's Bluetooth, which allows you to connect headphones or other wireless devices. However, there are some shortcomings. There's no AirPlay here, which could be a problem for users of Apple equipment. There's also a lack of USB recording options and picture-in-picture (PIP) functionality.
Panasonic W70A makes up for this with the functionality of Google TV and its straightforward operation. It has everything you need for using a Smart TV, but if someone is counting on more advanced options related to traditional television, they may feel slightly underwhelmed.
Playing files from USB
7.7/10
| Maximum photo resolution: | Supported photo formats: |
|---|---|
| 4 Mpix | JPEG |
| 6 Mpix | HEIC |
| 8 Mpix | PNG |
| 10 Mpix | GIF |
| 12 Mpix | WebP |
| 16 Mpix | TIFF |
| 20 Mpix | BMP |
| 24 Mpix | SVG |
| 28 Mpix | |
| 32 Mpix |
The built-in media player in the Panasonic W70A unfortunately has its limitations. Firstly, it doesn't support Polish subtitles, which can be a significant issue for many people. Additionally, there are difficulties with playing certain file formats, which sometimes results in an error message or a lack of sound.
Fortunately, thanks to the Google TV system, it's easy to install alternative media players that can handle these shortcomings. In the Google Play Store, we can find several reliable apps that support both Polish subtitles and less popular video formats.
Apps
10/10
Sound
6.6/10
6.6/10
Subjective sound quality
Dolby Digital Plus 7.1
Dolby True HD 7.1
Dolby Atmos in Dolby Digital Plus (JOC)
Dolby Atmos in Dolby True HD
DTS:X in DTS-HD MA
DTS-HD Master Audio
The sound on the Panasonic W70A is surprisingly decent for a TV in this class. It's quite well balanced, and the low tones are subtly noticeable, which adds some depth when watching movies or listening to music. Dialogue is clear, and the overall sound quality is clean and pleasant. Of course, don't expect a cinematic experience or powerful bass – it’s still a standard audio system in a TV, and the physical limitations of its slim design take their toll.