- 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 due to its advanced Google TV operating system, which gives access to a plethora of popular applications (YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, etc.). As for the picture, the IPS panel offers wide viewing angles, so colours do not lose intensity even when watching a film from a slight angle. Gamers will also not be disappointed, as it features VRR and ALLM, along with low input lag (around 12 ms) – all of this contributes to a pleasant experience for occasional gaming, despite the standard 60 Hz refresh rate.
However, it is worth noting that this is rather a basic model and has its limitations. The contrast and black levels 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 brightly lit rooms, making the picture appear washed out. Certain shortcomings in the software itself cannot be overlooked either. Google TV is a great basis, but sometimes it happens that some settings are scattered in surprising places, and the quality of translations leaves much to be desired.
One must consider that the competition is offering more and more in a similar (or slightly higher) price range. Can the Panasonic W70A hold its ground in such an environment? On one hand, it tempts with a rich application base and decent support for gamers, but on the other hand, the market is flooded with more refined televisions equipped with better parameters. However, if wide viewing angles and easy access to Google TV services are a priority, it might be worth giving it a chance. Otherwise, it is advisable to look among competing models that often offer better black levels, 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 television in this class
Disadvantages
Poor blacks and low contrast - IPS panel
Brightness at 270 cd/m² too low for comfortable viewing in bright rooms
Software errors (features are either poorly translated or located where they shouldn't be)*
Missing AirPlay support
Missing USB recording feature and PIP mode
*This situation pertains to the time of publication of this review, which is December 2024. We hope that Panasonic will manage to rectify 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 are looking for 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 spots. In our tests, this was particularly evident on demanding dark scene test images. The contrast ratio, which hovers around 1000:1, is a result far from satisfactory – especially if we plan evening screenings in a darkened room. Scenes that should mesmerise with their 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 “burst” with light look rather flat, and fine details in bright areas often get lost in the average luminance of the panel. On the positive side, the HDR effect is at least stable. The television does not fall into excessive brightness or lose details during rapid scene changes. Everything is predictable and calm, although unfortunately rather unimpressive. Another issue is the colour gamut coverage. The W70A has not been equipped with an additional layer of quantum dots (often known as QLED), which means the colours appear rather mediocre. 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 problems 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 had considerable difficulties maintaining detail in the brightest areas. The sun on the horizon, rather than being a distinct point, spread out into a uniform patch of light. It was somewhat better in the fireworks scene from Billy Lynn – the lighting effects looked decent, but the colour consistency left much to be desired. Poor colour gamut coverage meant that some shades simply appeared washed out.
An interesting feature is the dynamic tone mapping, which in theory should help manage brightness and contrast in difficult scenes. However, in practice, it turned out that its activation causes more harm than good – the image becomes unnatural, and details disappear 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 games – was found in movie mode. This is a significant confusion in the television’s software, which clearly requires improvement. Perhaps Panasonic will fix this issue in future updates, but as of the test date (December 2024), the situation looked just like this, and we feel it’s our journalistic duty to mention it.
HDR luminance chart:
The Panasonic W70A supports several popular HDR standards, including HDR10 and Dolby Vision. While the mere presence of Dolby Vision in a television in this price segment is a significant plus, it is hard to say that it does the full job here. In Dolby Vision, the picture indeed looks better than in HDR10. You can see more details in the shadows, and the play of lights is more subtle and natural. Dynamic metadata manages brightness and contrast well in individual scenes, which allows for a more consistent effect. Unfortunately, even Dolby Vision cannot overcome the limitations of the television itself – primarily the low brightness of the panel (250-300 nits). The HDR effect, which is supposed to dazzle with the intensity of lights and depth of colours, here is simply… adequate.
Static HDR10
Dynamic: Dolby Vision
Factory color reproduction
3.9/10
The Panasonic W70A was tested by us in movie mode, which theoretically should guarantee the most natural image reproduction. Unfortunately, as is often the case with budget TVs, the reality proved far from ideal.
In HD (SDR) content, the white balance was severely disrupted by an excess of red and a noticeable drop in blue tones. The effect? The image had a distinctly warm, almost yellowish glow, which is clearly visible in the comparison photo. In the case of 4K HDR material, 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. As for brightness characteristics, both gamma and the EOTF curve showed significant issues. The image tended to excessively brighten certain areas, disrupting balance and leading to a loss of detail in darker and lighter 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 a solid calibration is needed to extract the TV's full potential.
Color reproduction after calibration
5.7/10
Panasonic W70A, despite its limitations, provided us with considerable scope during calibration. Thanks to well-developed tools, we managed to achieve a significantly better white balance in both HD (SDR) and 4K HDR content. The issues with excess red in SDR and overly cool images in HDR have disappeared. The gamma brightness characteristic has also improved, maintaining stability and preventing 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 color gamut means that the television cannot fully reproduce colours in HDR material. There is a lack of saturation, and subtle colour transitions still appear somewhat "flattened." Another limitation is brightness management, which results from the applied IPS panel. In the comparative image with the actress's face in colourful clothing, it is clearly visible how some shades are noticeably muted, and colours lose their depth and vibrancy.
Calibration has extracted from the W70A as much as possible. The image is now significantly more natural, and the errors in the factory settings have been effectively corrected. Unfortunately, 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. Transitions between colours are smooth, without clear and annoying "bands" or sudden jumps in hue. Even more demanding scenes, where subtle gradients dominate, look surprisingly good. Of course, a trained eye will notice certain imperfections, especially in the lighter parts of the screen, where slight colour banding can be observed. However, this is not something that significantly impacts the perception of the image and will be practically unnoticed by most users.
Unfortunately, what spoils the overall effect is the unevenness of the backlighting of the panel, which is quite pronounced and can distract from the quality of the tonal transitions themselves. This is especially noticeable on uniform backgrounds, where the differences in brightness between particular areas of the screen become more apparent.
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 performs when improving content of lower quality than 4K, and it must be said that in this regard, the television does quite respectably. The "Zeroing Counter" function is responsible for smoothing tonal transitions. The optimal setting turned out to be the Average option, which effectively smooths out issues with colour gradation 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 panel with a model was positively received – the details on her clothing were well reproduced, and the contours of her face retained clarity. In the background, we noticed slight "jaggies" on thin branches, but these are details that only a very keen eye would catch. However, it is worth noting a certain drawback of this model – the television tends to overscan, or slightly cropping the edges of the image. This is not a very intense phenomenon and will be practically unnoticeable for most users, but if we care about a perfect fit of the frame, it is 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 television is best suited for watching films, series, or everyday TV 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 degrees of adjustment - low, medium, and high.
Each of the settings allows you to adjust the smoothness of motion to your own preferences, minimising motion blur and improving clarity in dynamic shots. In practice, the Medium setting seems to be the most versatile – it offers better fluidity without excessive "soap opera effect", which can look artificial in feature films. The High setting may work well for sports broadcasts, but in films, it can disrupt the natural character of motion.
Blur (native resolution, maximum refresh rate):
Despite these options, a 60 Hz panel has its limitations, and motion blur may be noticeable in more demanding sequences, particularly with fast camera movement 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 television that is more suited to occasional gamers than to avid players. The 60 Hz panel does not allow for the full potential of next-generation consoles to be realised, especially in dynamic titles. The lack of HDMI 2.1 somewhat limits its capabilities, but fortunately, it features functions such as ALLM, which automatically switches to game mode, and VRR, which helps minimise screen tearing. It is worth noting the support for Dolby Vision in games and HGiG, which makes HDR more predictable and looks solid. It is just a shame that there is no Game Bar. This feature has become standard in many televisions and provides quick access to the most important settings for gamers. The W70A performs adequately for gaming, but it has its limitations. It will work well for calmer titles, but more demanding gamers may feel a lack of fulfilment.
Input lag
10/10
In terms of signal delay, the Panasonic W70A performs really well. A score of 12 ms is a value that is practically below the threshold where noticeable lag can be mentioned. Gaming on this television is responsive, and character movements or reactions in games are instantaneous. Interestingly, even in Dolby Vision mode, which often presents issues with input lag, the television performed very well. This is a pleasant surprise, as many manufacturers struggle with this, and HDR often increases lag to a level that is noticeable during dynamic 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 performs quite well as a monitor for work. Thanks to its IPS panel and support for 4:4:4 chroma, the text is clear, sharp, and readable. Even small fonts look good, without any blurriness or jagged edges. This television is really suitable for office work, browsing the internet, or writing documents.
Gaming on PC is a somewhat different story. The 60 Hz panel means that more dynamic titles do not look as smooth as they could on a screen with a higher refresh rate. The lack of support for G-Sync or FreeSync also doesn't help, so there may be issues with screen tearing.
Viewing angles
6.2/10
Brightness drop at an angle of 45 degrees: 69%
As for a television with an IPS panel, the viewing angles on the Panasonic W70A are at a really good level. The image retains decent quality even when viewed at a greater angle. Colours do not significantly lose their saturation, and details remain well visible. Of course, everything comes at a price. In this case, it is the weaker blacks that become even more washed out when viewed at an angle. This is, however, a standard compromise in the case of IPS panels, and it is hard to consider this a surprise.
TV efficiency during daytime
4/10
Matrix coating: Satin
Reflection suppression: Average
Black levels during daytime: Good
The Panasonic W70A is equipped with a satin matrix that manages to reduce light reflections to an average degree. Glare is not excessively bothersome, but in bright rooms, especially with direct sunlight, it can be noticeable. The main issue, however, is the brightness level of 270 cd/m². That's simply not enough 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
The Panasonic W70A operates on the Google TV system, and it must be admitted that this is one of its strong points. There are really many applications – all popular streaming services, YouTube, and even lesser-known platforms. The system runs smoothly, and navigating the menu is intuitive and hassle-free. The remote has a built-in microphone, so voice search can be used in Polish. This is a significant advantage, especially when you need to quickly find a film or an application. Additionally, there is Bluetooth, which allows you to connect headphones or other wireless devices. However, there are some shortcomings. There is no AirPlay, which may be a problem for users of Apple devices. There is also a lack of USB recording options and picture-in-picture (PIP) functionality.
The Panasonic W70A makes up for this with the functionality of Google TV and simple handling. It has everything needed to use a Smart TV, but if someone is counting on more advanced options related to traditional television, they may feel a bit unsatisfied.
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. First of all, it does not support Polish subtitles, which can be a significant problem for many people. Additionally, there are difficulties with playing certain file formats, which sometimes results in an error message or no sound.
Fortunately, thanks to the Google TV system, it is easy to install alternative media players that handle these shortcomings. In the Google Play Store, we can find several reliable applications 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 from the Panasonic W70A is surprisingly decent for a television in this class. It is quite well balanced, and the low tones are slightly perceptible, which adds some depth when watching films or listening to music. The dialogues are clear, and the overall sound perception is clean and pleasant. Of course, one cannot expect cinematic experiences or powerful bass – it is still a standard audio system in a television, and the physical limitations of the slim design take their toll.