Panasonic reveals 65-inch OLED curved Viera UHD TV

It was on the cards and I more-or-less got the nod at my last visit to Panasonic’s UK HQ but today has seen confirmation that a Viera OLED television is real as Panasonic unveiled the curved Viera TX-65CZ950V TV at its press conference at IFA 2015.

Since killing off its plasma division Panasonic has been quietly beavering away with its LED sets but I keep jabbing them (politely) regarding OLED. Let’s face it, Panasonic have teased use with various prototype models – most recently at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year.

Typical of Panasonic, when they make an entrance there’s no room for half measures. The Viera CZ950 is the only THX Certified 4K OLED TV in existence right now.

The telly cobblers worked closely with acclaimed colorist Mike Sowa, who has over 30 years of colour work on Hollywood movies under his belt so he knows a thing or two.

The TX-65CZ950, to give it its full name, cuts a lithe figure albeit with a *ahem* fuller rear. This is where the 4K UHD (Ultra High Definition) engine and other ports and kit are kept.

This all stands on a chrome errrr… stand which looks pretty snazzy to me.

The main part, naturally, is the picture. Panasonic says:

OLED’s ability to deliver a new level of black level response – which Panasonic calls Absolute Black – has actually been a challenge for OLED TV makers, since the shift from complete blackness to just above black is a very difficult gradation step to render. However, Panasonic’s experience with plasma technology has enabled it to solve the issue on the TX-65CZ950, resulting in unprecedentedly beautiful and precise detailing even in the very darkest picture areas. With the TX-65CZ950, if a detail was filmed by a director, you’ll see it on the screen.”

Of course, I won’t just take their word for it. I will be heading of to Berlin to see the CZ950 for myself and, rest assured, I will let you know what I think about it.

Sowa, who worked on films such as Oblivion and Insurgent, says:

Panasonic is proving their commitment to excellence by engineering their newest 4K Pro TV to satisfy my professional standard of zero compromise. My world of visual storytelling is based around color accuracy and the need for a display that compliments the creative vision. Panasonic has engineered their newest 4K Pro OLED TV to a standard that I would only expect in professional displays.”

For now the Panasonic Viera TX-65CZ950V will only launch in this 65-inch flavour with a price that’s yet to be announced – I’d wager that it will cost the same as a decent second-hand car though when it comes to the UK next month.