The Devices tab lists connected hardware players and networked media servers and NAS drives. The interface still consists initially of a trio of buttons, so looks a little unexciting, but is intuitive and highly customisable.Īll very family-friendly, it's a doodle to add to the 'Devices', 'Apps' and 'Live TV' icons with any streaming service or connected device.

Smart functionality falls to Panasonic's My Home Screen platform, now up to its fifth iteration. The set is supplied with a standard IR Panasonic zapper (rather than a touchpad), distinguished only by dedicated Netflix and Freeview Play buttons. The set comes with a Freeview Play tuner, but there's no satellite tuner option at all.ĭual-band Wi-Fi is standard, along with Bluetooth to support both streaming from a smartphone and headphone pairing for personal listening.

I particularly like the way the panel sits on top of, rather than within, the surrounding bezel.Īs with its predecessor, the screen installs on a central pedestal stand, so is easy enough to place on AV furniture.Īs befits its price point, there are only three HDMI ports on offer (one of which supports ARC – but not eARC), in addition to component AV, digital optical audio output, and two USBs. Edge-lit rather than full-array and astonishingly thin for much of its bodywork, it's afforded a genuinely minimalistic styling interior designers will love it. The TX-58HX800 makes a fine first impression for a mid-tier TV. The range-topping HX940 series adds Local Dimming Intelligent Pro, said to mimic the operation of thousands of virtual local dimming zones to improve contrast and achieve deeper blacks. The more expensive HX900 model builds on the feature specification of the HX800, but adds HDR Cinema Display, which claims to deliver increased brightness. This is actually a variant of the HX800 exclusive to specific retailers, without any technical differences. If you consult Mr Google, you'll also find an HX820 in the wild which looks nigh on identical. This is Panasonic's entry-level multi-HDR offering, positioned below the HX900 and top-of-the-line HX940. Our review sample was the £1,000 58in version, which for many will seem a manageable sweet spot in terms of size and price. Hot on the heels of last year's best-selling GX800, the HX800 continues to offer universal dynamic HDR support, both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, as well as Dolby Atmos audio and an updated smart platform. Offering a feature specification and picture characteristics more becoming panels twice the price, it's a tempting proposition if Dolby Vision HDR and a blistering gaming performance are big on your want list. Panasonic's multi-talented, mid-range HX800 LED LCD could be the screen home cinephiles have been clamouring for. Panasonic sets the bar high with a do-it-all mid-ranger that has a penchant for popcorn, says Steve May

Panasonic led tv reviews