Subpixel structure TX-40AX630 indicating VA matrix
Conclusion
As much as we loved its image quality, the Panasonic TX-40AX630B feels like an opportunity missed. The picture delivered by the Viera AX630 was comfortably the most impressive among the budget 4K models from the “Big Four” UK TV makers: deeper blacks than Sony’s X85 and LG’s UB850V which are both IPS-based; and higher motion clarity than Samsung’s HU6900 that lacks any usable motion-enhancing technology. The fact that it can be calibrated to reference levels for greyscale, gamma and colours helped a great deal too.
But the absence of built-in HEVC decoding (and hence Netflix 4K) means that the TX40AX630′s advantage is no longer as clear-cut. To our eyes, a well-mastered 1080p Blu-ray will give Netflix 4K a good run for its money and then some, but the average 4K TV buyer will want native 4K content – regardless of how heavily compressed it is, as long as it’s perceived to be 4K – RIGHT HERE AND NOW. Selling an Ultra HD television without internal Netflix 4K support is like selling a Smart TV without inbuilt WiFi connectivity: you can make it work, but it’s an inconvenience, and will put potential buyers off.
Which begs the question, is it worth paying a premium for four times the pixel resolution over the full HD 1080p TX-40AS640? Unless you choose to sit very close to the TV, unfortunately we think the AS640 represents better value for money especially at this screen size. Now, had Panasonic included Netflix 4K support on the TX40AX630B, that would give consumers a compelling reason to plump for the 4K set. An opportunity missed indeed…
We interviewed Yuki Kusumi, Director of Television Business Division of Panasonic. It speaks of OLED, flat and curved plasma, which did not make sense with the arrival of a better product.
...Panasonic confirmed that both the 55 and 65 inch models do use an IPS panel and passive 3D, whilst the 85 inch version uses a VA panel and active shutter 3D....
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