Answered TX65-GZ2000B/ TX65-GZ950B - the additional £2K?

JazzyJaff

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The 4K market looks like at long last, decided to grow up and kind of knows which direction(s) it wants to go in. Therefore, after much deliberation, I have decided to move my excellent Panasonic 55VT30B into semi-retirement within my office, the old girl still outputs a great picture for 1080P.

My dilemma is whether to purchase the GZ2000B (£4,299) or to go for the GZ950B (£2,299).

"Is the extra £2K justifiable?"

As I will be connecting either of the chosen TVs to an upgraded 4K AV-Receiver (either the Pioneer VSX-LX504 or Pioneer SC-LX901 - a question for another thread or any recommendations most welcome), the integrated sound bar and the "up firing" rear speakers tuned by Technics will not be required; GZ2000B.

Everything else between the two seems to be a like for like, even after having professional calibration applied - is the overall picture performance that much noticeably on the GZ2000B?

If anybody has had the good fortune to witness both panels at their peak set-up, I would be very grateful if they could please share their own opinions on the picture performance or on the integrated sound bar against a conventional AV-Receiver.- I don't want to be regretting that I missed a trick by not paying the extra £2K.

Any help, comments or advice on any of the above, all welcome.- Many Thanks

Currently, watch HD films via Sky Q, Net Flix, Amazon TV box.
Hardware: Sony UHB-X800, “Up for sale” Pioneer VSX L-55, Panasonic 55VT30B.
Speakers: B&W 603 S3 (F) B&W LCR60 (C) B&W CDS6 S3 (SR) B&W 602s (R) B&W ASW1000
 
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Personally I would take the GZ950B, calibrate it and put the extra £2k into a decent AV receiver.

The "Tuned by Technics" sound bars have never been up to to much and can never compete with a proper receiver and speaker setup...

With regard to AV receivers have a look at Anthem and Yamaha, I will be moving from Denon to an Anthem soon.

Do you have a sub?
 
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As the owner of a shiny new GZ1000 all I can say is the GZ2000 must jump through hoops to be almost twice as expensive.
Ordered a 65 inch from TPS two weeks ago had the free upgrade to the 1000 over the 950 so paid £2295 for it. I already have a 5.1 setup so the Atmos speaker upgrade is not a necessity to me.
This is the most jaw dropping piece of AV kit I have ever bought. It replaces my long serving KRP 500M which has since been relegated to the kitchen extension.
For me the difference between the two sets is night and day. The out of the box settings are already superb.
As an AV layman I see no need to play about with them just yet.Hooked up a non 4k blu ray player and watched some of Avatar :) The colours just leap out at you.Not one ounce of buyer’s regret from either the wife or me.

If you do find somewhere to do a side by side comparison and can see any significant difference then fair play to Panasonic, It is early days but so far I have not noticed or witnessed any of the issues others have reported.Best of luck and happy choosing!!
 
I was able to compare the 55" versions of the GZ950 and GZ2000 side-by-side in John Lewis recently. I didn't have time to check every individual setting (or even view any 4K material) so the test wasn't in any way scientific or ideal, but I did make sure that both TVs had the same picture modes and temperature settings selected, with IFC set to 'min'.

Having stepped back to 8-9ft (my viewing distance at home) I was able to conclude that, while viewing HD Freeview channels at least, the GZ2000 picture did look slightly better. If I was shown either set in isolation in a 'blind' test though, I don't think I would be able to tell which was which as they both looked fantastic.

IMO, the bottom line is that if you want the absolute best OLED around at the moment and are willing to pay a premium for it, then the GZ2000 should be at the top of your list (the recent HDTVTest review of the GZ2000 backs that up). If I was really interested in the GZ2000 though, I would definitely want to do a more thorough test (and ideally a better comparison) in a specialist TV store.

For me personally, the fact that both TVS looked great and that the 55" GZ950 is literally half the price of the 55" GZ2000, means the GZ950 is the one I'll probably go for... but only once Panasonic have sorted out the audio issues their 2019 OLEDs seem to be suffering from.

As a gamer, the other reason I don't think I could justify £3000+ on a GZ2000 is the lack of HDMI 2.1 ports. If I was spending that much on a TV, I would want it to be as future-proof as possible and it would appear I'll have to wait for a 2020 Panasonic OLED for that ! The lower cost of the GZ950 makes the compromise of a lack of HDMI 2.1 ports easier to justify for me personally.
 
Remember the cheaper TV won the recent HDTVTest shootout. I would say the GZ2000 is not the worth extra 2000 as an outsider but those who own are happy minus the crackle, so all that matters is the owners being happy and not complaining as at the end of the day it is their hard earned £££ on the line.
 
You should watch the HDTV reviews by Vincent on YouTube of both models. He has some interesting views on the 2000, it is the pinnacle for OLED panel and HDR. But he is not impressed with the soundbar.

I was all set to get a 2000 but the price and fact that I have already invested in a full HT system, meant that I purchased a 950. I also have a decent soundbar for normal TV viewing.

There is a lot of info in the 2 owners threads but it can be overwhelming with the minor “issues” such as 2000 audio crackling, but overall most are extremely pleased with their GZs. I think only 1 or 2 may have swapped their sets due to panel banding issues, 99% are very good.

Bottom line is budget and if you want an all-in-one TV vs TV plus Soundbar/HT.
 
All,
(Apologies for the delay in replying)

Thank you for all the advice and sharing your own personal experiences with both models. - very much appreciated.

Based upon your feedback, I have decided to move forward by going for the 65" GZ950B and use the saved ££s to invest in a decent AVR; Pioneer, Yamaha, Anthem or A.N.Other.

I will get the TV professionally calibrated as advised... What is the general consensus with regards to “How many hours usage” do I need to have achieved, before getting an OLED set calibrated?

Thanks again for all your assistance, I am so looking forward to the “Unboxing” experience and the jaw dropping moment when the TV comes to life for the very first time
. - just got to decide what's going to be the very first 4K film to "Adorn" my new TV.

:D
 
All,
(Apologies for the delay in replying)

Thank you for all the advice and sharing your own personal experiences with both models. - very much appreciated.

Based upon your feedback, I have decided to move forward by going for the 65" GZ950B and use the saved ££s to invest in a decent AVR; Pioneer, Yamaha, Anthem or A.N.Other.

I will get the TV professionally calibrated as advised... What is the general consensus with regards to “How many hours usage” do I need to have achieved, before getting an OLED set calibrated?

Thanks again for all your assistance, I am so looking forward to the “Unboxing” experience and the jaw dropping moment when the TV comes to life for the very first time
. - just got to decide what's going to be the very first 4K film to "Adorn" my new TV.

:D

I am pretty sure you will be delighted. The 950 really is superb, especially with high quality content. As @SickSquirrel says, wait a minimum of 200 hours before calibration, but I would honestly suggest having a good play with the different picture modes for a good while, esp the likes of pro 1 and 2, and thx as you may find the picture out of the box is so good there is no need to rush into a calibration. Enjoy!
 
Hi Guys

All of a sudden my GZ1500 started exhibiting the infamous crackle the other day, it`s also aparant via optical out from the TV to my sorround set, so irritating since the Panel is near perfect uniformity wise, and a swab might correct the crackle but might also have an inferior panel compared to this one, I`ve still got 6 day onm my return window so what do you guys advice should i keep the panel and hope for a firmware update to remedy the sound crackle or return asap ?
 
Hi Guys

All of a sudden my GZ1500 started exhibiting the infamous crackle the other day, it`s also aparant via optical out from the TV to my surround set, so irritating since the Panel is near perfect uniformity wise, and a swab might correct the crackle but might also have an inferior panel compared to this one, Ive still got 6 day on my return window so what do you guys advice should i keep the panel and hope for a firmware update to remedy the sound crackle or return asap ?

Judging by the GZ2000 thread, Panasonic's first attempt to fix the crackling with a recent firmware update to those TVs has failed. Surely Panasonic are going to HAVE to sort this out though, as all their 2019 OLED models seem to be affected and a failure to fix this problem is going to result in a lot of unhappy customers and a lot of returned sets.

Is your short return window the distance-selling period when you buy online ? This is presumably a no-questions-asked period and might give you the easiest way to get your money back without either having to provide proof of the problem, or having the TV inspected.

It's a tough call, as it sounds like these TVs are great in all other respects. If you wanted to hold out for a fix, I'm guessing that the crackling audio would be sufficient to claim under a warranty anyway ? This would normally be at least a year, but most retailers seem to be providing 5-7 year extended warranties with these TVs (in the UK at least).
 
I've got the same problem. My return window closes next week. Like others I've contacted Panasonic but I've had no reply as yet. It's concerning that some 2000 owners have downloaded an apparent software update fix provided by Panasonic but it hasn't solved the sound crackle problem. I fear this is not going to be a quick fix but I'll give them till next Wednesday and then reluctantly I'll reject the set and request a refund.
 
Get them returned, you don’t want to be stuck with a lemon of a TV, don’t put up with it.
 
Yup repacking and shipping it back is a PITA but not as bad as living years with a TV that has annoying niggles. If you're paying for a source of pleasure and it doesn't deliver, its a waste of money and wall space.
 

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