Are Panasonic TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners)

You might have noticed that Panasonic TVs are no longer available at most retailers. Which makes you wonder if their disappearance has to do with the quality of their products. Did the quality of their TVs decrease over time?

Are Panasonic TVs reliable? 

Here’s What You Need to Know about the Reliability of Panasonic TVs.

Panasonic TVs are reliable, however, they did pull their TVs from the U.S. market in 2016. They have recently been hinting at a U.S. return. The Japanese brand, while operating within a limited market, makes high-quality TVs that typically last 7-9 years when the screen gets time daily to cool down.

Do Panasonic TVs Last As Long As Other Brands?

Panasonic TVs last as long as other brands.  

For the most part, TVs made by Panasonic use the same grade of components as other quality brands.

What really makes a difference in a TV’s lifespan is the usage. A TV is likely to last longer under frequent but tempered settings than a TV that is used extensively with brightness settings set to full.

Are Panasonic TVs Worth Buying?

For consumers based in the United States, Panasonic TVs are a risky investment. 

The brand exited the U.S. market in 2016, and you won’t find many Panasonic TVs for sale in the U.S. However, the brand hinted at a 2021 return to the U.S. market, but it’s yet to be seen if they will make good on that possibility.

If you find a Panasonic to buy, it’s likely an older model. Should you manage to buy the more recent models, the warranty won’t be honored in the U.S.

But, in the event you go for one, regardless of warranty coverage, Panasonic does make quality TVs that won’t disappoint.

Do People Generally Have Problems With Panasonic TVs?

The problem with Panasonic TVs is their availability.

• As Panasonic has exited the U.S. market, it will be hard to get a hold of their TVs, which is disappointing.
• The exit of Panasonic from the U.S. market also means limited support and a lack of warranty coverage.
• Their TVs are just as good—if not better—as other top brands on the market, so it’s especially disappointing that they’re not readily available in the U.S.

What Are the Most Common Issues with Panasonic TVs?

If you can get a hold of one, Panasonic TVs have the same issues other TV brands encounter. 

These include screens blanking out, loss of audio, inability to connect to the Wi-Fi network, and, in some cases, burn-in or permanent image retention.

For more information on issues with smart TVs, check out Are Smart TVs Reliable?. 

How Reliable Are The Cable Ports?

The cable ports of Panasonic TVs are generally reliable and won’t break easily.

That said, you still need to avoid putting stress on these ports so they will last longer.

You can use extension cables or switchers for devices that you regularly swap out so that the switchers or extenders will take the impact of any stress brought about by unplugging or tugging of cables.

How Many Years Should I Expect It To Last?

On average, you can expect Panasonic TVs to have the same duration as other TVs on the market.

This can range anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000 hours and translates to roughly 4.5 to over ten years.

But as long as you can provide proper care for your TV, you can expect it to reach at least the upper limit of this range before any degradation in the quality of the screen appears.

Look-through our article which explains about 8 Most Common Problems With Panasonic TVs

How Long Is the Warranty On These?

Panasonic does not have any warranty coverage for TVs in the United States.

If you managed to buy a Panasonic TV and take it to the U.S., Panasonic will not honor the warranty once it is moved to the U.S.

Are Panasonic TVs Good for Gaming?

Panasonic TVs are a decent choice for gaming, but your mileage may vary depending on the model. 

• For one, premium features such as FreeSync are found only in the top-of-the-line models, such as their OLED TVs.
• Meanwhile, the LED TVs might not have premium features, such as Variable Refresh Rate and FreeSync.

You’ll get a better gaming experience with the higher-tier TVs.

What’s the First Thing that Breaks in a TV?

The first thing that breaks in a TV, regardless of brand, is often the backlight of the TV.

Backlights break because of excessive use. They heat up and break over time, and they break more quickly if you have your Brightness settings cranked all the way up all the time.

You should set your backlight to match the brightness of the room. Dim rooms can have lower backlight settings, while brighter rooms need to compensate for the brightness to combat glare and reflections.

What Are the Best Panasonic TVs?

Should you get your hands on a Panasonic TV, or live in a region where Panasonic has TV models available, here are the best TVs they offer.

Panasonic JZ2000

The Panasonic JZ2000 is the brand’s new flagship TV and is set for release in June 2021.

• This TV catches up with what other brands have been doing, making it a worthy contender in the smart TV market.
• For one, the JZ2000 features a custom OLED display and an impressive sound system that features speakers that blast upward, forward, and sideways.
• The sound system is complemented with Dolby Atmos support, thus making the JZ2000 a strong contender in the audio department.
• Providing the immersive graphics on the OLED display is the HCX Pro AI processor. The chip provides better AI picture mode and auto-calibration and support for features of newer consoles, such as HDMI 2.1, which is long overdue.
• Gamers are in for a treat, as the JZ2000 features a Variable Refresh Rate and a low latency of 14.4ms.
• The JZ2000 also features the ability to link two Bluetooth devices at the same time. That means being able to have two wireless headsets, for example, connected at the same time.
• This TV also features a swivel stand, which allows you to get the best position for your TV.

Panasonic JZ980

If you’re looking for a cheap OLED TV from Panasonic, the JZ980 is the cheapest OLED offering from the brand.

• While OLED TVs usually come in 55 and 65-inch models, the JZ980 will have a 48-inch option for those who have smaller rooms.
• Unlike the flagship JZ2000, the JZ980 won’t feature the swivel stand. But, that should not be a deal-breaker, as OLED TVs have wide viewing angles.
• This OLED has good image quality, and it features thin bezels for a premium look.
• The JZ980 features universal HDR support, covering HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG Photo mode, for those who want to view HDR photos from Panasonic cameras.
• This TV also comes with Dolby Vision IQ, which optimizes the DV output based on ambient light.
• The JZ980 has a 30-watt Dolby Atmos audio for a more immersive sound experience.

Panasonic HX940

If you’re avoiding OLEDs because of the burn-in risk, but are okay with an older TV model, then the Panasonic HX940 might be the answer to your search.

• The HX940 has some heft to it, as seen with its build. It comes with four HDMI ports but unfortunately does not support 4k at 120 Hz or Variable Refresh Rates.
• When it comes to picture quality, the HX940 does not fail. HDR content and colors come alive. Panasonic makes it possible with the Holywood-tuned picture processing, albeit with a little discoloration in dark scenes.
• For the sound quality, the HX940 can push limits without becoming thin or distorted. The soundstage is accurate, especially with the built-in Dolby Atmos system.
• Gamers will love the Auto Low Latency Mode that switches automatically when it detects a gaming console in use with the TV.
• Unfortunately, the HX940 only supports ARC sound passthrough, so your eARC speakers may have to take a rest with this one.

Four ways to care for your TV

A Panasonic TV can be an investment, and you need to know how to properly care for it if you want it to last. The point of providing proper care for your TV is to cut down on costs or reasons for repair, especially for out-of-warranty TVs.

Here are four ways to care for your TV.

1. Turn off the TV when not in use

This tip is true for all TVs, but especially for OLED TVs.

• The first thing that breaks in a TV is the backlight. These burn out as time passes, which results in breakage. Keeping your TV on for prolonged periods speeds up the degradation process.
• And for OLED TVs, you should avoid keeping it paused on a program for long periods, as this may result in burn-in.
• Turning off the TV when not in use helps delay the degradation and lets you save on electricity.

Even if Panasonic says its TVs can last for a long time, you still should not push it.

2. Dust off the TV

Did you know that dust can cause damage to your TV?

• When dust accumulates on your screen, it may penetrate and cover the backlights. That, in turn, can cause the backlight to heat up faster.
• At the same time, dust can also block the vents of your TV, which then blocks air from circulating.
• Thus, you should regularly clean your TV by wiping it with a dry microfiber cloth. Don’t use any cleaning agents, as these can damage the TV.

3. Lower the Brightness

Higher Brightness does not mean better image quality and forces you to use more electricity while degrading your backlights more quickly.

The backlights will emit more heat when Brightness levels are cranked up, which can damage the whole TV.

You should match the lighting condition of the room with the backlight or brightness levels. You can reduce Brightness further when watching in a dim room and increase it when it gets too bright inside.

4. Keep the TV well-ventilated

As TVs emit heat during use, your TV should have enough space for air to circulate.

Allot at least two inches of space behind the TV and the wall and four inches on each side.

For those using cabinet-type consoles, there should be more space for the TV to circulate. Consider adding cooling fans inside for better circulation.

Final Thoughts

Panasonic TVs are reliable, given their quality features and value.

For that reason, it is disappointing that the brand does not market its TVs in the U.S., and the warranties are voided when used outside their market.

That said, if your country or state is on Panasonic’s official list of markets, don’t hesitate to spring for one, as the brand remains a consumer electronics powerhouse.

 

Sources:

Why Panasonic Left the U.S. TV Market

Panasonic TV 2021: every new OLED and LCD TV announced so far