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Panasonic VIERA AX902 vs Samsung SUHD JS9000

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

PanasonicVIERA AX902SamsungSUHD JS9000
Overview
Released20142015
Display
PanelLED LCDLED LCD
Panel detailPanasonic specifies an LED LCD panel with Local Dimming Ultra. AVForums identifies the reviewed 55-inch panel as IPS with full-array direct backlighting and 128 zones; that zone count is not claimed for the 65-inch size. Panasonic's 3000 Hz Backlight Scanning claim is not a native refresh rate.Curved edge-lit 10-bit LCD with Nano Crystal quantum-dot colour on the reviewed 55-inch UK model. Samsung's Picture Quality Index is not native refresh; HDTVTest measured a 120 Hz panel on its 55-inch sample only.
Resolution3840 × 2160 (4K)3840 × 2160 (4K)
HDR formatsNoneHDR10
HDR extras–Samsung's 2015 SUHD HDR playback on the reviewed 55-inch set. HDTVTest found bright highlights but the edge-lit screen had less dark-scene control than Samsung's full-array JS9500; no peak-brightness figure is transferred to other sizes.
Colour range–Nano Crystal quantum-dot colour and 10-bit panel on the reviewed 55-inch model (HDTVTest). Samsung's launch announcement positions JS9000 within the SUHD range, but does not establish an identical panel across all three sizes.
Picture processingStudio Master Drive, Local Dimming Ultra, Studio Master Colour, 4K Pure Direct and Intelligent Frame Creation Pro. The 55-inch zone count is reported by AVForums, not the UK manual.Samsung's global SUHD announcement describes Nano Crystal colour and HDR. HDTVTest identifies Smart LED edge-light control and measured 91% DCI-P3 coverage in Movie mode on its 55-inch review unit; this is a reviewer measurement, not a maker value for the line.
Picture modesDynamic, Normal, Cinema, THX Cinema, THX Bright Room, True Cinema, Monitor, Custom, Professional 1 and Professional 2; BT.1886 gamma is available.Movie mode was the most accurate preset on HDTVTest's 55-inch test set. The UK quick guide confirms active 3D but says glasses must be bought separately.
Motion handlingHDTVTest found clear motion with Intelligent Frame Creation enabled but mild 24p judder; AVForums preferred turning interpolation off for films.HDTVTest measured 1080 or more lines of motion resolution with Auto Motion Plus on its 55-inch unit and found LED Clear Motion strobing sharp but possibly flickery. It reported mild judder in 24-frame 3D.
Viewing angleThe reviewed 55-inch IPS panel retained contrast and colour better off-axis than many contemporary VA LCDs according to HDTVTest.Both full 55-inch reviews found the picture faded away from the centre; the curve did not correct this limitation.
Sizes
Sizes55, 65″48, 55, 65″
Largest size65″65″
Gaming
HDMI ports4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rateNoneNone
Auto low latency mode–No
HDMI detailFour HDMI inputs support 4K and 3D; HDMI2 supports ordinary Audio Return Channel. The UK manual also lists DisplayPort for 4K, one SCART, component and composite inputs, CI+ and an SD card slot. HDTVTest confirmed full HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and HDCP 2.2 on the reviewed 55-inch unit.Four HDMI inputs on the external One Connect box; HDTVTest verified 3840 × 2160 at 60 Hz and full 4:4:4 chroma on all four after enabling HDMI UHD Color. Les Numériques identifies them as HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and HDR input. The UK quick guide warns that a different model's One Connect box will not work.
Input lagAVForums measured 90 ms in Game mode on the 55-inch set; HDTVTest measured 87 ms on its separate 55-inch sample.24 ms in Game Mode on the 55-inch HDTVTest sample, measured with a Leo Bodnar tester; 135 ms in Movie mode. These are reviewer measurements.
Game features–Manual Game Mode and 4K at 60 Hz on the reviewed 55-inch unit; no maker-confirmed VRR, ALLM or 4K120 support.
Smart TV and sound
Smart TV platformmy Home ScreenTizen
ProcessorQuad Core Pro5Octa-core smart processor
Speakers18 W60 W, 2.2 channels
eARC–No
Wi-FiBuilt-in dual-band IEEE 802.11a/b/g/nBuilt-in Wi-Fi
BluetoothBluetooth 3.0 for accessories–
Speaker detailPanasonic specifies 4 W + 4 W stereo drivers and a 10 W woofer.Samsung's UK quick guide lists 60 W for all three sizes, comprising left and right 20 W speakers plus two 10 W woofers.
Audio features3.5 mm headphone socket and Bluetooth accessory support.The reviewed 55-inch unit has optical digital output, headphone socket and HDMI audio return on its One Connect box (Les Numériques).
Voice assistants–Samsung's 2015 Smart Control supports voice input on the reviewed 55-inch model. Original internet services may change after launch.
CastingPanasonic's my Home Screen platform supports network media, TV Anywhere, screen mirroring and streaming apps; service availability varies over time.Tizen Smart Hub, DLNA media playback and Miracast screen sharing on the reviewed 55-inch unit (Les Numériques); original app availability is not guaranteed today.
TV tunersUK DVB-S/S2 Freesat, DVB-T/T2 Freeview HD and PAL I analogue tuners; two satellite dish inputs.DVB-T2 and DVB-S2 on the European 55-inch review unit (Les Numériques); exact UK tuner variations beyond the reviewed model are not assigned to other sizes.
USBTwo USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port support media and recording to a registered drive; SD card slot.Three USB ports on the reviewed 55-inch One Connect box, one USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 (Les Numériques).
EthernetRJ45 10/100/1000 Ethernet for network services and local sharing.Ethernet LAN on the reviewed 55-inch One Connect box (Les Numériques).
Optical audio outFibre-optic PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS output.Optical digital audio output on the reviewed 55-inch One Connect box (Les Numériques).
Design and power
SizeTV only: 55-inch 1238 × 741 × 59 mm and 26 kg; 65-inch 1457 × 864 × 60 mm and 35 kg. With pedestal: 55-inch 1238 × 740 × 283 mm and 40 kg; 65-inch 1457 × 863 × 356 mm and 52 kg.Without stand, width × height × depth from Samsung's exact UK quick guide: 48-inch 1091.8 × 626.7 × 94.4 mm; 55-inch 1248.5 × 713.7 × 90.7 mm; 65-inch 1464.6 × 836.8 × 107.7 mm. Configuration weights also exclude stands.
StandSupplied rear-weighted pedestal. Panasonic lists 400 × 400 mm wall mounting holes.Fixed curved stand. With-stand depth / weight from Samsung's UK quick guide: 48-inch 297.1 mm / 18.7 kg; 55-inch 322.3 mm / 24.3 kg; 65-inch 366 mm / 33.1 kg.
Power usePanasonic product fiche on-mode average: 210 W for 55 inches and 229 W for 65 inches; 0.30 W standby and off mode for both.–
Energy classC for UK 55-inch and B for UK 65-inch under the historical Panasonic product fiche.–
ColoursBlack glass front with silver edge trim.–
In the boxStandard and touchpad remotes, two pairs of passive 3D glasses, pedestal, mains lead and instructions. Panasonic's 2014 UK model list and manual confirm 55- and 65-inch AX902B sets; the distinct 85-inch TX-85X942B is excluded. Exact first-sale month remains unconfirmed; contemporary UK coverage places availability in November 2014.Samsung's UK quick guide lists One Connect and cable, remote, regulatory guide and manual. It explicitly says active 3D glasses must be purchased separately; bundled contents may differ in other countries.

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