Editor Rating
- Spectacular
- Panasonic TX-40CX680B
- Reviewed by:
Review Summary:
This is definitely a good entry-level model into the world of Ultra HD viewing. The picture quality is great with the 4k resolution and it definitely outdoes any model that is Full HD or below. You also get a list of features that make for a really good consumer experience. Some of them may not be completely usable at the time of this TV’s release, but when they are, it will offer a vast array of content options. When you consider the fact that it comes in at around £600, it makes the Panasonic Viera TX-40CX680B a great value.
If you are looking to get into 4k at a fairly low price, then the 40-inch Panasonic TX-40CX680B Smart Ultra HD LED TV is a good TV to look into. The screen has 4k resolution, advanced LED backlighting and the TV comes with a nice set of features to offer a good range of viewing options. That being said, some of the features are a little ahead of the curve, so if you get it early, there may be some functions that you have to wait on.
The viewing experience form the TX-40CX680B is certainly a wonder. The 4k LED screen uses local dimming to provide a fantastic level of contrast and it has good picture processing for images that are rich in colour and detail. Even with content that comes in a lower resolution, viewers should notice a significant difference in the image quality. Everything comes through really clear and it handles motion smoothly.
For sound, it is a model that does not go out of its way to impress. For an onboard system, the sound is decent, but there are definitely better options out there. If you don’t want to spend the money on a home cinema or a sound bar, the speakers that come with the TV will do the job, but the quality of the audio falls short in comparison to the screen.
This model from Panasonic comes with a great range of features, but this is also where the TV comes up a little short. For Smart TV, it has the Firefox home screen that performs very well. It is smooth and intuitive and it has tons of features that allow the user to customize the experience. You get a full internet browser, apps for things like Netflix and Amazon and access to features like TV catch-up and On Demand. Where it comes up short is in the coverage for the Freeview Play. At the time of writing, coverage is spotty and some consumers may not have access until the end of the year.
In addition to all of these Smart features, the consumer gets all of the basic options that they should expect from a modern TV. It comes with the built-in Freeview HD tuner, a media player and plugs and ports to support all of your components. The user can connect everything from a Blu-ray player to additional tuners and video game systems.
As far as getting this model ready for use, it is a pretty straightforward set-up process. It comes with a stand for putting it on an entertainment center and it can also be wall mounted. Once you have it going, the TV can prompt the user through setting up most of the features.
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The advantages and disadvantages of this model are…
Pros
4k UHD picture LED backlighting with local dimming 200 Hz image processing Freeview HD tuner Freeview Play Smart TV Quad-core processor Screen mirroring from smartphones and tablets Voice controls Integrated media player 3 HDMI ports 3 USB ports Connects through Wi-Fi and Ethernet
Cons
There are no channels that broadcast in 4k, so if you want to take full advantage of this TV, then your best options are to use Netflix or Amazon Some areas do not have the support for Freeview Play, but that should change over the next few months
