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Panasonic TX-49EX600B review
| Review: May 2017 | ||
Last updated August 2017 Rating: In a nutshell: The Panasonic TX-49EX600B is one of the cheapest 49-50 inch TVs available in 2017, but there are good reasons for that. Picture quality is poor, with little contrast in evidence despite this being a HDR model. Motion blur is a problem too. We'd avoid this TV and look elsewhere. |
Design & looks
The Panasonic EX600B is the bargain basement model in the company's 2017 range of 4K HDR televisions, and it has looks to match. It's about twice as deep as the EX700, with a thick plastic frame around the screen. The base is rather flimsy, but does have the advantage of being adjustable to fit the size of your furniture.
Picture quality
Unfortunately the cheap-looking exterior is a sign of worse to come, as the same cost-slashing procedure has been applied to the screen and the processor. While the screen has 4K resolution and supports the new HDR standard, it doesn't do much with it. The LCD panel lacks brightness, and with no kind of local dimming available, it's unable to reproduce blacks adequately either. HDR may be written on the box, but the dynamic range of this screen is anything but high.
Upscaling from the entry-level processor is weak, so terrestrial TV channels can look very blocky.
Things get worse when the picture starts moving. The slow screen shows a lot of motion blur, especially during action or sports, and even when watching dramas. Watching football on Freeview actually made us feel queasy, and that wasn't because our team lost.
Audio quality
Sound comes from a pair of 10W full-range speakers with simulated surround sound. Let's be generous and describe the audio quality as average.
Smart TV
This is one area where we can say we're happy. Panasonic's Smart TV system for 2017 is called my Home Screen 2.0, and it's reasonably comprehensive, with support for BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, My5, Netflix 4K, Amazon Instant Video 4K, and YouTube 4K, with HDR support for streaming.
The remote control includes a handy Netflix button.
Connectivity
The EX600B has more limited connectivity options than Panasonic's more expensive TVs, but it has all the basics covered - Wi-Fi and ethernet for connecting to the internet and your home network, 3 HDMI ports, 2 USBs (including one USB 3.0), a combined component/composite input and a digital audio optical output.
A Freeview tuner is included, but not Freesat.
The TV can also stream content from connected phones and tablets.
Conclusion - not recommended
The Panasonic EX600 is one of the cheapest 49/50 inch TVs with HDR support, but it's not one we can recommend. The price has already fallen significantly since we first reviewed the TV in May, but even at £630 you can find better elsewhere. The Samsung UE50MU6100 costs less but is a better option all round.
Alternatively if you want to stick to Panasonic, we'd recommend spending a little more on the Panasonic EX700B, which is definitely a better option.
Panasonic TX-49EX600B features include:
- 49 inch LED-backlit UHD screen
- 3,840 x 2,160 resolution
- 1300Hz Back Light Motion rate
- Bright Panel
- High Contrast
- Adaptive Backlight Dimming
- Picture modes: Dynamic, Normal, Cinema, True Cinema, Custom
- my Home Screen 2.0 Smart TV
- FreeviewPlay
- Audio: Full Range stereo speakers (10W x 2), VR-Audio True surround sound
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet (LAN) x 1, HDMI x 3 (ARC support x 1), USB x 2, headphone x 1, shared component/composite input x 1, digital audio out (optical) x 1, CI (Common Interface 1.3), DLNA, Easy Mirroring
- Standard remote control
- Energy efficiency class: A
- Typical power consumption: 85W - 149W
- Size without stand (WxHxD): 1102 x 644 x 77 mm
- Size with stand (WxHxD): 1102 x 699 x 351 mm
User questions
Sorry - questions and comments on this page are now closed.
I interest input lag. Please help me. Thank you.
Asked by Peter
from Magyarország
on 25th Nov 2017
Why my panasonic 49ex600 cant connect to hdmi and i cant play video?
Asked by
Cherries baltazar
from United kingdom
on 24th Sep 2017
Panasonic TX-49EX600B user reviews
Sorry - reviews and comments on this page are now closed.
Average rating from 7 reviews: 
Reviewed by The badger
from United kingdom
on 27th Feb 2018
HONESTLY DONT KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GETTING YOUR REVIEW THE TELEVISION
EX600B in my view is what it says on the can 100% perfect my only
problem is connecting my surround system from my old Panasonic to me
new tv the synic is out and don’t know how to do it , but the tv
PERFECT.
Rating:
Reviewed by Andrewtst
from Malaysia
on 24th Dec 2017
I had this TV but K variant as I am from Malaysia.
For
the picture quality it is brilliant include HDR. I had play some
sample HDR video and it looks as stunning as others brand.
Your review somehow not right. It is not that bad as you
describe.
I am highly recommended this TV.
Rating:
Reviewed by Alfredo
from United Kingdom
on 2nd Dec 2017
To me it's brilliant. Sorry but your review is totally wrong. If you
ask me keep of the wine.
Rating:
Reviewed by Sab
from Hungary
on 24th Sep 2017
I think this purchase was good in terms of price/value.
I see
some of above mentioned failures but it does not disturb the cinema
time.
Rating:
Reviewed by Malcolm Hutcheon
from UK
on 15th Aug 2017
Not being a TV snob, and not being someone who spends hours on end in
front of one, I have to say that for Joe Ordinary this is a very good
buy. Picture quality is more than enough to keep me satisfied, sound
is adequate - again, not someone who needs to have the room shaking
while watching the latest Marvel movie. Netflix 4K was a bonus I
didn't expect, but shows off the quality of the picture. Ironman3 was
the first choice of movie I watched, and not once did I think about
motion blur. Overall, I'm more than happy with the £629 I spent,
and will recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new TV. Perhaps
you should consider your audience more before reviewing these
yourself?
Rating:
Reviewed by George
from UK
on 31st Jul 2017
Just set my new TX-49EX600B up and am pleased with its performance and
looks - mind you, I upgraded from a Sony 40in circa 2006, with the
clear plastic surround making it a lovely piece of equipment. However,
time moves on and the connections were not current! Anyway, I got this
TV at just under £600 so it seemed very good value. It set up
quickly and no fuss as well as connection to my Internet - BBC iPlayer
no problem and fairly quick! In my living room it fits perfectly and
is the exact size for my furniture and room - though I did have to
remove the shiny plastic covers from the removeable feet and spray
them matt black!! They reflected beams of sunshine from my rear
window! However, that was a minor point. A connected keyboard worked
fine and is needed for any selection of programme searches - inputting
each character on the screen is such a pain! Why don't manufacturers
get real? I am happy with the picture though have not tried anything
4k yet. It will probably be like my last TV - never managed to watch
any HD content and neither of us found the SD a problem! I think this
is good value and will do me for another 5 years.
Rating:
Reviewed by Joe Bloggs
from England
on 24th Jun 2017
The contrast is low because it's an IPS screen, worse contrast but
better viewing angles (in a bright room there would be little or no
difference between this and a VA panel). The TVs is deep as its direct
LED rather than edge lit which may be advantageous. You never
mentioned the input lag for gamers which is amazing, around 20 ms. Of
course HD tv looks bad it's 1080i blown up 4 times, it will look naff
on any 4K tv. I'm not sure if someone at Panasonic was mean to you in
a past life but this review is harsh. I don't think many people will
buy at £850 but when it hits the ~£600 mark I think people
will snap the TV up.
Rating: 
Reply by ryan
from uk
on 16th Jul 2018
Where did you get the 20ms from? Beening trying to find this
out.
