Panasonic TV-55W93A Review

In addition to the model we tested with a screen diagonal of 55 inches (139 centimeters), the W93 A series is also available in screen sizes of 43 inches (108 centimeters), 50 inches (127 centimeters), and 65 inches (165 centimeters).

Design and Connections

The Panasonic stands on a central metal stand, which unfortunately cannot be swiveled. Apart from that, both the stand and the body of the television impress with high-quality workmanship. The design features the frameless look typical of modern TVs, with a slightly wider aluminum-finished strip below the screen catching the eye. An alternative wall mounting is possible using an optional bracket according to the VESA standard 400 × 300.

The rear connections include two USB ports, one supporting the fast 3.0 standard, as well as a LAN port, digital optical S/PDIF output, and a headphone jack. Alternatively, an external subwoofer can be connected via the headphone jack. Additionally, the Panasonic has four HDMI interfaces, one of which, as an eARC port, enables the uncompressed transmission of 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos.

Front View The television stands on a high-quality metal stand, which unfortunately cannot be rotated. While the frame at the top and sides is extremely narrow, creating a frameless design, the lower aluminum-finished strip is wider.

Remote Control The plastic remote control has numerous buttons, ensuring high ease of use. These include buttons for direct access to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Amazon Music, YouTube, and the app portal.

Home Screen The Panasonic uses the home screen known from other Fire TV devices, where menu items like “Search” or “Live” can be accessed horizontally via the top bar. Vertically, the user navigates to the content of the installed services.

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Gaming Two HDMI ports offer full support of the HDMI 2.1 specifications. Owners of a next-gen game console like the Sony PlayStation 5 Pro (preview in SAT-VISION issue 11/2024) can look forward to frame rates of up to 120 frames per second at 4K resolution. When a gaming PC is connected via HDMI, frame rates of up to 144 Hz are possible with 4K video content. Also supported are Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rates (VRR), with options for AMD FreeSync Premium or Nvidia G-Sync. The good impression is rounded off by a dedicated game mode (Game Mode Extreme) and a Game Control Board, allowing quick adjustments during gameplay.

Additionally, the Bluetooth remote features an integrated microphone for control via Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa. The “MyApp” button can be assigned to any application for quick access. We explain how to do this in the tips and tricks following this test report.

EPG The electronic program guide offers a preview for the next seven days and displays the current TV image in a small box at the top left. Standard SI data is used for program information, requiring no internet connection.

Mufasa: The Lion King

The sequel to “The Lion King” (2019) tells the unexpected rise of Mufasa to the beloved king of the Pride Lands. Simba’s and Nala’s young daughter Kiara learns Mufasa’s story from Rafiki, who acts as the narrator. The plot is told through flashbacks, beginning with Mufasa as an orphaned lion cub, lost and alone, until he meets Taka, the heir to the lion throne. This chance encounter starts a long journey for an extraordinary group of outsiders searching for their destiny. Their bond is tested as they must escape a threatening and deadly enemy. The film is scheduled for release in Germany on December 19.

First Installation and Operation

After switching on the TV for the first time, an installation wizard guides the user through the initial setup, which is quite time-consuming. In our case, after network integration, a software update to the latest version (RS8112/2442) was performed, taking about 20 minutes. Since a channel search takes roughly the same time, users can plan for 40 to 60 minutes for the installation procedure, depending on the number of TV reception paths. For households with a satellite reception system, it’s important that, in addition to DiSEqC protocols 1.0 and 1.1, operation on a single-cable system via Unicable 1 (EN50494) or 2 (EN50607) is also supported. Besides the network connection, which can be wired via LAN or wireless via WLAN, the initial setup includes selecting the language and logging in with an Amazon account. If no Amazon account is available, one can be set up for free, which is recommended to access the smart TV functions. Finally, selected apps can be added to the home page.

Options Menu By pressing the button with three horizontal lines on the remote control, an options menu appears on the right side during TV playback. Here, detailed information about the signal properties and AV options of the broadcasted TV program can be accessed.

The installed operating system is Fire OS 8, whose home screen is familiar from other Fire TV devices. Content suggestions like movies and series are prominently arranged, allowing users with a subscription to access content without opening the respective app. Operation is intuitive, as the home screen is tidy and features like the search function are well implemented. However, occasional long response times when accessing content slightly mar the overall impression. Given the operating system, it’s no surprise the TV features Alexa voice control, activated via a button on the remote control with an integrated microphone. The TV can also be effectively controlled using traditional button commands on the Bluetooth remote. Another control option is the free “Amazon Fire TV” app for Android and iOS devices, although it offers no additional functions beyond control.

Television and More

A single triple tuner covers satellite, cable, and DVB-T2 HD reception. With a CI+ slot available, encrypted channels can be received via a corresponding module, in addition to free-to-air programs. The Panasonic is equipped with a recording function to external USB storage devices. Note that due to the lack of a twin tuner, switching to another program during a recording isn’t possible. Besides direct recordings, timer recordings can be programmed for future broadcasts, and live programs can be paused (timeshift). Recordings on the external hard drive can only be viewed on the TV-55W93 A; playback on other devices isn’t possible. Unfortunately, there’s no editing function to remove commercial breaks afterward. A unique feature offered by few TV manufacturers is the TV>IP function, allowing TV programs to be received via the home network from a corresponding server. The TV-55W93 A can serve as a client, bringing TV programs to a room without a TV connection. However, unlike Panasonic’s flagship models, it can’t act as a server.

Picture Measurements The Panasonic offers several picture modes suitable for enjoying films. We chose the “Filmmaker Mode” for both SDR and HDR playback. In both cases, only minor adjustments to the white balance were necessary, detailed in the table on page 70. Our subsequent measurements showed good results regarding color space coverage (P3 = 96.1% and BT.2020 = 72.9%). The maximum peak brightness was 684 nits in the “Normal” picture mode, while our reference mode measured a peak of 592 nits.

Amazon Fire TV

Tablet and Smartphone Version 2.7.1.0-aosp:

Android 7.0+ Version 2.7.4: iOS 13.0+

The free “Amazon Fire TV” app for Android and iOS allows control of the TV via a mobile device. Beyond functioning as a remote control, the app doesn’t offer additional features.

Setup

Recommended viewing distance: — SD: 3.5 m, HD: 2.8 m, 4K: 2.0 m

Optimal screen height¹⁾: — 0.74 m at an eye height of 1.10 m

0.89 m at an eye height of 1.25 m

1) Lower edge of the TV

Apps The app selection is impressive both quantitatively and qualitatively. Except for Rakuten TV, all streaming apps from our extensive reference list are available, including those not commonly found on other smart TVs like Dyn or MagentaTV.

Smart TV Functions

Regarding smart TV functions, the test candidate impresses as expected. Of the streaming services from our extensive reference list—which includes mainstream apps like Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+, as well as less common ones like Dyn, MagentaTV, and WOW—all are available on the Panasonic TV except for Rakuten TV. The overall app offering is convincing in both quantity and quality. Those without a traditional TV connection can stream live TV via Joyn, RTL+, waipu.tv, or Zattoo. Broadcaster media libraries from ARD, ZDF, and others are also available. Users can access these via HbbTV by pressing the red button on the remote control when watching linear TV. Another HbbTV feature is the replay function, activated via the blue button, allowing a live program to start from the beginning. If the overlays that appear with each channel change are annoying, the HbbTV function can be deactivated globally or for individual channels. There’s also an option to suppress overlays while keeping HbbTV active, which is particularly practical.

Picture and Sound Quality

The Panasonic TV-55W93 A is an LCD television with Direct LED Backlight (Full Array Local Dimming), featuring a Quantum Dot coating. The microscopic color crystals ensure more colors are displayed, making the color reproduction more intense overall. Panasonic also uses Mini-LEDs in the TV-55W93 A, divided into 64 dimming zones. This allows brightness control in individual screen areas, resulting in deeper blacks than typical LCD TVs with full-surface backlighting.

We recommend the “Filmmaker Mode” picture setting for both SDR content and content with extended contrast range. This mode provides a natural image and proved to be well-calibrated in our measurements. We made slight adjustments to the white balance settings, as detailed in the table on page 70, achieving very good results.

“Mini-LED TV with excellent color and contrast representation”

The peak brightness measured in our reference mode was 592 nits—not outstanding but sufficient for most HDR film requirements. It’s advantageous that all relevant HDR standards are supported, including HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), Dolby Vision IQ, and HDR10+ Adaptive. The latter two dynamic formats automatically adjust the picture to the ambient brightness.

Our visual tests revealed an overall harmonious and warm image impression, underlined by high color space coverage. We can attest to the test candidate’s very good picture quality. TV images are skillfully upscaled to 4K resolution by the built-in HCX Pro AI MK II processor, performing better with HD channels than with frequently encountered SD content. Native 4K Ultra HD content provides the most enjoyment, rendered sharply and crisply. Unfortunately, the panel reflects somewhat in daylight; however, the viewing angle is stable, with convincing contrasts even from the side.

The sound doesn’t quite match the excellent picture, as the two downward-firing stereo speakers with a total output of 20 watts provide only solid acoustic support. On the plus side, voices are reproduced clearly and intelligibly, without distortion even at high volumes.

Connections The connections are located on the right rear side (from the front view) and are oriented to allow easy wall installation. Of the four HDMI inputs, two fully support HDMI 2.1 specifications.

Economy and Speed

From standby, the TV takes only three seconds to boot. From being unplugged, this increases to 40 seconds. Channel switching times average 2.8 seconds for SD channels across all reception paths, while switching HD programs takes more than three seconds, making the switching times comparatively sluggish.

Our power consumption measurements showed a significant difference between SDR and HDR operation, averaging 56.3 watts and 156.8 watts, respectively. Note that we always measure power consumption in our recommended picture mode—in this case, the “Filmmaker Mode.” Selecting the “Normal” mode can reduce energy consumption at the expense of picture quality. In standby, power consumption is 0.5 watts if all standby modes are deactivated. If the TV is in permanent Alexa standby and wake-on-LAN mode, standby consumption increases to 11.1 watts.

Connectivity Check

Control

• Smartphone App: Amazon Fire TV
• Recording Programming (Network/Internet): ✘ / ✘
• Control / EPG: ✔ / ✘
• Channel List Editor: ✘
• Streaming Live TV (Network/Internet): ✘ / ✘
• Streaming Multimedia: ✘

Network Features

• DLNA / UPnP: ✔ (Client)
• Wireless Transmission (Mirroring & Throwing): ✔
• Online Software Updates: ✔

VoD Services & Media Libraries

• Apple TV+: ✔
• DAZN: ✔
• Discovery+: ✔
• Disney+: ✔
• Dyn: ✔
• Magenta TV: ✔
• Netflix: ✔
• Paramount+: ✔
• Prime Video: ✔
• Rakuten TV: ✘
• WOW (formerly Sky Ticket): ✔
• HbbTV Version / Public / Private Channels: 2.0.3 / ✔ / ✔

Module Check

Measured Data

Power Consumption in Watts

• Deep Standby: ~0.5 W
• Standby: ~11.1 W
• SDR (Standard Dynamic Range): ~56.3 W
• HDR (High Dynamic Range): ~156.8 W

Annual Cost: €22.58 (~$24.50)
(Based on 32 cents per kWh, with an average daily usage of 195 minutes over 365 days.)

Boot Times (in Seconds)

• From Deep Standby: 8 seconds
• From Standby: 3 seconds
• From Power Off: 40 seconds

Channel Switching Times (in Seconds)

Model Sizes and MSRP (Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)

• 43″ Model: €999 (~$1,080)
• 50″ Model: €1,199 (~$1,295)
• 55″ Model: €1,299 (~$1,400)
• 65″ Model: €1,549 (~$1,675)

Our Picture Settings (SDR/HDR)

Color Adjustment

White Balance

• Red Balance: +3 / +3
• Green Balance: 0 / 0
• Blue Balance: -2 / -2

Gray Balance

• Red Gray Balance: +1 / +1
• Green Gray Balance: 0 / 0
• Blue Gray Balance: 0 / 0

Note: All other settings are on factory default.

Connections

• Video:
  HDMI 2.1 (2x), HDMI 2.0b (2x)

• Audio:
  S/PDIF (optical), Headphone output

• Data:
  USB 3.0, USB 2.0, WLAN (b/g/n/ac), LAN

Multimedia Formats

• Video:
  MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG, TS

• Audio:
  MP3, M4A, WAV

• Image:
  JPEG, BMP, PNG

Technical Check

Note: Partial specifications for ALLM, eARC, HFR, and VRR are included.

Specs

Technical Data

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: TV-55W93A

Dimensions (W × H × D in mm): 1,231 × 717 × 84
Weight (in kg, without stand): 16.5
Firmware Version: Fire OS 8.1.1.2 (RS8112/2442)

Display

Technology: LCD with Direct LED Backlight
Hertz / Motion Optimization: 144 / Intelligent Frame Creation
Diagonal (in inches / cm): 55 / 139
Viewing Angle: n/a
Resolution: 3,840 × 2,160
HD Ready / Full HD / Ultra HD / 3D: ✔ / ✔ / ✔ / ✘

Hardware

Speakers / Subwoofer / Total Power (W): 2 / ✘ / 20
DiSEqC Support / Unicable 1 / Unicable 2: 1.0, 1.1 / ✔ / ✔
HDTV Compatible: -12 dB (per IEC 7)
Smart Card Reader / CI+: ✘ / ✔ (1× CI+)
On-Device Controls: ✔
Power Switch: ✘
Wall Mountable: ✔ (VESA 400 × 300)

Special Features

Recording Function: ✔
Storage Size: ✘ (External Storage Medium)
Smart TV: ✔ (Fire OS)
Multichannel Audio: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos
Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Function: ✘
Bluetooth: ✔
Separate Headphone Volume Control: ✔

Software

Favorites List / Renameable: 8 / ✔
Language Selection / Count: ✔ / 25
EPG (Electronic Program Guide) / Number of Days: ✔ / 8

Costs

RRP (Recommended Retail Price in €): €1,299
Market Price (Average in €): €1,180

Verdict

The Panasonic TV-55W93 A achieves the test rating “good” with 9.1 out of 10 points in our practical test. It offers very good picture quality, convincing in terms of color and contrast representation, and is rounded off by first-class features including all four HDR formats with Dolby Vision IQ. The Fire TV user interface provides intuitive operation despite occasional sluggish response times and boasts an excellent range of streaming apps. Fans of linear television also benefit from a USB recording function and a CI+ slot for pay TV reception. The Panasonic TV-55W93 A is currently available for an average of $1,300, which we consider a fair price for what’s offered.

PROS

Picture quality, HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ Adaptive & Dolby Vision IQ, 4K@144 Hz, Amazon Alexa integrated, extensive app selection, Dolby Atmos, AirPlay

CONS

Switching times, response times, no twin tuner, stand not rotatable

Panasonic TV-55W93A Evaluation

Overall Score: 91.4% (Good)
55″ Ultra HD LED TV – Individual Test (December 2024)

Rating by Criteria

Price-Performance Index: 12.91

Final Rating: 91.4% (Good)

Average Market Price: €1,180 (approx. $1,300)

Scope of delivery: TV · Remote control incl. batteries · User manual · Stand · Screws

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