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Panasonic has today announced its full OLED TV lineup for 2021, and the headline news is a 48in screen size, the use of its custom Master OLED panel design across two ranges, and the introduction of HDMI 2.1 features including VRR and HFR.

Yet there's a wrinkle in the detail when it comes to the latter – Panasonic says these features will be supported by two HDMI inputs on all its OLED sets, but initially the ports 'in the case of 4K High Frame Rate and 4K@120Hz VRR, will only display half the vertical resolution.'

A firmware update will address the 4K HFR issue later in the year, says the Japanese brand, and it will make a further announcement 'in due time' regards 4K/120Hz VRR – other VRR resolutions will be supported out of the box 'without issue.'

Panasonic 2021 OLED range
The OLED lineup is topped by the JZ2000 model, previously announced during this year's virtual CES. Joining it will be the step-down JZ1500, JZ1000 and JZ980 series.

Screen sizes are 65in and 55in for the JZ2000, and 65in, 55in and 48in for the JZ1500, JZ1000 and JZ980.

All models will support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic HDR (in addition to HDR10 and HLG) and feature Panasonic's uprated HCX Pro AI processor, which debuts an Auto AI mode to 'deliver an optimum experience to viewers by accurately detecting what kind of content is being viewed.'

Panasonic's HCX Pro AI processor also introduces Game Mode Extreme, which the company says delivers best-in-class low-latency and is the result of 'significant engineering enhancements made by Panasonic, rather than industry-wide panel improvements'.

Master OLED branches out
Last year, on its flagship HZ2000 TV, Panasonic introduced its custom 'Professional Edition' Master OLED panel. This adopted heat management techniques originally devised for the brand's plasma screens to manage dissipation and enable a brighter output. The Master OLED panel now features across both the JZ2000 and JZ1500 series – with the exception (somewhat annoyingly) of the latter's 48in model.

The sets will also integrate a new smart hub (My Home Screen 6.0). This adds dual-device Bluetooth transmission, a My Scenery mode offering a selection of 'restful' images and videos, and an on-timer with channel/input pre-selection, enabling you to wake up everyday to MTV Rocks at full volume, if that's your bag.

My Home Screen 6.0 also features an improved UI designed to give quicker access to commonly used picture and sound settings.

The new OLEDs will also come with a redesigned remote control. Panasonic says this has been 'modelled on the rounded shape of decorative bowls,' which we assume means it has curved edges...

Prices for Panasonic's 2021 OLED TVs are TBC.