Sony 2015 XBR65X850C 580

Sony is bringing high dynamic range (HDR) capability to more models in its 2015 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV line, the company said Tuesday.

In addition to the previously announced 65-inch X930C ($3,798) and 75-inch X940C ($6,998) models, Sony said that HDR compatibility will be coming soon to models in the: 55-inch, 65-inch and 75-inch X850C (like the one pictured above), the 55-inch and 65-inch X900C and the 75-inch X910C ($5,498) series via a soon-to-be-delivered network firmware update.

The update will enable owners of the corresponding models to see HDR content available through Amazon Video streaming, Sony said.

More on Sony’s new HDR-capable TVs after the jump:

High dynamic range reproduces a greater range of light from nearly perfect black to brighter degrees of white, while still retaining details and color in the deepest black and brightest white segments of the image, simultaneously.

When viewing content that has been encoded with HDR metadata, Sony’s HDR TVs will produce brighter colors, enhanced details and distinct highlights, resulting in more depth and detail, for a more natural looking image, Sony said.

“Sony is pleased to be expanding HDR compatibility for our 4K Ultra HD televisions. Sony has always been a leader in HDR, from our HDR-enabled professional cameras, to Sony Pictures produced and edited HDR content, to our expanded line of HDR compatible TVs, only Sony can bring you the full HDR viewing experience from the lens to the living room,” said Mike Fasulo, Sony Electronics president. “You could say that HDR is in our DNA.”

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To underscore the new capability, Sony revealed a limited-time offer beginning this fall that will give purchasers of Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs up to $100 in HDR content, including the Sony movies: “The Amazing Spider Man 2,” “Men In Black 3,” “After Earth,” and “Fury,” through the Amazon Video app.

Amazon Prime members will also have access to recent Amazon Original Series produced in HDR: “Transparent,” “Mozart in the Jungle” and the pilot episode of the upcoming comedy “Red Oaks in HDR” on compatible Sony TVs, at no additional charge to their membership.

Sony’s uses its X940C and X930C series incorporate the company’s X-tended Dynamic Range technology that enhances contrast performance for both HDR and non-HDR content. The feature is said to double the brightness range in the X930C series, while the X-tended Dynamic Range PRO circuitry in the X940C boosts brightness up to three times the level of non-HDR-enabled models.

All of the 4K Ultra HD HDR models, including the: X850C, X900C, X910C, use Sony’s 4K X1 processor, which enables the system to take power from the dark areas of the screen to help boost brightness in the white areas of the image. The sets also including the new Android TV smart TV technology.

By Greg Tarr

 

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