Sony Electronics officially unveiled Tuesday five models across three entry and mid-range 2016 4K Ultra HD XBR TV series including: the XBR-X800D, the XBR-X750D and the XBR-X700D.
All of the new models go on pre-sale this week and will be available starting in July through Amazon, bestbuy.com and other retailers, the company said.
The two models in the X800D series – the XBR-43X800D and XBR-49X800D – ship with support for high dynamic range (HDR) in the HDR-10 format, Sony said.
Sony said the lone 65-inch model in the X750D line and the 49- and 55-inch models in the X700D series “will be upgradable to [HDR-10] compatibility via a firmware update later this year.”
Read more on Sony’s new mid-range 4K UHD TVs after the jump:
Combined with 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR produces demonstrable improvements in picture quality including delivery of a wider range of contrast with additional details brought out in very dark and very bright sections of an image at the same time. The technology also brings spectral highlights to images, where bright objects actually output brighter luminance levels than the surrounding picture, creating a sense of realism and depth in the picture.
Sony did not say what the maximum luminance levels are for any of the new TVs. Thus far, the company has declined to participate in the Ultra HD Alliances’ Ultra HD Premium certification program, which stipulates peak brightness (1,000 nits for LED TVs) and black level (0.05 nits for LED TVs) criteria, among other things, to qualify for a special premium logo.
It’s expected that these mid-range 4K TV models will have lower luminance levels than Sony’s higher-end X930D and X940D series models.
Sony told us: “The XBR-X800D, the XBR-X750D, and the XBR-X700D are entry-level TVs in our premium line-up and are HDR compatible. HDR performance will be better in the X930D and X940D due to additional brightness (Slim Backlight Drive on the X930D, full array on the X940D), the addition of the 4K Processor X1 advanced image engine, X-tended Dynamic Range PRO, and the Triluminos Display (found the X800 series, but not the X750D and the X700D.)”
All of the new models offer 4K Ultra HD with 3,840×2,160p resolution, which is roughly four times the resolution of Full HD 1080p TVs. Sony includes in all models its up conversion technology, which takes lower-than-4K-resolution content and upscales it to near 4K quality for display on 4K screens.
All three series support Google’s Android TV operating system for streaming content. Android TV enables easily linking Android mobile devices with the TV to share content, photos, and other functions. TV viewers can watch shows from Google Play, Amazon Video, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, PBS and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Ultra streaming service.
Users can also access a selection of games and additional apps from the Google Play store. Additional apps available via Android TV include HBO NOW, EPIX, Starz Play, iHeartRadio, Fusion, PlutoTV and Vevo.
Beyond streaming content, Sony’s Android TV platform allows Home Automation control directly from the TV’s user interface using a Logitech Harmony Hub. More than 270,000 home entertainment products and IoT (internet of things) devices, such as lights, shades and thermostats can be controlled and automated at the push of a button on the TV’s remote.
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Android TVs also include a Voice Search feature that has been enhanced to support natural language voice actions and longer, more complex sentences. The Android platform also supports Google Cast that lets users cast their favorite entertainment apps such as HBO GO from their Android or iOS device, Mac or Windows computer or Chromebook to the TV.
Regarding recent reports that Android devices including Android-based TVs might be vulnerable to FLocker ransomware attacks, Sony told HD Guru: “The Sony TV manufacturing process includes safeguards against malware infection.”
Models and suggested retail prices include the following:
X800D Series:
Features include: Edge-lit LED LCD TV; 4K UHD/60p resolution; 24p True Cinema; 4K X-Reality PRO; Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE); HDR (High Dynamic Range); Motionflow XR 240 (native 60Hz refresh rate); Triluminos Display; Android OS with Google Cast, PlayStation Now gaming, Opera Browser available.
XBR-49X800D, 49-inches, $1,499.99 MSRP ($899.99 UPP)
XBR-43X800D, 43-inches, $1,299.99 MSRP ($749.99 UPP)
X750D Series
Features include: 24p True Cinema; 4K X-Reality PRO; Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE); Motionflow XR 960 (native 120Hz).
Features include: Direct LED backlight; 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR support (with coming firmware update); 24p True Cinema; 4K X-Reality PRO; Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE); Motionflow XR 240 (native 60Hz refresh rate); Android TV smart TV platform with PlayStation Now, Opera Browser, and Google Cast. Audio power output (10 W x 2 Audio Power Output); Clear Phase Speaker; Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus / Dolby Pulse; S-Force Front Surround; and S-Master.
XBR-65X750D, 65-inches, $2,299.99 MSRP ($1,499.99 UPP).
X700D Series
Features include: Direct LED backlight; 4K Ultra HD resolution; 24p True Cinema; 4K X-Reality PRO; HDR support (with coming firmware update); Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE); Motionflow XR 240 (native 60Hz refresh rate). Audio power output (10 W x 2 Audio Power Output); Clear Phase Speaker; Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus / Dolby Pulse; S-Force Front Surround; and S-Master.
XBR-55X700D, 55-inches, $1,499.99 MSRP ($899.99 UPP).
XBR-49X700D, 49-inches, $999.99 MSRP ($799.99 UPP).
Android TV also include a Voice Search feature that has been enhanced to support natural language voice actions and longer, more complex sentences. The Android platform also supports Google Cast that lets users cast their favorite entertainment apps such as HBO GO from their Android or iOS device, Mac or Windows computer or Chromebook to the TV.
By Greg Tarr
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