Jordan O'BrienUpdate October 18: AWE has announced that the Sony Bravia ZD9 is now available to custom installers through its distribution channels.
Original Story: Sony has revealed a new flagship TV for the 2016 model year – with the brand unveiling the 4K and HDR-touting Bravia ZD9.
Available in 65in, 75in and 100in options, the ZD9 is the TV Sony fully expects to be popular with those wanting the very best. To satisfy those exact people, the ZD9 boasts 4K UHD and HDR, as well as Sony’s new 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme image processor, that is said to offer 40% more real-time image processing than the previous generation.
There’s quite a bit of competition in the TV space in 2016, with all the company vying for dominance with their screen technology. Samsung has Quantum Dot, LG has OLED, HiSense has ULED, while Sony’s Bravia range is just a standard LCD. Despite being a ‘standard LCD’ there are a few things under the hood that should impress.
With Sony’s new image processor users should expect better quality colours, contrast and high-speed images, while there is also a significant upgrade to the company’s local dimming technology. Sony says that this upgrade moves local dimming from LED area control to individual LED adjustment, which should lead to more precise colour variation and contrast, as well as deeper blacks.
Many modern TVs boast 4K upscaling, which is also a feature of the ZD9 – thanks to the 4K X-reality Pro technology. Sony goes one step further however, with the ZD9 also boasting object-based HDR remastering and upscaling. This technology is designed to turn dynamic range HD content into glorious 4K HDR images.
Sony is not likely to beat LG on the HDR front, thanks to its inclusion of Dolby Vision, but its content is pumped through the screen at an impressive 14-bit processing level. Which is actually more than the 12-bit Dolby Vision standard and superior to the 10-bit standard of HDR:10.
As with most Sony TVs currently on the market, the Bravia ZD9 boasts Android TV software. That means access to all the Apps users know and love such as Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Instant Video, as well as support for Google Chromecast streaming from an Android or iOS mobile device.
CE Pro Europe has contacted AWE Europe to check whether the company will be stocking the TV, but on the open market these TVs are far from cheap. The 65in model has an RRP of £4,000, the 75in will cost £7,000 and the 100in model will cost a rather eye-watering £60,000.
Sony says that the Sony Bravia ZD9 TV range will be available in the UK before the end of the year.
Five More New 4K HDR TVs
The ZD9 won’t be Sony’s only new addition to the Bravia 4K HDR range in 2016 however, with the company also revealing the XD83, XD80, XD75, XD70 and SD80 also joining it.
These TVs have been launched to satisfy a variety of room sizes and customer needs, as well as the need for more affordable high-end 4K UHD TVs on the market – with these TVs having an RRP beginning at £1,000.
As with the ZD9, these new sets all boast a 4K UHD resolution and High Dynamic Range compatibility. They’re also capable of upscaling standard definition and Full HD content to 4K UHD – although unlike the ZD9 it won’t be able to boost content to HDR standards.
The new TVs will also enjoy access to Google’s Android TV operating system, which enjoys the exact same features as the Smart TV software on the ZD9.
The new Sony Bravia XD83 will be available in 49 and 43in options, the XD80 will be available in 55, 49 and 43in, the XD75 has a 65in model, the XD70 has 55in and 79in models, while the SD80 will ship as a 50in model.