More Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs with HDR Streaming Now Available
When the biggest names in consumer electronics said that 2015 would be the year for High Dynamic Range (HDR) content in 4K Ultra HD, they weren’t kidding around. It did take until mid-2015 for the firmware upgrades to begin, followed by more announcements this month, but the day is finally upon us. Three of the biggest players, LG, Samsung, and Sony, now have HDR-compatible 4K Ultra HD TVs available in the USA. Even better, HDR content has begun to make itself available via Amazon Video, and pricing on TVs has begun to fall. The brands have done their part. Now the question is should you invest in a Sony 4K Ultra HD TV w/HDR capability? Only you can answer this.
Updated December 2017: This post has been updated to include a firmware upgrade announcement that “Google Home users can now use voice control to stream music and video to several models of new and existing Chromecast built-in Android TV Sony 4K HDR televisions.”
According to Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics, “you can get the awesome sound and video quality of Sony products working together with Google Home. This functionality is available for the Chromecast built-in Android TV Sony 4K HDR televisions consumers already have at home, or plan to purchase for the holidays.”
Although IFA 2015 expo ended two weeks ago, the show which billed as the CES of Europe, did not disappoint. Sony Electronics had much to unveil in Berlin, Germany. Days later, it was announced here that HDR streaming is coming to three more models. Sony models X910C/X900C/X850C have a firmware update to make them HDR capable. The X940C/X930C models already have HDR capability. Additional information on firmware updates is below.
Google Home users can now use voice control to stream music and video to several models of new and existing #Chromecast built-in #AndroidTV Sony 4K HDR televisions. Click To TweetVia streaming through the Amazon Video App, numerous Amazon original titles, The Man in High Castle, Mozart in the Jungle, and Transparent, along with the pilot episode of the comedy Red Oaks are available in High Dynamic Range 4K Ultra HD. It won’t be long before Amazon Video adds more original titles to their HDR content list. Netflix can’t be far behind with their HDR content. And Ultra HD Blu-ray players have just begun to hit the market.
According to Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics, “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.” As someone who attended the “King of TV” event at CE Week, and saw Sony’s X940C in action, Mike couldn’t be more correct.
Additionally, Man Jit Singh, President of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) said “We are proud to be on the forefront of next-generation technology bringing the first feature films available to stream in 4K with HDR to Sony televisions.” For a limited time this fall, customers who purchase a compatible Sony 4K Ultra HD TV will receive up to $100 of HDR content via the Amazon Video app. See the SPHE films listed below:
- The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Men in Black 3, After Earth, Fury, Elysium
Pricing and Availability for 2016 “D” Models
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65Z9D – $3,499.99 (Originally $5,999)
- 75″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR75Z9D – $6,999.99 (Originally $9,999)
- 100″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR100Z9D – $59,999.99
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these Z9D models, click here.
- 55″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR55X930D – $1,699.99 (Originally $3,299)
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X930D – $2,799.99 (Originally $4,999)
- 75″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR75X940D – $4,999.99 (Originally $7,999)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these X940D/X930D models, click here.
- 55″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR55X850D – $1,199.99 (Originally $2,499)
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X850D – $1,799.99 (Originally $3,499)
- 75″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR75X850D – $3,299.99 (Originally $4,999)
- 85″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR85X850D – $4,999.99 (Originally $9,999)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these X850D models, click here.
X800D/X750D/X700D Models:
- 49″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR49X700D – $649.99 (Originally $999)
- 55″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR55X700D – $799.99 (Originally $1,499)
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X750D – $999.99 (Originally $2,299)
- 43″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR43X800D – $649.99 (Originally $1,299)
- 49″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR49X800D – $799.99 (Originally $1,499)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these X800D models, click here. For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these X750D/X700D models, click here.
Pricing and Availability for 2015 “C” Models
X950B Models:
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X950B – $2,999.99 (Originally $5,499)
- 85″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR85X950B – $14,999.99 (Originally $19,999)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these 65″ and 85″ models, click here.
X940C/X930C Models:
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X930C – $2,499.99 (Originally $3,799)
- 75″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR75X940C – $4,999.99 (Originally $6,999)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these 65″ and 75″ models, click here.
X910C/X900C Models:
- 55″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR55X900C – $999.99 (Originally $2,499.99)
- 65″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X900C – $1,599.99 (Originally $3,299.99)
- 75″ Class Flat LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR75X910C – $4,999.99 (Originally $5,499.99)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these 55″, 65″ & 75″ models, click here.
X850C Models:
- 55″ Class LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR55X850C – $1,099.99 (Originally $1,499.99)
- 65″ Class LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR65X850C – $1,999.99 (Originally $2,499.99)
- 75″ Class LED 4K Ultra HD TV w/3D, 2160P, 120 Hz, XBR75X850C – $3,499.99 (Originally $3,999.99)
For a list of Sony authorized online retailers for these 55″, 65″ & 75″ models, click here.
Specifications
Interested parties often ask me ‘are these prices expensive?’ The short answer is No. To make this answer even better, pricing continues to fall as the product category matures and technology improves. Because High Dynamic Range is in its infancy, feature improvements like colors with deeper blacks and crisper whites will be among us in months, not years.
Looking at the X940C/X930C for example, Sony provides the following features with full product specifications here:
- The 4K Processor X1™ featuring:
- X-tended Dynamic Range Contrast
- 4K X-Reality Pro™ Clarity
- Triluminos® Color Display
- Android TV OS with Opera Web Browser
- High-Resolution Audio Sound
- 3D Readiness
- HDCP 2.2 Compatibility
- Sony Playstation® 3 & 4 Capability
Sony’s 2016 4K Ultra HD TV Models Z9D/X940D/X930D/X850D meet Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) HDR guidelines.
Sony’s 2015 4K Ultra HD TV Models X940C/X930C/X910C/X900C/X850C meet Consumer Technology Association’s (CTA) HDR guidelines.
Additional Information
Now, there is still plenty of confusion out there on the definitions of 4K and Ultra HD. Here are some basic answers to put you at ease. The high majority of 4K Ultra HD TVs available now and in the current future are actually Ultra HD. This means they have a resolution of 3840 x 2160. These TVs display an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 (16:9). Ultra HD is a consumer display and broadcasting standard.
On the other hand, 4K has a greater resolution of 4096 x 2160. This produces an aspect ratio of 1.9:1. See, 4K is a professional production and cinema standard. When you see a film on the big screen labeled as 4K, this is the resolution you see.
Still confused? Then check out these Wikipedia links on Ultra HD and 4K. The definitions get a bit technical, but they should help to diffuse the confusion. Just be glad I didn’t mention anything about the difference in 4:2:0 (current) and 4:4:4 color depths.
In August 2016, Sony provided firmware updates to the following models: X750D/X700D. No information is provided on the nature of the system software upgrade. In July 2016, Sony provided firmware updates to the following models: X940C/X930C, X910C/X900C, and X850C. The following improvements were made to the listed models:
- Adds support for 4K Live / NeuLion® Sports digital video technology
- Improves general performance of the TV
In May 2016, Sony provided a firmware update to the following model: X950B.
In Summary
Want to learn more about the 2015-2016 lineup of Sony 4K Ultra HD TV? It’s all explained here. The same goes for Amazon HDR content. After seeing numerous Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs firsthand at CES 2014 – 2016, I look forward to seeing what they have on display at CES 2017. Maybe we’ll finally get to see some with Quantum Dot technology.
To learn more, feel free to follow Sony on Twitter, Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook.
All photos and video are courtesy and property of PR PhotoNews/Sony Electronics.
