The American office of Sony held an official presentation of the new generation of smart TVs BRAVIA on the Android 5 platform.0 Lollipop. Most of the new models of Sony TVs of the sample year 2015 are already available in American retail, the rest will be available in the coming weeks. We were able to “touch” the new items and find out details firsthand.
Sony BRAVIA TVs 2015: how to tell them apart now
Almost the entire lineup of BRAVIA’s 2015 TVs, including the W75, W80, W85, X83, X85, X93, X94, X9 and S8 series, received improved picture quality, a new design and the Android TV user interface. Only the elite “top” models in the form of flagship models X95 X9500B and S9 S9005B with a big screen – the functionality of these TVs will soon become obsolete, and a number of the most budget-friendly models such as 32-inch HD Ready TV R303C and 40-inch Full HD TV R353C remained unchanged.
In addition, not all new models have received support for 3D, Ultra HD resolution, a new One-Flick remote in the set and a number of other options. So now we will look at all the innovations in order, and at the same time we will figure out what series of novelties they are directly related to.
Sony X1 image processor
Most of the new BRAVIA 2015 TVs are equipped with the new Sony X1 image processor, which detects and analyzes content, ensures true 4K/Ultra HD clarity in their respective TVs, has an advanced adaptive noise reduction system and in addition provides high quality color reproduction with dynamic contrast enhancement.
A characteristic feature of most of the modern 4K TVs is to support the scaling of content with a lower resolution to Ultra HD resolution, from the quality of the algorithms used in this case get a different degree of image realism on the super sharp screen. With the advent of the Sony X1 processor, the new BRAVIA 2015 TVs have the ability to analyze and identify content using a new algorithm Super Resolution, which uses an updated and expanded database.
It is also worth noting that the Sony X1 processor from now on scales up to 4K resolution with quite high quality, clarity, contrast and color saturation, not only Full HD video format, but also standard and low internet-quality.
Among the 2015 BRAVIA TVs, models with Ultra HD screen resolution are presented in the X83, X85, X93, X94, X9 and S8 series they are also included in the subset of models running Android TV . Current selection of 4K content is still limited, but there is already something worth watching on YouTube, and a number of major streaming services with their own 4K IPTV channels are expected to appear before the end of the year.
Thus, 4K content will of course appear, but the principle of its transmission over the Internet will, as before, impose strong limitations on the bitrate of the video stream. This, in turn, will require high performance from the TVs’ image processors. The new Sony X1 processor, equipped with the functions of Digital Noise Reduction and 4K Reality Pro quality enhancement, is focused on decoding signals with AVC/H264, HEVC/H265 and VP9 codecs in real time, allowing you to get rid of artifacts, noise and color loss, even in the most dynamic scenes.
Without exception, all TVs based on the Sony X1 chip support Triluminous Display technology, which can significantly improve color reproduction of the picture and wider dynamic range without losing saturation and contrast. The screen appears in entirely new shades of familiar colors, previously unavailable even on premium models.
Additional dynamic range expansion is provided by the X-tended Dynamic Range function with XDR doubling the dynamic range and XDR Pro tripling the dynamic range modes, which works with any type of content regardless of its original dynamic range.
Stereo 3D: A return to the old strategy
Beginning in 2015, Sony is fully returning to the concept of active-shutter stereoscopic 3D technology, which allows each eye to see 60 times per second, a full Full HD image as opposed to the passive-polarizing, where each eye sees only half of the lines . The passive technology is now the only thing left in the X9 family.
At the same time, the lineup with 3D support will be significantly limited, mostly by premium models. For example, two pairs of free 3D glasses will now be supplied only with the X93 and X94 series. 3D support will also be available on S85, X85, W85 and W8 series TVs, but 3D glasses for these models will have to be purchased separately.
The new One-Flick remote control
Personally, I liked the new Sony One-Flick RMF-TX100E compact remote control very much. In addition to the standard buttons for basic control of the user interface and the still strange built-in microphone for voice commands, the remote One-Flick is equipped with a convenient touch pad, which makes control of the TV under Android TV comparable to the control of any Android-gadget.
The Sony One-Flick remote control will be standard on X9, X93, X94, S85 and X85 TVs. Can also be used with X83, W85, W8 and W75 series models, but requires purchase separately.
Ultra-slim BRAVIA 2015 design: mounting and mounting options
Almost all new Sony TVs have lost weight this year: the slim body with Slim design is the hallmark of most BRAVIA 2015 series, and the thinnest 4K Ultra-Slim X9C series TVs are only 4.9 mm thin – the envy of many smartphones.
BRAVIA X9C series models, along with the possibility of standard VESA wall mounts, also have a unique wall mount, which comes as standard. An ultra-slim TV with a wall mount doesn’t look like a painting, but like a digital window with Ultra HD quality.
All modern Sony BRAVIA TVs without exception are equipped with a table stand and all support wall mounting using the VESA standard. Widening to the bottom of the Wedge design remained only in the X94 series, but the high-quality built-in acoustics, for which this is done, is worth it.
Let there be sound
New TVs with Sony X1 processor support extended audio format of high resolution – High Resolution Audio, with a quality higher than that of a standard CD. Most new BRAVIA TVs include DSEE HX audio processing, which automatically converts all movie dialog and music into a format that’s as close to true-to-life High Resolution Audio as possible, so you can hear the sound exactly as it’s meant to be heard.
The X94C and X93C series, with the aforementioned Wedge design, stand apart from other new BRAVIA models because of their emphasis on top-notch sound quality. In addition to High Resolution Audio support, the X94C and X93C series also feature a unique, integrated six-way speaker system with high quality full-range ferromagnetic fluid speakers mounted on the front flat side of the screen.
The flagship BRAVIA X94 Series TVs feature special custom wide-band speakers with acoustic labyrinth technology and a separate optional tweeter. Thanks to this technology the sound of the built-in system is of very high quality in spite of the closed construction of the closed cabinet.
It should be mentioned that almost all series of Sony BRAVIA TVs of 2015 except for very economical R5/R3 can be completed with a branded optional subwoofer. It does not come with any model so you have to buy it additionally.
Sony Android TV: features of the new platform
The choice of Android TV software platform for BRAVIA TVs is not accidental, Sony representatives explain it very simply: the widespread use of mobile devices running Android OS itself means that the vast majority of potential owners of new TVs are well-versed, or at least familiar with the new interface.
An unforgiving statistic from IDC tells us that at the end of 2014, Android mobile devices accounted for 77% of. In addition, today more than 50% of viewers use their mobile devices for one reason or another while watching TV shows and other content on the TV screen – surfing the Internet, transferring content or simply using the gadget as a remote control. So using the Sony Android TV platform shouldn’t be a problem, and for many the familiar design will be a pleasure from the start.
Despite some differences between Android TV and the classic Android mobile shell, the vast majority of TV platform features are almost identical. And above all, the full support of any games and applications from the vast collection of Google Play: all this is available on the big screen of the TV, all under a single Google ID account. The viewer can access a huge number of Google Play apps for Android TV, the Smart TV section also offers movies, series, documentaries, TV programs and much more from well-known providers such as ivi, Megogo, Tvigle, apps from STS and Peretz channels, Okko and many others.
Many people will appreciate the voice search feature that’s standard on new BRAVIA Android TVs, which lets you not only search the web for information, but also get answers in the form of special Google info cards. The built-in microphone in the new One-Flick remote lets you search for your desired content and control your TV with your voice command.
With Android TV’s built-in Google Cast extension, content from your smartphone or tablet can be streamed to your new BRAVIA TVs in a single tap. However, in the new BRAVIA Android TV models this is done completely differently than before. For example, if in the previous generation of TVs the same YouTube video was actually first received by a smartphone and then broadcasted to the TV, in the new models the smartphone actually serves as a remote control, giving the TV the address of the video and the mark from which to continue playback, while the download and buffering of content is performed by the TV itself.
According to Sony representatives, the built-in multimedia players in new BRAVIA-2015 TVs are truly “omnivorous” and work with the most popular today formats, containers and codecs of multimedia content such as MPEG1, MPEG2PS, MPEG2TS, AVCHD, MP4 Part10, MP4 Part2, AVI XVID , AVI MotinJpeg , MOV, WMV, MKV, WEBM, 3GPP, MP3, WMA, LPCM, JPEG and FLAC. This is an issue we’ll be sure to uncover when we test one of these TVs in detail.
One more look at ranges, features and prices
Choosing a new TV for your living room, kitchen or cottage, the consumer is usually guided by a list of key features, such as price, screen size and resolution, the presence of a modern digital tuner, design. Many people out of old habits think of a TV set as a simple TV set, or even just a big monitor with various interfaces. Many people still when choosing a TV often completely ignore the features of the user interface, the type of platform Smart TV, although when choosing a smartphone or tablet one of the most important questions will, of course, the version of the operating system.
In our brief review of the new lineup of new Sony BRAVIA TVs for 2015, we have already looked at all the key innovations, and now, in conclusion, we mention these innovations for each model range, and at the same time we remind you of the approximate prices of new products.
The most inexpensive series – Sony R30C TVs, will be available as a 32-inch BRAVIA R303C HD Ready 1366 x 768 and 40-inch BRAVIA R353C with Full HD resolution, both with direct LED backlight. Despite the low price, these TVs have a built-in FM tuner, support picture frame mode and play multimedia files from external USB-drives. To improve the image applied technology Clear Resolution Enhancer and MotionFlow XR 100 Hz, clear sound provides Clear Phase. Price from 20 thousand Dollars.
The BRAVIA R453C entry-level 40-inch Full HD LED TV with Edge LED backlighting offers similar functionality but is built rather slim, with a maximum width of 65mm. Price from 30 thousand Dollars.
R50C family is represented by three models – 32-inch BRAVIA R503C with HD Ready resolution, 40-inch and 48-inch BRAVIA R553C, all with Edge LED backlight. These TVs are made in a slim body and have a good set of basic IPTV services, including Opera support, built-in Wi-Fi, access to YouTube and other online services. Price from 24 thousand Dollars.
Totally new to the lineup, the BRAVIA W600ABR with… 24-inch diagonal! As representatives of Sony said at the presentation, the appearance of this new product in the range due to increased interest in this diagonal: not everyone wants to pine for the country with an old kinescope. Despite the small size, the functionality of the new items is impressive:
The family of BRAVIA W70C W705CB Full HD TVs is available in 32-inch, 40-inch and 48-inch screen sizes. The televisions in this series are made in a slim design and are equipped with a stylish stand. Sound processing is provided by X-Reality Pro and MotionFlow 200 Hz, ClearAudio provides good sound+. There is Wi-Fi and Screen Mirroring Miracast , MHL interface, support recording video to an external hard drive via USB and One-Flick remote. Price from 28 thousand Dollars.
Full HD TVs from Sony with Android TV
The most affordable 43-inch BRAVIA W75 series KDL-43W750C supports all the capabilities of Android TV, plus X-Reality Pro and MotionFlow 800 Hz, MHL, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC, Ethernet and others. The price of about 50 thousand Dollars. KDL-50W750C 50-inch model for about 70 thousand Dollars.
BRAVIA W8 Android TV series with Full HD resolution is represented by 43″ KDL-43W80*C, about 53 thousand Dollars , 50″ KDL-50W80*C, about 73 thousand Dollars , 55″ KDL-55W80*7C, about 85 thousand Dollars . Ultra-slim design, 3D support, built-in Bass Reflex subwoofer plus all of the above.
Finally, the flagship of the Sony Android TV lineup with Full HD resolution – 65-inch BRAVIA W85 KDL-65W850C, about 180 thousand Dollars . All of the above features combined with the large diagonal.
4K Sony TVs on the Android TV platform
The BRAVIA X83 series is represented by the 43-inch model KD-43X830*C about 78 thousand Dollars and the 49-inch model KD-49X830*C about 98 thousand Dollars . Sony X1 processor, support for all technologies of 4K-image enhancement and scaling up to Ultra HD, as well as support for VP9 codec, HDMI 2 interface.0 with HDCP 2 digital content protection technology.2.
4K BRAVIA X85 series includes a 55-inch KD-55X850*C model from 128 thousand Dollars , a 65-inch KD-65X8505C model from 230 thousand Dollars and a 75-inch KD-75X8505C model from 350 thousand Dollars . Excellent ultra-thin 3D TV with a unique Long Duct Speaker 65-inch and 75-inch models , the full range of features provided by the Sony X1 processor plus VP9, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 and the full range of Android TV features.
BRAVIA X93 series, presented with a diagonal of 55 inches KD-55X9305C, about 220 thousand Dollars and 65 inches KD-65X9305C, about 360 thousand Dollars – these are the super-slim Ultra HD models with the included unique wall mount, which allows the screen to almost merge with the wall. Magnetodynamic speakers, Hi Rez Audio, Active 3D, MotionFlow 1200 Hz, Android TV and more.
Finally, the flagship among 4K TVs with Android TV – 75-inch model KD-75X9405C from the BRAVIA X94 series about 700 thousand Dollars – the same bottom-expanding design with a powerful six-way speaker for true audiophiles.
Can you please provide more information on the features and functionality of Sony BRAVIA smart TVs on Android TV?
What are the unique features and benefits of Sony BRAVIA smart TVs running on Android TV? How does the integration of Android TV enhance the overall user experience and functionality? Can you provide specific details about the compatibility with apps, access to streaming services, and any additional customization options available?