Sony Z9F Master Series LED TV With X1 Ultimate SoC Announced

Sony has announced its flagship series TV line up called Master Series including new Z9F LED and A9F OLED TVs. So let’s talk about the Smart TV made to offer high performance in line with the professional displays used in production studios. The LED panel mounted on the Sony Z9F is the FALD type, ie Full LED with local dimming. The expected display sizes are 65″ and 75″. Video processing is entrusted to the new X1 Ultimate processor, directly derived from the prototype with the 8K resolution was first shown at CES 2018.

The chip’s characteristics are identical to those that we also find on the A9F series. The “object-based” Super Resolution algorithm analyzes the image in each scene in order to increase the level of detail for each individual object. The same principle is applied also for the “object-based ” HDR remastering, already present on TV with the X1 Extreme processor and here further improved. There is also the 4K HDR Super Bit Mapping, able to recreate softer, smoother and more precise transitions between color shades.

The Z9F series introduces X-Wide Angle technology, aims to solve the off-angle washout that has come part and parcel with LCD panels to date. X-Wide Angle promises to guarantee a more faithful reproduction regardless of the viewer’s position.

https://youtu.be/_f9J_k-AaiU

We also rediscovered the X-Motion Clarity technology, introduced this year with the X9F series. Its purpose is to reduce the present blur in fast-moving images, always an Achilles heel for LCD TVs. X-Motion Clarity manages Full LED backlighting in accordance with moving elements on the screen, taking advantage of local dimming to increase perceived resolution. There are also X-Dynamic Range Pro (improves the image dynamics by acting on the brightness in both directions, attenuating or increasing it depending on the images on the screen) and Triluminos (improves color accuracy when using expanded color spaces such as DCI-P3 and BT.2020).

The design uses a dotted black finish, similar to SLR camera. The minimal lines also distinguish the shaped supports in aluminum. The Smart TV platform is once again based on Android TV. Then there will be voice commands, especially useful for searches, integrated Chromecast features and access to Google Play.

Sony Z9F LED will play content in HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. Also new for calibration: Sony worked with CalMAN to enable automatic calibration of new models. The operation is similar to some of Panasonic and Samsung products. So we need a tool to measure the screens (for example an X-Rite colorimeter) and a signal generator (which can also be the computer). The TV and the instruments are then connected to the PC so that the latter can make all the measurements, then making the appropriate corrections on the TV. The calibration in SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) is then also suitable for HDR.

At the moment, no further information on Sony Z9F release date and prices. As for the Sony A9F, we assume that the company will reveal more details at IFA 2018.