Sony Bravia TVs: technical specifications and review of the best models

About the manufacturer

The Japanese company Sony has become famous not only for its functional, but also for its truly high-quality home appliances. First of all, this applies to televisions, which are very popular today. The manufacturer is among the TOP 5 best companies producing TV equipment.

In 2005, the Bravia series appeared, which became a successful replacement for the WEGA brand. The new direction allowed the company to increase sales and take a leading position among manufacturers of set-top boxes and televisions.

The main distinguishing feature of new products from Sony is surround and clear sound, realistic colors and the presence of various additional functions that each model has.

Features of the model range

Bravia stands for “Integrated Solutions for Perfect Sound and High Definition Pictures.” The flagships of this model range have a lot of features:

4K HDR video format supported;
Low quality content is stretched to the maximum;
powerful modern processors are used;
the image is as realistic as possible.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantages of Sony TVs are:

high image quality (regardless of the TV model and cost);
using only modern and innovative technologies;
a variety of models - both small TVs for a small room and huge devices;
long-term operation of televisions;
no glare and a wide viewing angle even in cheap models with a small screen;
TVs are ideal for gaming;
modern and stylish design of each model;
wide and varied range.

Among the shortcomings, users note only the high cost. Some models, especially new ones, sometimes have exorbitant prices.

Main selection criteria

Finding a quality model that fully meets certain requirements can be a difficult task. It is important to know some selection criteria that will help you find the perfect TV much faster.

Screen diagonal

This characteristic has a direct impact on TV viewing. Taking into account the size of the room in which the TV will be located, its diagonal is selected.

To watch terrestrial television, a model with a 21-inch screen is sufficient. To get a home theater, pay attention to copies with a display larger than 32 inches.

Contrast and Brightness

Today, Sony produces equipment with the highest possible picture quality. The devices are characterized by an ideal ratio of contrast and brightness levels.

Previously, it was believed that, unlike LCD, plasma versions have a better contrast ratio. But after the appearance of LED and OLED screens on the market, the situation changed dramatically. Be sure to compare these two options before purchasing.

Permission

If the TV will only be used for watching DVDs, a resolution of 600 pixels in the horizontal direction is sufficient. To play high-definition video, it is recommended to choose a device with a display resolution of more than 720 pixels, for Full HD - 1080 pixels.

Control

Some models, even those from 2021, may be equipped with a classic remote control without voice search capabilities. Managing Smart TV will not be very convenient.

It is possible to select a third-party remote control for your Sony TV, but you have to buy it separately. Some models include a wireless mouse and keyboard. By installing a special application on your smartphone, you can control the TV via your phone.

Interfaces

The ideal choice is a TV with the maximum number of inputs/outputs. Models from the Japanese manufacturer have USB 3.0, HDMI ports and 5 GHz Wi-Fi support.

Sony also equips its TVs with a 3.5mm audio jack. Pay special attention to the location of the ports, as if installed vertically or horizontally, there may be problems with accessing them.

Smart TV

Almost all modern Sony TV models are equipped with Smart TV. Users are given the choice between Linux and Android. The latter option supports a large number of third-party software, but does not always provide fast operation, has less memory and an outdated version of the OS.

In recent years, models with Linux have increasingly appeared. There are few programs that are optimized for TV, but they provide high speed.

Sony showed new models of Bravia TVs: from affordable 4K to premium 8K

Sony invited us to its Moscow office to show off the latest TVs for 2021, which were first demonstrated at CES 2021. Among the models presented were representatives of the ZH8 series with 8K resolution and Full Array LED backlighting, OLED TVs with 4K HDR resolution A8 series (with diagonals 55 and 65 inches), as well as XH95 and XH90 series with 4K resolution and Full Array LED backlighting.

To begin with, Sony representatives shared their research into consumer TV preferences. Due to the minimal price gap between categories, consumers are much more focused on screens with a resolution of at least 4K and a diagonal of 50.” Ultra-modern giants with 8K resolution are still inaccessible to most, but Sony is actively working to make them as cheap as possible. So the price tag for the top model ZH8 with a diagonal of 85" (215 cm) is planned to fit within 1 million rubles.

Sony emphasizes that it produces not only TVs and cameras, but also content, and also cooperates directly with Netflix, Dolby and IMAX. It is this experience that allows us to consistently delight users with the best image processing and transmission, as well as innovative audio technologies. Competitor processors are just as powerful, but Sony develops the most advanced algorithms that allow you to get the most out of everything from affordable 4K TVs to 8K flagships.

A short guide to the new BRAVIA 2020 models

Fresh tips 2020

Sony, like true Japanese, are very meticulous in detail and are ready to hone every little detail to perfection, make minor changes and additions.

For example, even the inclusion menu was redesigned and simplified as much as possible, taking into account user psychology. Now, at each stage of preparation for work, you can evaluate how many steps have been completed and how many remain; all actions are formulated as simply and clearly as possible—even a pensioner can figure it out.

Major updates to Sony BRAVIA TVs:

Frame Tweeter in the ZH8 line (premium 8K): no extra speakers, now the frame tweete transmits sound vibrations to the TV frame, turning it into a sound source.

Automatic acoustic calibration in the ZH8 line (premium 8K): the TV remote not only allows you to control it, but also helps to calibrate the acoustics depending on the viewer’s location using the microphone in it.

X-Motion Clarity for OLED Screens : Sony's breakthrough technology that delivers clarity, brightness and smoothness to fast-moving scenes while eliminating choppy transitions is now available on OLED TVs. With an incredibly high refresh rate, it improves the screen image in real time.

More models with X-Wide Angle : Picture quality is no longer dependent on viewing angle, while delivering a wider color gamut and higher brightness than conventional LED TVs.

More Full-Array LED Models : Sony's secret kung fu called Full-Array Local Dimming and Boosting dynamically changes the light level in specific areas of the screen depending on the content and conditions in a particular room (without "averaging" the image), thus dark scenes look even richer and more contrast, and light scenes look brighter and clearer, in full accordance with the author’s intention.
Backlit remote control for the ZH8 and XH95 models: as they say, everything ingenious is simple - the backlight, activated exclusively in the dark, allows you not to strain yourself while looking for the right button.

Android TV : The new lineup comes pre-installed with Google Assistant (availability varies by region and availability of compatible products), Google Play Store , and Chromecast for easier access to other devices.

Voice Control (ZH8 and XH95 series 55"+) : Works with Google Assistant to offer viewers smart features and greater usability.

Smart Speaker Compatibility : The TVs are compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa (devices sold separately), so you can use your voice to control YouTube video downloads and playback using Google Home, or change channels and change volume using Amazon Alexa-powered devices.

Easily connect to most Apple devices : Easily stream videos, music, games, and photos from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac on your TV with Apple Airplay 2 , or even control it from those devices with Apple HomeKit .

Netflix Calibrated Mode: Now you can watch Netflix creations exactly in the quality in which the studio intended them.

Getting to know the ZH8

The highlight of the program was, of course, the premium 8K TV. in the top ZH8 : KD-75ZH8 with a diagonal of 75" (189 cm) and KD-85ZH8 with 85" (215 cm). If you are worried about the lack of content in the required resolution, then we hasten to reassure you: the X1 Ultimate processor will “complete” any image as if it was shot in 8K (8K X-Reality PRO and Object-based Super Resolution function).

Full Array LED carpet lighting provides dimming or brightening of individual groups of LEDs. Object-based HDR remaster analyzes the colors of objects and adjusts their contrast, increasing the depth and realism of the image. TRILUMINOS Display technology expands the reproduced color spectrum, allowing you to convey more shades. Acoustic Multi-Audio uses vibrating tweeters built into the TV cabinet to deliver a clear, moving sound experience in perfect sync with the action.

The developers are proud of the thin body, almost invisible frame and special form factor, which means there is no gap between the surface on which the TV stands and its body. The legs are located on the sides and are particularly stable. If necessary, they can be moved closer to the center in order to install the TV on a narrower stand (a similar “cheat” is used by the younger models of the 2020 line).

Whatever one may say, the case looks quite massive, and all interfaces and connectors are hidden under a stylized tile backdrop. Apparently, the creators of the ZH8 decided to focus on the hardware and didn’t bother too much with the design, not claiming “luxury” status (like their colleagues from Samsung, whose top-end 8K costs more than 3 million rubles).

The manufacturer's goal is to democratize 8K as quickly as possible. Agree, a TV for the price of an apartment is an unaffordable luxury for the average resident of the Russian Federation. Prices for the new products have not yet been announced, but it is planned that the ZH8 in the maximum configuration will “fit” into a million rubles. However, this figure is still far from the average person. And anyone who is seriously considering purchasing such equipment is unlikely to exchange a million or two. If you can afford the best, then why waste time on trifles? In this context, the brutal facade from Sony can play a cruel joke on a technological device.

Review of the best Sony Bravia TVs

Every year Sony releases many new TV models with different screen sizes and technical characteristics. Each TV has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at the most popular TV models of 2019-2020.

KD-49XH8005 48.5″

An interesting new product for 2021 from a famous brand. The model is equipped with the Android operating system and a powerful Sony X1 processor. The screen coating is glossy and anti-reflective; you can even place the TV in front of a window.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 48.5 inches (123 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1101x704x286 mm;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
OS: Android;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 12.1 kg.

Advantages:

high quality picture;
beautiful and pleasant colors;
there is a voice control function;
sleep timer;
Child lock to prevent viewing inappropriate content;
wide range of possibilities;
convenient and simple control;
fast Android operation;
automatic stretching of low quality images to higher ones;
good sound;
simple settings;
stylish and modern design, there is nothing superfluous;
Fast channel switching, no pause.

Flaws:

There is no wall mounting included, you need to buy it separately;
black appears gray.

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KD-55XG7005 54.6″

The LED TV displays images in Ultra HD format. You can enjoy not just a clear, but a beautifully detailed picture. Thanks to the presence of HDR technology, the brightness level increases, which provides more natural color reproduction.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 54.6 inches (139 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1241x785x336 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
OS: Linux;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 16.5 kg.

Advantages:

excellent picture;
good and fairly loud sound, no interference or noise;
excellent color rendition, unobtrusive “flash”;
interesting remote control, easy to use;
many different settings, you can easily adjust the image to your own preferences;
smooth playback of dynamic scenes;
There are built-in tuners, thanks to which you can easily find satellite and cable TV channels;
reliable and stable operation.

Flaws:

the legs consist of two parts and need to be assembled yourself;
The first few days there are strong glares in the corners of the screen, which disappear on their own over time.

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KD-55XH9096 54.6″

"Smart" flagship TV from the 2021 model range. Fast processing of dynamic scenes, making them as smooth as possible, without jerks. There are all the necessary inputs/outputs for comfortable TV use. There is a headphone jack and an optical audio output.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 54.6 inches (139 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1231x780x338 mm;
OS: Android;
matrix type: VA ;
RAM: 3 GB;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
viewing angle (horizontal/vertical): 178 degrees;
Screen refresh rate: 60 Hz;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 17.5 kg.

Advantages:

high quality picture;
excellent brightness, rich colors, blacks are truly black;
fast and stable operation of the operating system;
there are no glares on the screen;
correct operation of dynamic backlight;
good viewing angles;
wide functionality;
Android works great, easily pulls out low-quality images;
beautiful appearance;
Wi-Fi works stably.

Flaws:

large remote control (it takes time to get used to it);
mediocre sound;
short network cable.

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KD-55XH8096 54.6″

The TV screen produces a truly magnificent picture. The colors are bright and rich, good detail. In dynamic scenes, movements are smooth and clear; if necessary, additional frames are added. Watching sports competitions and action films brings maximum pleasure.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 54.6 inches (139 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1243x782x340 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
OS: Android;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 16.8 kg.

Advantages:

impressive image quality;
excellent matrix;
deep black color, does not turn into gray;
The Motionflow swimmer works well, clearly and without brakes;
there is a built-in Chromecast for viewing content from your phone or computer;
convenient remote control;
beautiful stable legs;
no glare at the edges of the screen;
high-quality and functional model;
Stylish design, TV fits perfectly into any interior.

Flaws:

The sound is weak, there is not enough bass;
poor viewing angles; when viewed from the side, the picture and colors are distorted and a purple tint appears.

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KD-65XH8096 64.5″

New for 2021. The model has a stylish design, ideal for a large living room. The screen conveys rich and deep colors. The picture is well detailed, clear, and there are no glares.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 64.5 inches (164 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1462x905x340 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
OS: Android;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 22.6 kg.

Advantages:

gorgeous image;
good color rendering;
“smart” lighting;
deep and rich black color;
you can install applications from the market yourself;
good sound;
fast operation of Smart TV;
many pre-installed applications;
convenient and easy to use menu;
powerful built-in tuner.

Flaws:

the body is not of the highest quality;
TV is heavy;
high price.

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KD-49XH8096 48.5″

The model is equipped with a powerful X1 processor, there is support for Object-based HDR, thanks to which images of the highest quality are reproduced. Bright, but at the same time natural colors, high level of detail.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 48.5 inches (123 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1101x704x286 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
OS: Android;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 12.1 kg.

Advantages:

“out of the box” the picture is clear, no additional settings are needed;
pleasant colors, the eyes do not get tired even after watching for a long time;
There is a voice search function, which is very convenient in controlling the TV;
good and stable Android performance, you can watch movies on the Internet without slowing down or freezing;
quick menu;
there are many different settings;
smooth picture in dynamic scenes.

Flaws:

the remote control has very small buttons, which is not very convenient to use;
the legs seem unstable, it is better to hang the TV on the wall.

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KD-55XG8096 54.6″

The LED TV model from Sony is an excellent choice for both the living room and the bedroom. Ultra HD resolution allows you to enjoy every frame and see all the details, even the smallest ones. This creates a complete effect of presence.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 54.6 inches (139 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 1241x785x336 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
matrix type: IPS;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
OS: Android;
viewing angle (horizontal/vertical): 178 degrees;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 17.2 kg.

Advantages:

the image is clear, excellent contrast, all the small details are worked out;
good viewing angles;
excellent colors, bright and natural;
uniform illumination;
good sound level - clear, without extraneous noise or interference;
if the content is of low quality, it is automatically upscaled to 4K;
Smart TV works without problems;
convenient menu, many settings;
no glare;
stable operation of the operating system.

Flaws:

black color is not saturated enough;
the first few days when the TV is operating there is an unpleasant smell of plastic, which disappears over time;
there are a lot of extra buttons on the remote control; not all of them are needed to control the TV;
heavy weight.

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KD-43XH8096 42.5″

2021 model with a high-quality screen broadcasting images in 4K format. Wide viewing angles allow you to watch TV from any position without distorting the picture or colors. The TV operates based on the Android TV system. There are embedded voice agents Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 3840×2160 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 42.5 inches (108 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 970x630x286 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
built-in memory: 16 GB;
Smart TV platform: Android;
sound: 20 W (2x10 W);
weight: 9.8 kg.

Advantages:

high-level picture quality;
good color rendering - natural and deep shades;
loud and surround sound, clear, without extraneous noise;
wide functionality;
settings are simple, clear menu;
easy controls;
fast operation of Smart TV;
there is a jack for connecting headphones;
There is a sleep timer, you can set the time to turn off the TV;
You can download additional applications yourself;
nice design.

Flaws:

remote power supply;
The remote control is inconvenient to use (you can’t find the right button in the dark).

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KDL-43WG665 42.8″

LED TV is one of the best options for installation in the living room or bedroom. The model supports Smart TV, which allows you to watch movies in online cinemas and streaming services at any convenient time. The display reproduces high-quality images with a high level of detail.

Main characteristics:

resolution: 1920×1080 pixels;
Screen diagonal: 42.8 inches (109 cm);
dimensions with stand (WxHxD): 974x628x268 mm;
Screen refresh rate: 50 Hz;
Smart TV platform: Linux;
sound: 10 W (2x5 W);
weight: 8.2 kg.

Advantages:

the image is clear, contrasty;
colors are rich and bright, natural;
there is Motionflow XR 400 Hz technology, which ensures smooth playback of dynamic scenes (no sudden jerks or slowdowns);
good viewing angles;
The TV independently selects settings depending on the content broadcast on the screen;
good built-in sound;
you can use the TV for games;
quick start;
ease of settings and management;
stable legs and cute design.

Flaws:

insufficient depth of black color;
there are small highlights;
There is a gap between the screen and frame.

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Main features of the model range

If you're familiar with Sony's 2019 TV lineup, you'll find many similarities to the 2020 TV lineup. The company will expand support for Dolby Atmos audio, Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit to more models and will continue to offer Android as well as Dolby Vision HDR support on its TVs.

On the other hand, there are new developments such as Sony's first 48-inch 4K OLED TV, a smaller 8K LCD TV, new built-in speakers, a system that adjusts the picture to ambient light conditions, and Sony's first 4K TV with an HDMI 2.1 port, ALLM and VRR.

Let's start with HDMI 2.1. There has been confusion about HDMI 2.1, in part because TV manufacturers may use the name "HDMI 2.1" based on additional features such as eARC or ALLM. However, this is not the same as HDMI 2.1 ports (bandwidth), which is a completely different parameter and is required for next-gen images and gaming quality on consoles such as the PlayStation 5.

Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 5 will support 8K and 4K120, which requires HDMI 2.1. Here are the specific HDMI 2.1 features in Sony's 2021 TVs (announced so far).

In 2021, Sony will introduce 75- and 85-inch 8K LCD TVs as part of the ZH8 series, while last year's 98-inch ZG9 will be carried over to 2021. This 8K model will include Sony's most advanced LCD display yet. As you move up to 4K LCD TVs like the XH95 and XH90, you get less advanced Full Array LED Dimming (FALD) systems.

To get the best picture quality from Sony 4K, you should look to 4K OLED, which will be available for the first time in a 48-inch size later this year (September for Europe). Sony will also make its 8 Series OLED (A8) more capable with features like Dolby Atmos, Apple AirPlay 2, HomeKit, Android 9 and the later MediaTek SoC.

Sony 2021 TVs will come with Android 9 pre-installed. In recent years, Sony has been providing Android updates for some of its TVs. At this time, Sony has declined to outline its plans to update Android to version 10 and beyond. Android 10 is required for the system to support AV1 decoding (AV1 is the next video codec to be used by Netflix, YouTube and others) and Google Stadia (plus expanded support for third-party game controllers).

As part of the Android TV platform, the TVs will have built-in support for Chromecast and Google Assistant. From XH95 onwards, there will be hands-free voice search in addition to the microphone button on the remote control.

Sony is highlighting two new imaging systems. The first is "Ambient Optimization," which "automatically adjusts image brightness to match the ambient lighting in the room, brightening up in bright rooms and dimming in dark rooms for the perfect viewing experience." This is apparently achieved through image analysis and the use of a built-in light sensor. The other is X-Motion Clarity for OLED, which is a BFI (black frame insertion) system implemented in LG Display's 2021 OLED panel. The BFI system can now operate at shorter duty cycles (at 120Hz) to reduce flicker and loss of brightness.

The company continues to offer support for HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision, while avoiding Samsung's HDR10+, explaining that they can achieve the same effect with HDR10 processing. High-end models feature Sony's X1 Ultimate processor, which takes care of everything from upscaling to image enhancement. More affordable models use the less powerful X1 processor.

Additional models will be available with Sony X-Wide Angle later this year. In the past, X-Wide implementations have been able to expand viewing angles due to contrast. We'll have to wait for preview samples to see how it works this year.

For its top LCD TVs, Sony has introduced a new speaker system that uses the frame as side speakers. According to the company, the goal is to make the sound appear as if it is coming directly from the person on the screen.

Sony is also offering a new backlit remote control on some of its high-end XH95 and ZH8 TVs.

Moving on to mid-range models like the XH85 and XH80, Sony is pushing them with 4K resolution LCD panels with Edge or direct LED backlighting. There's also Android, a dual tuner (XH85 in the EU) and various other features depending on the price point. In many regions, Sony and dealers will sell different versions of the design.

As for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, these features will be available on the XH80 and higher versions, bringing Apple TV features to many more Sony TV owners this year. Sony's partnership with Apple is somewhat of a coincidence, given that Sony was the launch partner of Google TV for Android—and continues to be its most prominent partner. Similarly, Sony offers support for Amazon Alexa in addition to Google Assistant. As for the Apple TV app (required for iTunes movies and Apple TV+), Sony has yet to announce a launch time, other than saying it will be available in 2021.

Sony 2021 models will be available with screen sizes up to 85 inches. For the first time in the Sony line, there will be no new models with HD resolution (1280x720). At this point, the western part of the market has almost completely switched to 4K TV and is now starting to move towards 8K.

For video enthusiasts, Sony will offer automatic calibration using CalMAN software, but you'll need the appropriate hardware. The company also highlights a "Netflix Calibrated Mode," which Netflix's picture experts have tuned to match the mastering studio's recommendations. This mode can only be used from the built-in Netflix app. Sony TVs do not offer Filmmaker Mode, which will be included in some 2021 TVs from rival brands. Sony claims its built-in picture modes provide similar performance.

All models will continue to have tuners for cable, antenna and satellite TV, as well as two tuners (XH85 and above) for recording in some regions. TVs have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions.

Sony 2021 TVs will arrive in March or April.

You can recognize the 2021 models by the "H" in the TV's name.

AH / XH / ZH = 2020
AG / XG / ZG = 2019
AF/XF = 2018
A/XE=2017