Sony has today confirmed that it is bringing new high-end ‘Master Series’ LCD and OLED TVs to market this year that will feature the brand’s new, ultra-powerful X1 Ultimate processor.
The Z9F LCD models will be available in 65-inch and 75-inch sizes, while the A9F OLEDs are currently set to appear in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes.
All of the new models are 4K (rumors that there may be an 8K model have proved unfounded) will support HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG HDR formats, as well as carrying the new Android Oreo operating system (which at first glance looks like a handy improvement on all previous Android TV interfaces).
A key tenet of the new Master Series sets is their devotion to accuracy – delivering images that look as similar as possible to the way their creators wanted them to look. Part of this means addressing specific elements of both LCD and OLED’s performances in ways I’ll detail later. But the push for accuracy has also led to the introduction of a number of features shared across both the LCD and OLED the Master Series sets.
For starters, the Z9F and A9F sets are the first TVs from Sony to carry full colour management systems, to support professional end-user calibration. In fact, this is even supported with a new exclusive app designed in conjunction with Portrait Displays/SpectraCal to deliver a streamlined, automated calibration process.
Also part of Sony’s ‘as the creator intended’ message is a new, exclusive Netflix Calibrated Mode. This automatically adjusts picture settings when you’re watching the built-in Netflix app so that the image resembles as closely as possible the way Netflix’s content creators saw things when mastering their shows and movies – right down to matching the preferred mastering refresh rate.
You can turn this mode off if you’d prefer, but an executive producer of Netflix’s Lost in Space, Zack Estrin, was on hand at Sony’s event to point out how nice it is as a content creator to have the confidence that an end viewer can see exactly the images the Netflix content creators slaved so hard to create.
The new X1 Ultimate processor, meanwhile, is reckoned to be around twice as powerful as the previous X1 Extreme system. This enables it to do an even more effective and reactive job of delivering key improvements such as Object-based Super Resolution (which enhances sharpness and detail with 4K and HD sources); object based HDR remaster (for better conversion of SDR material to something like HDR); Super Bitmapping for removing color banding from HDR content; and Sony’s Dual Database processing for enhanced 2K to 4K upscaling.
When it comes to new technologies specific to Sony’s separate LCD and OLED TV ranges, let’s look first at the Z9F.
This is the eagerly awaited follow up to Sony’s ground-breaking Z9D LED TVs, and follows those model in using a VA panel illuminated by direct lighting with hundreds of dimming zones. Sony, as usual, wouldn’t be drawn on how many dimming zones the Z9F uses, but I got the impression that it’s the same as the Z9D – which would mean 600 or so.
Sony wouldn’t be drawn on the Z9F’s light output either, but again my feeling is that it’s going to be pretty similar to that of the Z9D. So where, you might be wondering, do the differences between the old and new models lie?
Essentially, Sony has focused on removing LCD’s three main weaknesses as a TV technology. Particularly revolutionary is ‘X-Wide Angle’, which uses a new optical panel design to let you watch the Z9Fs’ pictures from almost any angle without them losing contrast or color saturation. Aside from hinting that lots of filters are involved, Sony wouldn’t explain in detail how this game-changing feat has been achieved.
LCD’s traditional contrast issues, meanwhile, are tackled by partnering the Z9F’s direct lighting and extreme local dimming with new light management prowess courtesy of the Ultimate processor.
Finally, LCD’s typical motion flaws are addressed by introducing to the Z9F the X-Motion Clarity system that worked so well on Sony’s X900F (XF9005) models. This manipulates local parts of the backlight where moving objects appear to deliver class leading, ultra-natural motion without the brightness reductions associated with traditional black frame insertion methods.
Actually, the extra processing power of the X1 Ultimate processor and the use of far more local dimming zones than you get on the Z900F range should make X-Motion Clarity even more effective on the Z9F.
The first thing you notice about the A9Fs, meanwhile, is that their screen leans gently back, as happened with Sony’s debut big-screen OLED TVs, the A1Es. This may make them a bit divisive from a design perspective, though I’m sure many people will also love the way the screen appears with only a bare minimum of screen frame around it, and no visible stand (since the TV leans against a felt-covered back pull-out leg). You can still wall mount the A9F if you wish.
The skinniness of the screen frame is also a result of the A9F continuing to use the Acoustic Surface sound technology also used by Sony’s A1E and A8F OLED TVs. This uses actuators to vibrate the screen itself to deliver the TVs’ sound. Sony has, though, dramatically improved Acoustic Surface for the A9F. For starters, it’s added a third, centrally mounted actuator to its screen vibrating arrangement. This enhances the sound’s clarity, and means that voices still sound accurately placed on the screen even if you are watching from an angle, rather than them sounding biased to left or right.
The new sound system also adds a second subwoofer, with both bass speakers running in a stereo arrangement. Power output goes up to 98W from the previous OLED series’ 50W, and the option is provided to use the A9Fs as a center channel speaker in a wider surround sound set up. If you choose this option, all of the A9F’s speakers join together for center channel duties.
On the picture front, the biggest new A9F feature beyond the introduction of the X1 Ultimate processor is the Pixel Contrast Booster. This new Sony-designed panel controller is claimed to improve contrast and, especially, the range of colors the TV can deliver in its brightest areas. The A9Fs also use the latest OLED panels, though Sony wouldn’t confirm that they will run more brightly than the A8Fs.
It’s worth quickly mentioning a couple of features it seems the new Master Series TVs won’t have: v2.1 HDMIs (not surprising), or any new game features such as Auto Game modes or variable refresh rates (a little more surprising).
Sony wouldn’t talk about price or confirm a release date for the Z9F or A9F TVs, other than saying that they should be available in the Fall.
