As a reminder, we have already presented in our columns a very large selection of the TV 2022 range from the Japanese manufacturer with the QD Oled Sony A95K series, the Oled Sony A90K and Sony A80K series, all Ultra HD 4K, not to mention the series Mini LED Ultra HD 8K Sony Z9K and UHD 4K Sony X95K.
Sony XR-X90K TV, Full LED Local Dimming backlight
On the program of the Japanese manufacturer's 4K X90K Ultra HD Mini LED TV series, Sony XR-55X90K (55 '', 140 cm), Sony XR-65X90K (65 '', 165 cm), Sony XR-75X90K televisions (75 '', 191 cm) and Sony XR-85X90K (85 '', 216 cm). In short, X90K TVs take advantage of most of the X95K TV specifications with a few major differences. The Mini LED backlighting system gives way to a Full LED Local Dimming model (the XR Backlight Master Drive process is no longer required), and we notice the absence of the X-Anti Reflection coating and the X-Wide function. Angle. Another notable change, the "Find remote control" voice command to find your lost remote control is no longer on the program.
XR Cognitive Processor Phase 2, XR Upscaling 4K and XR Contrast Booster 10
For the rest, we find the XR Cognitive Processor Phase 2 chip, the most powerful ever developed by the brand, alongside a native 100 hertz 10-bit LCD panel.
The capabilities offered by the XR Cognitive Processor Phase 2 have enabled Japanese engineers to improve XR Upscaling 4K technology. This new algorithm, associated with the third image database dedicated to textures, detects and analyzes each object making up an image. These are individually optimized to display a sharper texture, greater depth for the purpose of increased naturalness and reality. Of course, the XR Smoothing process to greatly reduce (or even eliminate) the posterization phenomenon is still on the menu. Sony X90K TVs also incorporate XR Motion Clarity motion compensation and the exclusive XR Triluminos Pro feature for even richer and more precise colors, all within a large color space.
Finally, we note the XR Contrast Booster 10 function (for a high light peak) for superior quality images with extreme brightness in areas of brilliance and blacks of abysmal depth. Of course, Sony X90K TVs are compatible with HDR10, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision.
Smart Google TV
Major evolution of Smart TV 2021, the Google TV operating system that gives pride of place to content is still in 2022. As a reminder, like Android TV, Google TV groups and organizes in one place all your streaming apps and subscriptions. But, while with Android TV, the applications are at the top of the menus, here it is the content that takes precedence, displayed next to each other by theme. More than 6,500 applications are concerned, including Disney +, Netflix, Canal +, France TV or YouTube and read 700,000 films. And you no longer have to juggle from one service to another to find what you want to watch: the hundreds of thousands of films and series are organized and searchable by genre, whatever their origin.
Precision, the XR Cognitive Processor is also used for the Smart TV functionality, for improved ergonomics through almost immediate fluidity and responsiveness. Finally, Sony X90K TVs immediately integrate the Google Assistant function and a microphone on the remote control. Likewise, the Works with Alexa certification (need for an Amazon Echo-type connected speaker) is part of the game, ditto for those AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.
Bravia Cam Function
Google Duo is there (optional camera) and a new remote control (not backlit) of reduced size (-36%) appears, with many fewer buttons (25 against 49 on the 2021 zappet). And of course, via the optional camera, gesture control is back.
But the Bravia Cam function has many other features. In addition to gesture control, the camera triggers the display of an automatic reversing message and an audible alert if the person watches the TV too closely (very useful for children), allows energy savings by automatically lowering the brightness TV if the viewer leaves the room. Last precision, it is possible to turn off the camera completely (via a switch) and no private data is stored on it or on the television.
Ambient Optimization Pro mode optimized
With the option of a camera on the television, Japanese engineers have developed the Ambient Optimization Pro mode. In addition to automatically adjusting the quality of the image (Brightness and Contrast) and of the sound (acoustic correction according to the room, optimal position of the listening point) according to the ambient conditions (ambient light, sound environment, etc.) , another is now operated according to the distance separating the viewer from the screen. Even more strongly, the sound balance (right or left) is corrected according to the viewer's position to preserve a perfect stereo image and intelligibility of the voices.
OTT Bravia Core service
Like all Sony Bravia XR televisions, Sony X90K TVs offer the exclusive Bravia Core streaming platform (for Center of Real Entertainment). This, mainly animated by Sony Pictures productions, offers for the purchase of a Bravia XR TV the possibility of viewing for free for 24 months a selection of 10 films of the greatest films of the Hollywood studio and the largest collection of features -measures bearing the Imax Enhanced label, to be chosen from a catalog which is regularly enriched. For example, in 2022, the latter should host the feature films The Man From Toronto, Morbius, Uncharted, Where the Crawdads Sing, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, The Nightingale, I Wana Dance Somebody, Bullet Train, Kraven The Hunter… And this, with extreme quality, up to 80 Mbps speed for consumers with a suitable subscription.
Acoustic Multi-Audio and HDMI 2.1 sound function
The sound section 2.2 of the Sony X90K series is called Acoustic Multi-Audio. It uses two tweeters placed at the top right and left of the panel with a power of 5 W each, plus two wideband speakers placed at the bottom of the screen each delirious 10 watts. Thus, the viewer can locate sounds much more precisely in space, in order to get closer to the performance of the Acoustic Surface Audio + process of the brand's Oled TVs. The total power is 30 W (2 x 10+ 2 x 5).
Support for Dolby Atmos, already on the program last year, remains of course. Ditto for the Acoustic Center Sync function which offers, like the Q-Symphony function which appeared in 2020 on Samsung QLED TVs and from which it is inspired, to leave the television sound system active if (exclusively) a Sony sound bar is connected to widen the soundstage.
Last details, Sony X90K TVs have two HDMI 2.1 inputs. One of them manages VRR, ALLM, eARC and 4K / 120 functions via 48 Gbps bandwidth, a second manages 4K / 120, VRR and ALLM functions via 48 gigabit bandwidth. Two other HDMI 2.0 connectors are available via 18 gigabit bandwidth.
Netflix Calibrated Mode and Imax Enhanced Features
Sony X90K TVs have Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode (to enjoy series, documentaries, films, etc. on your TV with the same quality as that of Netflix post-production studios) and Imax Enhanced certification. In 2022, there is also the Bravia Core Calibrated Mode label: the television set perfectly adapts its parameters to those of Bravia Core content for maximum picture quality.
Label Perfect for PlayStation 5
The Perfect for PlayStation 5 certification with its two features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode is also on the program. As a reminder, the Bravia XR Sony X90K TVs automatically switch to Game or Standard mode depending on the nature of the signal sent by the PS5 console.
Still in terms of functionalities, the Calman Ready function (for fine calibration of the TV with the tools of the same name) and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility. Last precision, Sony X90K TVs can adopt four different positions: no feet if the TV is mounted on the wall, feet at both ends of the screen, feet in the center of the screen depending on the length of the TV cabinet, or feet at the ends of the screen. both ends of the screen and in a high position to accommodate a soundbar under the slab.
Availability announced for spring. Indicative prices still unknown.
Reminder of the key features of the Sony XR-65X90K:
• 10-bit panel
• 100 Hz panel
• LCD panel
• Ultra HD / 4K panel
• Processor: XR Cognitive Processor• Wide Color Gamut function
• UPnP (DLNA) multimedia gateway function
• Screen Mirroring function
• eARC function
• Acoustic function Multi-Audio
• VRR function
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) function
• 4K HFR 120 function
• CalMan Ready function
• XR Triluminos function
• XR Motion Clarity function
• XR Upscaling 4K function
• XR Contrast Booster 10 function
• XR Smoothing function
• Calman Ready function
• Acoustic Center function Sync
• 3D Surround Upscaling function
• Bravia Core function
• XR Triluminos Pro function
• Perfect for PlayStation 5 function
• Ambient Optimization Pro function
• HDR10 and HDR HLG compatibility
• Bluetooth compatibility
• Chromecast, Google Home, Google Assistant
• compatibility NTFS Compatibility (via USB)
• Miracast Compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision Compatibility
• HDCP 2.2 Compatibility
• Wi-Fi Compatibility
• HEVC Compatibility
• NFC compatibility
• Dolby Atmos compatibility
• Imax Enhanced certification
• Netflix Calibrated Mode certification
• Bravia Core Calibrated Mode certification
• Inputs: 2 HDMI 2.1, 2 HDMI 2.0
• Multimedia AirPlay 2
• Multimedia HomeKit
• Multimedia Works with Alexa
• Multimedia Works with Google Assistant
• Multimedia Google TV
• System Full LED Local Dimming backlight
• Dual DVB-T2 tuner
• Dual DVB-C tuner
• Dual DVB-S2 tuner
• Sound section: Acoustic Multi Audio