As a reminder, we have already presented in our columns a very wide selection of the Japanese manufacturer's 2022 TV range, which retains its original name in relation to the CES 2022 announcements with the QD Oled Sony A95K, Oled Sony A90K and Mini series Sony X95K LEDs, all Ultra HD 4K. Not to mention the Sony Z9K 8K Ultra HD Mini LED series.
Sony XR-X94K TV, Local Dimming Full LED Backlight
On the program of the Japanese manufacturer's Mini LED Ultra HD 4K X94K TV series, the Sony XR-55X94K (55'', 140 cm), Sony XR-65X94K (65'', 165 cm), Sony XR-75X94K televisions (75'', 191cm) and Sony XR-85X94K (85'', 216cm).
In a nutshell, X94K TVs benefit from most of the specifications of X95K TVs, modulo a few major differences. The Mini LED backlighting system is replaced by a Full LED Local Dimming model (the XR Backlight Master Drive process is therefore no longer appropriate), and we note the absence of the X-Anti Reflection coating and the X-Wide function Angle. Another notable change, the voice command "Find the remote control" to find your lost remote control is no longer in 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 the XR Upscaling 4K technology. This new algorithm, associated with the third image database dedicated to textures, detects and analyzes each object composing an image. These are individually optimized to display a sharper texture, greater depth with the aim 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 X94K TVs also feature XR Motion Clarity motion compensation and the exclusive XR Triluminos Pro feature for even richer and more accurate colors, all within an expanded color space.
Finally, we note the XR Contrast Booster 15 function (for a high light peak) for superior quality images with extreme brightness in the areas of brilliance and blacks of abysmal depth. Of course, Sony X94K TVs are compatible with HDR10, HDR HLG and HDR Dolby Vision.
Smart Google TV
A major evolution of 2021 Smart TVs, the Google TV operating system, which gives pride of place to content, is still in place in 2022. As a reminder, like Android TV, Google TV brings together and organizes in one place all your apps and streaming 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 more than 700,000 films. And no more juggling 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.
Precisely, the XR Cognitive Processor is also used for the Smart TV functionality for improved ergonomics via almost immediate fluidity and responsiveness. Finally, Sony X94K 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 included, as well as for those AirPlay 2 and HomeKit.
Bravia Cam function
Google Duo is in the game (optional camera) and a new remote control (not backlit) of reduced size (-36%) appears (see photo below), with far fewer buttons (25 against 49 on the zappette 2021). And of course, via the optional camera, gesture control is back.
But the Bravia Cam function (see photo below) has many other features. In addition to gesture control, the camera triggers the display of an automatic reverse message and an audible alert if the person looks at the television too closely (very useful for children), allows energy savings by automatically lowering the brightness of the TV if the viewer leaves the room. Last precision, it is possible to completely turn off (via a switch) the camera and no private data is stored on it or the television.
Ambient Optimization Pro mode optimized
With the option of a camera on the TV, Japanese engineers have developed the Ambient Optimization Pro mode. In addition to automatically adjusting the quality of the image (Brightness and Contrast) and 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 stronger, the sound balance (right or left) is corrected according to the position of the viewer to preserve a perfect stereo image and intelligibility of voices.
OTT Bravia Core Service
Like all Sony Bravia XR TVs, Sony X94K TVs offer the exclusive Bravia Core (for Center of Real Entertainment) streaming platform. This one, mainly animated by Sony Pictures productions, offers for the purchase of a TV Bravia XR the possibility of watching for free for 24 months a selection of 10 films of the greatest films of the Hollywood studio and the largest collection of long - films bearing the Imax Enhanced label, to be chosen from a catalog which is regularly enriched. For example, in 2022, the latter should host 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, ie a speed of up to 80 Mbps for consumers with an adequate subscription.
Acoustic Multi-Audio and HDMI 2.1 sound function
The 2.2 sound section of the Sony X94K series is called Acoustic Multi-Audio. It uses two tweeters placed at the top right and left of the screen with a power of 5 W each, plus two broadband speakers placed at the bottom of the screen each delirious 10 watts. Thus, the viewer can locate sounds much more precisely in space, just to get closer to the performance of the Acoustic Surface Audio+ process of the brand's OLED TVs. The total power displays 30 W (2 x 10+ 2 x 5).
Dolby Atmos support, already on the program last year, is of course still required. Ditto for the Acoustic Center Sync function which offers, like the Q-Symphony function that appeared in 2020 on Samsung QLED TVs and from which it is inspired, to leave the TV sound system active if (exclusively) a Sony soundbar is connected to widen the soundstage.
Last details, Sony X94K TVs have two HDMI 2.1 inputs. One of them handles VRR, ALLM, eARC and 4K/120 functions via 48 Gbps bandwidth, a second handles 4K/120, VRR and ALLM functions via 48 Gigabit bandwidth. Two other HDMI 2.0 connectors are included via 18 gigabit bandwidth.
Netflix Calibrated Mode and Imax Enhanced functions
Sony X94K TVs have Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode (to enjoy series, documentaries, films, etc. on your TV with the same quality as Netflix post-production studios) and Imax Enhanced certification. In 2022, there is also the Bravia Core Calibrated Mode label: the television adapts its parameters perfectly to those of Bravia Core content for maximum image quality.
Label Perfect for PlayStation 5
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, Sony X94K Bravia XR TVs automatically switch to Game or Standard mode depending on the nature of the signal sent by the PS5 console.
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Still in terms of features, 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, the Sony X94K TVs can adopt four different positions: no feet if the TV is fixed to the wall, feet at both ends of the screen, feet in the center of the screen depending on the length of the TV stand, or even feet at the two ends of the screen and in a high position to accommodate a sound bar under the slab.
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Availability announced for spring. Indicative prices still unknown.
Reminder of the key characteristics of Sony X94K TVs:
• 10-bit panel
• 100 Hz panel
• LCD panel
• Ultra HD 4K panel
• Processor: XR Cognitive Processor Phase 2
• 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
• Ambient Optimization 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
• HDR10 and HDR HLG compatibility
• Bluetooth compatibility• Chromecast, Google Home, Google Assistant compatibility
• NTFS compatibility (via U SB)
• Miracast compatibility
• HDR Dolby Vision compatibility
• HDCP 2.3 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
• Multimedia Google Duo
• Full LED Local Dimming backlight system
• Dual DVB-T2 tuner
• Dual DVB-C tuner
• Dual DVB-S2 tuner
• Sound section: Acoustic Multi Audio
