“It’s time to reintroduce HDR,” in accordance with Sony’s chief distinguished engineer, Toshiyuki Ogura, who has been working with and creating HDR (excessive dynamic vary) expertise since its inception. Talking at Sony’s residence theater spring showcase in March, Ogura was referring partially to the corporate’s newest LED TV tech, which Sony hopes will assist reshape the way forward for HDR and produce viewers nearer to the intent of creators.
Via a whirlwind of demos throughout the sprawling Sony Photos manufacturing lot, the occasion offered reviewers like me an unprecedented look behind the scenes, and behind the precise screens, of Sony’s new 2024 residence theater creations. Highlights included Sony’s blazing new flagship mini LED TV—the Bravia A9—alongside three different new 2024 TVs that symbolize a subtly totally different strategy over final yr’s lineup.
We additionally received a peek at different new gear, from Sony’s up to date soundbar fleet to its highly effective new skilled monitor, the HX3110, designed to set the usual for film and TV mastering for years to return. Listed here are some first impressions of the most recent from Sony Dwelling Theater.
What’s in a Title?
Sony advised us a part of its aim this yr was to streamline and simplify its 2024 residence theater lineup. As a part of that course of, Sony’s finest OLED and LED TVs will not be separated by their A-series and X-series naming conventions respectively. As an alternative, the entire new TVs—OLED and LED—may have the A-series moniker.
The brand new flagship A9 mini LED TV sits on the prime of the brand new lineup, changing final yr’s X95L. Beneath that’s the replace of final yr’s A80L OLED TV, now known as the Bravia A8. Subsequent is the Bravia A7, one other new mini LED TV, and eventually the most affordable of the brand new brood, the A3 LED TV. In a shock transfer, Sony’s flagship A95L OLED TV (8/10, WIRED Recommends) received’t get an replace, however will stay out there as an A9 different.
I’m all for less complicated names, however I’d argue the brand new system is definitely extra complicated for consumers, with no straightforward solution to differentiate between OLED and LED. I even received the A7 mini LED and the A8 OLED TVs confused in a single demo, naturally anticipating the step-down LED TV to return immediately after the A9 within the batting order. The A95L, in the meantime, appears adrift with no numeric connection.
Whereas I can’t converse to Sony’s intent, the jumbling of the opposing panel applied sciences comes because the model appears to be leaning away from its outsourced OLED TV panels and into the brightness wars with its housemade LED and mini LED panels. We’ll need to see the way it all performs out—the brand new mini LED TVs look fairly spectacular thus far—however I count on some head-scratching from buyers this yr.
The New Hotness
Sony’s newest mini LED TVs supply a number of enhancements over final yr, together with elevated brightness and extra dimming zones for higher backlight management. However earlier than we noticed the tip outcome, Sony gave us a glance behind the scenes to point out that its new backlights will not be solely brighter, but in addition higher at understanding content material.
Bravia A9 mini LED TV{Photograph}: Ryan Waniata
