Sony launches the BRAVIA Z Series as Ultimate 4K HDR TV
Sony has announced the ZD9 series BRAVIA 4K HDR TV, the next generation in television display technology with the ability to reproduce deeper black and the brighter lights and the colour of the real world. The new flagship Z series takes the lead atop Sony’s current line-up of premium 4K HDR TVs, which includes the award winning XD93 and XD94. The new “Z” moniker designates a significant leap forward and the ultimate in display technology. With this advance Sony brings 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) to a new level with ultra-contrast and even more realistic, accurate colour, in order to express what the content creators really intended.
This new ZD9 series BRAVIA 4K HDR TV features a newly developed 4K image processor, the 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme, and a unique backlight technology, Backlight Master Drive, to attain extraordinary contrast and extremely accurate wide colour expression. It offers an even more impressive visual experience with more depth, texture and realism on the screen than was previously possible.
The new 4K Processor X1 Extreme was developed in order to provide the ultimate 4K HDR visual experience. It is further refined with 40% more real-time image processing as compared with Sony’s renowned 4K Processor X1. By incorporating three new technologies – object-based HDR remaster, dual database processing, and Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR, it brings any 4K HDR content to a whole new level.
By analysing images in each scene and correcting colour and contrast of each object individually, object-based HDR remaster can reproduce scenes with the detailed texture and the appearance of real life. This technology also up-scales standard dynamic range HD content to near 4K HDR quality.
On top of the current up-scaling database, 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme has an additional Sony-exclusive database for noise reduction. By searching through thousands of picture patterns, the dual database processing removes unwanted noise and up-scales every image to a super clear 4K image.
Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR creates a smoother, natural picture. With 14-bit powerful signal processing, it breaks up the solid bands of colour of 8-bit (FHD) or 10-bit (4K) source, up-converting 14-bit equivalent gradation with 64 times more colour levels. It delivers graceful reproduction of faces, sunsets and other areas of subtle colour gradation.
With these three technologies, 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme reproduces a wide variety of content with immersive 4K HDR picture quality.
Additionally, the new ZD9 series BRAVIA 4K HDR TV has adopted the Backlight Master Drive technology which Sony introduced as a prototype at CES 2016. The Backlight Master Drive is a precision backlight boosting technology which allows it to expand brightness and contrast even further in order to truly tap the full potential of 4K HDR. The Backlight Master Drive combines a dense LED structure with a super accurate lighting algorithm and unique optical design.
Previously, local dimming was controlled in zones consisting of several LEDs. In combination with the latest accurate lighting algorithm, the discrete LED control of Backlight Master Drive is able to dim and boost each LED individually. This innovative algorithm delivers total precision for unparalleled contrast and realism.
The unique optical structure with a calibrated beam LED design gathers the emitted LED light in a spot and focuses the drive area more precisely to display higher contrast. This also reduces light diffusion and the flare effect that can be seen on other full-array LED TVs.
Backlight Master Drive delivers unprecedented dynamic range with incredibly deep blacks and dazzling lights for scenes that look more real than ever before, unleashing the full potential of 4K HDR content.
But the viewing experience goes beyond just the screen. ZD9 has a slate design that encapsulates the ultimate experience. From the front, the design exudes sophistication in the form of a simple black slate, letting viewers immerse themselves in the stunning power of 4K HDR. From the back, the design keeps all the cables completely concealed, ensuring that the device strikes an elegant look from any angle.
ZD9 series BRAVIA 4K HDR TV also runs on Android TV with Sony’s exclusive user interface. From live TV broadcasting to Internet video services, the new seamless user interface Content bar includes enhanced content navigation along with voice search. The new Content bar features genre filtering function (availability depends on region). Instead of selecting a programme from bunch of channels, users can easily choose from favourite genre such as sports, music, news, and so on.
