LG brought 7 new 4K OLED TVs to CES, and not to be outdone Sony is bringing 10 new 4K TVs to the show. Sony has always been a big proponent of 4K Ultra- High Definition TV, and with a lot more 4K models they are making it their mainstream product. What is obvious out from CES is that Sony is taking a different approach than their competitors.
Design
LG and Samsung are both coming out with a curved 4K lineup as well as some flat screens, whereas Sony is sticking with the flat screen format. In 2014 Sony came out with their innovative wedge design that has quite a few benefits, and now they are adding to that with a what they call a floating design because it is so thin. Their XBR-X900C model Sony is claiming to be the thinnest LCD TV available. In fact it is thinner than their XPeria Smartphone, and the thinnest LCD TV ever produced. In actual fact it is only the top of the screen that is really thin (only .2 inches) and the bottom gets progressively a little thicker so it can accommodate all the electronics necessary to run the TV. The thin screen appears floating, and when mounted on the wall has a its own uniqe mounting bracket that hangs like a painting would.
Smart Platform
In 2015, it is going to be pretty difficult to find a TV that isn’t a Smart TV. All of Sony’s models will have their new Smart platform. Basically they are abandoning their own proprietary Sony platform and replacing it with Google’s Android TV. I think this is a smart move because Android TV looks better interface than their home-grown platform. It will also allow them to focus on producing better screen technology and more content partnerships. With the popularity of the Android platform, it also makes it simpler integrating phone, tablet, and their TV platform; plus those famiiliar with Android will find it easier to operate their TV right out of the box. It will cast like Chromecast, their Android phone can act like a remote, and it has Google Talk so you can give it voice commands.
Better Content
Of all the big brands Sony has made the most effort making 4K content available, and for 2015 their partnership with Netflix will deliver 4K content as well as from Amazon Prime, and YouTube. It is clear that Sony will continue its pursuit of more content that will take advantage of their new 4K TV lineup.
Screen Technology
Sony is sticking with LCD technology and not going the OLED direction that LG has taken. But Sony has already proven itself with their LCD platform with the introduction of their Tri-Luminous display as the first one to bring out quantum dot technology, which the other brands are now touting. What Sony has added for 2015 is a new 4K X1 processor that is intended to enhance the colour, contrast and clarity of their display. Combine this new processor with their X-Reality PRO upscaling technology improves their ability to convert HD content to approach the clarity of 4K.
This Video of Sony at CES gives a good idea of what their new TVs are all about.
Sony at CES 2015 is sticking to what they do well, only continuing to make it better, and moving farther and faster with 4K. It looks like their TV lineup for this year has 4 times as many 4K models as HD models. So lots of 4K TV, a super thin floating design, more content, better Smart platform, and better processors with their already great TV technology. It should be a good year for them.
Is the 4K limited to the USA version of Netflix? Does the Canadian Netflix version have 4K today?
Hi XL,
My understanding is that the second season of House of Cards was done in 4K, but you are right the content to-date in 4K by Netflix has been limited to that and some nature films. Netflix has less overall content on their Canadian site compared to the US site, mainly due to regulatory and market issues. The more important point is that we will see this changing over time as they produce more and more 4K content. In the meantime get a good upscaling 4K TV and you will have a better picture for everything you view.
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