Sony introduces high-end ZD9 TV series with HDR

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by E6AtmosVuduDV

Late Evening, Night Movie Watchers.

Z9D Alert.

October 19th 2018
http://www.uhdledtvcomparison.com/so...f-vs-xbr75z9d/

First of, I'm not a native speaker so it might be just me, but I thought the English in that article was hard to read at times?

Secondly I don't know why people are still trying to put the Z9F in the same league as the Z9D. It might be considered by Sony the D successor, and it carries the name accordingly, but that's about it for me. IMHO those couple of things that the F does improve upon is not enough to be worthy of being called a "true" D successor. And I'm not talking about the Netflix calibration mode or the X-wide tech here. Such things I personally consider to be completely useless anyway.

And then there's the issues with the contrast/black levels/local dimming ofcourse. Seems to be some people are trying to downplay that stuff and come up with all kinds of "excuses" for it to be okay. I even read some owners are turning down or even completely shutting off XDR for HDR? No matter what other features have been added or improved upon when compared to the D, it will completely fall flat if it doesn't at least is on par with the D's BMD performance.

IMO all of this wouldn't be so bad had Sony opted for the Z9F to be the successor to the X900f for example, and not the Z9D. You cannot improve on a few things (and to what extend?) and then let the most important aspect slide and call it a day. We're going backwards here instead of forward. Sony seemed to have done the same thing when they released the X940D two years ago.

I obviously don't own the Z9F, nor have I ever seen it in person (yet). But by going what has been said ever since that Sony event in NY back in early August, the reviews so far as well as user experiences and other observations, and ofcourse the specs as well as the pricing of these sets, I think it's not that hard to draw your own conclusion. I honestly believe it is an excellent TV for a certain group of consumers, with certain expectations and in certain situations. But IMO a "true" Z9D follow up it is not...

"Keep your expectations in check". That's what Vincent Teoh said at the aforementioned Sony event, and I think that just about says it all concerning this TV. At least for those (including current Z9D owners) who were looking for a serious Z9D upgrade/follow up. Where is his Z9F review anyway? Sony must not be wanting him to get his hands on one I guess...

[pbz06]

I agree, DJ. It's mind boggling how all of a sudden we brush off "significant clouding" and "not as good contrast and black level" as acceptable for a top of the line TV. The specs don't lie either, it's 650 zones vs. "under 100". No algorithm can make up for that, and it's not like the Z9D struggles in the dimming department. They even mention how cinema bars retain pitch black. The Z9F seems to perform as a mid-tier TV and not for movie enthusiasts, and honestly why spend that much money over a $600 TCL R615 lol. I have that in my bedroom and it's great at that price point.

I can't imagine paying $3k for a Z9F only to watch a movie at night and see clouding everywhere....

[ClassicRocker]

Originally Posted by brasil

Well, I bought a second Z9D 65 inch from Best Buy. $2k is too hard to resist.

I understand the benefits of oled but I also understand the benefits of full array 650 zones and happen to have a preference for it, which is not to knock oled but it's not for me.

Nice choice. Let us know how it is. I've been a z9d 65 owner for exactly a week. Let me know your thoughts on local dimming(minimal haloing), and overall performance. I'm curious what you think of the black levels. I couldn't believe how good the Revenant looked when I first turned on this set.

[ClassicRocker]

Originally Posted by pbz06

I agree, DJ. It's mind boggling how all of a sudden we brush off "significant clouding" and "not as good contrast and black level" as acceptable for a top of the line TV. The specs don't lie either, it's 650 zones vs. "under 100". No algorithm can make up for that, and it's not like the Z9D struggles in the dimming department. They even mention how cinema bars retain pitch black. The Z9F seems to perform as a mid-tier TV and not for movie enthusiasts, and honestly why spend that much money over a $600 TCL R615 lol. I have that in my bedroom and it's great at that price point.

I can't imagine paying $3k for a Z9F only to watch a movie at night and see clouding everywhere....

Has anyone on this thread watched the new Halloween UHD blu-ray transfer on the z9d? I'm seeing some exaggerated haloing(especially compared to other content.) Even during day time scenes(Laurie and Annie in the car smoking) there's some haloing. It looks like small clouds on the black bars. Anyone?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by ClassicRocker

Has anyone on this thread watched the new Halloween UHD blu-ray transfer on the z9d? I'm seeing some exaggerated haloing(especially compared to other content.) Even during day time scenes(Laurie and Annie in the car smoking) there's some haloing. It looks like small clouds on the black bars. Anyone?

I've seen you mentioning this in the Halloween UHD topic (as well as the haloing in general a couple of times). I was planning on watching it later tonight on my 65", so I will keep an eye out for it.

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by ClassicRocker

Has anyone on this thread watched the new Halloween UHD blu-ray transfer on the z9d? I'm seeing some exaggerated haloing(especially compared to other content.) Even during day time scenes(Laurie and Annie in the car smoking) there's some haloing. It looks like small clouds on the black bars. Anyone?

Hey there, i watched a few weeks back Halloween on my 75 Z9D and did not notice any exaggerated haloing or clouds on black bars in this movie.

[E6AtmosVuduDV]

Yes. That guy in the above posted review did'nt have full command of English.

He did wrote elsewheres whats important for Picture Quality...

As we know, one of the aspects that have major impact to the picture quality is black level and contrast ratio. The deeper black level produced, the picture displayed produced by a TV will look better, particularly when it is displaying dark scene in a dark room. The result, dark scene of images displayed on their screen looks really excellent, no matter the light condition of a room where they are used. Additionally, perfect black level produced by them is also dark enough to reveal details of images in dark scene of HDR images excellent, makes shadow details of HDR images can be shown excellently like the content creator’s intended.*

Of cource we know what Z9D's Dimming Zones are for.

[ClassicRocker]

Originally Posted by DJR662

I've seen you mentioning this in the Halloween UHD topic (as well as the haloing in general a couple of times). I was planning on watching it later tonight on my 65", so I will keep an eye out for it.

That would be awesome. I was hoping to get another person's impressions. Make sure its Dolby Vision.

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by ClassicRocker

That would be awesome. I was hoping to get another person's impressions. Make sure its Dolby Vision.

i did not watch in DV.

[E6AtmosVuduDV]

techradar.com 21 hours ago just did a Z review. By John Archer.

ie.,

On the other, though, the Z9F abandons some of the backlight controls that worked so well for the Z9D, with distracting results.

There is only so much time to buy a Z9D. Happy Shopping.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by brasil

I'm already a fan as I've have my first z9d for abt 8 months....even if I don't like how my z9d handles Dolby Vision with assist from my Oppo players...don't know if it's DV I don't like or how the z9d handles it as it needs assist from the player which blocks my preferred setting Cinema Pro.

I love it. Enough to get the second.

Cinema Pro isn't blocked out because of Oppo or any "assist" (whatever that means). It's blocked out because it's in "Dolby Vision" mode instead. Otherwise (drum roll), it wouldn't be in Dolby Vision if it's in Cinema Pro. There's also nothing stopping you from adjusting the DV settings to your liking and match Cinema Pro settings.

Whether it's player-led or tv-led, Dolby Vision is still Dolby Vision. It's just a matter of whom unzips the file.

[Geoff D]

I keep trying to tell him that, it's not worth going there.

[ClassicRocker]

Originally Posted by BLMN

Hey there, i watched a few weeks back Halloween on my 75 Z9D and did not notice any exaggerated haloing or clouds on black bars in this movie.

Okay, thank you. I have the 65, but that shouldn't' make much of a difference. Maybe it's a bad disc. Were you looking at the black bars or were you not paying attention?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by ClassicRocker

That would be awesome. I was hoping to get another person's impressions. Make sure its Dolby Vision.

So just for you ( ), I unplugged my Panasonic 820 and moved it from the living room to the bedroom so I could watch it in Dolby Vision (my bedroom player does not do DV).

I'm 51 minutes into the movie right now, and so far I have not seen any "exaggerated haloing" like you mentioned. All lights off, dark room, no bias light whatsoever.

I did notice some haloing during the opening credits when the letters and pumpkin appear on screen, but I wouldn't call it troublesome. Also during some daytime scenes, whenever there are portions of the sky (which is very bright) near the black bars, they do elevate just a little bit. Night time scenes might have some elevated black bars too if you're really looking for it, but otherwise it (the picture between the bars) looked absolutely fine to me. So if I may, let me say it again, the 65Z9D is no OLED. You'll always have some elevated black levels (however minimal) in the black bars and during very critical content (all dark/black screen with bright object in front) with HDR.

I watched the scene in which Laurie and Annie are smoking in the car twice. During the second time, I only looked at the black bars while ocassionally pausing the movie. The brightest object in that scene is the metallic strip around the front window (don't know what it's called in English). The letterbox bars are not perfectly black here, in some parts they are slighty elevated. If I pause exactly at 0:32:09, and then put my hand before that metallic strip (basically blocking what's on screen in the upper left corner underneath the upper black bar), I then can see a little bit of blooming/clouding into the upper left portion of the upper black bar. But obviously this is not the way you are watching a movie, and trust me, I felt pretty stupid doing that.

So either you have eagle vision and are very sensitive to this, or you're expecting too much of an OLED performance regarding this matter. Or, and I hate to say this, perhaps there just might be something wrong with your set after all if it is really that noticable like you say it is...

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to stop looking for faults and try to enjoy what's left of the movie. But seriously, I hope you'll be able to sort out the issues you are having...

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by ClassicRocker

Okay, thank you. I have the 65, but that shouldn't' make much of a difference.

Actually the 75" does perform a little better than the 65" (at least to my eyes), but it shouldn't make that much of a difference. I mean certainly not in a way which would make the 65" look "bad" or anything.

[pbz06]

Originally Posted by brasil

No, you have not said that, or I didn't notice you said I don't keep up with all posts I supposed - And in response you what you did say, I still say that the other settings do not respond in a way that corrects the extreme darkening and wrecked PQ DV causes.

Call it what you will - assist, not assist - blocked Cinema Pro, not blocked Cinema Pro - you're both missing the point: The settings that are adjustable do not work in the same manner as they do HDR10 and do not correct the damaged PQ DV causes on my Z9D. You can't get Cinema Pro HDR10 PQ in DV mode on my Z9D. You get crappy PQ in DV.

So now it's damaged PQ DV?

Looks great on my end.

[alexanderg823]

$1999 for a 65 z9d wow. So tempted to get one for the bedroom, dse and all.

That price really makes the z9F look like fool's gold. No other way to put it.

[E6AtmosVuduDV]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJgr...ature=youtu.be

Absolutely Love that Video.

Where can one get a copy of it? To input it into one's own Z9D. Or even feed it into one's OLED.

[wxman2003]

The 75 Z9D looks like it's getting close to its end. Best Buy showing unavailable for delivery or pickup with most zip codes now. Just a week ago, it was available for delivery most locations.

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by wxman2003

The 75 Z9D looks like it's getting close to its end. Best Buy showing unavailable for delivery or pickup with most zip codes now. Just a week ago, it was available for delivery most locations.

The price hasn't changed AFAIK it was still $7000 when I looked today. It's been the same for months I think.

Who could all the "bargain hunters" be?