Sony introduces high-end ZD9 TV series with HDR

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by DJR662

Lol.

I decided to use a separate mode for 3D so I can freely tinker with the settings without compromising 2D SDR.

My white balance is also the same as 2D SDR but I used S&M test patterns (in 3D mode) to slightly adjust contrast and black level. To my eyes the 3D picture isn't always as sharp as 2D SDR, especially during low lit scenes, so I still need to put the sharpness pattern up and see if I can go a little higher than default 50 for that. If not then perhaps engaging RC on the lowest possible setting might do the trick. I've enabled ACE and set it to low for just a little more pop and perceived brightness (there's way too much color alteration on medium and high IMO, on the lowest setting it seems to be acceptable). I also set LD to High as it does seem to darken the blacks just a tiny bit more when I paused a scene of Gravity and went from low, medium to the highest setting in order to see the difference.

How was that passive Sony 3D TV when it came to crosstalk, was it 4K? I think Sony only made one of those?

Sony did a few passive 1080p models but only one high-end 4K model range with passive (not counting the original 84" $25K monster) which was the X9005A, or X900A to the Americans. I had the 55" version and the 3D was AMAZING, albeit badly flawed in other respects. Virtually no crosstalk, incredible depth, but the panel only had a 1080p polariser on a 2160p screen, so in 3D mode it literally turned off half the lines and sent only 540 lines to each eye.

The resolution drop I didn't mind in itself but the main problem was that it left obvious scan line gaps resulting in terrible aliasing along diagonal edges, they didn't bother pre-filtering the image in the processing to account for this. The kicker is that the 65" version of the same TV had the proper 2160p polariser attached so it did true 1080p passive 3D (much like those older OLEDs), and IMO is still one of the best 3D TVs ever made.

As for the active 4K sets like the ZD9: yes, it still looks a touch filtered to me even though it appears to be resolving 1080p resolution in test patterns. I don't watch 3D enough to bother playing around with the sharpening although using the Reality Control is the lesser of two weevils for sure, I'll keep that in mind next time. I hate the ACE though, even on the lowest setting there's a visible 'bump' in brightness on scene changes.

I sometimes get people PM'ing me after they'd read my posts in the 3D forum, aksing where my zealous enthusiasm for 3D went to! Well, my taste for 3D died as soon as I got another active 3D Sony...

[DJR662]

I looked up the X9005 and I now see it's one of those Sony sets with giant speakers to the side. That would have prevented me from getting one at the time. It's also the reason why I skipped the X940C.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by DJR662

I looked up the X9005 and I now see it's one of those Sony sets with giant speakers to the side. That would have prevented me from getting one at the time. It's also the reason why I skipped the X940C.

For me it was the opposite. NOT having the side speakers and the better 3D of the 940C is what made my decision on passing on the clearance-priced 75" Z9D much easier. I was tempted though, since it is obviously a better set.

I have the 65" 900A, and the 3D is great, but I think the 3D is just about as good on the 940C, and oddly I can get closer to that display without seeing crosstalk. On the 900A, I have to sit about 7-8 feet back on movies with strong 3D.

But the active glasses are a hassle and they seem to darken the image a little more.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by bruceames

For me it was the opposite. NOT having the side speakers and the better 3D of the 940C is what made my decision on passing on the clearance-priced 75" Z9D much easier. I was tempted though, since it is obviously a better set.

I have the 65" 900A, and the 3D is great, but I think the 3D is just about as good on the 940C, and oddly I can get closer to that display without seeing crosstalk. On the 900A, I have to sit about 7-8 feet back on movies with strong 3D.

But the active glasses are a hassle and they seem to darken the image a little more.

I would be inclined to think the 3D on the 940C is similar to that on the Z9D? They're both active and I remember the 3D on the 940C's successor (940D) being also similar to that on the Z9D which came out the same year.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by DJR662

I would be inclined to think the 3D on the 940C is similar to that on the Z9D? They're both active and I remember the 3D on the 940C's successor (940D) being also similar to that on the Z9D which came out the same year.

Could be, I've never seen 3D on the Z9. If it's just as good (xtalk issues aside) I guess it would be a compliment to the 940C. I only know how it compares with the 900A.

[Robert Zohn]

The Z9D is the best of the active 3D TVs and best among all previous Sony 3D capable TVs.

Mostly because the Z9D is by far the brightest and the dark active 3D glasses need a high lumens TV. But also because the Z9D is among the very best 2D LCD TVs ever made so 3D naturally looks best among all of Sony's 3D capable TVs ever made.

[Geoff D]

Shame about the crosstalk tho.

And, to follow on from what bruce mentioned, I do miss the dumbo ears of the A/B series TVs wot I had.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

The Z9D is the best of the active 3D TVs and best among all previous Sony 3D capable TVs.

Mostly because the Z9D is by far the brightest and the dark active 3D glasses need a high lumens TV. But also because the Z9D is among the very best 2D LCD TVs ever made so 3D naturally looks best among all of Sony's 3D capable TVs ever made.

I'm sure you know best about that Robert. My reference to the 940C 3D being better was because of fewer reported issues with crosstalk.

[RalphoR]

Is everyone using the 3D glasses that came with the TV or have you found a better option?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Is everyone using the 3D glasses that came with the TV or have you found a better option?

I use the ones that came with it.

I was told the Xpand 105 glasses provided "more brightness and better contrast" so I bought one to test this (mainly for my projector which uses the same RF glasses as Sony TVs). Well I could not see a tiny difference when switching between the Sony and Xpand while watching 3D. Only thing that's better, is that the surface of the actual glasses are bigger (the Sonys are rather small).

Does any use the Xpand 104 by any chance? I've read you can manually adjust the shutter delay of the glasses which apparently can lessen crosstalk.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Shame about the crosstalk tho.

And, to follow on from what bruce mentioned, I do miss the dumbo ears of the A/B series TVs wot I had.

First thing I looked for when the X940D was announced, is if it still had Dumbo ears like the 940C. Looking back at it now, I actually wish it had because then I wouldn't have bought it, therefore saving me a lot of hassle and also the excruciating pain I felt when Sony announce the Z9D only one (!) month later.

Anyway I never understood why they would put such big ass speakers on these high end TVs. Surely most people who buy these would have surround sets for audio and no need for TV speakers anyway. But hey, what do I know? 3D still seems to have a fair amount of loyal fans around the world, 3D movies are still being shown in cinemas and released on Blu-ray and yet there hasn't been a new 3D TV since 2016. I think the Z9D actually was the very last one out of all brands?

[Geoff D]

Speaking solely for myself, I loved those speakers, they sounded awesome and are part of the reason why I can't be arsed with surround sound any more.

As for the glasses, I tried several Sony ones as well as spending £££ to import some Xpands (cant remember the model number). Guess what? They didn't make one iota of difference to the crosstalk.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Speaking solely for myself, I loved those speakers, they sounded awesome and are part of the reason why I can't be arsed with surround sound any more.

As for the glasses, I tried several Sony ones as well as spending £££ to import some Xpands (cant remember the model number). Guess what? They didn't make one iota of difference to the crosstalk.

If you have the Xpand 104 and can be bothered, perhaps you could check it out and try to experiment with those shutter delay options? I know you're not big on 3D anymore but perhaps you will be again after you found a "fix" for crosstalk with those glasses.

[Geoff D]

Sold the Xpands a while back.

[Robert Zohn]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Shame about the crosstalk tho.

And, to follow on from what bruce mentioned, I do miss the dumbo ears of the A/B series TVs wot I had.

Originally Posted by bruceames

I'm sure you know best about that Robert. My reference to the 940C 3D being better was because of fewer reported issues with crosstalk.

I have not had the opportunity to do an a/b comparison with the Z9D and X940C, so it is possible that the X940C has less crosstalk. So I may stand corrected on my post.

3D Crosstalk is more apparent with active 3D vs. passive 3D, of course, Sony only used the active 3D on all models/years.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Speaking solely for myself, I loved those speakers, they sounded awesome and are part of the reason why I can't be arsed with surround sound any more.

As for the glasses, I tried several Sony ones as well as spending £££ to import some Xpands (cant remember the model number). Guess what? They didn't make one iota of difference to the crosstalk.

Have you ever considered getting a decent pair of active speakers and connecting them to your TV? It'd sound better than the built-in speakers and most soundbars, at the same time as you could get rid of your AVR and surround speaker setup.

Maybe you don't want to do that for whatever reason, but just bringing it up as a friendly suggestion.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

I have not had the opportunity to do an a/b comparison with the Z9D and X940C, so it is possible that the X940C has less crosstalk. So I may stand corrected on my post.

3D Crosstalk is more apparent with active 3D vs. passive 3D, of course, Sony only used the active 3D on all models/years.

No they didn't. I owned a passive 4K Sony model and there were others from the same period in 1080p, not all territories may have received all these models but I know for a fact that the passive X900A was sold in the US.

[Robert Zohn]

Correct, ^ but Sony abandoned passive 3D in 2014. At least it's that way for the USA and I assume other regions.

[Geoff D]

I never said they didn't abandon it, it's the "Sony only used the active 3D on all models/years" line which puzzled me.

[bruceames]

The Sony 850B, although not a flagship model, also had passive 3D. I don't think Sony cared whether they were active or passive and left that decision to the panel makers.