Sony introduces high-end ZD9 TV series with HDR

[BLMN]

Originally Posted by Filmfan73

I have to set HDR mode manually in the "Video options" instead of "auto" doing it for me.
My firmware is already updated--
Anyone having this issue...Geoff?

Can you give a better example ? I’m trying to understand what the issue is.

[Member-425016]

Looking to upgrade https://www.amazon.com/Sony-A90J-Inc...2989683&sr=8-3
To make the switch I'm
Most likely going to sell my Z9D, and my 55" 930D (honestly less that 10 hours use) if I can find a way to do it easily, and safely.

[gkolb]

My Z9D got a firmware update yesterday. Don't know what it did, but took a while to install on my telly. Then it did a second install (under 10 seconds) after the first.

TV runs fine, but haven't tried to figure out what it was changing.

[fancycar]

Originally Posted by gkolb

My Z9D got a firmware update yesterday. Don't know what it did, but took a while to install on my telly. Then it did a second install (under 10 seconds) after the first.

TV runs fine, but haven't tried to figure out what it was changing.

just a normal update
nothing big changes

About this download
Benefits and Improvements
Improves general performance of the TV



when you reboot your TV, snowflakes still exit!

[Auditor55]

Originally Posted by Filmfan73

Looking to upgrade https://www.amazon.com/Sony-A90J-Inc...2989683&sr=8-3
To make the switch I'm
Most likely going to sell my Z9D, and my 55" 930D (honestly less that 10 hours use) if I can find a way to do it easily, and safely.

The A90J will still be a step down in nits from the Z9D. According to Rtings.

HDR -Peak 10% Window

A90J -801 cd/m²

ZD9-1316 cd/m²

[JWgrayhawk]

Originally Posted by gkolb

My Z9D got a firmware update yesterday. Don't know what it did, but took a while to install on my telly. Then it did a second install (under 10 seconds) after the first.

TV runs fine, but haven't tried to figure out what it was changing.

I just got an update to my decade-old PS3 yesterday. No idea what was changed- I imagine it's something to do with the PS store.

Regardless, nice to see Sony still supporting older equipment.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by gkolb

My Z9D got a firmware update yesterday. Don't know what it did, but took a while to install on my telly. Then it did a second install (under 10 seconds) after the first.

TV runs fine, but haven't tried to figure out what it was changing.

Do you know what firmware version number it installed?

Edit: Looks like v6.7165. No specifics yet on what it does. Just the generic "Improves general performance of the TV".

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Do you know what firmware version number it installed?

Edit: Looks like v6.7165. No specifics yet on what it does. Just the generic "Improves general performance of the TV".

Yes, that’s the Version that I’m on now.
Probably something that tinkered with the Android OS or streaming apps?

[RalphoR]

With the Z9J pre-orders about to launch I'd really be interested in this set if it just had 3D capability

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

With the Z9J pre-orders about to launch I'd really be interested in this set if it just had 3D capability

If you have a Z9D, I wouldn't bother, even if the Z9J would have had 3D.

Sony went downhill with their LCD TV's after the Z9D. There has never been a true successor and there probably never will be. The Z9D was the end of the line as far as Sony premium high end LCD's go. Too bad, but at least they went out with a bang.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by DJR662

If you have a Z9D, I wouldn't bother, even if the Z9J would have had 3D.

Sony went downhill with their LCD TV's after the Z9D. There has never been a true successor and there probably never will be. The Z9D was the end of the line as far as Sony premium high end LCD's go. Too bad, but at least they went out with a bang.

Every year I look for a replacement for my 75Z9D and every year I come to your conclusion

Maybe when the micro-leds hit the retail market???

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by DJR662

If you have a Z9D, I wouldn't bother, even if the Z9J would have had 3D.

Sony went downhill with their LCD TV's after the Z9D. There has never been a true successor and there probably never will be. The Z9D was the end of the line as far as Sony premium high end LCD's go. Too bad, but at least they went out with a bang.

Sad to say that's correct. At some point my Z9D will have to be replaced so I'm not overworking it. As Jim said a micro-led set might be the way to go if they aren't overpriced.

[teddyballgame]

Wish they'd offer something with the backlight master drive. I heard they couldn't sell enough though because so many wives considered the TV too thick

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by teddyballgame

Wish they'd offer something with the backlight master drive. I heard they couldn't sell enough though because so many wives considered the TV too thick

BMD is indeed the missing factor. The Z9G may still have it, but it's a watered down version of the original implementation found in the Z9D. Sony's unhealthy obsession for trying to get wider viewing angles on their LCDs hasn't helped things much either.

MicroLED (for home use) is still a long way off it seems. I was hoping Sony would have come up with a MiniLED by now, but alas. Seems like they're still primarily focused on OLED as far as their premium high end TVs go.

And speaking of OLED, I 've been following the A90J with great interest ever since it was first announced. Having read a good many things about it by now - disregarding the usual common OLED issues that may arise - this seems like something special indeed and therefore I'm thinking of getting a 65A90J (the 83" was on my wishlist at first, but the vaious reports of a faint vertical center band inherent to that size has put me off).

In the end though, you cannot go wrong with the Z9D. It's really a special TV for multiple reasons and an amazing piece of technology - literally one of a kind. It still surpasses most (if not all) current LCD TVs to date. One thing I know for sure, my 75Z9D is a keeper and will be with me for a long time to come, regardless of what future upgrades I might do.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

Maybe when the micro-leds hit the retail market???

I think it will be super-expensive, so you maybe waiting a while.

[teddyballgame]

Originally Posted by DJR662

BMD is indeed the missing factor. The Z9G may still have it, but it's a watered down version of the original implementation found in the Z9D. Sony's unhealthy obsession for trying to get wider viewing angles on their LCDs hasn't helped things much either.

MicroLED (for home use) is still a long way off it seems. I was hoping Sony would have come up with a MiniLED by now, but alas. Seems like they're still primarily focused on OLED as far as their premium high end TVs go.

And speaking of OLED, I 've been following the A90J with great interest ever since it was first announced. Having read a good many things about it by now - disregarding the usual common OLED issues that may arise - this seems like something special indeed and therefore I'm thinking of getting a 65A90J (the 83" was on my wishlist at first, but the vaious reports of a faint vertical center band inherent to that size has put me off).

In the end though, you cannot go wrong with the Z9D. It's really a special TV for multiple reasons and an amazing piece of technology - literally one of a kind. It still surpasses most (if not all) current LCD TVs to date. One thing I know for sure, my 75Z9D is a keeper and will be with me for a long time to come, regardless of what future upgrades I might do.

Great post!! Z9D is likely what I would have purchased if I was into this stuff back in the day. When you get something ahead of its time that's a great feeling...use it as long as you can

I'm also happy to see Sony step up and offer something special in terms of OLED now. For the last few years they were really just sitting around letting LG steal the show. With the new heatsink and improvements to the video processor that's encouraging. The only thing I'm slightly timid about is the new undefeatable AI picture processing. Like, that's a really cool feature and I have no doubt many people would find its "enhancements" to be an improvement and pleasing to the eye, but what if I just want the straight sauce off the disc and no magic. I hope they might make that feature optional at some point.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by teddyballgame

Great post!! Z9D is likely what I would have purchased if I was into this stuff back in the day. When you get something ahead of its time that's a great feeling...use it as long as you can

I'm also happy to see Sony step up and offer something special in terms of OLED now. For the last few years they were really just sitting around letting LG steal the show. With the new heatsink and improvements to the video processor that's encouraging. The only thing I'm slightly timid about is the new undefeatable AI picture processing. Like, that's a really cool feature and I have no doubt many people would find its "enhancements" to be an improvement and pleasing to the eye, but what if I just want the straight sauce off the disc and no magic. I hope they might make that feature optional at some point.

That last bit is something of a concern to me also - matter of fact, that's an excellent point you make there. In all honesty, it is still unclear to me how exactly the Sony XR cognitive processor should be looked upon. Is it just "regular" picture processing or does it add something "extra" to the picture? AVS forum member D-nice said something along the lines of "it can be disabled", but I have yet to come across anymore information regarding that matter myself.

Like you, I don't care about (unnecessary) additional processing. I like to watch my (physical) media as "clean"/pure as possible without as little "interference" as possible.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by teddyballgame

Wish they'd offer something with the backlight master drive. I heard they couldn't sell enough though because so many wives considered the TV too thick

Were they happy with the length, though?

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by DJR662

That last bit is something of a concern to me also - matter of fact, that's an excellent point you make there. In all honesty, it is still unclear to me how exactly the Sony XR cognitive processor should be looked upon. Is it just "regular" picture processing or does it add something "extra" to the picture? AVS forum member D-nice said something along the lines of "it can be disabled", but I have yet to come across anymore information regarding that matter myself.

Like you, I don't care about (unnecessary) additional processing. I like to watch my (physical) media as "clean"/pure as possible without as little "interference" as possible.

Ummm, here’s the thing. I’m pretty darn sure the Z9D has an early version of a picture comparison or mapping feature that’s now called this AI cognitive feature for 2020 tv’s.

If you go dig into the Z9D promo literature you’ll find this info, along with the disclosure of the 14-bit processing that’s included with the X-1 chip.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by gkolb

Ummm, here’s the thing. I’m pretty darn sure the Z9D has an early version of a picture comparison or mapping feature that’s now called this AI cognitive feature for 2020 tv’s.

If you go dig into the Z9D promo literature you’ll find this info, along with the disclosure of the 14-bit processing that’s included with the X-1 chip.

Sony were touting a ‘database’ of comparison images inside their processing engines since before I last sold them, that was in 2014. The Cognitive AI thingy is the same principle but dressed up in 2021 marketing bollox.