Let's discuss Sony's 2017 A1E UHD/HDR OLED

[Robert Zohn]

Sony's CES 2017 announcement on the A1E 4K OLED TV is a major breakthrough for emissive display technology and all video enthusiasts.

Sony's design is based on the minimalist look and the display is OLED display powered by the X1 Extreme processor. A1E utilizes the WRGB OLED panel with over 8 million self-illuminating pixels--controlled by X1 Extreme.

4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme is 40% more precise at real-time processing than Sony’s renowned 4K Processor X1.

The A1E also uses a newly developed sound technology called Acoustic Surface that vibrates the OLED display so sound comes directly from the TV screen for a large sound stage that images the audio to the content. Also built-into the back side of the easel stand is a sub woofer to help the TV deliver a full dynamic tonal range.

The 3 enhancements over Sony's X1 processor are:

• Object-based HDR remastering

• Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR

• Dual database processing

The Extreme X1 is a full 14-bit video processor that supports HDR. The A1E's 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme supports Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma, and HDR 10.

Sony is rolling out the A1E in 55" and 65" to select Diamond dealers by the end of April 2017. Value Electronics is a proud Sony Authorized Diamond dealer and I just put the A1E on our website with photos, a video and more information.

Let the discussion begin!

[DanBa]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

...
The Extreme X1 is a full 14-bit video processor that supports HDR. The A1E's 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme supports Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma, and HDR 10...

Concerning Hybrid Log Gamma, does it support only HEVC HLG HDR or only VP9-HLG YouTube HDR or both existing HLG HDR formats?

If it support VP9-HLG YouTube HDR, it should also support VP9-PQ YouTube HDR (aka VP9-HDR10) because the related HDR10 functions are already there.

Hence, it should support all existing operational HDR formats, i.e. HEVC HDR10, HEVC Dolby Vision, HEVC HLG HDR, VP9-HLG YouTube HDR and VP9-PQ YouTube HDR.

Could you confirm this? Thank you!

[Robert Zohn]

Originally Posted by DanBa

Concerning Hybrid Log Gamma, does it support only HEVC HLG HDR or only VP9-HLG YouTube HDR or both existing HLG HDR formats?

If it support VP9-HLG YouTube HDR, it should also support VP9-PQ YouTube HDR (aka VP9-HDR10) because the related HDR10 functions are already there.

Hence, it should support all existing operational HDR formats, i.e. HEVC HDR10, HEVC Dolby Vision, HEVC HLG HDR, VP9-HLG YouTube HDR and VP9-PQ YouTube HDR.

Could you confirm this? Thank you!

Just confirmed that Sony's Z9D and A1E will support the following HDR formats:
- HDR10 HEVC
- HLG HEVC
- Dolby Vision (via streaming and 4k Blu-ray) HEVC
- HDR10 VP9
- HLG VP9
- YouTube HDR

[gkolb]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Just confirmed that Sony's Z9D and A1E will support the following HDR formats:
- HDR10 HEVC
- HLG HEVC
- Dolby Vision (via streaming and 4k Blu-ray) HEVC
- HDR10 VP9
- HLG VP9
- YouTube HDR

Robert, this ^ info, plus the Z9D is the last (2016)/2017 model to have 3D, pushed me over the edge. Just ordered the 65" at BBY today with the $500 off sale (same as Amazon). Hoping to use the Rewards points towards an Oppo 203 at a Magnolia location (the local is not one).

No 3D on the Sony oled took it out of contention. (Sorry Geoff D, I think you may be pine'ing (no idea how to spell that) for the A1E.)

It's possible that it might be delivered Saturday. Or next Wednesday. Either way will be here before Super Bowl.

[Blu350z]

outside of spec, how is the tv going to be on a table or hanged? the way i saw it at CES the easel stand looks like it'll be an issue with glare and how big that easel stand thing hanging it on the wall would be a pain.

[Robert Zohn]

Will do.

[DJJez]

very excited to see how these compared to LGs' 2016 OLED's. i love my OLED but if the sony is significantly better i dont have any problems jumping ship to SONY

we all knows sonys TV processing is superior to LG's

[littlepooch21]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

Will do.

Robert, do we have any idea of the pricing these set are going to see? I just purchased an LG 55C6 at a great price but am open to Sony also.

[moviemike4]

I heard sonys new oled will cost 6 grand , first rumours were 3 grand so much for driving oled prices down, but i cant wait to see it in bestbuy.

[Jodi]

I'll be very excited to see (and hear - ) Sony's A1E when it comes out. It's always exciting to see new tech.

[Robert Zohn]

No price has been announced to anyone so anything you hear or read is nothing but unofficial speculation and does not come from anyone at Sony.

[anthonymoody]

Can't wait to see the 77" (and how much it costs!)

[Ihavecandygetnthevan]

Originally Posted by anthonymoody

Can't wait to see the 77" (and how much it costs!)

$20k+ easy

Robert will 77" OLED's from anyone ever come down into a affordable realm ?

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by Ihavecandygetnthevan

$20k+ easy

Robert will 77" OLED's from anyone ever come down into a affordable realm ?

We were asking the same thing about 60" plasmas in 2001.

[DJJez]

i have a 65inch B OLED and i want my next OLED to be at least 75inches. with the way the prices are, no way will i or the majority of people being to afford one anytime soon. even if the price drops half way to £10,000/$10,000 its still an insane amount of money to spend on a TV. i think its gonna be at least 3 -5 years before 75 inch + OLEDS are affordable for the majority

[anthonymoody]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

We were asking the same thing about 60" plasmas in 2001.

Exactly. And with the new fab coming online in 2018 sized for more efficient production of the 77" we'll see a pretty big drop in 2018 (2019 at the very latest) of the 77" size. I'm thinking $10k MSRP by 2019 for sure, possible earlier.

[Robert Zohn]

All prices to continue to move down in time. I do not expect the 77" G7 to be above $20k list, in fact, my guess is that it will launch below $20k.

Regarding Sony's 77" A1E I have no idea or guess on the price.

[anthonymoody]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

All prices to continue to move down in time. I do not expect the 77" G7 to be above $20k list, in fact, my guess is that it will launch below $20k.

Regarding Sony's 77" A1E I have no idea or guess on the price.

Music to my ears and not entirely unexpected. With the 77G6 ending 2016 where it did, slow but steady economies of scale, and - I believe - a desire on LGs part to 'bridge the gap' price-wise to 2018/19 when the new fab comes on line and drives prices meaningfully lower, I expect high teens for both the 77G7 and 77" Sony.

[Ihavecandygetnthevan]

Originally Posted by Robert Zohn

All prices to continue to move down in time. I do not expect the 77" G7 to be above $20k list, in fact, my guess is that it will launch below $20k.

Regarding Sony's 77" A1E I have no idea or guess on the price.

that's good to hear

slightly off topic but if 77"+ size sets don't drop fast enough for my price point (willing to spend around 10k) any other sets you can recommend 75"+ that's comparable to OLED.

[anthonymoody]

Originally Posted by Ihavecandygetnthevan

that's good to hear

slightly off topic but if 77"+ size sets don't drop fast enough for my price point (willing to spend around 10k) any other sets you can recommend 75"+ that's comparable to OLED.

This is the big problem for me. I have a 75" currently (1080P edge lit) and want to go better and bigger. There are very good choices at 75" - Sony 940D and Z9D like Robert said - but I don't want a lateral size move.

TBH even the 77" OLED feels sort of lateral in terms of size even though the PQ will be orders of magnitude better than what I have currently.

Much bigger and you get into one of two issues: 'okay' but not spectacular quality (the 85" Sony or 86" LG from 2016), or $20k pricing (the 88" Samsung). Still, depending on PQ, street pricing, and financing options, I may stretch to the 88Q9. I think it or one of the 77" OLEDs is my next display.

Sorry to derail a Sony thread.