2021 Sony Master Series A90J (55", 65" and 83") [Owners' & Discussion Thread]

[MechaGodzilla]

FIRST LOOK: Sony A90J BRAVIA XR MASTER Series TV - YouTube

MASTER Series A90J (83", 65" and 55" models) OLED TV features:

• Cognitive Processor XR understands how humans see and hear, providing a revolutionary experience that completely immerses viewers in their favourite content
• XR OLED Contrast adjusts brightness for higher peaks in glare and deeper blacks in shadow while XR Triluminos Pro enables a wider palette to reproduce each colour with the subtle differences seen in the real world
• XR Motion Clarity technology controls moving images precisely to minimise blur so that pictures remain true with less loss in brightness during high-speed scenes
• BRAVIA CORE™: In collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), BRAVIA CORE™ is where entertainment meets technology and was developed to add value and showcase unique Sony experiences. Pre-loaded on all-new BRAVIA XR models, users can enjoy a selection of the latest SPE premium and classic titles and the largest IMAX Enhanced collection. BRAVIA CORE is the first in the industry to feature Pure Stream™ technology, achieving near-lossless UHD BD equivalent quality with streaming up to 80 Mbps.
• Quick access to an array of content and services with Google TV
• Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2 and HomeKit™
• Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Netflix Calibrated Mode offers studio-quality Netflix content, and IMAX® Enhanced™ delivers IMAX remastered picture and immersive audio by DTS
• Calman® Ready offers advanced calibration capabilities and the ability to fine-tune adjustments simply not possible through conventional picture settings
• XR 4K Upscaling technology upscales 2K signals close to true 4K quality for incredibly real and detailed pictures
• HDMI 2.1 feature compatibility, including 4K 120fps, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and eARC
• Improved Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology delivers more accurate sound positioning and cinematic surround sound, providing pictures and sound in perfect harmony
• Support for Dolby Vision® HDR and Dolby Atmos® immersive audio will transform entertainment with ultra-vivid picture quality and incredible moving sound
• Ambient Optimization optimises picture and sound quality in any environment
• The two-way stand provides different stand position options, including a hero position to eliminate distractions and a soundbar position to elevate the TV and integrate a soundbar system
• Minimalist one slate design with Seamless Edge bezel embraces the screen in a single pane of glass that’s naturally elegant and keeps viewers focused on the picture without distraction
• Hands-free voice search works alongside Google Assistant to provide a smarter viewing experience

Official site links: US | UK

[FT-86]

So jacked about this tv. Been waiting 3 years to get the successor to the A9G. The 65” is calling my name.

[ray0414]

Robert, has Sony set the prices on these yet?

[samlop10]

Wondering about the price difference between this 83” and LG’s upcoming 83”.

It seems the Sony A90J 83” will be brighter while LG’s 83” will have the typical OLED brightness, but, I’m wondering if the brightness difference will actually be noticeable and thus worth it on the Sony. I also don’t like Sony’s tone mapping where they mostly clip bright highlights if the content goes beyond the panel’s brightness.

We’ll see I guess. The brightness and price difference will probably be the major factors people use to choose one over the other. I still think Sony overprices their products while not really offering anything to justify the price difference between their products and other similar (and less expensive) products from other brands (such as Sony’s and LG’s OLEDs), but since for some reason LG seems to have skipped the 83” model for their brighter, more premium line, the Sony might have an edge here. We’ll see once prices and independent reviews begin to pour out.

[Robert Zohn]

I expect we'll have the prices in March.

[ray0414]

Prices and dates have leaked on B&H. Not sure if links are allowed but very surprised. The price on the 83" looks to be extremely fair considering it's a new size and has the newer/brighter technology. It's almost with my grasp!

[ThulsaMike88]

Looking forward to seeing what Sony has in store here. The change to TV-led Dolby Vision is promising, as is the increased brightness and size option. If Vincent Teoh's analysis of the Panasonic GZ2000 and HZ2000 pro panels increased brightness is similar here for Sony, it will most likely result in more highlight detail in areas of peak brightness. It's more subtle, but it's there. HDMI 2.1 additions for gamers are welcome too. I'm intrigued by both Sony and LG's offerings this year, we'll see what the price ends up at in a few months.

[dianabol5mg]

Originally Posted by ray0414

Prices and dates have leaked on B&H. Not sure if links are allowed but very surprised. The price on the 83" looks to be extremely fair considering it's a new size and has the newer/brighter technology. It's almost with my grasp!

Yep, starting out at $7999 means only good things in the latter half of the year, for both 83 inchers.

[turns2stone]

Originally Posted by ray0414

Prices and dates have leaked on B&H. Not sure if links are allowed but very surprised. The price on the 83" looks to be extremely fair considering it's a new size and has the newer/brighter technology. It's almost with my grasp!

But do we know if the Sony 83" is using the "2nd gen" OLED panel from LG Display, or has just used the metal heatsink to achieve higher brightness?

[DDH]

Sony China held a 2021 product launch (including entire range of 2021 XR TV) to local Chinese media...
https://www.avsforum.com/threads/202...#post-60454767

[DDH]

XR cognitive chip picture quality is the best real Sony BRAVIA XR TV experience

https://www.itheat.com/view/22541.html

[DDH]

[NARMAK]

I watched a video by Vincent from HDTVtest today on YouTube showing a picture measuring 1312 Nits from the China event and HOT DAMN! If that calibrated could even touch over 1K nits. We are in for a treat with 2021 OLED models like the A90J but i think it remains to also be seen how accurate that is come review time with this model and then a comparison between the new LG G1 and whether these are in fact both using next gen panels or LG has gone with something even more proprietary from LG Display for their G1 whilst Sony innovated a little with the panels.

[crackedknee]

When did the 2020 Sony TVs make it into stores to purchase? In other words, what is the likely date these 2021 TVs will be available to purchase?

[NARMAK]

Originally Posted by crackedknee

When did the 2020 Sony TVs make it into stores to purchase? In other words, what is the likely date these 2021 TVs will be available to purchase?

Late Spring to Early Summer is probably the best guess. I believe March-May being the most likely windows if not a tad optimistic for the earlier dates considering in the below video, the date for the pre-orders says Feb 15th.

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

Robert Zohn on here however may be the best person to answer given his direct links to the industry and first to get such news due to his business but i think NDAs may prevent him from giving exact dates but perhaps a hint or so he can drop

[DDH]

A more detailed account...

https://post.m.smzdm.com/p/a4wzo0d8/

[BrystonUser]

What the hell is wrong with Sony, making a new flagship OLED and touting HDMI 2.1 features while only enabling 2 ports for 2.1, one of which is eARC effectively rendering the tv as having a single 2.1 port for anyone who wants to get the most out of the inbuilt streaming apps or insure they get the best audio from the gaming console or PC pushed back to the receiver/SSP from the tv. So people with 2 or 3 "next gen" gaming devices are SOL and have to choose which device will be properly connected to the tv. Or physically swap out what is connected to the 2.1 port every time they want to switch gaming devices.

I don't think Sony is the only one doing this either. Have manufacturers learned nothing from LG who has been doing 4 inputs since 2019.

What a cluster F$%&.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by BrystonUser

What the hell is wrong with Sony, making a new flagship OLED and touting HDMI 2.1 features while only enabling 2 ports for 2.1, one of which is eARC effectively rendering the tv as having a single 2.1 port for anyone who wants to get the most out of the inbuilt streaming apps or insure they get the best audio from the gaming console or PC pushed back to the receiver/SSP from the tv. So people with 2 or 3 "next gen" gaming devices are SOL and have to choose which device will be properly connected to the tv. Or physically swap out what is connected to the 2.1 port every time they want to switch gaming devices.

I don't think Sony is the only one doing this either. Have manufacturers learned nothing from LG who has been doing 4 inputs since 2019.

What a cluster F$%&.

A way around that would be to get a soundbar or AVR with one or more HDMI 2.1 inputs.

But I agree that four would be better than two. Unfortunately, it will probably take another year or two before they get there.

[Black Sabbath]

If the 77" A9G hits $3500 again I'll probably snatch it up. I was hoping for $3000 but don't think it's likely anymore; it's been hovering at $4000 but I'm hopeful for any further drop now

The 83" A90J would be temping if it was $5000-6000 but not for $8000.

[samlop10]

1300+ nits measured on a 10% window on the 65” A90J model. More than likely that’s in Vivid mode, but it’s a good sign that the calibrated mode will still be over 1000 nits peak brightness. And given the graphic posted above by DDH, it’s likely Sony is using the metal sink heat on the back as well as a new panel to reach that brightness. Hopefully the color volume can keep up and that isn’t just an improvement in white-point brightness.

Very excited for this advancement in OLED tech.

https://youtu.be/c729BWD7HCo