Sony 2019 Z9G series 85" & 98" 8K Hi-Vision HDR TV

[Robert Zohn]

For 2019 Sony is launching it's 2nd generation of Ultra large 8K "Studio Master Series", the Z9G series that features an 8K 98" model that employees Sony's priority Backlight Master Drive technology.

Sony's highly acclaimed "Backlight Master Drive" has luminance level control of each individual LED bulb that are in the local dimming zones, which delivers a far more accurate and improved backlight control of the contrast ratio. So black bars are back and reduced LCD hallowing are down to a minimum.

Sony's new Z9G Master Series will be available Q2-Q3 2019 in 85" and 98" screen sizes.

Here's my video we shot at CES that shows off these stunning new 8K TVs.

https://www.facebook.com/ValueElectr...7486135021232/

[Robert Zohn]

Reserved for more information and pics of the Z9G series.

[DJR662]

Robert, were you present when they showed a scene from Jumanji (2017)?

This particular movie has black bars so I guess you know where I'm going at here...

[DJR662]

Whathifi preview:

https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/sony-zg9

[DJR662]

According to a Dutch website, Sony's new line up of TVs should be available in shops "real soon, possibly a matter of weeks now."

Let's see that 85" Z9G price!

[DJR662]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dz-...ature=youtu.be

30.000 Euros for the 85" Z9G? I wonder how much the 98" model would cost then?

[Robert Zohn]

All sizes (except for the 85") of Sony's 2019 X950G Series shipped today, a day earlier than the launch promise ship date!

Can't discuss other models ship dates at this time, but it looks like a slightly early launch year for select models and sizes from the 3 big players.

[DJR662]

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...9g_8k_hdr.html

Really curious for how much this will sell over here in Europe.

[JimShaw]

Robert

I'm very interested. I even stepped up and told my wife (Carolyn) I was really considering the 85 Z9G and you know what? I'm still able to sleep in my bed.

My guess is it will be in the Shootout this year, correct?

Carolyn asked me if I was going to the Shootout this year and I told her if I don't that's another $1,000 I can save up for the Z9G.

Keep bring it into conversations so when the time comes, she'll be use to it and it won't be a such a shock


.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

Robert

I'm very interested. I even stepped up and told my wife (Carolyn) I was really considering the 85 Z9G and you know what? I'm still able to sleep in my bed.

My guess is it will be in the Shootout this year, correct?

Carolyn asked me if I was going to the Shootout this year and I told her if I don't that's another $1,000 I can save up for the Z9G.

Keep bring it into conversations so when the time comes, she'll be use to it and it won't be a such a shock


.

I'm not interested in getting one anymore myself but I'm still actively pursuing any news on the 85" Z9G.

Digital Trends did a first hands on "review" a couple of days ago. I seem to remember the reviewer mentioned something about slightly elevated blacks that he could spot a couple of times...

It seems to be an amazing set regardless of the initial reports of apparently slight blooming issues. But there's a lot of unwanted stuff for me on this TV, with the X-wide angle view being my main concern. Also, and this is why I would be very interested in reading your observations should you decide to buy one, me coming from a 75Z9D also, I would expect the BMD on the Z9G to be even better and I'm also expecting a higher peak brightness.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by DJR662

I'm not interested in getting one anymore myself but I'm still actively pursuing any news on the 85" Z9G.

Digital Trends did a first hands on "review" a couple of days ago. I seem to remember the reviewer mentioned something about slightly elevated blacks that he could spot a couple of times...

It seems to be an amazing set regardless of the initial reports of apparently slight blooming issues. But there's a lot of unwanted stuff for me on this TV, with the X-wide angle view being my main concern. Also, and this is why I would be very interested in reading your observations should you decide to buy one, me coming from a 75Z9D also, I would expect the BMD on the Z9G to be even better and I'm also expecting a higher peak brightness.

I saw DT's review on YouTube which made me even more excited.

Before I purchase, I hope Robert puts one into the Shootout, then if all looks good, I probably will do it.

Hey, I'm getting old and no longer have the wait-time that I use to have.


.

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

I saw DT's review on YouTube which made me even more excited.

Before I purchase, I hope Robert puts one into the Shootout, then if all looks good, I probably will do it.

Hey, I'm getting old and no longer have the wait-time that I use to have.


.

I can relate to your enthusiasm regarding the anticipation of buying something new.

Hope this will meet your expectations. And remember when you actually have it, please report back here with your findings asap.

[DJR662]

First review is up, it's in Dutch so use Google Translate:

https://www.homecinemamagazine.nl/20...8k-led-lcd-tv/

They stress they did not spend the usual amount of time testing and calibrating.


Quick summary:

-Z9G uses zones (approx 700 according to this review) instead of independable controlled LEDs
-Apparentlty the TV has a chroma subsampling error
-Relatively low ansi contrast possibly due to X-wide filter
-Some blooming/haloing is apparent, subtitles pose a real problem (not mentioned if this is with HDR or SDR or both)
-3600 nits peak brightness (though not mentioned on what kind of window)
-white detail is shown up to 3500 nits, everything above gets clipped (so no Sony way of "dynamic" tone mapping it seems)
-89% P3
-X wide can also cause issues with reflections


Looking forward to reading more reviews, but I will await the next generation of Sony premium high end Sony TVs before I upgrade my current Z9Ds.

[Archivy]

Vin Teoh on YouTube (HDTV Test) also uploaded his video review today.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by Archivy

Vin Teoh on YouTube (HDTV Test) also uploaded his video review today.

I watched it and Vin loved the 85" stating that if he had the money, he would buy it


.

[Archivy]

Originally Posted by JimShaw

I watched it and Vin loved the 85" stating that if he had the money, he would buy it


.

Yeah, he honestly looked blown away. He more or less said it's the best consumer television he's ever seen unless you REALLY prioritize black levels (he said in that case he understands those who favor OLEDs). But certainly for LED LCDs it's the best consumer TV ever.

(Note: The Dolby Pulsar and the Sony mastering monitors are not consumer displays).

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by Archivy

Yeah, he honestly looked blown away. He more or less said it's the best consumer television he's ever seen unless you REALLY prioritize black levels (he said in that case he understands those who favor OLEDs). But certainly for LED LCDs it's the best consumer TV ever.

(Note: The Dolby Pulsar and the Sony mastering monitors are not consumer displays).

Reading (above) Blu-ray Ninja's thoughts, I thought that I would wait until the next Z9G upgrade and save a lot of money this year.

THEN I watched Vin's thoughts. Maybe I won't save money this year and go ahead and do it.

The truth be told, I'll wait until Robert has his Value Electronics ShootOut this year and then make my decision.


.

[Geoff D]

I'll spoil the results of the shootout for y'all: an OLED will win.

Anyhoo, I watched Vincent's review and I loved how excited he was by the TV because I'm all about that HDR too. Not HDR 'pop' for the sake of HDR 'pop' but the difference that high peak brightness specifically makes to HDR viewing is something that I can't imagine doing without, although the mentions of exaggerated blooming and a continued trade off in the blacks are a concern, for unless this is all due to the x-wide filter (grrrrrr) then ~3500 nits on a consumer LCD may just be too much light to manage with such a low zone count.

Not that 700+ zones isn't impressive for an FALD TV, but the 65" ZD9 already has 600+ zones so stretching that out to 700+ on an 85" panel (so it's almost a third bigger but only has like 17% more zones?) doesn't really compute. I'm sure it's still a cracking TV but it may yet carry one too many compromises at such a staggeringly high price point. Get rid of the x-wide angle stupidness, increase the zone count, try to get the gamut coverage to nearer 100% of P3 and give it an in-house tone mapping facility that compresses highlights above its 'native' capability and you'd have the perfect 4K HDR LCD TV.

[bluskiff]

But does it have 3D?

[DJR662]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

I'll spoil the results of the shootout for y'all: an OLED will win.

Anyhoo, I watched Vincent's review and I loved how excited he was by the TV because I'm all about that HDR too. Not HDR 'pop' for the sake of HDR 'pop' but the difference that high peak brightness specifically makes to HDR viewing is something that I can't imagine doing without, although the mentions of exaggerated blooming and a continued trade off in the blacks are a concern, for unless this is all due to the x-wide filter (grrrrrr) then ~3500 nits on a consumer LCD may just be too much light to manage with such a low zone count.

Not that 700+ zones isn't impressive for an FALD TV, but the 65" ZD9 already has 600+ zones so stretching that out to 700+ on an 85" panel (so it's almost a third bigger but only has like 17% more zones?) doesn't really compute. I'm sure it's still a cracking TV but it may yet carry one too many compromises at such a staggeringly high price point. Get rid of the x-wide angle stupidness, increase the zone count, try to get the gamut coverage to nearer 100% of P3 and give it an in-house tone mapping facility that compresses highlights above its 'native' capability and you'd have the perfect 4K HDR LCD TV.

This whole post pretty much reflects my thoughts, especially the bolded part.

BLNT, Sony...