4K TV Reviews

Unit-to-unit sample variations, the viewing environment, and the source might render these recommendations less than optimum. They are only provided as a potentially useful starting place.

The settings here that are most likely to translate reliably from one sample to another are those involving specific features with only a few selections, such as Gamma and Noise Reduction. The ones most likely to be subject to sample variations are video controls offering a wide range of adjustment, such as white balance or grayscale (Adv.color temperature on the Sony) and color management (Per color adjust on the Sony). Even relatively small differences in the common control settings, such as Contrast, Black level, and Gamma, can shift the white balance, though the resulting visible change may be minor or undetectable.

We strongly recommend that you find the optimum basic video settings for your sample by using one of the many available display setup discs, such as DVE HD Basics (Blu-ray) or the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark (for 4K/HDR). These will help you to set the basic controls, Black level, Contrast, Sharpness, and sometimes Color and Tint, correctly. Experimenting with the more complex color calibration and other controls in the user menus will do no harm; the changes may be easily reset. But adjusting these by eye is unlikely to produce an even close to accurate result and is no substitute for a full calibration. The latter is best left to a trained and properly equipped technician such as those certified by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) or THX.

2-point not used (SDR and HDR)

10-point (SDR and HDR)*

Per color adjustment (SDR and HDR)*

* The Adv. color temperature and Per color temperature controls are set in the initial HD/SDR calibration. The Sony then adjusts these settings (whether calibrated or in their factory settings) using internal look-up tables to provide an optimum result for Ultra HD and all forms of HDR. Do not attempt to alter these controls manually for UHD/HDR. Nothing will be harmed by doing so, but your changes will reflect back onto the SDR settings, degradin the HD/SDR calibration and providing unpredictable results.