Thomas J. Norton

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4K TV ReviewsLCD TV ReviewsTV Reviews
Sony XBR-65Z9F LCD Ultra HDTV Review
Thomas J. Norton  |  Oct 17, 2018  |  3 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $3,500

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressive HDR brightness
Excellent black level and shadow detail
Superior off-center viewing angle for LCD
Minus
Some backlight blooming artifacts
Unimpressive built-in sound

THE VERDICT
Sony’s Master Series Z9F LCD makes a strong claim for top-dog status in today’s Ultra HDTV market. It produces superb images, with enhanced off-center viewing so all guests will be happy at your next Super Bowl party.

In mid-2016, Sony launched a new flagship LCD design, the XBR-Z9D. The series incorporated Backlight Master Drive, a local dimming technology that was a big step forward in realizing the peak brightness potential of high dynamic range (HDR). The Z9D series has remained at the top of Sony’s TV lineup for two years—an eternity for UHDTV technology. But it now shares space with the new XBR-Z9F Master Series LCD models, which are available in 65- and 75-inch sizes, along with the company’s new A9F Master Series OLED TVs.

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4K TV ReviewsOLED TV ReviewsTV Reviews
Sony XR-65A80J OLED Ultra HDTV Review
Thomas J. Norton  |  Aug 04, 2021  |  4 comments

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Crisp resolution from Cognitive Processor XR
Ultra-wide viewing angle
Impressive shadow detail
Minus
Picture setup menu limitations
Minor black level issues with HDR

THE VERDICT
Sony's 65A80J delivers top-shelf video performance, HDMI 2.1 connectivity, along with many of the same features found in the company's flagship A90J OLED models at a significantly lower price.

Sony's new XR-65A80J OLED TV isn't a member of the company's Master Series—that designation belongs to its XR-A90J OLED models, which are spec'd to deliver higher brightness than the XR-A80J sets. And while we haven't yet tested those pricier Sony OLEDs, the XR-65A80J is far from being a second-class citizen.

The A80J's physical design is solid and well-executed. If you opt for a conventional installation instead of a wall-mount, its feet can be installed either 40 inches or 27.3 inches apart to accommodate a wide range of TV stands or cabinets, and they can also be slightly elevated to make space for a soundbar.

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Audio Video News
Sony's 2008 Line Show
Thomas J. Norton  |  Feb 27, 2008  |  0 comments
This year, as last, Sony held its annual line show at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas. While it is intended primarily for dealers—which explains the introduction of everything from televisions to digital voice recorders, computers, cameras, cell phones, and alarm clocks (in short, everything you'll see featured in Sony movies later this year)—the press was brought in to have the first look.
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CEDIA 2013
Sony's Big 4K
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 27, 2013  |  0 comments
In the market for a movie-theater size home theater with a projector to match. Sony has your number. This 4K giant is based on Sony's pro theater projectors, modified to be suitable for home theater, including HDMI inputs, of course. It can be yours for only $125,000. The lens is extra!
CEDIA 2013
Sony's Highlights Curved LCD HDTV
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 27, 2013  |  0 comments
Passersby wondered if this was an OLED set (no luck there&mdashSony showed no such product) or a 4K HDTV (despite Sony's clear 4K leanings, it wasn't that either.) Nor was it an XBR; all Sony XBRs are now 4K.

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CEDIA 2019
Sony's MicroLED Display Is Stunning
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 13, 2019  |  0 comments
Sony dazzled CEDIA showgoers with its Cinema Crystal LED (Micro LED) display, now available for home installation in screen sizes ranging from 109-inch diagonal to 65-feet!
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CES 2018
Sony's Previews Stunning X1 Ultimate Video Processing
Thomas J. Norton  |  Jan 11, 2018  |  1 comments
Sony’s premier video processor for 2018 may be the X1 Extreme, but there’s something even better in Sony’s lab.
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CEDIA 2018
Sony's Unveils Three 4K HDR Projectors
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 06, 2018  |  0 comments
Sony introduced three new 4K HDR projectors at the 2019 CEDIA EXPO: the VPL-VW295ES at $5000, the VPL-VW695ES at $10,000), and the VPL-VW995ES at $35,000. (Remaining in its extensive home projector lineup are the 4K VW5000ES and VW885ES, the 2K HW65ES and HW45ES, and the short throw 4K VZ1000ES).

The lamp-based VPL-VW295ES replaces the VPL-VW285ES, and is very similar to its predecessor in a number of ways—the same motorized lens but without lens memories, and no iris control, either manual or dynamic. But it adds a number if significant features...

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CEDIA 2017
Sound & Vision Struts its Stuff
Thomas J. Norton  |  Sep 09, 2017  |  0 comments
Recognize the logo?
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Other Tech
Sound Matters: High Definition Audio For High Defintion Video
Thomas J. Norton  |  Aug 03, 2010  |  0 comments
With all the fuss about the great images on HDTVs, particularly from Blu-ray, it’s easy to forget that sound is half the experience—maybe even more. Blu-ray offers more than just great video. By making use of its generous data-storage capacity and new ways to encode audio, it offers an audio experience that’s a significant step beyond the digital movie sound formats we’ve lived with. In fact, it’s arguably equivalent to the sound the engineers and filmmakers heard during the mastering session.
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