PRESS RELEASE
LAS VEGAS — January 6, 2020 — (CES, Booth #17300) — Sony Europe today announced a wide array of advanced new televisions including the new ZH8 8K Full Array LED, A8 (55” and 65”) and A9 (48”) 4K OLED, and XH95 and XH90 4K Full Array LED sets. Sony’s new TV line-up encapsulates the very best of its proprietary technologies to truly deliver the creator’s intent on screen. With this new range, Sony aims to offer the most immersive experience on the market, with industry-leading picture quality, innovative sound and seamless user experience framed in premium large screens.
By utilising Sony’s best-in-class Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate, clear and precise picture quality is achieved for a highly realistic viewing experience. Premium quality sound is a key part of the viewing setup as well, and the new models feature Sound-from-Picture Reality™, which gives customers the feeling that sound is coming directly from the screen.
The new models will continue to deliver the creator’s intent with Netflix Calibrated Mode, offering studio-quality Netflix content, and IMAX® Enhanced™ (in select models), which brings the IMAX Experience into the home by offering a new level of sight, sound and scale.
Sony’s new TVs will also introduce Ambient Optimization, a new technology that optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment. It will automatically adjust the picture brightness to the ambient light in the room, boosting the brightness in bright rooms and reducing in dark rooms for the perfect view. It even detects objects in the room, such as curtains and furniture that can absorb or reflect sound, fine-tuning the acoustics so your sound isn’t compromised.
In addition to Ambient Optimization, the new Sony TVs will feature a new Immersive Edge design concept. In order to create even more viewing immersion, a discrete stand is now located at the edge of the screen. The minimalist stand is hardly noticeable, offering customers an improved and unobstructed viewing experience.
For the upcoming next generation gaming consoles, select new models will support 8K resolution, 4K 120fps high frame rate and fast response time via HDMI inputs to deliver their maximum performance for a cutting-edge gaming experience.
New Sony TV line-up highlights
- ZH8’s new Frame Tweeter: The most immersive experience is realised through enhanced picture quality, slim design and Sound-from-Picture Reality™ with Sony’s new Frame Tweeter technology. The frame tweeter vibrates the frame of the TV to emit sound, giving customers the feeling that sound is coming directly from the screen.
- X-Motion Clarity for OLED: This revolutionary, highly-acclaimed best-in-class technology from Sony will now be available for OLED, refining action on the screen in real time with an incredible refresh rate to make it brighter, clearer and more fluid than ever before for an unparalleled sports viewing experience.
- X-Wide Angle expansion: X-Wide Angle technology provides vivid real-world colours from any angle while retaining more colour and brightness than other conventional LED TVs. Enjoy a great picture with incredible range and depth from anywhere in the room. To offer even more choice to customers, the XH95 4K Full Array LED TV will come with X-Wide Angle in the 55” size and above.
- Full-Array LED expansion: Sony’s Full-Array Local Dimming and Boosting technology dynamically changes the light levels in sections of the screen depending on the content, resulting in a dramatic increase in contrast and brightness. By accurately balancing the light output across the screen, darker scenes get darker and brighter scenes get brighter as the creator intended. This premium feature will now be available on the mid-range XH90 4K Full Array LED TV.
- Backlit remote: You can now enjoy your viewing experience in darker environments with the ZH8’s and XH95’s premium aluminium backlit remote.
- Android TV™: The new line-up will feature Android TV with the Google Assistant[1], Google Play Store and Chromecast built-in, which offers users easy access to content, services and devices via its extensive platform. Sony’s original user interface menus and voice controls are also enhanced for better daily use. Expanded voice control functions enable users to enjoy live TV, apps and connected devices hands-free[2].
- Hands-Free capabilities2: Sony’s voice-activated TVs work alongside Google Assistant to provide a smarter viewing experience. Ask the Assistant to search for the latest blockbuster, stream shows, or open multiplayer games. Have it dim the lights by connecting smart home devices. Manage tasks and see your calendar. Or ask it questions and see the answers on your TV.
- Smart Speaker Compatibility: With the Google Assistant[3] and Amazon Alexa[4] enabled devices, you may cast and control videos from YouTube with Google Home or change the channel or volume with Amazon Alexa enabled devices.
- Easy connectivity to most devices: With Apple® AirPlay® 2, users can stream movies, music, games and photos to their television right from their iPhone®, iPad® or Mac®. Apple HomeKit™ technology provides an easy, secure way for users to control their television from their iPhone®, iPad® or Mac®[5].
New Sony TV models and key features
ZH8 (85” and 75” models) 8K Full Array LED TV
- Delivers Sony’s super high 8K contrast and lifelike picture quality to more users
- Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate and 8K X-Reality PRO; pictures are sharpened and refined in real time, and images are upscaled closer to true 8K quality using Sony’s exclusive 8K database
- New Frame Tweeter technology offers immersive experience through enhanced picture quality, slim design and Sound-from-Picture Reality™
- Offers a new backlit remote so customers can enjoy their viewing experience in darker environments
- Two-position stand allows customers to position the TV on smaller cabinets
- New Ambient Optimization optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment. It will automatically adjust the picture brightness to the ambient light in the room, boosting the brightness in bright rooms and reducing in dark rooms for the perfect view
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- Features hands-free capabilities
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
- 4K 120fps compatible
- https://youtu.be/9D8bWEr6MhI
A8 (65” and 55” models) 4K OLED TV
- Features Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate, providing the ultimate 4K HDR viewing experience with the following technologies: Object-based Super Resolution, Object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping™ 4K HDR and Dual database processing
- Features Pixel Contrast Booster, over eight million self-illuminating pixels and Sony-original panel controller for OLED that brings a significantly enriched visual experience with unprecedented black, authentic colour and a wide viewing angle
- X-Motion Clarity for OLED: This revolutionary, highly-acclaimed best-in-class technology from Sony will now be available for OLED, refining action on the screen in real time to make it brighter, clearer and more fluid than ever before for an unparalleled sports viewing experience
- Two subwoofers improve and enhance Acoustic Surface Audio™
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- New Ambient Optimization optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment. It will automatically adjust the picture brightness to the ambient light in the room, boosting the brightness in bright rooms and reducing in dark rooms for the perfect view
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
- https://youtu.be/aT3FOGfoSck
A9 (48” model) 4K OLED TV
- Newly added 48” size meets consumer demand for smaller, premium quality OLED TVs
- Small and central aluminium stand provides users with flexibility in smaller spaces
- Offers best-in-class picture quality in a smaller size
- Includes Sony’s premium OLED TV features, including Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate, Pixel Contrast Booster and Acoustic Surface Audio™
- X-Motion Clarity for OLED: This revolutionary, highly-acclaimed best-in-class technology from Sony will now be available for OLED, refining action on the screen in real time to make it brighter, clearer and more fluid than ever before for an unparalleled sports viewing experience
- New Ambient Optimization optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment. It will automatically adjust the picture brightness to the ambient light in the room, boosting the brightness in bright rooms and reducing in dark rooms for the perfect view
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
XH95 (85”, 75”, 65”, 55” and 49” models) 4K Full Array LED TV
- Features Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate providing the ultimate 4K HDR viewing experience with the following technologies: Object-based Super Resolution, Object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping™ 4K HDR and Dual database processing
- Features full-array local dimming backlight with X-tended Dynamic Range™ PRO that ensures 6 times the contrast of our conventional LED TVs
- X-Wide Angle technology provides vivid real-world colours from any angle while retaining more colour and brightness than other conventional LED TVs. Enjoy a great picture with incredible range and depth from anywhere in the room. To offer even more choice to customers, the XH95 4K Full Array LED TV will come with X-Wide Angle in the 55” size and above.
- Features improved Acoustic Multi-Audio, Sound-from-Picture Reality™ concept with a bi-amp system, which controls the main speaker and invisible tweeter separately, and an X-Balanced Speaker, a new speaker unit that packs clear sound in a slim design (bi-amp, X-Balanced Speaker only available for the 55”, 65” and 75” screen sizes; Acoustic Multi-Audio for 55” and above)
- Flush Surface design offers sleek, bezel-less look (55”, 65” and 75” models only)
- New Ambient Optimization optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment. It will automatically adjust the picture brightness to the ambient light in the room, boosting the brightness in bright rooms and reducing in dark rooms for the perfect view
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- Features hands-free capabilities (available for 55” and above)
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
- https://youtu.be/fuDFboiMA60
XH90 (85”, 75”, 65” and 55” models) 4K Full Array LED TV
- 4K HDR Processor X1™ reproduces more depth, textures and natural colours with Object-based HDR remaster technology
- Features full-array local dimming backlight with X-tended Dynamic Range™
- New mid-range Full Array LED model to provide consumers with increased variety
- Offers Acoustic Multi-Audio with X-Balanced Speaker (65” model and above only; X-Balanced Speaker will be utilised in all inches)
- New Ambient Optimization optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment. It will automatically adjust the picture brightness to the ambient light in the room, boosting the brightness in bright rooms and reducing in dark rooms for the perfect view
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- Diamond cut bezel for slim design
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
- 4K 120fps compatible (via a future software update)
- https://youtu.be/e3X4fDQAaIA
XH85 (49”, 43” models) 4K TV
- 4K HDR Processor X1™ reproduces more depth, textures and natural colours with Object-based HDR remaster technology
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- Metal blade stand and elegant aluminium bezel
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
XH81 (65”, 55”, 49” and 43” models) 4K TV
- 4K HDR Processor X1™ reproduces more depth, textures and natural colours with Object-based HDR remaster technology
- X-Balanced Speaker, a new speaker unit that packs clear sound in a slim design (55” and above)
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Metal Blade stand and hairline finish bezel
- Premium aluminium remote control
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
XH80 (85”, 75”, 65”, 55”, 49” and 43” models) 4K TV
- 4K HDR Processor X1™ reproduces more depth, textures and natural colours with Object-based HDR remaster technology
- X-Balanced Speaker, a new speaker unit that packs clear sound in a slim design (55” and above)
- Dolby Vision™ and Dolby Atmos™ compatible
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- Blade stand and hairline finish bezel
- Works with Smart Speakers, including Google Home and Amazon Alexa enabled devices
- Easy connectivity to most devices, including Apple® AirPlay® 2, HomeKit™
- Quick access to an array of content and services with Android TV
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
X70 (65”, 55”, 49” and 43” models) 4K TV
- The 4K X-Reality™ PRO technology upscales and sharpens every image closer to true 4K quality, constantly revealing more refined details and nuances in the scene
- TRILUMINOS™ Display reproduces the subtle nuances of colour, light and gradation from video lens to living room
- ClearAudio+ fine tunes TV sound for an immersive, enriching experience that seems to surround you. Hear music and dialogue with greater clarity and separation, whatever you’re watching
- Built-in Internet browser to enjoy shows and films through popular streaming apps with instant one-click access to Netflix and YouTube apps
- Custom Mode, along with Sony's other calibrated viewing modes, provides various viewing options to suit customers’ tastes while faithfully preserving the creator’s intent
Pricing and availability
Pricing and retail availability will be announced later.
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/televisions/zh8-series
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/televisions/a8-series
https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/televisions/xh95-series
[1] Feature availability depends on country and availability of compatible products.
[2] Available on ZH8 and XH95 55” and above.
[3] Google Home device (sold separately) compatible with Sony Android TV devices. Requires compatible devices connected to the same wireless home network. Download the Google Home app from the iPhone App Store or Google Play. Subject to third party app terms and conditions. User must link compatible devices in order to control operation. Once download is complete, the Google Home feature may be connected to the Sony device to access the voice control function.
[4] Amazon Alexa enabled devices (sold separately) compatible with Sony Android TV devices. Amazon account required. Subscriptions may be required to access certain content. Sony TV and Alexa devices both require internet connection. Amazon, Echo, Alexa, and all related logos are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
[5] Apple® AirPlay® 2 and HomeKit™ features will be available on FY19 models ZF9, AF9, ZG9, AG9, XG95 and XG85 (85”, 75”, 65” and 55”) and FY20 models ZH8, A9, A8, XH95, XH90, XH85, XH81 and XH80. AirPlay 2 and HomeKit features require an iOS device running iOS 12.3 or later or a Mac running macOS 10.14.5. Apple, AirPlay, HomeKit, iPhone, iPad, Mac, and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Firmware update is required via network.
