[ad_1]
Sony’s X90K TV series are the company’s 4K LCD models for 2022, slotting in between the high-end X95K and high-end X85K and X80K sets. The main difference between the X95K and X90K models is Sony’s use of a smaller LED flash on the front, with the X90K instead using a regular LED flash with full-range local dimming – an advanced feature not available on the X85K and X80K TV.
Sony sent us a 65-inch X90K of its series, and I was running the first tests to get a sense of what it can do while using it as my main television. Last year’s version of this set, the Sony X90J series, currently sits on our list of the best 4K TVsso I was eager to open it up and find out how it compared.
What’s immediately clear is that the X90K is a great price: Sony originally cost $1,499 in the US for the 65-inch model, and that price has dropped to $999 / £1,299 / AU$2,295. These are compatible Black Friday saleshuman beings!
For the price, Sony offers a lot here. The X90K series uses the XR Triluminos Pro panel for improved color reproduction and the Cognitive Processor XR and XR 4K upscaling. Sony’s custom video processing was first-rate, and that advantage was immediately apparent when viewing images with the X90K.
Dolby Vision support is on board (alas, no HDR10 +) and there is IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Vision Day and Night, and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated picture modes. Up front, you get Google TV and Google Assistant, as well as AirPlay 2 support.
Players will be happy to know that the X90K series is one of Sony’s Perfect for PlayStation 5 series, with its two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4K 120Hz video input, as well as VRR and ALLM. Compatible with PS5 TVs, it also features Sony’s HDR Tone Map, which enables HDR settings for the console’s game input in the initial settings.
Here is the full list of X90K TV features:
- 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch screen size
- Cognitive Processor XR
- XR Triluminos Pro
- XR 4K Upscaling
- Dolby Vision, Enhanced IMAX, and Netflix Adaptive Picture Modes
- Google TV and Google Assistant
- AirPlay 2
- Suitable for PlayStation 5
- Dual HDMI 2.1 input with 4K/120Hz, VRR, and ALLM
- ATSC 3.0 tuner
- Acoustic Center Sync to sync TV speakers with select Sony sound bars
- A multi-position low-profile and raised setup for a sound bar
- Bravia cam options for video chats
Our review of Sony’s 65-inch X90K 4K TV is in the works, but while you wait, these are some of the key takeaways from our first round of testing that should give you a good idea of what level of performance you can expect.
Good brightness and contrast
The 65-inch X90K showed an average brightness: we measured 964 nits (in a white window of 10%) in standard HDR picture mode, and 450 nits in Cinema HDR mode. While the brightness level will be fine in most viewing areas, and on par with the best OLED TVs, high-end LCD sets that use mini-LED lighting like Samsung QN95B can deliver more than twice that amount. Even small LED-backlit models such as Hisense U8H it can output nearly 1,800 nits in its Theater HDR mode.
As with other LED-backlit LCD TVs with full-field illumination, the Sony X90K can completely block its backlight to achieve total darkness and thus “infinity infinity.”
Wide color gamut
When we measured the X90K’s coverage of DCI-P3, the color gamut used to make digital movies and 4K Blu-ray discs, with Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software (opens in a new tab), came in at 95%. It’s slightly lower than the 97% we measured for the Hisense U8H mini-LED model and full coverage from Sony itself. A80K OLED Television. However, that level of performance is normal for LED-backlit models, and I can’t say that the 4K / HDR images I saw were lacking when it comes to color richness.
Low input lag
With its HDMI 2.1 features and Ultimate PlayStation 5 specs, the X90K is well equipped for gaming, and the excellent 13.8ms input lag we measured in Game mode ensures it’s more than up to it. There are other TVs that do a little better on this parameter, but not by much. Otherwise, there are no clear image settings beyond Sony’s default settings and Auto HDR tone mapping which kicks in when you plug in the PS5.
Sony X90K: The budget PS5-friendly Sony TV of your dreams?
With Black Friday TV deals happening now, the 65-inch X90K looks like a great choice for gamers on a budget. You’ll have to spend twice as much to step up to the company’s X95K model with a mini-LED backlight, which may offer better brightness, but otherwise seems to duplicate most of the same X90K features.
We’re going to dive deep into this Sony TV program for a full review, so stay tuned.
[ad_2]
Source link