“It’s time to reintroduce HDR,” according to Sony’s distinguished chief engineer Toshiyuki Ogura, who has been working and developing HDR (high dynamic range) technology since its inception. Speaking at Sony’s Spring Home Theater Showcase in March, Ogura was referring in part to the company’s latest LED TV technology, which Sony hopes will help reshape the future of HDR and bring viewers closer to the intent of the creators.
Through a whirlwind of demos across Sony Pictures’ sprawling production lot, the event gave critics like me an unprecedented look behind the scenes and behind the scenes. screensfrom Sony’s new home theater creations for 2024. Highlights included Sony’s dazzling new flagship mini LED TV, the Bravia A9, along with three other new 2024 TVs that represent a subtly different approach to last year’s line.
We also got a look at other new gear, from Sony’s updated fleet of sound bars to its powerful new professional monitor, the HX3110, designed to set the standard for film and TV mastering for years to come. Here are some first impressions of the latest from Sony Home Theater.
What’s in a name?
Sony told us that part of its goal this year was to streamline and simplify its home theater lineup by 2024. As part of that process, Sony’s top OLED and LED TVs will no longer be separated by their A-series naming conventions. and the X series, respectively. Instead, all new TVs (OLED and LED) will have the A Series moniker.
The new flagship A9 mini LED TV sits at the top of the new line-up and replaces last year’s X95L. Below is the update to last year’s A80L OLED TV, now called Bravia A8. Next up is the Bravia A7, another new mini LED TV and finally the cheapest of the new generation, the A3 LED TV. In a surprise move, Sony’s flagship A95L OLED TV (8/10, WIRED recommends) won’t receive an upgrade, but will still be available as an alternative to the A9.
I’m all for simpler names, but I’d argue that the new system is actually more confusing for buyers, since there’s no easy way to differentiate between OLED and LED. I even mixed up the A7 mini LED and A8 OLED TVs in a demo, and naturally expected the step-down LED TV to come directly after the A9 in the batting order. Meanwhile, the A95L seems adrift without a numerical connection.
While I can’t speak to Sony’s intent, the confusion of opposing panel technologies comes as the brand appears to be moving away from its outsourced OLED TV panels and entering the brightness wars with its made-in-house LED and mini LED panels. home. We’ll have to see how it all plays out (the new mini LED TVs look pretty impressive so far), but I expect buyers to be scratching their heads this year.
The new itch
Sony’s latest mini LED TVs offer multiple improvements over last year, including higher brightness and more dimming zones for better backlight control. But before we see the final result, Sony gave us a peek behind the curtain to show that its new backlights are not only brighter, but also better at understanding content.
Bravia A9 LED TVPhotography: Ryan Waniata