M+E Connections

By Shannon Wingard

CULVER CITY, Calif. – Sony Electronics wants to up the ante in the 4K TV space.

On July 20, the consumer electronics company debuted its Z series of 4K TVs, sets the company touts as offering an unmatched real-world viewing experience.

Sony showed off the displays at sister company Sony Pictures, giving members of the media a first look at TVs that are considered a step up from the company’s X series. Sony’s new Z line-up of 4K high dynamic range (HDR) Ultra HD TVs offer brighter lights, darker darks, and more vibrant colors, the company said.

“It’s the brightest on the market, and seeing is believing,” said Mike Fasulo, president and COO of Sony Electronics, using a phrase that was repeated often during the unveiling.

During a side-by-side demonstration between popular LCD televisions and the Z series, the phrase gained merit with the difference in picture quality noticeable: Water from an ocean wave appeared as separate droplets on the Z series screen, while the same wave appeared as a smooth, solid body of water on another LCD television; oranges, yellows and reds appeared clear and vibrant in various screen shots on the Z series, while those same colors either changed in appearance, or lost their color altogether on other sets.

While the Z series TVs may be new, its 4K HDR technology is currently being used in both films and TV shows, and will soon be used to broadcast live Major League Baseball games over Direct TV. However, with the Z series, Sony officials say creative professionals can more fully utilize 4K HDR technologies.

Toshiyuki Ogura, chief distinguished engineer for Sony Visual Products, said the Z series was designed to help creative professionals like directors and cinematographers fully capture the essence of their work on the small screen.

He added that the Z series relies on two advanced technologies to make that possible: Backlight Master Drive technology, which Sony first announced as a prototype at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), is a precision blacklight boosting technology that expands brightness and contrast. Ogura said this technology creates clearer colors and a more distinct quality of picture.

Additionally, the Z series features a new 4K HDR X1 Extreme image processor, which was developed to enhance the 4K viewing experience. Ogura said the processor makes use of object-based 4D remaster, dual database processing, and super bit mapping technologies, to help create a smoother picture.

While consumers were also in mind, Fasulo said creative professionals were consulted to design the Z series, since variations in color and picture quality can detract from a director’s original intent. “It’s about consumer and consumer choice, and how we deliver it,” Fasulo said.

Bill Baggelaar, SVP of technology at Sony Electronics, summed up why he believes the Z series is ground-breaking technology: “It offers visually stunning experiences that will immerse you like never before.”

The Z series includes 65-inch, 75-inch and 100-inch models, with both the 65-inch and the 75-inch versions available for pre-order now, and available in stores this summer. The 65-inch model is priced at $6,999, while the 75-inch has a $9,999 SRP. Details on pricing and availability for the 100-inch class will be announced later this year.