Sony’s new X800H may be a major improvement over last year’s G model, with interface tweaks and more powerful processing. Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos are added to the combination , along side a redesigned remote that finally seems like something that belongs with a Sony TV. Find more in Sony X800H 75 Inch TV 4K Ultra HD Review.
Price
The Sony X800H is out there in six screen sizes starting from a modest 43-inch version all the high to a big 85-inch model. We’ve tested the 65-inch version. Here’s how their prices stack up:
43-inch (Sony XBR-43X800H), MSRP $599.99
49-inch (Sony XBR-49X800H), MSRP $649.99
55-inch (Sony XBR-55X800H), MSRP $799.99
65-inch (Sony XBR-65X800H), MSRP $999.99
75-inch (Sony XBR-75X800H), MSRP $1,399.99
85-inch (Sony XBR-85X800H), MSRP $2,299.99
Sony X800H 75 Inch TV 4K Ultra HD Review
Design and features
The look of the 800 series is simply average, with a clear frame and v-shaped legs. It’s sturdily constructed overall, though there’s quite little bit of flex within the bezel. The 65-inch model I reviewed weighs almost 50 pounds with the legs, and measures a hair but 3-inches thick. All models feature a VESA mount point.
The 43-inch, 49-inch, 55-inch, and 75-inch X800H models choose $600, $650, $800, and $1,300, respectively. There’s also a $2,300/85-inch flavor. Yes, you pay quite lot for those last 10 inches. Also, those are all “class” sizes—the actual diagonal screen sizes are 0.4- to 0.5-inch smaller than their class.
All sizes feature a 60Hz, 3840×2160 (4K UHD) panel. The 55-inch and bigger sizes feature direct LED backlight (with no local dimming), while the 2 smallest sizes are edge lit. the colour technology is Sony’s standard Triluminos, and therefore the X800H supports HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range content additionally to the aforementioned Dolby Vision.
The port selection includes a coax antenna/cable jack, four HDMI 2.x ports, a 3.5mm composite/component/audio input, optical SP/DIF digital audio output, 3.5mm headphone output, two USB ports, RS-232C and IR jacks, also as 10/100 ethernet. There’s also 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2, though the latter seems to support only input devices.
New to the 800 series this year are Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos surround. Other supported services include Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, plus Apple’s AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. Being Android-based, you’ll also mirror your phone to the TV.
Remote and interface – Sony X800H 75 Inch TV 4K Ultra HD
This year’s X800H iteration now has the full-on Android TV interface instead of a light-weight version. It’s also now embedded within the processor for more agile performance. However, it’s still Android TV, which while attractive and straightforward to use, generally requires quite little bit of navigating about the homepage.
Sony, bless its heart, had alittle stroke of genius and decided to allow you to add apps to the input list. you’ll also remove unused items or inputs. One press of the input button and your favorite stuff, and only your favorite stuff is true there. If you simply do one or two things together with your TV as I do, you’ll like it .
Of course, once you do desire snooping about the homepage, you can’t beat Android TV for the sheer number of apps it offers. it’s in any case , an equivalent Android (mostly) that’s on your phone.
Sony has also done some work on the settings menu, with inline help explaining the settings, along side some explanatory images. Now if it might just separate “Display & Sound” and move them up one level, I’d be a true happy camper.
Sony’s redesigned TX500U IR remote is now one among my favorites. Unlike the huge older version, this one actually seems like it belongs with a Sony TV.
The long overdue remote redesign shows a number of an equivalent directness because the user input assignments. Physically, it’s far thinner and slimmer, though at 9-inches, it’s still a touch on the long side. Of course, that creates it harder to lose track of.
Along with a replacement svelte shape, the remote uses straightforward four-way cursor ring, replacing the previous model’s overwrought ring of six barely related functions. The new face-plate is classier looking and therefore the buttons are raised well above the surface, making it a breeze to navigate by touch. If touch won’t roll in the hay , there’s also voice control. beat all, much simpler and easier to use.
I don’t know what has changed at Sony, but it’s had a really positive effect on the interface .
Image and sound
The 75-inch X800H’s overall image with most material is in most ways within hailing distance of a number of Sony’s costlier TVs. regardless of the company did with the motion compensation, kudos. If I didn’t know otherwise, I might’ve mistaken this for a 120Hz set, despite the low price (for Sony). It’s hands-down the smoothest image I’ve ever seen from a 60hz set when the settings are tweaked.
There was also a lower incidence of moire and shimmer than with most of the competition. the shortage of zone dimming within the array back-lighting helps thereupon . However, quite a touch credit for both the motion quality and lack of pattern defects should attend this year’s upgraded processor and database of image enhancements.
Color accuracy and saturation are quite good, if almost as accurate like quantum dot sets. But anyone who swears by the Sony color profile, and there are many, are going to be pleased.
Sony’ X800H offers good color and brightness, also because the smoothest motion of any 60hz set we’ve reviewed.
The X800H’s weakness—one that it shares with all LCD TVs that lack local dimming (which changes the intensity of backlight behind darker image areas)—is that it doesn’t do black alright . Instead you get dark gray, and it’s not always that dark. This also affects contrast. In everyday viewing, this only noticeable during a very small percentage of fabric , but it’s quite noticeable once you view an evening sky or starfield.
HDR is rendered to decent effect given the contrast issue. you’ll definitely see more enter laser effects, etc. However, it’s not nearly as vibrant as you’ll see with TVs with local dimming. Or OLED in fact .
Sony’s HDR remastering may be a real-time process that seeks to endow HDR10 rendering with the advantages of dynamic metadata, i.e., frame-by-frame or scene-by-scene adjustment of color contrast. Dynamic metadata is a component and parcel of Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It did appear to form a small difference in overall dynamic range, though to a really slight degree thanks to the X800H’s contrast limitations.
Sound, as i discussed up top, is certainly better than what you’ll hear from the bulk of $1,000 65-inch TVs. You won’t immediately feel the necessity for external audio gear, though that desire might sneak up on you. Sadly, because the Bluetooth implementation doesn’t appear to support output (I tried linking several BT audio devices), you can’t use headphones without an external Bluetooth transmitter running off the headphone output.
Sony X800H 75 Inch TV 4K Ultra HD performance Review
Before testing each TV, we confirm the panel is on and receiving endless signal for a minimum of 24 hours, allowing the pixels many time to warm up. The Sony X800H received the quality warm-up time before any readings were taken.
For SDR tests, we used the Sony’s “Custom” picture setting. For HDR tests, we also used Sony’s “Custom” picture setting. We’ve chosen these settings due to their accuracy, but results may vary across picture modes.
We use a typical ANSI checkerboard pattern for many of our basic contrast tests—including those reported below—but we also use white and black windows starting from 2% to 90% to check how well the contrast holds up while displaying varying degrees of brightness.
I’ll expand on our test results throughout the review, except for now, here are some key takeaways:
• HDR contrast (brightness/black level): 522.9 nits/0.368 nits (ANSI checkerboard)
• SDR contrast (brightness/black level): 112.4 nits/0.097 nits (ANSI checkerboard)
• HDR peak brightness: 552.9 nits (ANSI checkerboard), 436.8 nits (50% white window)
• HDR color gamut coverage: 91% (DCI-P3/10-bit)
• SDR color gamut coverage: 100% (Rec.709)
Connectivity
The Sony X800H features a reasonably run-of-the-mill collection of inputs, with the sole stand-out feature being the inclusion of a USB 3.0 port. Here’s what you will find on the rear of the X800H’s panel:
• 4x HDMI 2.0 (1x ARC) ports
• 1x USB 2.0 port
• 1x USB 3.0 port
• Composite input
• LAN ethernet port, RF input, optical audio output
• 3.5mm headphone jack
Bottom line
There’s no 65-inch TV at this price point that i do know of with better features than the X800H, Bluetooth excepted. However, it’s also the primary 2020 TV I’ve tested and therefore the competition below $1,000 is extremely fierce. That said, the X800H should hold its own: the app/input assignment tweak is gold, and overall image and knowledge will certainly please those in search of that certain something Sony TVs deliver.
