Sony Android TV Series

[corElement]

The x8500 is good but the black levels are nothing compared to the deep black panels of the HX series.

Also, big thing thats stopping me from buying a x8500 is that it does not support 4:4:4 chroma for computer pixel perfect use. Which is unacceptable for 3rd gen 4k. Samsung lg and even panasonic offers it (panasonic ax has complete display port)

 

[parthiru]

Got an update for the TV... 5.0.1 to 5.1.1

 

[anup_ja]

Got an update for the TV... 5.0.1 to 5.1.1

Dis you see any noticeable change. I can only see the support for dualshock 4 controller. Nothing much.

 

[parthiru]

Dis you see any noticeable change. I can only see the support for dualshock 4 controller. Nothing much.

Opera store is added.

But now cast is not working properly.... It keeps on loading and displays error...

 

[shawn_pro]

The x8500 is good but the black levels are nothing compared to the deep black panels of the HX series.

Also, big thing thats stopping me from buying a x8500 is that it does not support 4:4:4 chroma for computer pixel perfect use. Which is unacceptable for 3rd gen 4k. Samsung lg and even panasonic offers it (panasonic ax has complete display port)

Guys i have done exhaustive research on the points given by you..

Firstly there are no Monitors 40 inch and above with HDMI 2.0 ports in India.
So 4k @ 60hz with 4:4:4 chroma is out of question.

Secondly there are no TV's in the market with 4k @ 60hz with 4:4:4 in 40 to 49 inch sizes..
The TV's that have them are either flagship models or close to flagship series. So anything would be 2 Lakh+ Rupees..

the Panansonic AX series costs 3 Lakh+ in India and only comes in 2 sizes 5 inch and 65 inch models. i am sure no one would want to have a 5 or 55 inch screen TV as a regular monitor.. (I myself using a 32 inch Sony TV (32EX650) as my only desktop monitor)

Also having 4k @ 60 hz at 4:4:4 is not so bad after all, having checked many videos on Youtube.. Triluminous should conpensate somewhat for the 4:2:0 chroma sampling.. So as long as we are not too much content creator (Photo color accuracy or video editing) Chroma sampling at 4:2:0 should do just fine..

So its either go with flagship models of Samsung/LG/Panasonic for 4k @ 60hz with 4:4:4 which easily cost more than 3 Lakh+ else go for 43x8500c which offers modest features minus 3D at 89k...

What do you say now corElement??? Any suggestions or tips??? Anyone else want to comment on it??

Also i will personally check the black levels & Contrast of this model as of now Vijay Sales or Chroma does not have this model for display in their stores..

 

[corElement]

LG has 4k @60hz with 4:4:4 in their 2015 models. However they use IPS panels. The brand in question here is Sony, of who's none of the 2015 models have 4:4:4.

and Photo and text editing is exactly the purpose I was looking at sony displays for since I like sony PQ and Va panels their HX series had. However without 4:4:4 the pixel integrity of text will be spilled across multiple pixels like below.

And yes, there is no 40" monitor in India.



The issue here is the haphazard standards set for HDMI 2.0.

The black levels you won't be able to compare unless you've gotten used to a very dark panel like the HX that I have been for 4 years.

HDMI 2.0 should never have been released if it had such a bottleneck in bandwidth where tv's have to drop to 30hz or 4:2:0. Eitherway my personal opinion shouldn't hold you back from purchasing something that suits your needs. There are a lot of people like me out there who are pissed off at sony for not giving 4:4:4 in their 2015 model.

So I'll just wait till next year in hopes for a better model unless I can get a good deal on the x8500.

 

[shawn_pro]

Hey corElement

I have checked the review of US version (x850c) and they have received a firmware update which enables 4:4:4 chroma at 4k @ 60hz. Donno whether the x8500c would receive similar update in future.. Because if it does then it would be great for us who would want to use the TV as PC Monitor....

Link:
Sony X850C Review (XBR55X850C, XBR65X850C, XBR75X850C)

[Extracts]
Update: With the new firmware update PKG2.463.0010NAB, This TV now supports 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4. To enable this, go to Settings - External Inputs - HDMI Signal Format - Enhanced (new).

 

[corElement]

Holy $h!t are you serious!

Can someone with the x8500c confirm for us please?

 

[corElement]

Ah I see what they've done, they've stepped down from 10bit 4:2:0 to 8 bit 4:4:4. Clever but still a compromise of sorts. But imo it's fine because one can switch to 10bit when they don't want to do desktop/computer related work on the display

I too don't know if India


If someone has picked up the x8500c can you check if you're getting 4:4:4 @ 60hz from a computer please.

Go to settings->External inputs
It now has a section called "HDMI Signal Format" with choices for Standard/Enhanced. Enhanced being 4:4:4 @ 60hz

Also, can someone confirm if there is any HDR support yet?
This is from the Sony EU site which says there will be hdr for x85 series.

Sony Expands High Dynamic Range Compatible 4K Ultra HD TVs - Sony

 

[shawn_pro]

Hey corElement, i did little digging on the firmware updates..

The updates are been released for all x85c series

The Indian version got 1.17 GB update PKG2.465_0010PAB which mentions the changelog:

Support Restricted Profile for Android- Restricts Apps on Home menu
Support SonyLiv/Bigflix *
Support Opera TV store *
New Smile Shutter feature added to the Camera App *
3D glass pairing success message to be displayed
Improved upscaling picture quality

The last changelog is
Support HDMI - Ultra HD resolutions of 3840X2160 (4K) 50p/60p

but its not mentioned whether the chroma sampling would be 444 or the same 420.

Will try to chat/email with Sony India team and will post the update if i get any news..

Hoping for the best

 

[corElement]

If one can just check at a store if the "enhanced" option has appeared after update or not, then we'll know for sure.

 

[corElement]

Anyone had a chance to check up on the "Enhanced" option?

 

[shawn_pro]

Iam going to Vijay Sales on Friday with the firmware update on a USB drive.
Lets hope for the best..

 

[corElement]

see if there is hdr too :O

 

[shawn_pro]

I finally visited Sony's showroom (Borivali West) and demoed the updated 43x8500c model.

Firstly i was super impressed that post the firmware update the Android OS version now shows 5.1.1 (from 5.0)

Secondly i checked and now post update 4k @ 60hz with 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 they both are supported. I personally checked it in settings->HDMI input and found the enhanced option was now available..

My happiness soon turned pale as i checked the contrast levels of 8500c is really weak as corElement said. Its inferior to the 1080p model w950c. I compared it side by side for the same.. White is 43w950c was clear while in 43x8500c was greyiesh and not pure white. Infact color, white level and contrast was better on all other models including last year's but was weak on 43x8500c.

It seems the NON 3D version 43x8500c and 48x8500c have poor quality panels as compared to 55x8500c and w950c..
Note: the 55x8500c color and white level and contrast was on par with w950c.

Post my review with this series i am definitely not purchasing x8500c series. Iam really dissapointed with Sony's 43x8500c..

 

[corElement]

That's what I figured as well. the non 3d x8500c is pathetic. The model is selling based on the 55" model reviews. The w950c is also nothing special compared to 2011 and 2012's HX series with "Deep black" panels.

As usual, India is treated like the dumping ground for overpriced garbage. I was hoping you'd have found it different from my experience and that it was just me, but clearly it's not just me.

Sony's not taking India seriously.

 

[iamhaaris]

I am planning to buy 43x8500c after reading reviews here i got confused so please help me out should i go for this or consider other models or other brands.suggest me please.
thanks in advance.

 

[corElement]

The 43x8500c is the best model in it's budget however it does not have 3d.

It's an excellent set which now has 4:4:4 chroma making it practically a computer monitor.

If you get the 43x8500c I'd seriously recommend checking if there is 100hz 1920x1080p input - I know the 55" has it but if the 43" has it - it justifies the below average black levels.

 

[reju]

New update for India: sony_tvupdate_2015_2587_pab_auth.zip 09-Oct-2015 PKG2.587.0017PAB 1,200.00 MB

Applicable Models
KD-43X8300C, KD-43X8500C, KD-49X8000C, KD-49X8300C, KD-49X8500C, KD-55S8500C, KD-55X8000C, KD-55X8500C, KD-55X9000C, KD-65S8500C, KD-65X8500C, KD-65X9000C, KD-65X9300C, KD-75X8500C, KD-75X9100C, KD-75X9400C

This software update (version PKG2.587_0017PAB) provide the following benefits and improvements:

Support Camera App (Security App)*
Improves general software quality of the TV

 

[iamhaaris]

so should i go for 43x8500c? is it worth.?