New Sony 4k TV purchase

[milner993]

So I have reviewed and reviewed as much as I can all the 4K televisions in my price bracket and on Sunday I finally bought a Sony KD-49x8309c (49".
The TV looked the best quality and picture for the money I wanted to spend and getting it home and set up I know I made the rite choice, displaying 4K content either via youtube, Netflix etc is beautiful a massive improvement over my 6 year old LG TV.
I use a PS4 and PS3 and although I haven't used the PS3 yet the PS4 works fine and the movies and gameplay are amazing.
viewing TV in HD is great as the TV has a built in processor that's meant to upscale and broadcast content to 4K resolution however I cant say I have noticed any difference with non HD channels.
If your looking for a good TV I would recommend this one.

If you have this TV let me know what you have done to improve the picture quality over non HD TV content as I'm sure I don't have the correct settings set up.

[JustinP1]

milner993 said:

however I cant say I have noticed any difference with non HD channels.

Standard definition has to be roughly expanded four times to fit the pixels of an HD TV. HD needs to be expanded four times again to fit the pixels of 4k/UHD.



Imagine your SD input is the little box in the bottom left - you are spreading that over the 4K screen.

So, understandably, it's asking a lot to make it much better. The 'fault' as such is that the source material is of low resolution, and there's not a huge about that can be done with that to 'add' resolution back in - as it was never there in the first place.

[milner993]

JustinP1 said:

milner993 said:

however I cant say I have noticed any difference with non HD channels.

Standard definition has to be roughly expanded four times to fit the pixels of an HD TV. HD needs to be expanded four times again to fit the pixels of 4k/UHD.



Imagine your SD input is the little box in the bottom left - you are spreading that over the 4K screen.

So, understandably, it's asking a lot to make it much better. The 'fault' as such is that the source material is of low resolution, and there's not a huge about that can be done with that to 'add' resolution back in - as it was never there in the first place.

Thank you makes sense.

[Ej74]

Is the TV a 2014 or 2015 model ?
Does it have HDCP 2.2 computability ?
How poor does the SD feed look ?

Cheers in advance

[milner993]

The Tv is a 2015 model Sony KD-49x8309c
full spec here https://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/content/cnt-spec...

looking over the spec the TV does have HDCP 2.2 so will be compatible for all future 4k content.
The SD having now changed a couple of settings is fine it's certainly not worse than my old TV it's maybe a little bit better in places.
I'm still getting used to the TV as the manual is rubbish so lots of internet forum searches.
I have no complaints I would buy this TV again.

[Ej74]

Cheers for that

I have narrowed my personal list to either a Sony or Panasonic - whatever is cheaper in the Black Friday Sales (I won't be venturing in stores !)

Sony BRAVIA KD55X8005C
Panasonic VIERA TX55CX680B
Panasonic VIERA TX50AX802B

[milner993]

Sony has Android TV which is powered by google so it's always going to have updates unlike a lot of in house smart TV systems which the manufacture might stop updates for a certain model, I know this to be true for Panasonic as my dad's TV Panasonic has said they have now stopped updating the smart features and the TV is only 3/4 years old £1500 55" Viera so not a cheap TV.

[sidaorb]

Popped into Currys today to have a look at a Samsung 48JU7000 having read up on lag rates etc for gaming, the 55 inch version of the Sony was playing nearby, got chatting to the salesman who pointed out the 49 inch Sony.

He then played me identical files both HD and 4k on both units, I have to say the HD upscaling on the Sony blew the Samsung out of the water and the 4K gave that stunning 'depth' that I have been looking for. At £300 pound cheaper AND with a free soundbar at the moment methinks I'll be going with the Sony.

Now to persuade SWMBO

ETA - How do blu-rays look with the upscaling?

Edited by sidaorb on Friday 6th November 18:27

[alxce]

I picked up the Sony KD-55X8509C with CT780 sound bar/woofer on Monday. I am using it to replace a 3 year old Panasonic plasma with Pioneer/Kef surround set up.

I read the 260+ page Sony community forum thread beforehand along with a bunch of other reviews but as a Sky customer I have no use for YouView, so that particular problem does not matter to me. All the other things people have been complaining about appear to have been fixed with last week's software release.

So, what do I think of it? Over the moon! Tremendous picture and great sound. in answer to your Blu-ray question, I watched some of Titanic yesterday evening as a test and I was very impressed, very high detail and actor's complexions that I could probably do without

All in all, a great system at a great price.

[milner993]

I will add that the latest update has now added the Youview player now which works fine although I have no need for this feature as I'm a BT customer anyway.

I haven't watched any blu-rays on it yet but I have viewed 4k content via Youtube which is outstanding.
I run a ps4 with the TV and its a joy to play games I have noticed a small amount of lag on Gta but a few tweaks with the settings and that's now very minimal not enough to even notice.
For the price I don't think you will find a better TV.

[Ej74]

Hi Mate

What did you end paying for the Sony KD-55X8509C ?

Was it 999 ?.

Cheers

[alxce]

Hi, yes it was the Currys £999 deal and I added in the sound bar as it was half price.
On YouView, I know it was finally added through the update but people are still complaining that it screws up other things if you enable it. Fortunately none of them are Sky related.

[sidaorb]

milner993 said:

I will add that the latest update has now added the Youview player now which works fine although I have no need for this feature as I'm a BT customer anyway.

I haven't watched any blu-rays on it yet but I have viewed 4k content via Youtube which is outstanding.
I run a ps4 with the TV and its a joy to play games I have noticed a small amount of lag on Gta but a few tweaks with the settings and that's now very minimal not enough to even notice.
For the price I don't think you will find a better TV.

What settings have you changed? Other than tweaking colour and contrast a bit I haven't touched it. GTA looks really good but Metal Gear Solid V looks stunning.

[milner993]

I found these settings online and it has given me a more natural image for everyday viewing

When playing the Ps4 I switch to game mode and increase the brightness and contrast slightly.


Picture Adjustments
Picture Mode - Standard
Auto Picture Mode - Off
Brightness - 40
Light Sensor - Off
Color - 55

Brightness
Brightness - 40
Contrast - Max
Gamma - 2
Black Level - 75
Black Adjust - Off
Advanced Contrast Enhancer - Off

Color
Color - 55
Hue - 0
Color Temperature - Warm
Advanced Color Temperature - No Adjustments
Live Color - Medium

Clarity
Sharpness - 60
Reality Creation - Auto
Resolution - 65
Mastered In 4K - Off
Random Noise Reduction - Auto
Digital Noise Reduction - Auto

Motion
Motionflow - Standard
Smoothness - 3
Clearness - 2
CineMotion - High

[varsas]

Went to John Lewis today on the lookout for a new 55inch 4k TV, even though I had already decided on the Samsung '6800 or '7000. My last two TV's have been Samsung.

After having phsyically seen a few TV's (including the Samsung 6800), and a very helpful salesman that pulled the pen drives from a few other TV's so I could directly compared I'm going for the

KD55X8509CBU

as well.

The picture was better than the other TV's at the price (including the Samsung's, although not as good as the high-end £2kish LED's or the OLED), and I really like the design; with the elegant stand and thin bezel. After doing some reading I understand it is (or will be) HDR compliant too. Just shows what actually going in and seeing a TV can do, I would never have considered the Sony before.

[Patch1875]

varsas said:

Went to John Lewis today on the lookout for a new 55inch 4k TV, even though I had already decided on the Samsung '6800 or '7000. My last two TV's have been Samsung.

After having phsyically seen a few TV's (including the Samsung 6800), and a very helpful salesman that pulled the pen drives from a few other TV's so I could directly compared I'm going for the

KD55X8509CBU

as well.

The picture was better than the other TV's at the price (including the Samsung's, although not as good as the high-end £2kish LED's or the OLED), and I really like the design; with the elegant stand and thin bezel. After doing some reading I understand it is (or will be) HDR compliant too. Just shows what actually going in and seeing a TV can do, I would never have considered the Sony before.

Don't think there's much difference between the equivalent Sony and Samsungs probably just down to your preference although the smart stuff works better on the Samsungs.

[Flip Martian]

Not sure how relevant it is for 4k models but when I bought my HD tv a couple of years ago in John Lewis, the assistant was demonstrating how Samsungs are actually set up to look great "in store" under the harsh lighting - and the colours can look "cold and slightly harsh" when viewed at home; while Sonys may not be quite as impressive until "played around with a bit" they actually have a warmer colour tone which many prefer.

She sold me the cheaper tv of the ones I was looking at - the Sony.

[a4cabrio]

I have the 55" Sony as well, I've paired it up with the Sony ht-nt3 sound bar and considering it's only a 2.1 the sound is very good, I'd recommend it if anyone was on the lookout for a sound bar

[milner993]

Has anyone noticed any problems with the chromecast not working and problems syncing connected equipment via the HDMI inputs since the last update? I have to turn the TV off at the mains to get my BT youview box to display an image from time to time.

[Andy M]

I bought the 'Sony KD-55X8005C 55-Inch 4K UHD Widescreen Smart TV with Freeview' yesterday for £599 on one of Amazon's Lightning Deals.

Is it any good? I didn't research it beforehand - I was only visiting Amazon to buy a pair of gloves - but have now seen some negative feedback re: the Android software.