It may not have been the most significant of Sony’s announcements today at IFA, but it’s certainly the largest: the company introduced the XBR-84X900, its first 4K TV. We got a closer look at the TV at a small event in New York City, and there were definitely a few gasps when the first footage — of an orchestra, of all things — came on screen. We spent a few minutes watching the TV’s montage of 4K video, and nearly everything we saw looked fantastic (other than the weirdly low-res volume display, that is). It sounded good, too, thanks to a ten-speaker array on the TV. Of course, our expectations are high given the likely sticker price of this beast: Sony plans to announce pricing next week, but rest assured it’s going to be a huge number.
Sony XBR-84X900: hands-on with 84 inches of 4K TV
Sony launched the XBR-84X900 today, and we got to spend some time with the giant TV.
Sony launched the XBR-84X900 today, and we got to spend some time with the giant TV.
is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired.
The question, as always: where will content come from? The TV can display footage up to 3,840 x 2,160 in resolution, but there’s not that much of the content out there. We asked Sony America COO Phil Molyneux that question, and his answer was basically “it’s coming later.” Sony recently launched a 4K camera, the FS700, and the company’s hoping that will help bring more content that’ll look great on the new screen. For now, though, upscaling’s the name of the game.
We got a chance to speak with Molyneux about Sony’s plans for 4K, and to take a look at just how good the new XBR really is, in the video below.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
