In the history of technology, 2010 will be remembered as the year that the consumer electronics industry launched 3D TV. All major television manufacturers are pulling their resources together to launch 3D televisions or have launched them already. Despite the fact that Samsung, LG and Panasonic have hit the US market with such products, many are still waiting to see what Sony will bring to the table. One of the best televisions (picture wise) in Sony’s upcoming 2010 3D BRAVIA lineup is most certainly the BRAVIA HX900 (aka HX909) series.
How does the HX900 compare to one of the greatest Sony TV’s of all time, the XBR8/XR1/X4500?
Before we begin, just know that both televisions mentioned here have the ability to display very bright whites and very dark blacks simultaneously. You see, the XBR8 and HX900 doesn’t depend on a single main backlight that’s always on. Instead, they clusters of LEDs to light the screen. This is far different than most other televisions that use edge-lit LED technology, as found in most TV’s today. The XBR8 and HX900 can turn off the LEDs in an area of shadow, but leave them on for bright sunlight. This incredible contrast allows scenes with both bright and dark areas to be displayed accurately.
The HX900 is a full-array white LED backlit panel with local dimming; the number of LED array zones is rumored to be almost identical to the XBR8. The Intelligent Dynamic LED controls individual LED blocks instead of the entire LED backlight. The improved efficiency of this backlight system reduces power consumption but provides incredibly high contrast ratios, delivering unbelievable contrast, the deepest blacks imaginable and brilliant whites. Meanwhile, the OptiContrast panel in the HX900 minimizes the reflection and refraction of external light and internal backlight. With the clear surface treatment, the display produces deeper images with superior levels of blackness even in bright rooms.
On top of these impressive technologies, the HX900 also boasts 3D compatibility, meaning it is 3D capable but you will need to buy the glasses and emitter (to make the glasses work) separately. Other notable features that set the HX900 above the XBR8 include 240Hz MotionFlow Pro, Bravia Engine 3, Ambient Sensor, and the ability to add Wi-Fi capability. The HX900 will be available in 46″ and 52″ sizes and most likely have a very competitive price point this summer.
These features play a strong role in helping the HX900 series overcome the high standard Sony set for themselves two years ago with the XBR8.
In the picture above taken several months ago, we can see the XBR8 on the left and the HX900 on the right – the difference in contrast is quite stunning. Both televisions are using the same feed.
The XBR8 was released in 2008; at that time, it was one of the first of its kind that had Triluminos backlit RGB LED with local dimming. It blew the door off black level performance and color reproduction in LCD screens at the time, and is still heralded as one of the best TV’s Sony has made to date. Most other backlighting systems in TV’s rely on a combination of white lights and color filters. But the Triluminos system actually uses pure red, green, and blue LEDs to produce the XBR8’s picture. That’s why XBR8s can produce 100% of the broadcast TV color range, which isn’t something many other HDTVs can do. You’ll see colors that look deeper, purer, and more accurate.
The XBR8 falls behind in terms of specification comparison (not talking about PQ here), and it has the best of what 2008 had to offer: 120Hz MotionFlow, Bravia Engine 2 Pro, Live Color, and several other features. The XBR8 does not have 3D compatibility, and came in two sizes – 46″ and 55″. Many reported issues with input lag – making gaming difficult unless the TV was put in gaming mode. However, gaming mode defeats the purpose of the high price of the XBR8 since it disables local dimming.
The XBR8 was also a power hog as well at 480W in full use, whereas the HX900 comes in at nearly half at 201W in full usage.
The reality of the situation is that Sony no longer produces the XBR8 – certain 55″ models can still be found (as they were produced in 2009) but they are most likely “used” at this point. Even a new in box situation would be suspect given the age of the product. If you are on the fence about these two products, looking forward, the HX900 seems to be the most sound investment. Those of you looking to upgrade from the XBR8 may have a tougher time deciding on the HX900, as the differences between XBR8 and the HX900 may not be strong enough to influence a new purchase, considering how much the XBR8 cost to begin with. However, the HX900 is the clear winner due to its added technologies and nearly identical image performance, despite the fact the XBR8 has backlit RGB LED’s.
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