Sony has unveiled a range of products at CES 2016, including its X93D series of Bravia 4K LCD TVs with HDR and a number of new audio offerings.
HDR is a focus of Sony’s new Bravia line-up, with support included in many of the new range’s models, “ready to take advantage of the new wave of HDR-enabled content”.
Starting this year, Sony states that it will brand its Bravia TVs capable of taking full advantage of 4K HDR content with a new “4K HDR” logo.
Debuting in the XD93 series is Sony’s Slim Backlight Drive, a new grid-array backlighting system, which Sony states was previously only achievable with full-array LED backlight systems.
“Combining it with X-tended Dynamic Range PRO, it will boost and dim the backlight to create brighter peak highlights and deeper blacks with up to three times the brightness range of conventional TVs,” Sony states.
“This technology manages the light source more accurately in each specific zone while still maintaining a slim profile.”
Meanwhile, Sony states Triluminos Display enhances the HDR picture, reproducing a wider colour range with accurate colour details at any brightness level, with the 4K Processor X1, Sony’s advanced image processing engine, enhancing colour, contrast and clarity.
The XD93 series, sporting a sleek and slim design with a virtually bezel-free screen, features Android TV, with voice search integrated into the main remote control.
– Home cinema
Sony has additionally added to its home cinema line-up, among a range of products unveiling the HT-NT5 premium High-Resolution Audio Sound Bar.
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Sony states the HT-NT5 echoes this year’s “Slice of Living” Bravia TV design concept, sporting a low-profile aluminium chassis, with neat cable management keeping connecting wires hidden within Bravia’s matching stand.
Six individual speakers are each driven by its own dedicated amplifier, with Sony stating the HT-NT5 delivers bass that “is taut, powerful and controlled thanks to the newly-designed Sigma subwoofer unit with dual magnets”.
Wireless multi-room compatible wireless speakers can be added for separate left and right rear surround channels, while users can control the system from their mobile or tablet with Sony’s SongPal app.
– Premium audio and video player
Sony has introduced two new Blu-ray players, including its UHP-H1 High-Resolution Premium Audio and Video Player.
The UHP-H1 supports audio including CD, Super Audio CD, Blu-ray Disc and high-resolution audio files delivered
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via USB, along with built-in audio apps such as Spotify and Deezer.
“The extraordinary sound and picture quality of the UHP-H1 starts with Sony’s exceptional rigid frame and beam chassis design that minimises mechanical vibration,” Sony states.
“Naturally there’s a full complement of audio codecs, letting you enjoy pristine high-resolution files encoded right up to 192 kHz/24-bit and double DSD (5.6 MHz). Two-channel analogue audio output to your hi-fi amplifier, home cinema receiver or TV soundbar is via an ultra-precise 32-bit 768 kHz audio DAC that ensures incredibly clear, natural sound quality.”
The UHP-H1, which comes with integrated Bluetooth, can split audio and video signals, routing them to separate HDMI outputs to reduce electrical cross-interference, while an Audio Direct function mutes the player’s video output and switches off the front panel display “for the purest sound possible”.
– Extra Bass
Meanwhile, Sony has taken the wraps off a number of new audio products, including its new Extra Bass range.
Sony states Extra Bass “uses DSP technology that cleverly processes frequencies according to the source while maintaining excellent audio quality”.
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Among its new releases, is the GTK-XB7 high-power audio system, delivering “massive low frequency response from two large 16 cm woofers”.
Multi Layout allows the XB7 to be positioned vertically or on its side, while the Speaker Add function allows users to hook up a second XB7 unit via Bluetooth. One-touch listening provides for pairing via a single touch of an NFC smartphone or tablet.
Sony’s SRS-XB3 and SRS-XB2 portable wireless speakers also employ Extra Bass, featuring a dedicated button, with the XB3 weighing in at 930 g and delivering a battery life of 24 hours, and the XB2 weighing in at 480 g and delivering 12 hours of battery life.
“A whole host of big technologies are housed inside the XB3 to achieve a hugely punchy bass for its small size,” Sony states.
“These include a newly developed 48 mm-large full-range speaker unit, Sony’s unique DSP which dynamically applies the optimal compression process to suit each level of a track, a large capacity battery to achieve stable and significant output power, and dual passive radiators to augment the bass ranges.”
The XB2 features a newly developed 42 mm gauge full-range speaker unit, while “extra strong magnets deliver a pure bass sound and the lightweight diaphragm improves sound pressure levels”.
