Sony Extends 4K Ultra HD Home Options at CES 2014

By Ken Brown

Sony Extends 4K Ultra HD Home Entertainment Experience With Enriched 4K Content Options And 2014 TV Line-Up

Sony X950B UHDTV

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2014 — CES Booth #14200 — Sony Electronics today took another step forward in the evolution of 4K Ultra HD home entertainment with the addition of critical content options and a range of new 4K Ultra HD TVs for every viewer. To complement the expanding library of its Video Unlimited 4K download service, Sony’s 2014 4K Ultra HD TV line-up is optimized to support new codecs and a variety of forthcoming 4K video services from Netflix, and 4K photo services such as 500px and PlayMemories. Sony is showcasing all of the latest advancements in 4K home entertainment at CES 2014 this week.

“It may be cliche to say content is King, but when talking about 4K Ultra HD TV, it reigns over consumer decision-making,” said Mike Lucas, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Home Entertainment & Sound Division. “Sony is a company of firsts and we continue to lead the way with 4K from lens to living room. Couple our key industry partnerships with our group-wide collaboration and innovative technologies, and consumers will see Sony continues to lead, advance and enrich the 4K entertainment experience.”

The World of 4K Content

Sony is engaged in various initiatives, some together with partners, in order to offer a variety of options and truly enhance the 4k entertainment experience in the home. The expanding 4K content options include:

Video Unlimited 4K Download Service: Since launching the world’s first Video Unlimited 4K download service in September 2013, Sony continues to grow the library of feature films, independent productions and television episodes available for rent or download to consumers with a Sony 4K Ultra HD Media Player and Sony 4K Ultra HD TV. Over 140 feature films and TV shows are now available through the service, all prepared with the ultimate picture and surround sound quality in mind, carefully optimized for the best viewing experience. Available now on the service is the hit TV show Breaking Bad, as well as movies including Elysium, After Earth, This Is the End, and many more. And in 2014, additional new release titles will be introduced to the service, including the acclaimed hits Captain Phillips and American Hustle (currently in theaters). In addition, select purchased titles include an UltraViolet digital version of the movie or TV show, enabling consumers to further enjoy their content on the go (in high definition or standard definition).

Collaboration with Netflix: Sony’s 2014 4K Ultra HD TVs have been optimized to support 4K Ultra HD content streaming from Netflix, which is expected to launch on compatible televisions in the first half of this year. By incorporating a decoder compatible with the latest HEVC video compression format, Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs are capable of displaying 4K streaming video at 60 frames per second (60p) from Internet streams and other sources without the need for additional devices.

Support for 4K Content Creation: Personal 4K content from Sony’s growing 4K Handycam camcorder line-up and digital still cameras can also be displayed and enjoyed on 4K TVs. The newly-announced models of 4K Ultra HD TVs will also offer access to 500px, the premier photo community, enabling users to discover high-quality 4K photos from around the world through their TV. Sony’s cloud-based PlayMemories online photo and video service also continues to evolve and can be used to display 4K photos on 4K TVs. Photos and videos uploaded from mobile phones, tablets, and PCs can easily be organized and accessible in the highest quality. Sony also continues to provide technical support for several notable 4K productions, from Hollywood features and TV shows, to Netflix originals and sports. This summer, Sony will provide technical support to enable 4K production of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final.

4K Ultra HD TVs for Every Viewer Sony Technology Drives Superior Performance

Sony is extending its 4K Ultra HD TV line-up with three new series and a total of nine models in a variety of sizes ranging from 49 to 85-inch class screens. The latest models incorporate a combination of Sony unique technologies to provide an overall quality that goes beyond standard 4K resolution. Sony’s 4K X Reality PRO picture engine can upscale a variety of content regardless of source to beautiful 4K resolution, while wide color gamut TRILUMINOS Display works in unison to reproduce lifelike color and accurate shading to ensure the highest quality picture. New for 2014, Sony’s X-tended Dynamic Range technology leads to unprecedented brightness and deeper detail even in the whitest whites or darkest blacks on the screen to deliver a truly brilliant picture quality. The new innovative structural design, with its iconic Wedge shape, increases capacity to incorporate larger speakers, which provide a deeper, more powerful sound, unprecedented for a flat-screen TV. In addition, each new 4K Ultra HD TV series incorporates Sony’s ClearAudio+ digital signal processing for improved high-quality audio. ClearAudio+ combines a variety of Sony technologies to create an immersive experience with clear vocals and a wide range of sound. An optional wireless subwoofer (model SWF-BR100) is available to create a richer audio experience, delivering powerful bass from the TV for a simple and stylish home theater experience.

The flagship XBR-X950B series comes in 85- and 65-inch class screen sizes and brings LED technology to the next level. Incorporating Sony’s new X-tended Dynamic Range PRO technology driven by direct LED arrays arranged in the backside of the panel, this model achieves a much wider dynamic range of brightness, with higher peaks and deeper blacks, using a unique backlighting algorithm to further enhance picture quality.

The XBR-X900B series comes in 79-, 65- and 55-inch class screen sizes and implements X-tended Dynamic Range technology driven by Edge LED arrays arranged along the side of the panel, as well as an innovative structural design with a new, iconic Wedge form factor.

In order to bring Sony’s leading 4K Ultra HD experience to a broader base of consumers, Sony is also launching an entry-level 4K Ultra HD TV, the XBR-X850B series, which will be available in 49-, 55- and 65- and 70-inch class screen sizes.

Ready for Expanding 4K Content

All new 4K LED TVs support the HDMI 2.0 standard, which gives them the ability to display 4K/60p content, a quickly developing standard which is ideal for fast moving content such as sports. These TVs are also compatible with MHL 3.0 which supports 4K output from smartphones and tablets. In addition to this these features, the new TVs incorporate a decoder which supports the latest HEVC codec decoding and can playback 4K/60p content and Internet streaming services.

2014 XBR 4K Ultra HD TV Line-up

XBR X950B Series 4K Ultra HD TV
The reference standard in 4K Ultra HD
Available in Spring 2014

  • Immersive 4K Ultra HD picture quality with four times the resolution and clarity of Full HD 1080p
  • X-tended Dynamic Range PRO driven by direct LED arrays delivers brilliant picture quality
  • 4K X-Reality PRO picture engine for best picture from any source
  • TRILUMINOS Display for breathtaking color, clarity and detail
  • Motionflow XR 960 produces lifelike movement
  • HDMI 2.0 and 4K 60p with newly developed HEVC codec for support of future 4K content
  • ClearAudio+ Digital Sound Processing (DSP) with S-Force Front Surround projects clear vocals and wide sound range (optional subwoofer SWF-BR100)
  • Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network
  • Screen Mirroring via NFC OneTouch Mirroring
  • MHL 3.0-enabled for mirroring second screens
  • 3D capable with 2 pairs of glasses included
  • Screen sizes include 85-inch class (XBR-85X950B) and 65-inch class (XBR-65X950B)

XBR X900B Series 4K Ultra HD TV
A statement in picture, sound and design
Available in Spring 2014

  • Immersive 4K Ultra HD picture quality with four times the resolution and clarity of Full HD 1080p
  • X-tended Dynamic Range driven by Edge LED arrays delivers brilliant picture quality
  • 4K X-Reality PRO picture engine for best picture from any source
  • TRILUMINOS Display for breathtaking color, clarity and detail
  • Motionflow XR 960 produces lifelike movement
  • Iconic, new Wedge design and front-facing Magnetic Fluid speakers produce clear and powerful full range of sound
  • ClearAudio+ Digital Sound Processing (DSP) with S-Force Front Surround projects clear vocals and wide sound range (optional subwoofer SWF-BR100)
  • HDMI 2.0 and 4K 60p with newly developed HEVC codec for support of future 4K content
  • Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network
  • Screen Mirroring via NFC OneTouch Mirroring
  • MHL 3.0-enabled for mirroring second screens
  • 3D capable with 2 pairs of glasses included
  • Screen sizes include 79-inch class (XBR-79X900B), 65-inch class (XBR-65X900B), and 55-inch class (XBR-55X900B)

XBR X850B Series 4K Ultra HD TV
Brilliant colors, unprecedented 4K quality
Available in Spring 2014

  • Immersive 4K Ultra HD picture quality delivering four times the resolution and clarity of Full HD 1080p
  • 4K X-Reality PRO picture engine for best picture from any source
  • TRILUMINOS Display for breathtaking color, clarity and detail
  • Motionflow XR 240 produces lifelike movement
  • ClearAudio+ Digital Sound Processing (DSP) with S-Force Front Surround projects clear vocals and wide sound range (optional subwoofer)
  • HDMI 2.0 and 4K 60p with newly developed HEVC codec for support of future 4K content
  • Built-in Wi-Fi for streaming connectivity, including Sony Entertainment Network
  • Screen Mirroring via NFC OneTouch Mirroring
  • MHL 3.0-enabled for mirroring second screens
  • 3D capable with 2 pairs of glasses included
  • Screen sizes include 70-inch class (XBR-70X850B), 65-inch class (XBR-65X850B), 55-inch class (XBR-55X850B), and 49-inch class (XBR-49X850B)

For more information on the Sony 2014 TV range including product images, visit Sony.com/CES.