Sony’s 2021 TV lineup uses Google TV and fully adopts HDMI 2.1

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Last year’s Sony TV line-up drew some criticism as several sets failed to take advantage of next-gen gaming features on the PlayStation 5 that shipped in November. Even if you look at it now, the broadcast of HDMI 2.1 features is pretty sad. Sony never really recognized this as a mistake, believing that customers buy its TVs for different reasons and not everyone needs to tick all the boxes.

What a difference a year makes.

In 2021, Sony is correcting its course: all its premium 4K “Bravia XR” televisions (and yes, 8K) support 4K at 120Hz, VRR (variable refresh rate), ALLM (auto low latency mode) and eARC. No asterisks, pitfalls or promises to add items later with firmware updates.

Beyond boarding with 4K120, Sony is making a big deal out of what it calls “cognitive intelligence” in these TVs. Powered by a new Cognitive Processor XR chip, Sony says its new system goes beyond traditional signal processing – in which Sony TVs already excelled – and beyond artificial intelligence analysis in most settings. televisions. “While conventional artificial intelligence (AI) can only detect and analyze image elements such as color, contrast and detail individually, the new processor can cross-analyze a range of elements at a time. just like our brains do, ”Sony’s press release on TVs said. “In doing so, each element is adjusted to its best end result, in conjunction with each other, so that everything is in sync and realistic – something conventional AI cannot achieve.”

Sony also talks about what the XR processor can do for sound. A “Reality sound from picture” function is supposed to “align the position of sound with images on the screen to provide a unique and realistic experience”. Samsung has promised similar results for its own 2021 Neo QLED TVs.

Both Master Series TVs (8K LCD and 4K OLED) have a new sensor to sense the color temperature of ambient light in your room, allowing them to automatically adjust the TV’s white balance accordingly . (This setting can be turned off for purists, of course.) Most importantly, the OLED A90J Master Series also has a brighter output than previous Sony OLEDs thanks to a new aluminum heat shield attached to the panel. Making OLEDs brighter is a big deal as this is a key area where LCD screens still tend to trump.

As one of the first TV makers to integrate Android TV, it seems fitting that Sony is among the first to switch to Google TV. All of these TVs will deliver an incredibly similar software experience to the last Chromecast: Sony still has its own customizations in the settings menu (and for quick shortcuts like your HDMI inputs), but everything else – the custom page for you, the content recommendations, etc. – is basically unchanged from Google’s latest streaming device.

Sony also focused on small touches, like adjustable feet that can be configured to leave enough space for a soundbar in front of the TV without obstructing the picture. Going down the lineup you lose some niceties (like an anti-reflective coating exclusive to the 8K set), but all TVs support Dolby Vision HDR. And again, you have all of the HDMI 2.1 standards taken into account.

Rather than switching to a new display technology like the Mini LED, Sony appears to be evolving its current strategy of full local dimming and iterating on its excellent OLED sets. The company doesn’t share the number of dimming zones its TVs have or really talk about peak brightness, believing competitors are too hung up on those numbers.

Prices and specific availability information will be announced this spring.