Sony announced its line of 2021 TVs that will include a new processor called the Cognitive Processor XR – a successor to Sony’s long line of X1 chips.
The Cognitive Processor XR will be used in five new TV series – the Sony Z9J Master, X95J and X90J LED-LCD TVs and two OLED models, the A80J and A90J – and while all models will be equipped with better upscaling, better color reproduction and enhanced contrast, it is the new A90J OLED that will have the biggest boost with technology, as it may be the first OLED to exceed 1,000 nits of maximum brightness.
In an interview with TechRadar, Sony representatives explained that the new A90J has a revolutionary new thermal dissipation system that allows the TV to use the RGB and White subpixels simultaneously at full power to create even more brilliant highlights in HDR content powered by the XR processor.
The result, says Sony, is a noticeably brighter image that, according to the company, will surpass any OLED TV in previous years in terms of overall brightness and volume of color.
Smarter chips, better panels and improved software
Most of the updates coming to Sony’s TV line this year fall into three categories – the new Cognitive XR processor and the enhanced panels we talked about above, in addition to the Android TV update on previous models for the new Google TV platform .
In terms of image improvements, Sony says the Cognitive XR processor inside LCD-LED TVs will enable a new XR contrast feature that will increase black levels and OLEDs and LED-LCD TVs will have enhanced motion smoothing, Triluminous Color. Pro and XR Super resolution using AI upscaling.
For sound enhancements, the 2021 line is receiving XR Surround which can transform two- or 5.1-channel surround sound into 5.1.2-channel surround sound.
Add the new Google TV platform that puts content at the forefront instead of apps, and you should be well-stocked with programs to watch on your new and improved TVs.
That said, there is no doubt that the A90J OLED and Sony Z9J Master Series will be expensive (the OLED from Sony’s current Master series sells for $ 2,299.99 / £ 2,099), but Sony says the Cognitive XR processor will make its way to the 50-inch X90J LED-LCD TV – meaning there must be a cheap entry point for those of us who can’t afford to spend two thousand on a new TV.
- Check out all TechRadar’s CES 2021 roof. We are remotely covering the program online only to bring you all the news and technology launches, as well as a handful of practical reviews.