CES 2019: Sony debuts massive 8K TV model

8K is the new big thing at this year’s CES. And the big manufacturers seem to all have their take on it. Sony’s model—the Master Series Z9G 8K LCD—is certainly a big one. It comes in two gigantic sizes—85 inches and 98 inches—and is updated with Sony’s Picture Processor X1 Ultimate image processor as well as X-Reality PRO optimized for 8K. This promise you get great-looking content no matter what the native resolution is, which is important as there isn’t any 8K content available at the moment. It also offers Netflix Calibrated Mode, which means the content is shown as the creators intended, and it’s also part of the IMAX Enhanced certification program. The Z9G comes with four front-firing speakers (two at the top and two at the bottom) to make it seem like the actors on-screen are speaking instead of the sound just coming through the speakers, which is what Sony tried to achieve with its OLED Acoustic Surface Audio. The tech couldn’t be brought to LCD, thus the use of speakers. This 8K model is also an Android TV model with Google Assistant and it’s compatible with Google Home and Amazon Echo smart speakers. No word on price or availability just yet.

Source: Digital Trends

LG introduces 2019 TV lineup, introduces HDMI 2.1, Alexa, and 8K tech to its TVs

LG

Just before CES 2019 kicks off this weekend, LG is introducing its newest line of TVs. There are six different ranges in total, with two 8K TVs thrown into the mix. Four of the models are OLEDS (the Z9, W9, E9, and C9) and two are LCDs (the SM9X and SM8X). The 88-inch Z9 OLED and the 75-inch SM99 LCD are the company’s first 8K TVs, which means these have four times the resolution of the current 4K displays.

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Samsung launches first commercially available 8K TVs

While 4K might be all the rage now, we have also for a while heard of 8K TVs. And now Samsung is bringing its first line of 8K TVs to the market. The Q900R QLED 8K TV was unveiled at IFA in Berlin and comes in 65 inches, 75 inches, 82 inches, and 85 inches. Why would you even want to consider one? It’s definitely brighter and can produce even better image quality. It has as many as 16 times more pixels than the standard HD TV and is capable of 4,000 nit peak brightness. At the moment, Samsung’s Q9 series 4K QLED TVs can reach 1,700 nit peak brightness. It also offers high-dynamic range to provide deeper blacks and more vivid colors. 

Content will always be the main issue here and there aren’t a lot of 8K content available yet. But just like what’s been done with 4K TVs, Samsung also includes its unique upscaling technology. This makes use of artificial intelligence to improve picture quality of what you’re watching—whether this comes from a streaming set-top box, game console, or even mirrored content from your smartphone or other mobile devices. Samsung hasn’t released pricing for this just yet but if you compare it with the top-of-the-line Q9 series QLED 4K TVs start at US$3,300 for the 65 inches (approx. CA$4,300) so expect the 8K model to be quite expensive. 

Source: Business Insider