Sony 900F

rpf65

On another discussion I was asked my initial impressions of this set. Not wanting to hijack that thread I debcided to start this one.

I bought this set after viewing this set next to quite a few sets, many higher end, and an equal number around its price point. I also read a lot of reviews, both professional and non-professional. Lastly, my previous set was a Panasonic st series.

Guess I’ll start with black levels. I personally think black level preformance gets a little to much emphasis. While important, it’s still a relative thing. When viewing this set to an OLED or Z9D, for example, the blacks aren’t as dark as the others. On the other hand, while watching Iron Man, they black bars above and below the scene wasn’t noticeable. I do use ambient light when watching movies, so that may have helped. In relation to the overall preformance of this set, black levels are very good.

I did notice a slight amount of blooming, at the scene in Iron Man, when looking from inside the cave to the exit, but changing the black level adjustment from high to medium, caused the blooming to become barely noticeable. Don’t misunderstand, there was a faint blooming issue, but it was less than what I experienced with my plasma set. All in all somebody who looks for, or is sensitive to the issue will notice it, but most people wouldn’t call it an issue even with the black level adjustment set to high.

The preformance of 1080 content was extremely close to the preformance of the plasma set, colors were much better on this set, but from my research, it is lower frame rate content that 4K sets have a hard time. So I also viewed The Matrix, which I have on standard DVD. I can honestly say that picture quality was excellent. The images were very clear but a little fuzzy.

Since this movie has a lot of dark scenes, I decided to see what the black level adjustments would do. There are two of them, and I ended up lowering them bothe to 25. This not only made the images appear more sharp and better defined, but also gave them a more 3D image quality.

Viewing OTA broadcast content, this set preforms very good to boarding excellent. Watching the Bears/Lions, I found no issues. The colors were vibrant, images sharp, and zero ghosting. I made the previous mentioned adjustments before the game, and found the picture to be acceptable.

At the other end of the spectrum, I found a station showing the old Flash Gordon series. This thing was made at the end of the 30’s, so definitely shot at 24 FPS, although when I checked the display reading it said 480. Anyway, the picture was really good. Images appeared sharp, and smooth. Like everything else I viewed, I saw no soap opera effect, but I may be less sensitive than many of you.

Sound quality is a non-issue for me. The only time the surround system is off in my home is in the morning when the news is on for 20 or so minutes while I get ready for work. So I have no comment on the sound. Like wise the built in apps. I haven’t used them, and never used them on my previous set. If I were going to stream content, I would probably get a dedicated device.

The movies were played on a Panasonic DMP-BDT320 connected with Shunyata Venom HDMI cables. Unfortunately I’m still waiting on the Panasonic 820, and didn’t see a reason to purchase a 4K player for temporary duty.

verb

Nice write up. So is she a keeper?

rpf65

This set was on sale for $1600, and at that price, a definite keeper.

pitdogg2

How is at setting up over the air channels? What I'm looking for is this. My old sanyo set i could make it look for OTA in quadrants and it would stack (keep) all she found. Think a clock start at 12 and run it to find channels as i move the antenna to 3 o'clock cutting that block into 4 sections and letting it search in each of those 4 quadrants. Then repeat 3 to 6 then 6 to 9 then 9 to 12 so going from north all the way back to north 360°. On my Panasonic plasma doing that would cancel out all the channels found on the last quadrant.
So it was very hard to stack channels going around the clock so to speak and keep all that were found that whole 360°
Does this make sense?

rpf65

I understand your question.

On my Panny, for example, I could de-select channels I didn’t want to view without setting up a favorites. This set won’t allow me to do that. You can only create a favorites list, there are four of them, and select channels that have been scanned into that list, at least that’s the way I understand it.

As far as will the set save preselected stations that won’t scan in, after they are selected in the first place; I’m sorry but I can’t answer that question with certainty.

BlueFox

I have a Sony XBR 65X900F for general TV watching, and a 75” Z9D for Blue Ray movies, preferably 4K. They both have great pictures, but the Z9D is obviously better. Although I have had the Z9D for around two years, it hasn’t been calibrated. I plan to get both sets professionally calibrated in the upcoming months. However, even stock they look fantastic.

pitdogg2

Ok thanks.

Milito

I got one (65") yesterday for $1600 also at BB. I had family in so I haven't got a chance to play with it yet, but so far I like it a lot. I replaced a 10 year old Sony DLP.

rpf65

BlueFox wrote: »

I have a Sony XBR 65X900F for general TV watching, and a 75” Z9D for Blue Ray movies, preferably 4K. They both have great pictures, but the Z9D is obviously better. Although I have had the Z9D for around two years, it hasn’t been calibrated. I plan to get both sets professionally calibrated in the upcoming months. However, even stock they look fantastic.

I agree, the Z9D Has a superb picture, and was leaning heavily towards purchasing one. The reason I decided on the 900 was the pricing, even at a couple hundred more, I would probably lean towards the Z9D.

BlueFox

LOL. I paid $7K for my Z9D. Oh well, it’s only money.

rpf65

I currently have $150 worth of cables, connecting $120 BD player to my system. Seems like not being very bright when it comes to spending money is pretty common for people on this site.

BlueFox

Not to side track the discussion, but I consider cables to be the foundation of any system; audio or video. I need to install a Shunyata power cable on my Z9D. Need to do that before it is calibrated.

rpf65

This seems like fair pricing:

https://www.thecableco.com/delta-ef-power-cord-11773.html

BlueFox

Thanks. I bet it makes an obvious improvement. I spliced an AC connector into my previous 65” Hitachi TV, added a Shunyata power cable, and the picture improved.

mantis

I have a Profile saved for the 900F for picture settings if you want to try them out.
On a side note congrats on the 900f. The price they are selling for right now I would buy one or 2 in a heart beat.
The Blacks on the 900F do not match the performance of a OLED, no LED does, it also doesn't match the performance of the Z9D, hardly no other LED does either so.
But the blacks for a LED at that price point no other LED does a better job. No other LED at that price point is better then the 900F. I think it should get the 2018 best all around affordable TV on the market. ViZio I believe got that award but I disagree. It's only because of retail price. The price the 900F is going for right now it blows the Vizio out of the water.

rpf65

Appreciate it if you could send the settings. Always nice when somebody else volunteers to do the actual work.

Milito

I would like to have them also if you don't mind.

mantis

Go into Picture and display – and then picture adjustments
1. Set picture mode to custom
2. Auto picture mode off
3. Light Sensor off
4. Go into Advanced Settings
a. Brightness
1. Set brightness to 12 (this is backlighting brightness, not black level brightness)
2. set contrast and black level (brightness) using calibration disk or THX app on your phone with HDMI adapter
3. Black adjust to off
4. adv. Contrast enhancer to off
5. auto local dimming set to High
6. X-tended Dynamic Range set to High
b. Color
1. Set color temperature to expert 1
2. set Live color to off
3. set color and hue using calibration disk or THX app on your phone with HDMI adapter
c. Clarity
1. Reality Creation turn on auto
2. Smooth Gradation to medium
3. Random noise reduction off
4. Digital noise reduction off

Milito

Thanks!

rpf65

Thank you.

May have to add video to your sig.

tonyb

If those don't tickle your fancy, just google up calibration settings for your model. You may get a few different ones, but they will all put you in the ballpark. The rest is just preference tweaking.

rpf65

This is a really popular model:

http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhGrCY9hgUeMkNDcCH

Conradicles

Thinking about getting this model...you still happy with the purchase?

rpf65

Yes.

It’s taken a little while to get used to the differences between plasma and LED, and I actually think I like it more now than when I first got it. Recently got a Panasonic 820 BD player, and the combination is truly impressive.

BlueFox

I find myself watching movies on my 900F more than on the Z9D. Not so much because the picture, or sound, is better, but because I am more comfortable in the 900F’s room and chair. LOL.

mdaudioguy

BlueFox wrote: »

I find myself watching movies on my 900F more than on the Z9D. Not so much because the picture, or sound, is better, but because I am more comfortable in the 900F’s room and chair. LOL.

Sounds like you need a furniture upgrade in the main TV room!

BlueFox

Yes. I know. Its always something.