Sony X800E vs X800D Review (XBR43X800E vs XBR43X800D, XBR49X800E vs XBR49X800D)

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Sony X800E is the mid-end of Sony’s 2017 4K TV lineup while X800D is the predecessor that released in 2016. In the market, X800E is available on 3 screen sizes option including 43 Inch (XBR43X800E), 49 Inch (XBR49X800E), and 55 Inch (XBR55X800E), while X800E is only available 2 screen sizes option, 43 Inch (XBR43X800D) and 49 Inch (XBR49X800D). Except the XBR55X800E, in the market, all of them are sold under $1000.

At a glance, both of them is similar in appearance, where the TV is supported by a stand made from metallic. The border of X800E looks a bit thicker than X800D but overall, both of the look quite good. Meanwhile, the rear of the panel is all made from plastic. Additionally, come as the successor of X800D, Sony X800E series is also supported by the technologies which are not far different to what support Sony X800D. As their picture engine, both of them are equally equipped by 4K X-Reality Pro that produced details and clear picture quality not only from native 4K source, but also lower resolution like full HD, HD, or even SD contents. Additionally, both of them also already support HDR technology where they are compatible with HDR 10 format. The other advanced technology that supports them is TriLuminos Display that makes the color of the picture produced looks very accurate, so the picture displayed looks vivid and natural. And for providing wide viewing angle coverage, both of them use IPS panel. That is less not less interesting is about their Smart TV where with Google Android TV as their platform, they are provides tons of interesting and useful apps and games.

Meanwhile, unlike the series above that supported by X1 Engine, both of Sony XBR800E and 800D are not supported by 4K HDR Processor X1 Engine. Nevertheless, picture quality displayed on their screen looks impressive for their class. Additionally, both of them are also not equipped with 3D technology. But considering in 2017 most of manufacturers have left 3D technology, this certainly is not an issue for them.

>> Please click here to see the price of X800E on Amazon.com <<

>> Please click here to see the price of X800D on Amazon.com <<

Sony X800E vs X800D Key Specs

Sony X800E vs X800D Performance

Picture quality

Since each model of Sony X800D uses different panel type (XBR43X800D uses VA panel while XBR49X800D uses IPS Panel), this comparison refers to XBR49X800D. As we know, IPS panel offers wider viewing angle coverage than VA panel, while VA panel has deeper black level and stronger contrast than IPS panel. Meanwhile, all models of Sony X800E uses IPS panel.

The use of IPS panel might make Sony X800E and X800D have wide viewing angle coverage, but in other hand, their black level is not too deep and native contrast ratio is not too strong. In a dark room, black of scenes in movies look washed-out and blacks look tend to grey. This certainly is far from what offered by TV with VA panel. You need to know, TVs with VA panel at least can reach at least 3000:1 of native contrast ratio while contrast ratio reached by X800E and X800E is about 1000:1.The result, their dark room performance is very disappointing. Additionally, when displaying HDR contents, shadow details also cannot be revealed well. So, use them in a dark scenes should be avoided.

Nevertheless, when set in a moderately bright room where low contrast is not so noticeable, the picture displayed on their screen will look better. Their peak luminance is bright enough to fight the glare and to make its HDR performance is good in a dark room or a moderately bright room. Meanwhile, when set in a bright room with a lot of lights, peak luminance of Sony X800E and X800D is not quite bright to fight the glare, let alone when displaying HDR videos. As we know, the minimum recommendation of peak luminance for displaying HDR Video is 1000 nits while peak luminance reached by them is about 400 nits. Meanwhile, compare between them, Sony X800E offers a bit brighter peak brightness than X800D. This certainly makes the picture displayed on the screen of X800E looks a bit better than X800D, particularly when displaying HDR videos.

Meanwhile, in term of color gamut delivered by them, Sony X800D can deliver a bit wider color gamut than X800E. Nevertheless, although color gamut delivered by X800E is not as wide as the predecessor X800E, but color of the picture displayed on the screen of X800E when displaying HDR contents still looks fairly well. But even so, since both of Sony X800E and X800D has poor contrast and black level, they only can deliver wide color gamut on bright colors only, while on darker color, their color gamut narrows significantly. While X800D deliver a bit wider color gamut than X800E, otherwise, color gradient of the picture displayed on the screen of Sony X800E looks a bit smoother than X800D, particularly when displaying darker color and grayscale. On the screen of X800D, some imperfections are still noticeable in dark blue and dark green, while on the screen of X800E, they are presented perfectly. Nevertheless, overall, color gradient of X800D series can be said well.

As we have mentioned above, the use of IPS panel might make black level and contrast delivered by them is poor but on the other hand, this makes both of them have wide side viewing angle coverage. If on VA TVs, the quality of the picture usually will start to deteriorate at 20 degrees off center and front, on their screen, picture quality looks more consistently at wider viewing angle. Nevertheless, this is not still as wide as what offered by OLED TV that indeed has perfect viewing angle coverage. But at least, both of them are good TVs when used in a wide room with viewers watch TV from multiple viewing angles.

Motion Blur and 24p Playback

Both of Sony X800E and X800D offer similar great performance when handling motion blur. Their pixel response time is quite low that makes the picture produced looks smoothly and clearly when displaying fast moving images like sport programs or fast movies. Following fast moving objects, there is only a short trail that is not too visible, even most of people don’t notice about that. Meanwhile, when playing 24p movies, their performance is also similar. Both of them are only able to completely remove judder when the source is native 24p videos like Blu Ray Movies, while when the source is 24p videos via 60p/60i signals like movies from streaming media or satellite TV, the judder cannot be completely removed. But even so, because most people don’t notice bout judder, this should not be a big problem, unless for people who are sensitive to judder. Additionally, since both of Sony X800D and X800E have native 120 Hz refresh rate panel, they only can interpolate 30fps content up to 60fps, while to interpolate 60 fps content up to at al least 100 fps, they don’t have this ability.

Inputs/Outputs

Like most of 4K TVs which available in the market, both of Sony X800E and X800D are equally equipped with 4 HDMI Ports and 3 USB Ports. The difference is about where their HDMI ports are located. On X800E, 3 HDMI Ports are located on the side while 1 port is located on rear panel. Meanwhile, on X800E, 2 HDMI ports are located on side panel while 2 ports are located on rear panel. In addition to HDMI and USB ports, both of them are also equally equipped with 2 Composite In (AV In), 1 Component IN, RF In (Terrestrial), 1 Ethernet, 1 Digital Audio Out (Optical), and 1 Analog Audio Out (mini jack). Meanwhile, talking about their input lag, basically, both of them have similar low input lag under game mode. No matter the source, their input lag is between 30 ms – 35 ms. This means it is good for most of games, no matter it is 1080p or 4K games. But unfortunately, for extremely fast paced games that require extremely fast reflexes, this might still be a bit disappointing.

Smart TV

As their smart TV platform, both of Sony X800D and X800E equally feature Google Android TV. The difference between them is about their version where Sony X800E comes with 2017 version while X800D comes with 2016 version. As a newer version, there certainly are some updates and upgrades that make its performance better, particularly on the supporting hardware. But even so, in term of layout and user interface, they are not many different. Default apps which provided are also not many different. There are most Popular Apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon prime Videos, Hulu, Web Browser, ChromeCast, Google Voice Search, and many more. One of the advantages is about their Apps Store called Google Play Store where it provides tons of apps which you can download them from your TV. As we know, Google Play Store is one of the most complete apps store that supported by tons of developers. But unfortunately, with so many apps available, this precisely makes it is less focused on what the people want. The other drawback of Google Android TV is about its navigation where this is not as simple as other smart TV platform like Tizen OS or WebOS and tends to be confusing.

As the controller, both of them also use the similar remote called Sony Voice Remote. The remote is a bit large and have a lot of buttons. There is built-in microphone that allows you to control TV functions with your voice commands. Additionally, both of X800E and X800D is also equipped with IR blaster where this allows you to control other devices connected on your Sony TV with a single Sony Remote.

>> Please click here to check the latest price of X800D on Amazon <<

>> Please click here to check the latest price of X800E on Amazon <<

Summary

Conclusion

Except for 43 Inch (XBR43X800D vs XBR43X800E), Sony X800E (XBR49X800E) and X800D (XBR49X800D) offers similar performance. Since both of them use IPS Panel, they have wide viewing angle coverage. But on the other hand, their black uniformity and contrast is poor and makes their dark room performance is also poor. Nevertheless, once they set in a bright room, the quality of the picture displayed on their screen looks very well for their class. Additionally, although both of them are not certified by Ultra HD Premium Certification due their contrast ratio and peal luminance don’t meet the minimum standardization set by UHD Alliance, their HDR capability still can be said well. The other strong point of Sony X800E and X800D is about their UHD Up-scaling performance where they allow you to enjoy lower resolution videos in the 4K quality sharply and clearly. Motion Handling is also good that makes you comfort when enjoying fast moving images like sport program or fast movies. Additionally, overall, their inputs lag is also low enough for playing any kind of games. And with Google Android TV as their smart TV platform where there are tons of apps provided, this will make you comfort when enjoying 4K home entertainment in your home.

Which is a better choice between them? You need to know, in the market, Sony X800E is sold about tens dollar more expensive than X800D, whether it is for 49 inch and 43 Inch. Considering their difference in price is not too significant and performance that offered by them is also not much different, I think XBR49X800E is a better choice than XBR49X800D due it is a newer model.  Meanwhile, for 43 inch, since XBR43X800D uses VA panel, it certainly offers different performance than other model including XBR43X800E. For this case, XBR43X800D has better contrast ratio that makes it offers better dark room performance. But on other hand, it has poor side viewing angle. Now, the decision comes back to you according to your need and preference.

>> Please click here to buy Sony X800D on Amazon <<

>> Please click here to buy Sony X800E on Amazon <<