Sony X850D Review (XBR55X850D, XBR65X850D, XBR75X850D, XBR85X850D)

SETTINGS

Type: LED

Resolution: 4k

Refresh Rate: 120 Hz

The Sony X850D is a good 4k LED TV for a living room. Its picture quality in a darker room isn’t as good as last year’s model, the X850C, but it boasts a better viewing angle and somewhat improved HDR capability. Because it doesn’t have much blur, sports and video game fans will enjoy the Sony X850D.

• Great for fast motion content like sports and video games
• Wide viewing angle

• Blacks appear a little gray in the dark
• Average HDR performance

Check Price

Design

Curved: No

The designers behind the Sony 4k UHD X850D LED TV have done a decent job of making the TV look good, but it looks cheaper than last year's X850C. It still feels sturdy, but most of the metal finish is gone; its frame and stand are now entirely made of plastic. The new stand feels more solid, though. The X850D is relatively thin, but those looking to mount it flush on a wall will block some of its back connections.

Stand

The plastic stand is very sturdy and the TV feels safe on it, although it can still wobble a bit if you push against it.

Footprint of the 55″ TV stand: 10.2″ x 18.1″

Back

Wall Mount

:
Vesa 200×200

The back of the TV looks a little blocky. Some connections on the back might be inaccessible in a setup where the TV is mounted flush on a wall.

Borders

Borders

:
0.39" (1.3 cm)

The X850D has traded a metal finish for plastic.

Thickness

Max Thickness

:
1.18" (3.8 cm)

The top part and edges are thinner and the guts of the TV are behind the thick middle part.

6.9

Movies & TV

Score components:

• 38%
  Dark Scene
• 6%
  Judder
• 19%
  HDR
• 12%
  Color Accuracy
• 25%
  Resolution

Learn more

Because of its low contrast, the Sony X850D won't look its best when playing dark scenes in a dark room. As soon as you have some lights on, though, the X850D looks sharp, with decent color. It will play movies smoothly, without judder, from any source. HDR has seen a small improvement over last year, but without a local dimming feature, the X850D still won't be the best option for HDR.

4.8

Dark Scene

Score components:

• 51%
  Contrast
• 20%
  Black Uniformity
• 26%
  Local Dimming
• 3%
  3D

Learn more

The X850D doesn't produce deep blacks, although its screen uniformity is good. If watched in a dark room, blacks might appear a little grayish. Unfortunately, the X850D doesn't support local dimming or 3D.

6.4

Contrast

What it is:

Brightness difference between white and black. This is the main component of picture quality.

When it matters:

Always, but especially when watching dark scenes.

Score components:

• 100%
  Contrast

Learn more

Black

What it is:

How much light pure black emits.

When it matters:

Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.

Good value:

< 0.040 cd/m2

Noticeable difference:

0.010 cd/m2

Learn more

:
0.084 cd/m2

White

What it is:

White brightness of our calibration.

When it matters:

It doesn’t matter much. This is mainly to standardize our black and contrast ratio measurements.

Good value:

Close to our 100 cd/m2 target.

Noticeable difference:

20 cd/m2

Learn more

:
104.8 cd/m2

Contrast

What it is:

Ratio of the white brightness divided by the blacks.

When it matters:

Dark scenes in a dark room.

Good value:

> 3,000

Noticeable difference:

500

Learn more

:
1248 : 1

Blacks aren’t very deep and might appear a little gray in a dark environment. This won’t be much of an issue in a room with a few lights on.

7.5

Black Uniformity

What it is:

Evenness of blacks.

When it matters:

Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.

Score components:

• 100%
  Std. Dev.

Learn more

Std. Dev.

What it is:

Average of the squared difference of the blacks.

When it matters:

Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.

Good value:

< 2%

Noticeable difference:

1%, but keep in mind that it varies a lot by unit, even of the same model; yours likely will not end up exactly like ours.

Learn more

:
1.792 %

There are no obvious clouding or flashlighting issues, although with a fully black screen, the lighter blacks are more apparent.

0

Local Dimming

What it is:

The lights behind the LCD layer adapt to the picture displayed, improving the contrast ratio.

When it matters:

Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

Learn more

Local Dimming

What it is:

Whether it has a feature that controls the LEDs behind the LCD layer, to match the picture and darkens the dark portion of it.

When it matters:

On LED TVs only. Dark scenes viewed in a dark room.

Learn more

:
No

Backlight

What it is:

Configuration of the lights of the backlight.

When it matters:

Effectiveness of the local dimming.

Good value:

Full-array/direct lighting is better for local dimming. As for the uniformity of the screen, it depends on the implementation. Some edge-lit TVs have more uniform blacks than some full-array TVs.

Learn more

:
Edge

There is no local dimming feature on this TV. If you want that feature, you should go with the pricier X930D instead.

0

3D

What it is:

Optional 3D video capability on TV.

When it matters:

3D movies and videos.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

Learn more

3D Type

What it is:

The 3D technology used by the TV.

When it matters:

3D movies & videos.

Good value:

Active have better resolution, but flickers. Passive is more comfortable, but loses half the vertical resolution.

Learn more

:
No

2D to 3D

What it is:

Feature that converts 2D content to 3D.

When it matters:

If you want to watch 2D content in 3D. Note that the quality is not as good as that of native 3D.

Learn more

:
No

10

Judder

Score components:

• 80%
  24p Playback
• 20%
  Motion Interpolation

Learn more

Movie lovers will have a smooth experience with the X850D. With the right settings, it is able to remove judder from all sources, including cable TV and streaming services.

10

24p Playback

What it is:

Whether 24p content can play without any judder.

When it matters:

Only 24p content (mostly just movies).

Score components:

• 71%
  Judder-free 24p
• 14%
  Judder-free 24p via 60p
• 14%
  Judder-free 24p via 60i

Learn more

Judder-free 24p

What it is:

Judder-free movies over 24p signal.

When it matters:

Blu-ray and DVD movies; 24 hz PC signal.

Learn more

:
Yes

Judder-free 24p via 60p

What it is:

Judder-free movies over 60p signal.

When it matters:

Movies from streaming devices (Apple TV, Fire TV, etc.); 60 hz PC signal.

Learn more

:
Yes

Judder-free 24p via 60i

What it is:

Judder-free movies over 60i signal.

When it matters:

Movies from cable/satellite boxes.

Learn more

:
Yes

With 24p content like Blu-ray, ‘Motionflow’ has to be set to ‘True Cinema’ to remove judder. For 60Hz signals like cable and streaming, you also need to set ‘CineMotion’ to ‘High’.

10

Motion Interpolation

What it is:

Also known as ‘Soap Opera Effect’. It is an optional feature that increases the frame rate of the video, smoothing movement.

When it matters:

If you like the look of smoothed video. Not everyone does.

Score components:

• 50%
  Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
• 50%
  Motion Interpolation (60 fps)

Learn more

Motion Interpolation (30 fps):

What it is:

Whether the TV can take a 30 fps input and heighten the frame rate to at least 60 fps.

When it matters:

30 fps or lower videos. Includes movies, TV shows, some video games.

Learn more

Yes

Motion Interpolation (60 fps):

What it is:

Whether the TV can take a 60 fps input and heighten the frame rate to at least 100 fps.

When it matters:

60 fps videos. Includes some video games, some sports channels.

Learn more

Yes

Since the X850D is a 120Hz TV, it is able to interpolate both 30Hz and 60Hz content.

7.1

HDR

Score components:

• 31%
  Color Gamut
• 31%
  Peak Brightness
• 16%
  Gradient
• 22%
  HDR Format Support

Learn more

HDR on the X850D is slightly improved is comparison with last year's X850D, mainly because the TV can get brighter. Unfortunately, because it is edge-lit and doesn't have a full-array backlight, those looking for a great HDR experience will be left wanting more. The X850D has a 10 bit panel and will be able to render good shadow details. Unfortunately, no improvement has been made to its wide color gamut coverage.

7.9

Color Gamut

What it is:

How many colors the TV can display.

When it matters:

HDR content. Includes some streaming videos and UHD Blu-rays.

Score components:

• 25%
  DCI P3 xy
• 25%
  DCI P3 uv
• 25%
  Rec 2020 xy
• 25%
  Rec 2020 uv

Learn more

Wide Color Gamut

What it is:

Whether the TV has an option to enable wide color gamuts.

When it matters:

HDR content. Includes some streaming videos and UHD Blu-rays.

Learn more

:
Yes

DCI P3 xy

What it is:

Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.

When it matters:

DCI P3 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.

Good value:

> 90%

Noticeable difference:

5%

Learn more

:
85.94 %

DCI P3 uv

What it is:

Coverage of the DCI P3 colorspace on CIE 1976 u’ v’.

When it matters:

DCI P3 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.

Good value:

> 90%

Noticeable difference:

5%

Learn more

:
93.56 %

Rec 2020 xy

What it is:

Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1931 xy.

When it matters:

Rec.2020 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.

Good value:

> 90%

Noticeable difference:

5%

Learn more

:
63.75 %

Rec 2020 uv

What it is:

Coverage of the Rec.2020 colorspace on CIE 1976 u’ v’.

When it matters:

Rec.2020 content. Includes HDR, UHD Blu-rays.

Good value:

> 90%

Noticeable difference:

5%

Learn more

:
72.60 %

To enable the wide color gamut option, change ‘Color space’ from the ‘Advanced settings’ picture menu to ‘DCI’ or ‘BT.2020’. For most content, leave it set to ‘sRGB/BT.709’.

6.3

Peak Brightness

What it is:

How bright the screen can get. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).

When it matters:

Bright living rooms; bright objects; HDR content.

Score components:

• 20%
  2% Window
• 20%
  10% Window
• 20%
  25% Window
• 20%
  50% Window
• 20%
  100% Window

Learn more

2% Window

What it is:

The maximum luminosity of a white square covering 2% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).

When it matters:

Bright objects; especially for HDR content.

Good value:

> 400 cd/m2

Noticeable difference:

100 cd/m2

Learn more

:
370 cd/m2

10% Window

What it is:

The maximum luminosity of a white square covering 10% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).

When it matters:

Bright objects; especially for HDR content.

Good value:

> 400 cd/m2

Noticeable difference:

100 cd/m2

Learn more

:
369 cd/m2

25% Window

What it is:

The maximum luminosity of a white square covering 25% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).

When it matters:

Bright rooms; bright objects in HDR video.

Good value:

> 300 cd/m2

Noticeable difference:

100 cd/m2

Learn more

:
367 cd/m2

50% Window

What it is:

The maximum luminosity of a white square covering 50% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).

When it matters:

Bright rooms.

Good value:

> 250 cd/m2

Noticeable difference:

100 cd/m2

Learn more

:
368 cd/m2

100% Window

What it is:

The maximum luminosity of a white square covering 100% of the screen, with the TV set to be as bright as possible. Measured with local dimming and over HDR signal (if supported).

When it matters:

Bright rooms.

Good value:

> 250 cd/m2

Noticeable difference:

100 cd/m2

Learn more

:
368 cd/m2

Since the X850D doesn’t support local dimming, all % values are near the same. The maximum brightness is not enough to enjoy HDR fully.

10

Gradient

What it is:

How finely levels of color can be displayed.

When it matters:

Details in shadows, sky and skin tones. Matters more for HDR content.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

Learn more

Color Depth

What it is:

Number of bits per pixel to represent a specific color. Note: we consider 8-bit with dithering to be equivalent to 10-bit, as long as the 10-bit gradient looks smooth.

When it matters:

HDR content like UHD Blu-ray players. Won’t matter for cable TV, regular Blu-ray movies, video game consoles or content displayed from a Windows PC. Those are limited to 8-bit color.

Good value:

10-bit.

Noticeable difference:

1 bit.

Learn more

:
10 Bit

Our 10 Bit gradient pattern looks very good, without any of the 8 Bit gradations. This mean that HDR content should be free of any obvious color banding.

5.0

HDR Format Support

HDR10

What it is:

Standard HDR format.

When it matters:

Most common format. All UHD Blu-ray discs are required to have it.

:
Yes

Dolby Vision

What it is:

Better format, due to its dynamic nature.

When it matters:

Currently, only available via streaming.

:
No

8.0

Color Accuracy

Score components:

• 80%
  Pre Calibration
• 20%
  Post Calibration

Learn more

Color wasn't stellar out of the box, but calibration fixed most of the problems. Most people wouldn't notice the problems, though.

Our calibration settings are posted here.

7.7

Pre Calibration

What it is:

TV’s color accuracy before a full calibration. Only the picture mode and backlight level were changed.

When it matters:

All video on an uncalibrated TV. This represents most people’s use cases.

Score components:

• 50%
  White Balance dE
• 50%
  Color dE

Learn more

White Balance dE

What it is:

Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.

When it matters:

Overall color temperature of all video.

Good value:

< 3

Noticeable difference:

1

Learn more

:
4.97

Color dE

What it is:

Average inaccuracy of colors.

When it matters:

All colors.

Good value:

< 3

Noticeable difference:

1

Learn more

:
3.4729

Gamma

What it is:

Brightness of shades of gray.

When it matters:

Shadows.

Good value:

Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)

Noticeable difference:

0.1

Learn more

:
2.11

The white balance was off to begin with and color was at an acceptable level. Gamma was just a little low.

9.5

Post Calibration

What it is:

TV’s color accuracy after a full calibration with a spectrophotometer.

When it matters:

All video on a TV that has been professionally calibrated. This isn’t that useful, because most TVs can achieve a pretty good calibration if you spend enough time on them.

Score components:

• 50%
  White Balance dE
• 50%
  Color dE

Learn more

White Balance dE

What it is:

Average inaccuracy of shades of gray.

When it matters:

Overall color temperature of all videos.

Good value:

< 3

Noticeable difference:

1

Learn more

:
0.31

Color dE

What it is:

Average inaccuracy of colors.

When it matters:

All colors.

Good value:

< 3

Noticeable difference:

1

Learn more

:
1.3355

Gamma

What it is:

Brightness of shades of gray.

When it matters:

Shadows.

Good value:

Between 2.1 and 2.3 (our target is 2.2)

Noticeable difference:

0.1

Learn more

:
2.21

Any white balance issues could be fixed, although the X850D doesn’t have separate color adjustments. The color still got better after the white balance calibration.

8.7

Resolution

Score components:

• 18%
  480p
• 29%
  720p
• 36%
  1080p
• 18%
  4k

The Sony X850D UHD LED TV doesn't have any problem displaying the most frequently used resolutions. That means content, from standard cable TV to 4k UHD Blu-ray, will all look good and crisp. Details are nicely preserved, even at lower resolutions.

8.0

480p

What it is:

Quality of a 480p input.

When it matters:

Standard definition TV, DVDs.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

8.0

720p

What it is:

Quality of a 720p input.

When it matters:

HD channels, some streaming videos.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

9.0

1080p

What it is:

Quality of a 1080p input.

When it matters:

Blu-rays, streaming video, video files, video games.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

10

4k

What it is:

Quality of a 4k UHD input.

When it matters:

Streaming video, UHD Blu-rays, some PCs.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

8.2

Sports

Score components:

• 56%
  Motion Blur
• 44%
  Gray Uniformity

Learn more

Sports fans are going to be pleased with the Sony X850D. It has very little blur, so players running at full speed, or cars quickly passing by, will remain well defined. Camera panning shots over playing fields won't reveal any obvious screen problems, either.

9.3

Motion Blur

What it is:

Amount of blur on fast movement.

When it matters:

Sports, video games.

Score components:

• 80%
  Response Time
• 20%
  Overshoot

Learn more

Response Time

What it is:

How quickly pixels can change color.

When it matters:

Fast movement.

Good value:

< 20ms

Noticeable difference:

10ms

Learn more

:
10.3 ms

Overshoot

What it is:

When TV’s pixels adjust too far; how quickly they come back.

When it matters:

Fast movement.

Good value:

< 10ms

Noticeable difference:

10ms

Learn more

:
1.2 ms

Backlight

What it is:

Flickering pattern at different luminosities.

When it matters:

For people sensible to flickering.

Learn more

:
picture

Pixel response time is quick as a whole, but transitions to darker colors are slower. The backlight is flicker-free, so although motion appears a little blurry, it doesn’t create a double effect like you see on most Samsung TVs.

7.0

Gray Uniformity

What it is:

Evenness of colors onscreen (not just gray).

When it matters:

Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.

Score components:

• 50%
  Std. Dev.
• 50%
  DSE

Learn more

Std. Dev.

What it is:

Average squared difference of pixels when displaying a mid 50% gray.

When it matters:

Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.

Good value:

< 2.5%

Noticeable difference:

1%

Learn more

:
3.981 %

DSE

What it is:

High-frequency variance of uniformity. Dark spots on the screen.

When it matters:

Solid colors. Sports, panning shots.

Good value:

< 0.165%

Noticeable difference:

0.025%

Learn more

:
0.180 %

The screen uniformity, as with most other LED TVs, isn’t great, but at least it is free from obvious problems like banding. The corners appear a lot darker.

9.0

Video Games

Score components:

• 35%
  Input Lag
• 6%
  PC Monitor
• 59%
  Motion Blur

Learn more

The Sony X850D will please gamers with its good input lag and excellent motion. Everyone except the most demanding players will enjoy the responsiveness of the X850D, even for first person shooters and fighting games. PC gamers, or the ones that would like to use the TV as a PC monitor, will also enjoy the multiple input resolutions the X850D supports.

Included scores:

9.3

Motion Blur

8.4

Input Lag

What it is:

Delay between input and onscreen reaction.

When it matters:

Video games; when TV is used as PC monitor.

Score components:

• 100%
  Input Lag

Learn more

Input Lag

What it is:

Lowest input lag possible on TV.

When it matters:

Video games; when TV is used as PC monitor.

Good value:

< 50ms

Noticeable difference:

15ms

Learn more

:
34.6 ms

With Interpolation

What it is:

Lowest input lag when the motion interpolation feature is turned on.

When it matters:

When you want to play video games with the Soap Opera Effect enabled.

Good value:

< 50ms

Noticeable difference:

15ms

Learn more

:
67.5 ms

Outside Game Mode

What it is:

Input lag in picture modes other than the specific game mode.

When it matters:

For playing video games while retaining access to all features of the TV.

Good value:

< 50ms

Noticeable difference:

15ms

Learn more

:
71.2 ms

Lowest input lag is achieved under ‘Game’ picture mode. The ‘Clearness’ setting under ‘Motionflow’ can be used to clarify action some more and won’t increase the input lag (although it does darken the screen). Input lag also stays low enough for some slower games when image interpolation is turned on, which is something that can’t be said for most TVs.

10

PC Monitor

What it is:

Different resolutions supported by TV.

When it matters:

PC monitor usage.

Score components:

• 20%
  1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
• 20%
  1080p @ 120Hz
• 20%
  4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
• 20%
  4k @ 60Hz
• 20%
  4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4

1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4

What it is:

Crisp text on 1060p @ 60 hz signal.

When it matters:

PC productivity and 60 fps gaming.

:
Yes

1080p @ 120Hz

What it is:

120 fps 1080p signal supported.

When it matters:

PC gaming.

:
Yes

4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4

What it is:

Crisp text on 4k @ 30 hz signal.

When it matters:

PC productivity and gaming.

:
Yes

4k @ 60Hz

What it is:

60 fps 4k signal supported.

When it matters:

PC productivity and gaming.

:
Yes

4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4

What it is:

Crisp text on 4k @ 60 hz signal.

When it matters:

Productivity and 60 fps gaming in 4k.

:
Yes

Most resolutions are accepted. To get chroma 4:4:4, select ‘Game’ or ‘Graphics’ picture mode. For 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4, you also need to set the HDMI input to ‘Enhanced format’ (under ‘External inputs’ menu). Just like with last year’s Sony TVs, 1080p @ 120Hz produces little artifacts (lines), but this shouldn’t be too bothersome while gaming. The ‘Graphics’ picture mode has fewer of these little artifacts.

7.3

Living Room

Score components:

• 33%
  Reflections
• 33%
  Viewing Angle
• 33%
  Peak Brightness

Learn more

With a screen that doesn't reflect too much light, a wide viewing angle, and a level of brightness that makes watching TV in a bright room possible, the Sony X850D UHD LED TV is a good option for the typical living room setup.

Included scores:

6.3

Peak Brightness

7.5

Reflections

What it is:

How much light is reflected by the TV.

When it matters:

Bright rooms.

Score components:

Subjectively assigned

Learn more

Reflection

What it is:

Ratio of ambient light reflected by the TV.

When it matters:

Ambient light in the room.

Good value:

< 1%

Noticeable difference:

0.5%

Learn more

:
1.8 %

Screen Finish

What it is:

Type of coating on the screen.

When it matters:

Bright objects in the direct reflection path (for example, opposite the TV).

Good value:

Glossy is good for ambient light, but not for direct reflections.

Learn more

:
Semi-gloss

Bright objects reflected on the screen have rainbows around them. Reflections aren’t going to be a big problem as long as there aren’t too many lights in the room.

8.0

Viewing Angle

What it is:

Color accuracy when viewed from the side.

When it matters:

Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.

Score components:

• 100%
  Viewing Angle

Learn more

LCD Type

What it is:

Type of LCD technology used by the TV.

When it matters:

Different technologies have different viewing angle properties.

Good value:

IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle.

Learn more

:
IPS

Viewing Angle

What it is:

Angle where the contrast drops to 50% of the contrast directly in front of the TV. 0 ° means directly facing the TV.

When it matters:

Large living rooms with multiple viewing positions.

Good value:

> 30°

Noticeable difference:

10°

Learn more

:
36 °

This is an IPS TV. Therefore, it has a wide viewing angle that is good for seating on the sides of the TV. Color saturation and contrast will stay good unless the TV is being viewed from wide angles.

5.0

Sound

Score components:

• 67%
  Frequency Response
• 33%
  Total Harmonic Distortion

Learn more

The sound of the X850D, like that of most other TVs, is bad. It doesn't have a lot of bass and is distorted at high volumes. An external sound system like a sound bar would be a good investment to complement the X850D.

6.1

Frequency Response

What it is:

Sound level at different frequencies.

When it matters:

For balanced sound.

Score components:

• 8%
  Std. Dev. @ 75
• 15%
  Std. Dev. @ 85
• 23%
  Std. Dev. @ Max
• 15%
  Max
• 38%
  Low-end Cutoff

Learn more

Std. Dev. @ 75

What it is:

Variance of the sound level at different frequencies.

When it matters:

75 dB.

Good value:

< 4 dB

Noticeable difference:

2 dB

Learn more

:
4.01 dB SPL

Std. Dev. @ 85

What it is:

Variance of the sound level at different frequencies.

When it matters:

85 dB.

Good value:

< 4 dB

Noticeable difference:

2 dB

Learn more

:
5.09 dB SPL

Std. Dev. @ Max

What it is:

Variance of the sound level at different frequencies.

When it matters:

Max volume.

Good value:

< 4 dB

Noticeable difference:

2 dB

Learn more

:
6.25 dB SPL

Max

What it is:

Max volume on the TV at a distance of 1 meter.

When it matters:

For listening to loud audio.

Good value:

> 90 dB

Noticeable difference:

2 dB

Learn more

:
88.1 dB SPL

Low-end Cutoff

What it is:

How low of a frequency at which the bass starts.

When it matters:

Movies; gaming.

Good value:

< 50Hz

Noticeable difference:

10Hz

Learn more

:
143 Hz

Decent frequency response. However, the low-end cutoff of 143Hz is rather high, even for a TV; this TV doesn’t produce a lot of bass. It doesn’t get very loud either, and pumping may be present at higher volumes.

2.8

Total Harmonic Distortion

What it is:

Pureness of a single frequency.

Score components:

• 20%
  Distortion @ 75
• 40%
  Distortion @ 85
• 40%
  Distortion @ Max

Learn more

Distortion @ 75

What it is:

Amount of distortion.

When it matters:

75 dB.

Good value:

< 0.100

Noticeable difference:

0.100

Learn more

:
0.041

Distortion @ 85

What it is:

Amount of distortion.

When it matters:

85 dB.

Good value:

< 0.100

Noticeable difference:

0.100

Learn more

:
1.083

Distortion @ Max

What it is:

Amount of distortion.

When it matters:

85 dB.

Good value:

< 0.100

Noticeable difference:

0.100

Learn more

:
4.780

This distortion pattern seems to be typical of Sony TVs: Good results at lower volumes, and then a big jump in harmonic distortion near the maximum loudness limit of the TV.

Software and Inputs

Smart OS: Android

Not much has changed from Sony's Android TV smart platform from last year, which isn't such a bad thing, though some improvements would have been nice. It still feels like Sony uses a bunch of different interfaces thrown together into one. The content and apps are there, though, and that is what really matters. The interface is faster, too. As for the TV's inputs, you probably won't need more. Just make sure you have enough space in your setup to hide the huge power brick.

Apps

All the major apps are available, including a web browser, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video, HBO Go and more.

TV Controls

Basic TV controls are located on the back-right side of the TV. They might not be accessible if the TV is mounted flush on a wall.

Remote

Remote

:
Basic

The remote has the same familiar layout as last year’s, but now has a soft finish.

In The Box

– Remote
– Batteries
– 2 cable ties
– Power brick with cable
– IR blaster
– Manuals

Side Inputs

Rear Inputs

Total Inputs

HDMI

:
4

USB

:
3

Digital Optical Audio Out

:
1

Analog Audio Out 3.5mm

:
1

Analog Audio Out RCA

:
0

Component In

:
1

Composite In

:
1

Tuner (Cable/Ant)

:
1

Ethernet

:
1

DisplayPort

:
0

IR In

:
1

SD/SDHC

:
0

Inputs Specifications

5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital

What it is:

TV can receive and pass Dolby Digital 5.1 signal to receiver via HDMI ARC.

When it matters:

5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.

:
Yes

5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS

What it is:

TV can receive and pass DTS 5.1 signal to receiver via HDMI ARC.

When it matters:

5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.

:
Yes

5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital

What it is:

TV can receive and pass Dolby Digital signal to receiver via digital optical.

When it matters:

5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.

:
Yes

5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS

What it is:

TV can receive and pass DTS signal to receiver via digital optical.

When it matters:

5.1 audio on DVDs and Blu-rays.

:
Yes

HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwith

:
Yes

ARC

:
Yes (HDMI 4)

USB 3

:
Yes (1)

HDCP 2.2

:
Yes

CEC

:
Yes

MHL

:
No

Variable Analog Audio Out

:
Yes

Misc

Pixels

Other

60i:

Yes

Power Consumption

:
53 W

Power Consumption (Max)

:
118 W

Firmware

:
PKG3.163.0100NAB

Differences between Sizes and Variants

We reviewed the 55" (Sony XBR-55X850D). It has an IPS panel.

Update: The 65" is also IPS, so our review is also valid for that one.

As an interesting note, the 55" shares a panel very similar to the 2016 LG 55UH8500 that we reviewed a few weeks ago. The response time measurements are almost the same, as well as the contrast ratio (around 1200:1, which is very good for an IPS).

Size	Model	UK
55"	XBR-55X850D	KD-55XD8505
65"	XBR-65X850D	KD-65XD8505
75"	XBR-75X850D	KD-75XD8505
85"	XBR-85X850D	KD-85XD8505

Compared to other TVs

Top row, from left: Sony X850C (XBR55X850C), Sony X850D (XBR55X850D), Vizio P Series 2016 (P65-C1). Bottom: Sony X930D (XBR55X930D), Samsung KS8000 (UN55KS8000). Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

Compared to other TVs, the Sony X850D is a good choice for wide living rooms with seating on the side of the TV. If the main viewing position is directly in front of the TV, there are better alternatives.

7.9

Sony X930D

55" 65"

CHECK PRICE

The Sony X930D is better for watching movies in the dark, has the edge for HDR and offers 3D. It also is better in a living room because it has less reflections and can get brighter. The X850D is better for video games and maintains a better picture when viewed from the side which is good for a wide room.

8.2

Samsung KS8000

49" 55" 60" 65"

CHECK PRICE

For most people, the Samsung KS8000 is a better choice. It is superior for watching movies in the dark as well as with HDR content. It also performs well in most living room since it can get bright enough to counter most of the screen reflections. The X850D maintains a better picture quality when viewed from the side and is slightly better for sports.

8.2

Vizio P Series 2016

50" 55" 65" 75"

CHECK PRICE

From directly in front, the Vizio P has a better picture quality as long as the content being watched is of good quality. It is even truer if the TV is being watched in the dark. HDR is also superior on the Vizio P. Pick the X850D only if what you watch a lot of low quality content such as cable TV, DVDs and streaming and that you insist to keep a reasonable picture quality when viewing the TV from the side. For most though, the Vizio P is a better choice.

7.5

Sony X850C

55" 65" 75"

CHECK PRICE

The previous year iteration, Sony X850C, is still better for watching the TV in the dark but doesn’t offer as good quality for sports, HDR and video games. Get the X850C only if you watch regular movies the most and don’t care about the picture quality when viewed from the side of the TV.

Conclusion

CHECK PRICE

The Sony X850D offers good picture quality as long as it is watched in a room with some ambient light. Because of how well it handles motion, it will be a good pick for watching sports and playing video games. Its wide viewing angle will also ensure good picture quality for everyone in the living room. Unfortunately, those looking for good HDR implementation won’t be fully satisfied with this TV.

SCORES

7.6
Overall

6.9
Movies & TV

8.2
Sports

9.0
Video Games

7.3
Living Room

5.0
Sound

Source: www.rtings.com