Review: The Sony XE85 Series

Guest blog by David…

Sony continues to hold the line as one of the world leaders in innovating TV ranges. Their advanced technologies combined with cutting-edge design is certainly evident across the XE85 range.

The XE85 series is a great example from Sony of market-leading technology that’s fully kitted out and looks great. I got to try out the 55” which looks spectacular without it taking over the room.

The stylish slim bezel has been masterfully manufactured to wrap around your television, creating a look that blends in perfectly with any décor. The TV has built-in cable management so that you don’t get a mess of wires visible through the gap of the pedestal; the pedestal feet unclip on the back to house all your cables out of view.

Sony’s Triluminous Display boosts your images, creating incredibly vibrant colours and sharp contrast that draws you in to really experience what the creators intended you to see

This TV’s capabilities far outweigh the requirements to play any form of content in the home; not only is it an Ultra 4K panel but also has the ability to showcase HDR content. I have the latest Sky Q box at home and the picture was absolutely stunning and the 4K broadcast was absolutely flawless. I know, however, that this TV can be pushed even harder, I have witnessed 4K HDR in the store and you can see that the contrast control is just mind blowing; the detail in the shadows is fantastic.

What I loved most about the picture of this TV is that it wasn’t just impressive with high definition pre-loaded footage; I also appreciated the viewing experience of normal everyday TV. Watching a variety of content from soaps, to kid’s programmes, sports and movies, I loved the picture performance I was getting. This is down to Sony’s 4K X-Reality Pro chip that delivers better texture and detail.

If you are into fast-paced action then this TV has you covered, with Motionflow XR 1000 Hz, all of your action movies and sporting events will be fluid, with minimum motion blur. This feature is also great if you are into gaming, helping your feel immersed in the game.

The Smart aspect of the TV is where you can really show off the awesome features using the Android system. The menu is incredibly simple to navigate whether you want to watch the latest trending videos on YouTube, get the latest on the soaps using the catch-up services, or even watch new releases on Netflix. The possibilities are endless as Sony continues to update their app store with new and exciting reasons to engage with your new TV.

Built in Chromecast means you can steam videos, photos and apps straight from your iOS or android smart phone from the comfort of your sofa. Another useful interactive feature is the voice recognition button on the top of the remote; simply ask your TV a question and the results appear on the screen in front of you. It’s not just searching for the next episode of Bake Off, I tried asking about my favourite celebrity and not only did it tell me details from his bio, like date of birth and personal interests, but it also showcased films and TV shows that he has stared in. This feature can also navigate the TV so if you want to carry on watching a film you’ve paused, you can simply tell your TV to continue play back. Simple, intuitive and incredibly useful.

Connecting the rest of your home entertainment is easy as Sony has thought about every type of input you will need. Not only does the TV boast Bluetooth 4.1 but also is DLNA certified so that if you have loads of photos, music and videos on your home PC then they can all be accessed on the TV – wirelessly. To connect your hardware Sony has provided you with 4 HDMI sockets, 2 USB inputs and a digital optical audio out for connecting a soundbar. As with many slim-bezel TVs there is a finite amount of space for speakers, so we recommend a soundbar to ensure the audio is as outstanding as the visual.

In short, this stunning, sleek and sensational TV will become your main hub of entertainment, displaying crystal clear images with heart pounding audio; streaming the latest and greatest must-watch films and TV box sets through SMART. It will bring together all of your media in one place to show off and enjoy.

Ask your local store about a demo and see the amazing picture and Smart functionality for yourself. You can also buy online and enjoy free delivery, use our Click & Collect service to pick up in as little as one hour or rent the 55” XE85 for £16.15pw* or get a cinematic effect with the 65” XE85 for £25.38pw*. Our rental range gives you a simple weekly outlay, ensures you keep up to date with technology and takes away repair costs and concerns with worry free servicing – go online, talk to your local store or call 0371 231 3113 to find out more.

 

*terms & conditions apply, one-off admin fee chargeable; ask for details.