Tag: Sony

Opal Tadpole webcam: A gorgeous design with a Sony mirrorless camera

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date May 1, 2024
No Comments on Opal Tadpole webcam: A gorgeous design with a Sony mirrorless camera

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Opal Tadpole webcam: Two-minute review

The Opal Tadpole is an incredibly capable webcam that is well-engineered and beautifully designed. The video quality is respectable, but my lasting impression of the Tadpole was not to do with the sensor’s capabilities but rather that it just felt really good to use. All of this is due to the thoughtful and well-implemented design, as well as the minimalist feature set. This should come as no surprise, considering the Opal co-team has history with Google, Uber, and Jump.

The Tadpole, as the name suggests, is small. At only 3.5 x 4.5 cm, the unit itself sits neatly and unobtrusively at the top of any laptop screen. When I first started using it, a few people initially asked me what on earth it was, but after a while, the device just faded into the background. So, if you’re after one of the tiniest webcams on the market at the moment, then your search is over.

The small size results in an overall weight of less than 50 grams, so there’s no chance of any unnecessary strain being applied to your screen hinge. This also makes it a dream to transport around, but more on that later.

Rather than a magnetic mount, the Opal team has opted for an adjustable clip. This means that the whole unit is either on or off, rather than having a permanently located mount. I personally prefer this implementation, because there is no chance of me losing any individual parts and thereby rendering the whole piece of kit useless.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

The range of the clip is 35 degrees, which was more than adequate for my Macbook Pro and is indeed perfect for almost all laptops. One of the concerns I initially had was about damaging my laptop. I didn’t want to scratch my metal back or crack the glass of the screen. I therefore gave the clip a good look before applying it to my laptop. After seeing that the clip was primarily made of silicone rubber, I proceeded to mount it. In reality, I needn’t have been concerned. The rubber ensures that the laptop is well protected.

The build quality is high, with a painted aluminum front and an anodized aluminum back. Despite not being the most expensive webcam on the market, the Tadpole certainly feels as premium as the best. Chemically strengthened glass will help with longevity although, for obvious reasons, I didn’t test how robust the glass was.

The cable, which measures 55cm in length and 3.7mm in diameter, is woven for greater durability. I love a woven cable, so that’s a win for me. It’s just the right length for attaching to a laptop, and thanks to the magnetic end, it can be looped around your wrist as you move between meetings. Even though I appreciate the design feature, I didn’t find much use for this type of portability.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

Moving away from the design and build quality, I’m sure you’re interested in knowing about the camera itself. Generally, it’s pretty good, although not as good as the built-in webcam on my MacBook Pro 2023. As a result, I’ll inevitably stick with that, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many people who would benefit from this type of webcam – after all, many laptops have sub-par 720p webcams or no webcam whatsoever.

The Sony IMX582 RS sensor does a fantastic job of producing clean video with minimal noise, even in the shadows. Color replication is strong, with vibrant colors chosen over and above a flat profile. The image therefore pops nicely, which is exactly what you want when appearing in front of others at a meeting or when video-calling your parents.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

The f/1.8 lens is made up of six elements and is able to let in a significant amount of light, something that is particularly noticeable when using it in low light. Unfortunately, the dynamic range that is supported by the lens and its sensor is not quite wide enough. It was a real shame that during my meetings I had to put up with bright backgrounds, such as windows, that were almost completely blown out. It’s understandable that cameras like this would struggle here, but the Tadpole struggled more than I would have liked to see.

In terms of resolution, the 48 MP image is binned to 1080p, which is more than enough for most laptops. For most people, there is little point in spending more on a 4K webcam when it will make almost no difference to the visual experience – that territory is more for professional online content creators.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

As important, if not more so, is the quality of the audio. One of the biggest challenges to providing good audio from a webcam is that they’re often omnidirectional and therefore pick up way too much background noise. Some webcams overcome this by using noise filtering, but Opal has landed on a completely different solution.

By using a directional microphone, the Tadpole captures only what is directly in front of the camera. The solution, in essence, creates a tunnel through which sound is funneled. As a result, any sound that doesn’t travel down this tunnel isn’t heard. It’s a genius little idea and puts the results in the hands of engineering rather than leaving it to programmers to work out.

This directional microphone does a pretty good job, with almost all low-to-medium level background noise removed. It didn’t work entirely in a crowded room but was certainly better than omnidirectional alternatives.

Another audio feature is the ability to mute calls with a single tap of the integrated capacitive button on the USB-C cable. This is a nice little feature to have, though I certainly wouldn’t buy the webcam because of it.

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

One of the biggest selling points of the Tadpole is its portability. It is small, lightweight, and packs neatly into a purpose-made carry case that looks like a yoyo. The case is built well and allows the cable to neatly protrude out the side, doubling up as a loop for carrying. Simply put, this is one of the best carry cases for a webcam that I’ve ever seen. The magnetic clip makes it quick and easy to take in and out, with just enough strength to ensure it doesn’t accidentally fall out.

The Opal Tadpole is one of the best options in the mid-range webcam space. It delivers better quality than the super-budget alternatives but lacks additional features that are seen in the more expensive and premium webcams. Video quality is more than good enough for most situations, although it does sometimes struggle to deal with bright light sources. The directional mic is a nice feature that does a good job of cutting out a reasonable amount of background noise. Overall, the Tadpole is a very capable webcam.

Opal Tadpole webcam: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $129 (about £105 / AU$200)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? US with worldwide shipping

At $129 (about £105 / AU$200), the Opal Tadpole sits in the middle between the super-budget Logitech HD Webcam C310 and the eye-wateringly pricy Elgato Facecam Pro. The former lacks good image quality and feels a bit cheap in the hand, whereas the latter delivers amazing 4K video at 60 fps – for a high price.

If you want to compare like for like in terms of price, then the Tadpole is only a little more expensive than the Logitech C920, which wins the status for ‘best overall’ webcam in our best webcams buying guide – though it lacks the unparalleled portability of the Tadpole.

For the asking price here, you get decent video quality and some nice features, including single-tap muting. If you’re after something a little better than the cheapest options on the market, then the Opal Tadpole is a respectable choice.

The Opal Tadpole ships worldwide, with associated shipping costs. For the UK, that is set at an additional $8. The yo-yo case also costs an additional $19, but it’s worth the price in my opinion.

Opal Tadpole webcam: Specs

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	Opal Tadpole
Price:	$129 (about £105 / AU$200)
Supported resolutions:	1080p
Sensor:	Sony IMX582 RS sensor
Lens:	Not specified
Focus range:	10 cm to ∞
Aperture:	f/1.8
Focal length:	Not specified

Should you buy the Opal Tadpole webcam?

Opal Tadpole webcam

(Image credit: Future)

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Opal Tadpole webcam report card
Value	The Opal Tadpole is competitively priced as a mid-range webcam. Cheaper alternatives don’t have the same build quality whereas more expensive webcams have more features.	4 / 5
Design	With a design that not only looks great but is well engineered, the Tadpole will be an instant hit for anyone who gets their hands on one.	4.5 / 5
Performance	Setting the webcam up was an absolute doddle; simply plugging it in and choosing it from my list of webcams. Video quality could have been better but still very reasonable.	4 / 5
Avarage rating	I would have liked to have seen better handling of highlights but all in this is a very nice web cam at a very reasonable price.	4 / 5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Opal Tadpole webcam: Also consider

Swipe to scroll horizontally

	Opal Tadpole	Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra	Obsbot Tiny 2
Price:	$129	$299.99 / £299.99 / AU$499.95	$329 / £269 / AU$519
Supported resolutions:	1080p	4K 30FPS / 1440P 30FPS / 1080p @ 60/30/24FPS / 720P @ 60/30 FPS	4000 x 3000 / 4K @ 30fps, 1440p / 1080p @ 60fps
Sensor:	Sony IMX582 RS sensor	1/1.2” Sony Starvis CMOS sensor	1/1.5” CMOS
Lens:	Not specified	Not specified	Not specified
Focus range:	10 cm to ∞	about 5in to ∞	10cm to ∞
Aperture:	f/1.8	f/1.7	f/1.9
Focal length:	Not specified	8.5mm	26mm (equivalent)

How I tested the Opal Tadpole webcam

I used the webcam for my video calls
I tested its general performance as well as its special features
I made sure to test it under a variety of lighting conditions

As soon as it came through the door, I was keen to get the Opal Tadpol webcam out of the box and hooked onto my laptop. Everything about the design and functionality oozes quality, so I wanted to get it setup as soon as I could.

After a few minutes of getting it up and running, I spent time in video calls to test it’s many features. I also made sure to give it a good run around in different lighting conditions, including bright and low-lit rooms.

With a few neat features, I also checked those out so I could determine the degree to which I would use them on a regular basis. I also used the carry case to help me transport the webcam around.

Stellar Blade graffiti that appeared to reference a racial slur by coincidence was ‘unintentional’ says Sony and will be removed with the day one patch

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Sony has confirmed that the Stellar Blade in-game art alluding to a racial slur will be patched out with a day one update, saying it was “unintentional.”

As first reported by IGN, it was discovered that in the forthcoming action role-playing game from Shift Up Corporation, there features a coincidental reference to a racial slur that appears as graffiti.

As the screenshot below shows, the word “Hard” can be seen painted onto a wall next to the “R Shop” – which indicates the location of an NPC called Roxanne and her store – resulting in the unfortunate reference to the racial slur when combined.

This “Hard” graffiti can be found throughout the game in numerous places, however, and is used as generic scenery dressing. Sony claims that this one instance wasn’t intentional on Shift Up Corporation’s part.

Sony says the ‘Hard R Shop’ graffiti in #StellarBlade was ‘unintentional’ It’s since been removed pic.twitter.com/DbrCvlZm0FApril 24, 2024

“The placement of two graphics near each other in Stellar Blade resulted in an unintentional objectionable phrase,” said PlayStation in a statement to IGN. “Shift Up had no intention of creating offensive artwork and will be replacing the graffiti for the Day 1 patch.”

When asked if there were plans to remove the art from the physical version of Stellar Blade as well, PlayStation’s reiterated that it “should be removed for all users in the Day 1 update.”

Although Sony said that the graffiti would be removed in the Day one patch, it looks like it’s already done so. According to a report from Kotaku, when visiting the same location with an early review copy of the game, it was discovered the “Hard” graffiti has now been replaced with blue graffiti reading “Crime.”

Stellar Blade is set to launch on April 26 exclusively for PlayStation 5.

In TechRadar Gaming’s full review, hardware editor Rhys Wood called the game “an incredibly fun and stylish action game” packed with “engaging combat” and “huge enemy variety”.

I listened to Taylor Swift’s new songs on a 22-year-old Sony Walkman and it was a tortured experience I won’t try again

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 22, 2024
No Comments on I listened to Taylor Swift’s new songs on a 22-year-old Sony Walkman and it was a tortured experience I won’t try again

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The first time I heard Taylor Swift’s Fortnight, a new song off the Tortured Poet’s Department featuring Post Malone, it was through an FM radio built into a 22-year-old Sony Walkman CD player, but even with the poor reception, the lyrics resonated with this almost forgotten technology:

“I was supposed to be sent away

But they forgot to come and get me”

Listening to Swift’s new blockbuster, the thirty-one-track-double album Tortured Poet’s Department, on vintage technology was, I admit, an accident.

I’d unexpectedly discovered the Sony Walkman model D-FS601 buried in a box in my basement while searching for a firewire cable for another aging piece of technology (a 2008 camcorder, but that’s another story).

Though yellowing, the player, which also includes an AM/FM radio, dedicated weather channels, and even TV channels, looked otherwise in decent shape. I forgot all about the Firewire and brought the classic Sony Walkman upstairs to my home office.

As the name suggests, Sony Walkman’s were meant to go where you go, which means battery operation (there’s also a DC-in port so I could plug it into the wall but then what’s the point?). With more than a little trepidation, I opened the battery compartment, which sits inside the device and under where you’d normally place a CD. I was praying that it wasn’t filled with a pair of exploded double AA batteries. To my surprise and relief, it was empty and clean as a whistle.

Sony Walkman 2002

(Image credit: Future)

Shake it off

Holding the Walkman in my hand, I was surprised at its heft. Though listed on Amazon as weighing 9.6 ounces, I’d contend it weighs at least a pound. Like the original Sony Walkman (circa 1979) the player’s shape was defined by its media. Whereas the first Walkman wrapped itself around a cassette tape, this 2002 model was mostly a circle. I say mostly because one side of the player is a big, grippable section.

The idea was to put all the controls within thumb or fingertip reach. A built-in band would slip over your palm and you could control the power, play, skip, and pause with just your thumb. You’d still need to use your other hand to press almost a dozen other button options on the Walkman, though.

Sony Walkman 2002

(Image credit: Future)

There’s something very forward-looking and also retrograde about this design. Who wants to carry around a pound of gear in their hand while running? Oh, and yes, this was a CD player designed to withstand a splash of water and take the bumps of a runner’s road with what’s known as built-in “G” protection. \

This didn’t mean that the laser never skipped. Instead, the system cached 30-40 seconds of music (depending on the setting, I think) and would automatically cancel out missed bits of music. It was a smart idea that also ate up a little battery life.

A CD with style

Sony Walkman 2002

(Image credit: Future)

I found some fresh batteries, put them in, and immediately discovered that the radio worked. It was still set to one of our favorite radio stations from 20 years ago: 95.5, which has since become an all-religion network.

Putting the Sony Walkman aside for a minute, I headed back to the basement to dig through my still extensive CD collection. With almost all the songs ever recorded available online on the best music streaming services, there’s probably no good reason to hold onto all these plastic bits of music memories. However, if you are, as I am, currently in between music services, they may not seem so obsolete after all.

I popped in a Mowtown: Jackson 5 Greatest Hits album and then went back to the box where I found the player to see if the originally wired headphones were still around. They were not but I found a pair with “MP3” printed on them, so I chose those and quickly wished I hadn’t. The cable was too short, the earbuds fit was basic, and the sound was abysmal. I soon found a newer pair from Samsung and the sound was lovely and rich. Of course, there’s a bass boost (three settings) on the Walkman, and I amped it to the mid-range. I won’t claim the audio was better than what I get from, say, Spotify or Apple Music on my iPhone but it was good.

These features were over now

Image 1 of 2

Sony Walkman 2002 — (Image credit: Future)

Naturally, I would much rather use a Bluetooth headphone with the Walkman, but that wireless protocol was only a few years old in 2002 and not widely used in music players and stereo headphones. I could, if I wanted, spend $20 for a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the player’s 3.5mm headphone jack.

There’s a lot on this Walkman that is no longer useful. It has built-in TV audio receivers for a collection of local broadcast channels that no longer transmit in anything except digital. Plus there are those weather stations that now play nothing but static.

As I noted earlier, the radio, both AM and FM, still works. I started looking for a single station I could reliably pick up – and that’s when I found Z100 and Taylor Swift.

Founded in 1983, Z100 had been broadcasting top 40 hits to millions of listener’s ears six years before Taylor Swift was born but unlike some old stations that stuck with the music that brought them, Z100 changes with the times and is in step with what’s new, fresh, and undeniably hot. In today’s moment, that’s Taylor Swift and the Tortured Poet’s Department.

The mega music star launched her surprise dual album on April 19, coincidentally the same day I began playing with the vintage Sony Walkman CD Player.

Don’t blame me

Sony Walkman 2002

(Image credit: Future)

As I tuned the radio to Z100, I heard familiar vocals. It was Taylor Swift, and not just any Taylor Swift, (say a banger from 1989 or Anti-Hero from Midnight). No, I could tell, this was one of Swift’s song-poems from the Tortured Poet’s Department. In quick succession, the station played Fortnight, I Can Do It with a Broken Heart, and My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys. Suddenly, the album was in heavy rotation.

It also sounded terrible.

Not the songs. Even from the static-filled bits I could make out, this was some beautiful and tortured stuff. But no matter where I moved in my house, the reception and clarity were abysmal, far worse than even my car radio.

I quickly realized this was the wrong introduction to Swift’s last bit of unloading about yet another past relationship (and maybe her current one with football star Travis Kelce). After a few tracks, I gave up.

There is nothing wrong with using this yellowed CD player for physical media, especially the classics, but new tunes deserve the best mp3 player and best headphones you can buy. It’s Taylor Swift, she deserves no less and I offer apologies to all the Swifties I’ve offended.

It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.

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Tags 22yearold, Experience, listened, songs, Sony, Swifts, Taylor, Tortured, Walkman, Wont

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Sony drops Samsung’s QD-OLED panel from its 2024 TV lineup

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 22, 2024
No Comments on Sony drops Samsung’s QD-OLED panel from its 2024 TV lineup

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Over the past couple of years, Sony has been using Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panels in its flagship TV models. However, that isn’t the case this year, and Sony has switched to a Mini LED panel for its flagship TV mode for 2024. While it still uses LG’s WRGB OLED panel in this year’s model, it isn’t pegged as the Japanese firm’s top-of-the-line TV.

Sony’s flagship TV for 2024 uses Mini LED panel instead of a Samsung QD-OLED

Sony’s new TV lineup for 2024 includes just four TV models: BRAVIA 3, BRAVIA 7, BRAVIA 8, and BRAVIA 9. These model names are much simpler to remember and understand than Sony’s previous naming scheme. The BRAVIA 3 is a regular LED-backlit (Direct LIT) LCD TV with no full array local dimming. The step-up is BRAVIA 7, which is a Mini LED TV, and it will be available in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch sizes.

The next step up is the BRAVIA 8, which comes in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch sizes and uses LG Display’s WRGB OLED panel. Compared to its predecessor (last year’s A80L), it has thinner bezels, and that’s about it. The BRAVIA 9 is Sony’s top-of-the-line TV for 2024, and it uses a higher-end Mini LED panel with a lot more local dimming zones, higher brightness, and better colors. It comes in 65-inch ($3,299), 75-inch ($3,999), and 85-inch ($5,499) sizes.

You can watch our hands-on video of Samsung’s QD-OLED TV lineup for 2024 below. It will compete with Sony’s BRAVIA 8 and BRAVIA 9 TVs this year.

Sony will continue selling last year’s A95L, which uses Samsung Display’s QD-OLED panel, but it isn’t clear if its stocks will last the entire year. So, if you want to get the Sony A95L, you should consider buying it sooner rather than later. As an alternative, you can buy Samsung’s S95C or the new S95D QD-OLED TV. The S95C is a lot cheaper than Sony’s A95L, while the S95D is cheaper and has a Glare-Free coating to prevent reflections.

The Japanese firm also launched two new soundbars, a five-speaker home theater unit, and a neckband “portable theater” called BRAVIA Theater U. Sony is using the term BRAVIA for its home theater and soundbar names for the first time. Its new soundbars have copied a few features from Samsung’s soundbars, including Active Voice Amplifier, SpaceFit Sound, and Q-Symphony.

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Tags drops, lineup, Panel, QDOLED, Samsungs, Sony

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I got a Dolby Atmos soundtrack mixing demo at Sony Pictures Studios, and now I know how Spider-Man sounds get made

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 21, 2024
No Comments on I got a Dolby Atmos soundtrack mixing demo at Sony Pictures Studios, and now I know how Spider-Man sounds get made

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Movie sound production is a complex and painstaking process, requiring multiple teams of individuals with special skills to create and mix the dialogue, music, and sound effects that comprise a typical Dolby Atmos movie soundtrack.

How do I know this? I spent two days touring the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City, California where Sony produces the soundtracks for its films. The reason I was at the studio was to see the new Sony TV lineup for 2024, along with the new Sony Dolby Atmos soundbars, but Sony also provided me and other tech writers with a behind-the-scenes look at the studio’s production processes.

During the visit, we were treated to demonstrations of Foley effects, ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) and soundtrack mixing. These, along with musical score composition, are the building blocks of soundtrack creation, and when executed well, add up to the detailed and dramatic soundscapes that can be fully appreciated when watching movies on the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers.

A key takeaway from my visit was that movie soundtracks contain only fragments of “live” sound captured during the actual shooting process. Most of the soundtrack is created completely from scratch in the studio, with dialogue, footsteps, rustling leaves and wind, motor sounds, and explosions added after the fact. Another takeaway was that a typical soundtrack is comprised of a surprisingly wide array of audio elements, all of which ultimately get mixed into a seamless whole. I’ll step through the various processes I caught demonstrations of below.

Image 1 of 4

Foley effects

Before my Sony Pictures Studio tour, I thought many of the sounds you hear in modern movies were sourced from a library of digital audio samples. And while there is some of that going on, the vast majority of sounds are created by a Foley artist.

These sound magicians summon up an array of audio effects using plain, everyday objects in highly creative ways and maintain a vast library of said objects to aid them in that task. During the demo, Sony Studios Foley artist Gary Hecker performed the various sounds that went into a Western movie scene of a band of horses being driven through a forest. Hoofbeat sounds were created using what looked like an antique tool pounded on a dirt-covered surface, while other objects were used to generate rustling leaves and jostling spurs. Hecker created the whinnying sounds the horses made when halted with his own voice, and the effect was strikingly naturalistic.

After watching the scene’s various effects created one by one, they were edited together with sound processing added to make them louder and more dynamic, and the result was an authentic-sounding movie action scene. In another demo, the sound of Spider-Man shooting webs to leap from building to building was quickly created using a whip, and, after a bit of processing, the effect was convincingly Spider-Man-like.

ADR

When an actor signs on to make a movie, part of the work involves the actual shooting of scenes, but another equally important part is overdubbing dialogue later in a process called ADR. As with other soundtrack elements, a scene’s dialogue is almost completely re-constructed in a studio to ensure it sounds clear and easy to understand. While no actors were on hand for Sony’s ADR demo, we got to see a studio where ADR is edited and hear examples of dialogue recorded post-shoot being inserted into a scene.

Image 1 of 3

Tech writers seated in Sony Pictures sound mixing studio getting Dolby Atmos demo — The Spider-Man: No Way Home Dolby Atmos soundtrack mixing demo begins(Image credit: Sony Pictures Studios)

Soundtrack mixing

After all the sound effects creation, ADR, and music scoring work is complete, the soundtrack is ready to be mixed. The large room – a space with Japanese garden-themed decor – where Sony’s soundtrack mixing demo took place was one of 14 mixing rooms at the studio, and was a medium-sized mixing room according to Sony. Even so, it had a total of 38 speakers for mixing soundtracks in Dolby Atmos. (We were told during the demo that all soundtracks are also later mixed in a smaller home theater-type space for an Atmos home video release.)

Using the Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) soundtrack for the demo, Sony sound mixer Jeff Gross played the multiple tracks in the mix individually so we could hear them in isolation. The demo also alternated between a full soundtrack mix and just the Dolby Atmos height effects, allowing us to hear how much Atmos effects contribute to a soundtrack. Short version: a lot. Coming away from the experience, I had a renewed appreciation for immersive soundtrack formats like Dolby Atmos, and of the importance of reproducing Atmos soundtracks adequately at home.

It’s not every day you get to wander around a legendary Hollywood studio and watch people at work making movies. I may have been there to check out the new Sony TVs and soundbars, but I also got to experience movie soundtrack production, which is a more magical, intense, and involved process than I ever imagined.

Sony dropped OLED for its flagship 2024 TV – here’s why

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 21, 2024
No Comments on Sony dropped OLED for its flagship 2024 TV – here’s why

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Sony revealed its 2024 TV lineup earlier this week and the announcements included four new models. The Sony Bravia 9 is the flagship TV for 2024, but, in a reversal of course for the company’s flagship models, it will use mini-LED technology, not OLED.

Sony’s mid-range OLED, the Sony A80L, was one of the best TVs released last year. Its flagship QD-OLED, the Sony A95L, was also extremely popular, and when we saw it, we were blown away. The best OLED TVs provide near-perfect black levels and contrast and Sony has been a consistent user of the display tech since its early days.

So, why has Sony opted for mini-LED for its 2024 flagship model? It’s by no means the first time the company has sold mini-LED TVs – last year’s Sony X95L was a fantastic set that we rated five stars – but the tech has never been used for Sony’s flagship TV before. Why the change?

It’s worth noting that the Sony A95L was released outside Sony’s usual summer window last year, finally shipping in October and September in the US and UK. As such, it carries over as Sony’s top OLED model for 2024. But with the Bravia 9 mini-LED model, and the simultaneous introduction of the Bravia 7, another, more entry-level, mini-LED, Sony seems to be doubling down on the technology – here’s why.

The movie industry

Image of Daisy and Jay from The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby (pictured) is one movie already mastered at 4,000 nits. (Image credit: Warner Bros UK)

At the end of 2023, Sony released its latest professional mastering monitor, the BVM-HX3110, which is seeing increased usage within the movie industry. It served as a follow-up to Sony’s HX310 monitor, which peaked at 1,000 nits brightness, a level most movies are mastered at.

The HX3110, in contrast, has a peak brightness of 4,000 nits. Sony is starting to master more movies at this higher brightness level and believes the industry will follow. For context, it points to movies such as The Great Gatsby, In the Heart of the Sea and Angry Birds, all of which had been mastered at 4,000 nits before the introduction of the HX3110. A Sony demo at CES 2018 also showed Gran Turismo 7, mastered at 10,000 nits, on its prototype 8K TV with a peak brightness of 4,000 nits.

With movies now being mastered at a higher brightness level, Sony believes you’ll need a brighter screen at home to handle it. New OLED TVs are brighter than ever, with models such as the LG G3 hitting a peak brightness of nearly 1,500 nits, and although we expect new OLED models to get even brighter, they don’t quite hit the same level as mini-LED.

We’re now seeing peak brightness levels of over 2,000 nits on mini-LED TVs such as the new Samsung QN90D. Also, TCL announced TVs with over 5,000 nits brightness, and Hisense’s forthcoming 110-inch TV is claimed to hit over 10,000 nits.

Sony’s new mini-LED tech

Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED TV on wooden TV stand

The Bravia 9 (pictured) utilizes Sony’s new mini-LED tech. (Image credit: Future)

Sony’s flagship TV for 2024, the Bravia 9, features a new type of mini-LED backlight design with much smaller LED drivers than had been used before. According to Sony, these new 22-bit drivers enable higher brightness, bolder colors, and ‘OLED-level’ blacks. Since each driver is smaller than a grain of rice, a higher number can be arrayed in the backlight, allowing for more dimming zones and greater lighting control.

The Bravia 9 is said to be 50% brighter and has three times the dimming zones of the Sony X95L, its flagship mini-LED TV from 2023, while using 20% less energy Sony also says the backlight technology used in the Bravia 9 is similar to the one in the HX3110 mastering monitor, and that makes the Bravia 9 the best companion to show any movies mastered on the HX3110.

Interestingly, Sony hasn’t released any brightness specifications for the Bravia 9. If this is the ideal set to show movies mastered on the HX3110, you would naturally assume it will hit 4,000 nits but when TechRadar asked Sony about that at CES 2024, a company rep said it was unlikely. We’ll have to wait until we can test the Bravia 9 to determine its actual peak brightness.

XR Backlight Master Drive

Sony Bravia 9 backlight demo showing images on screen and on raw backlight

Sony’s new backlight tech (pictured right) shows greater detail than standard mini-LED tech (pictured left). (Image credit: Future)

It’s not just new LED drivers that Sony has implemented in its mini-LED TV backlight, but also its XR processor. Sony has called the feature XR Backlight Master Drive, and the XR processor manages backlight dimming differently.

Once the TV has received an input signal, the XR Processor begins its work by separating the TV’s LCD panel and backlight data. After this, the LED drivers tell the mini-LEDs what to do. There is greater control over the lighting here than with a standard LED backlight (and even with current mini-LED tech) and it results in a picture with greater contrast and more powerful brightness with less backlight blooming.

Final thoughts

We’ve already seen Sony’s latest mini-LED tech in the Bravia 9 in action, and we think OLED TVs should be worried. Thanks to the combination of the XR processor and new LED drivers, the Bravia 9 could be a real winner, and, as Sony says, ideal for displaying movies mastered with the HX3110 monitor.

By carrying over the Sony A95L from last year, Sony has made it clear it’s not abandoning OLED, although mini-LED tech certainly seems to be the company’s priority for the future. Whether its new tech will beat OLED and QD-OLED remains to be seen, but 2024 is going to be an interesting year for TVs.

Sony copies Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature for its soundbars and TVs

Post author By miranda cosgrove
Post date April 19, 2024
No Comments on Sony copies Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature for its soundbars and TVs

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Last updated: April 19th, 2024 at 20:41 UTC+02:00

Samsung has been the world’s biggest TV brand for 17 consecutive years and the biggest soundbar brand for ten years. It must be doing many things right to achieve such a huge feat, and Sony has taken a few leaves out of the South Korean firm’s book for its new TVs and soundbars.

Sony copies Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound and Q-Symphony features for its new soundbars

Sony announced its new soundbar and TV lineup this week, and it appears that it has copied a few features from Samsung’s TV and soundbar lineups. One of those features is Acoustic Center Sync. It combines the speakers of the TV and the soundbar to create more immersive and powerful audio. This is exactly similar to Samsung’s Q-Symphony feature that debuted three years ago.

Moreover, Sony seems to have copied Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound feature. Sony’s new Bravia soundbars feature Sound Field Optimization, which uses onboard microphones to optimize audio according to the room’s dimensions. Another feature that Samsung’s and Sony’s soundbars have in common is the ability to recognize and amplify vocals using AI. Samsung calls it Active Voice Amplifier Pro, while Sony has branded it Voice Zoom 3.

Despite Sony copying these features, Samsung might still have the upper hand. Its soundbars have always been rated higher than Sony’s in terms of overall audio quality and feature set. Samsung’s new soundbars have wireless sync with the company’s TVs and Wireless Dolby Atmos. They can also be controlled using the SmartThings app on smartphones and tablets.

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Tags Copies, feature, QSymphony, Samsungs, Sony, soundbars, TVs

Featured

Cans for peanuts: Amazon’s new headphone sale has insane price cuts on Sony, Bose and more

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 18, 2024
No Comments on Cans for peanuts: Amazon’s new headphone sale has insane price cuts on Sony, Bose and more

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There’s never a bad time to upgrade your headphones, but there’s something about good headphones and colder months that just go together. Whether you’re looking for a pair to accompany you on the couch with an audiobook and a blanket, pretending you’re in a Taylor Swift music video on the way to work or getting a workout in, Amazon has you covered.

With deals on some of our favourite headphones across different budgets and excelling in different areas, this audio bonanza is one not to be missed, particularly if you aren’t too keen on waiting till July for Prime Day 2024 to come calling. We’ve scoured the online retailer’s Aussie site and picked five of our favourite deals from Amazon’s current array of discounts.

Sony debuts Bravia Theater line of Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 17, 2024
No Comments on Sony debuts Bravia Theater line of Dolby Atmos soundbars and speakers

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Sony didn’t announce any new home theater audio gear at CES, so it was only a matter of time before the company would reveal its latest soundbars and speakers. Today, the company unveiled its new Bravia Theater line, a moniker that the company’s soundbars and living room speakers will carry for the foreseeable future. Sony is ditching the HT-XXXX naming scheme, which should be less confusing for all parties. For the initial offering, the company has two new Dolby Atmos soundbars, a four-speaker surround system and a wearable neckband speaker.

At the top of the list sits the Bravia Theater Bar 9. This is Sony’s new flagship soundbar, but the company says it’s 36-percent smaller than the former premium model, the HT-A7000. Inside, a 13-speaker setup includes three tweeters, four woofers, two beam tweeters, two up-firing and two side-firing drivers. The slightly smaller Bravia Theater Bar 8 houses 11 total speakers, lacking the the two beam tweeters from the Bar 9. Sony says the Bar 8 is 30-percent smaller than the unit it replaces, the HT-A5000.

Both soundbars feature very similar spec sheets, including support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio and Hi-Res audio content. The pair will also gain IMAX Enhanced capabilities with a pending update, but that feature will require additional wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer. Connectivity is the same on both models with one HDMI input and one HDMI output (eARC). HDMI 2.1 is supported, so you can expect 4K/120 passthrough and all the other perks that standard affords.

A closeup of the front corner of a black Sony soundbar. — Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8 (Sony)

There’s also a host of Sony-specific features on both soundbars. That list includes Sound Field Optimization for room calibration and 360 Spatial Sound that places virtual speakers around a space for more immersive audio via virtualization. Acoustic Center Sync combines the speakers of a Bravia TV with either of these soundbars for a more realistic cinema experience where it sounds like the audio is coming directly from the screen. The soundbars also support Voice Zoom 3 from Sony’s Bravia TVs, a tool that uses AI to recognize human voices and amplifies them so it’s always heard clearly.

The Bravia Theater Bar 9 and Bravia Theater Bar 8 are compatible with Sony’s current rear satellite speakers and subwoofers. Those include the SA-RS5 and SA-RS3S speakers and the SA-SW5 and SA-SW3 subs. Unfortunately, there’s no bundle option, so on top of a $1,400 (Bar 9) or a $1,000 (Bar 8) soundbar, you’ll have to shell out hundreds more for a better setup. At the very least, you’ll want a subwoofer, which will currently cost you either $350 (SW3) or $620 (SW5).

A living room with a TV and four speakers, two beside the TV and two on a shelf behind a couch. — Sony Bravia Theater Quad (Sony)

And then there’s the Bravia Theater Quad. This four-speaker set replaces the HT-A9 that Sony introduced in 2021. Instead of four cylindrical units, the company opted for flat, square designs this time, which will allow you to mount them on a wall more easily. Like the A9, there’s a separate box that holds all of the necessary connections. You’ll get HDMI 2.1 here too, with one input and one output (eARC).

Inside of each speaker, there are four drivers: one tweeter, one mid-range, one woofer and one up-firing unit. That’s a total of 16 across the set, and Sony says you can add on either the SW3 or the SW5 subwoofer for more low-end thump. The Sony-developed features from the new Bravia Theater Bars are here as well, including 360 Spatial Sound, Sound Field Optimization, Acoustic Center Sync and Voice Zoom 3. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Reality Audio and Hi-Res tunes are in the mix too, and IMAX Enhanced will arrive later via an update (you’ll need a sub to use it). The Bravia Theater Quad is the priciest of the bunch, setting you back $2,500 for the initial set without a bundled subwoofer.

Lastly, Sony has a new neckband speaker for “open-air yet personal listening.” The Bravia Theater U ($300) supports Dolby Atmos when paired with a compatible Bravia TV. Two of the company’s X-balanced speakers power the device, which supports 360 Reality Audio on its own. There’s also 12-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth and a built-in mic for calls.

Sony says the Bravia Theater Bar 9 and Bar 8 will be available for preorder this spring from Amazon and other retailers. Ditto for the Bravia Theater U. The Bravia Theater Quad is available for preorder now.

This article contains affiliate links; if you click such a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission.

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Tags Atmos, Bravia, debuts, Dolby, Line, Sony, soundbars, speakers, Theater

Entertainment

Our favorite Sony wireless earbuds are on sale for a record-low price

Post author By lisa nichols
Post date April 13, 2024
No Comments on Our favorite Sony wireless earbuds are on sale for a record-low price

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If you’ve been eyeing earbuds but were put off by the steep price tag, now would be the perfect time to pick up a set. The premium earbuds, normally $300, are down to a record low price of $230 on Amazon, for a savings of $70. This deal only applies to the earbuds in black. The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds were released in summer 2023 and brought major upgrades over the previous model. They boast the best noise cancellation and call quality of Sony’s earbuds lineup, and have built-in Alexa support.

Sony

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are our top pick for for this year. They’re more comfortable than the WF-1000XM4s, being 25 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter for a much better fit. The charging case, too, is more compact than its predecessor. In terms of sound quality, they further improve upon the already impressive capabilities of the 1000X line. The speakers are slightly larger than the previous model’s, and their Dynamic Driver X drivers make for rich, clear sound and bassier bass. Sony WF-1000XM5 scored an 87 in last year.

The earbuds offer Adaptive Sound Control, which will automatically adjust your noise cancellation settings to work best for the environment you’re in or activity you’re doing. You may want active noise cancellation on when you’re working from home, but switch to transparency mode when you’re going out for a run. You’ll need to enable location services for this feature using Sony’s Headphones Connect app.

The app allows for other types of customization as well, like changing the controls assigned to the touch sensors on the earbuds. Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds also support multipoint Bluetooth connections, which means you can pair them with two devices at the same time. There’s a Speak-to-Chat mode that pauses audio when it senses you’ve started a conversation, and an equalizer in the app where you can adjust your sound settings.

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Tags Earbuds, favorite, price, recordlow, Sale, Sony, wireless

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