Continuation of our TV tests from the 2017 Sony range with a very interesting model, the Sony KD -55XE9005.On paper, this specimen stands out for its Full LED Local Dimming and a completely accessible price (€ 1,990 in 55 "and € 2,990 in 65").Despite its mid -range positioning, it also incorporates two key elements of the brand's televisions, the X -Reality Pro 4K processing and the X1 4K HDR processor in its "classic" version (and not "extreme" as on the Sony KD-65Xe9305, Sony KD - 65ZD9 and Sony KD - 65A1 already tested in our columns; click on the references to discover the complete tests of these screens carried out by the editorial staff of Avcesar.com).

Even if we expect lesser power algorithms, quality should still be there.Otherwise, except the lack of HDR10 compatibility), Dolby Vision also offers dynamic metadata (static on HDR10) depending on the images displayed, for a more precise rendering in the bass and high lights.Important, to enjoy Dolby Vision content, all graphics chain links must be compatible Dolby Vision, from calibration to display." >HDR Dolby Vision (seul le HDR10 est au programme), ce TV s’avère richement doté avec un nombre important de fonctionnalités et une interface Android TV Nougat 7.0.It remains to be seen if he keeps his promises to use ... the answer in this test bench.

Full LED TV with Local Dimming, affordable, but too few areas...

We can be surprised to note that the Sony Xe93 series (an EDGE LED specimen) is positioned, in the range and in tariff terms, above the Sony X90 models (Full LED).That said, looking at it, we quickly understand the why of the how of this situation.Indeed, as mentioned during its test, the XE93 has a new LED Edge backlight system with 64 real local independent dimming areas.However, we note that unfortunately, even if the Sony Xe90 is equipped with a Full LED backlight system, it has only around thirty areas (at least that is what it appears during our measurements,Because Sony does not communicate on it).Logically, the perceived contrast is therefore less impressive and blooming is more visible, especially by viewing HDR content in the dark room.

However, we find the qualities common to all Sony TVs, namely a perfect mastery of peaking technology (bright peak) with the X -Tended Dynamic Range Pro 4K function (see.Photo below, the top of the image benefiting from the process), but also the adaptation of the backlight system according to the brightness of the scenes.All associated with the excellent ACE (Advanced Contrast enhancer) function which improves intra -imamaining contrast in a dynamic way with very good results.We return of course further in this test on contrast measures and on our appreciation of the perceived contrast.

We can also see that the manufacturing quality is very far from that proposed by the Sony KD - 65XE9305 TV.Here, nothing exceptional in terms of finish or design, it's classic and sober.That's not bad.The trunk, entirely in black and matt anthracite pvc, is quite deep (6 cm thick) and a black frame of one centimeter is present all around the image.The system to hide cables is also rudimentary, even non -existent (simple covers in the feet) and the assembly of the less neat whole while remaining very correct.It must be said, no particular defect is to be emphasized, the whole is securely fixed and the main main framework.And the tilted platform type in brushed aluminum (see.photo below) brings a really "class" touch to the whole.

A few words on anti -reflective treatment, common there too, to the rest of the range, therefore in progress with a semi -priest slab.The reflections prove to be contained, including in broad daylight.However, there are more sophisticated treatments on the market, especially to counter the leaks of glasses much more prone to reflections.On the other hand, on the other hand, to linger on the contents of the cardboard, the accessories are limited to a manual, wedges to facilitate wall grip and a very ergonomic new generation remote control with integrated microphone to carry out vocal research.There are obviously no more 3D glasses since this television is not compatible with the relief display…

Very complete TV!

You will understand, the Sony KD -55Xe9005 is therefore - technologically and aesthetically speaking compared to the Sony KD - 65XE93 recently tested.If we have already addressed the form, on the bottom, the use of the X1 4K HDR processor in place of the extreme X1 induces a slightly less efficient upscaling and the absence of HDR Dolby Vision compatibility (this technology requires significant resources interms of calculation, beyond the "simple" x1 4K HDR).But, apart from these two specific points, this screen remains very efficient.

There is obviously a native 100 Hz native 10 -bit 10 -bit slab with diodes spread over its entire surface, at the rear, which allows you to enjoy better homogeneity than on most LED Edge obedience TVs, despite thePresence of a limited number of diodes, around thirty as already mentioned, for the as such areas local independent dimming areas.Despite everything, as a whole, this backlight system is rather effective, thanks to the combination of various technologies to which we will come back further in this test.It is even more effective than certain TVs with 120 zones, but with a less well controlled backlight (see.The Sony KD - 75XD9405, click to discover the full product test by writing Avcesar.com).Logically, HDR performance is also more limited than on the more posh models of this 2017 range.We note a luminous peak around 900 nits, which is quite far from the 1,350 nits measured on the KD - 65XE9305 and even further from the 2,000 Nits of the KD - 65ZD9.However, the most important is the quality of this HDR rendering.Because Tone Mapping algorithm (HDR signal conversion to TV's brightness capabilities) plays a key role in the quality of the image displayed.During our many tests and evaluation of televisions, we have seen very bright HDR renderings, but of poor quality while some HDR rendering could be very pleasant, despite a lower brightness like on the Panasonic DX750.We also find the SDR/HDR X - Tended Dynamic Range pro.

Indeed, if there is a clearly visible and measurable performance difference between the X1 4K HDR processor and the X1 Extreme 4K HDR benefiting from an additional power of 40%, the first is obviously very swift and among the specimensMore effective on the market, especially associated with the X -Reality Pro 4K treatment!To be convinced, it is enough to quote some of the many algorithms present:

• The Data Base Processing which compares the image of the signal incoming with various reference UHD images stored in processor memory to improve ultra HD scaling.Here we find a single base and not two as on the X1 extreme version.

• The Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR (treatment on 14 bits of colors) which will considerably reduce the postering effect by improving degraded (see.photo above).

• Object - Based HDR Remaster technology which allows you to adjust the dynamic range of the source according to the capacities of the screen according to its bright peak and its management of the EOTF transfer curve (Dynamic display of the Luminance according to theimage zones; we can also consider this EOTF curve as a dynamic gamma setting within the same image allowing to display very different light areas simultaneously).

Shovel settings

The Sony KD -55XE9005 also offers a whole battery of settings to improve the image.We can cite a filter to improve gradients, a resolution filter to strengthen the details and the bitter of the image, or even three noise reducers (Mosquito NR, Digital NR and MPEG NR) to reduce digital noise and/orMPEG Compression Artifacts.The user can choose his gamut (.709, DCI -P3 or Rec.2020), but we always see the absence of CMS to correct the colorimetric space (you will read it below, the gamut is so just out of cardboard that it is not really necessary).On the other hand, there is a balance of whites on 2p and 10p and all the usual settings (colors, black level, brightness, shade).Triluminos technology is obviously always present to "remaster of colors" in a Wide Gamut color space without stupidly saturating these by stretching coordinates and, above all, without distorting skin shades.This allows you to enjoy a much richer colorimetry, while remaining natural, even with standard content.709, but also to exploit the extended gamut of the Blu -Ray Remastered in 4K offered by Sony Pictures.

Finally, the essential motionflow movement compensation offers here an XR1000 fluidity index (in fact, a 100 Hz display associated with insertion of several interpolated images to fluidify the moving image) with several settings, with the most precise renderingmost fluid.In addition, as we have already specified in the other tests, since 2015 a new expert mode (see.photo above) fait son apparition pour affiner les réglages à son goût avec une simulation d'affichage BFI (Black Frame Insertion) sur quatre niveaux.This has the consequence of improving the precision of moving images, but the insertion of black images necessarily reduces brightness in a more or less important way.In our eyes, this is one of the most fluid and natural market compensation on the market.On the other hand, the image loses a little in precision in the movements compared to the specimen Xe93, all the more on the TV Oled Sony A1, but this remains superior in this area on Sony TV devoid of the X1 processor.

Nougat 7 Android TV OS.0

Important: Unfortunately, the nougat update occurred a few days after the end of our tests.The analyzes proposed here are therefore based on the old Android TV 6 firmware.1.Apparently, the nougat bone brings new features, more possibilities, but does not really improve the reactivity of the interface and still suffers from light bugs which will probably be corrected.

If the operation remains strictly identical to the previous vintages, we have even had the good surprise to experiment with a patent evolution concerning the main processor implemented here, with a quad core specimen in place of a dual core on the sonyKD - 65ZD9.Of course, navigation is largely fluidified.Obviously, we found the presence of a few small bugs during the test, but it remains anecdotal.Especially considering that it is a recent model and remembering that the Sony brand has proven in the past that it followed perfectly the firmware of its TV with regular updates.

We therefore find a Mediatek MT5891 SOC and a CPU Quad Core Arm Cortex - A53 to boost the use of applications and the interface, in particular to run the games (see.Photo below).The GPU is still a Dual Core Core Mali - T860 specimen.To be honest, we would have preferred even more powerful processors for the Android TV part, especially on a model of this price.However, experience is starting to be very satisfactory and above all largely sufficient for purely multimedia use.

Indeed, nothing to say on the side of multimedia decoding and video processing, the results are superb!Some Ultra HDR LUES Via USB videos offer incredible image quality, which has nothing to envy to a good ultra HD Blu - Ray player.And almost all of our videos or music has been read without incident, without any bug.Netflix and YouTube are available in Ultra HD/4K thanks to the HEVC and VP9 support.Obviously, we have also tried multimedia applications like VLC or Kodi, the latter announced as one of the big interests of this interface.If Kodi is obviously interesting with its many plug -ins and jacket systems, it is clear that the management of the DTS - HD bitstream is still not there, but note that the Dolby Atmos is now borne by the Arc function, after all depends on the reading software used.

Let us also quote Archos Media Player who seemed interesting to us for those who would like to take advantage of a system of jackets (or jukebox) very easy to install, even if he presents some shortcomings.Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to have to switch to one or the other reading software to read a specific format.That said, the default reader is very complete and sufficient for many users.In the end, this user interface, very close to the experience offered on an Android tablet, offers enormous and varied possibilities through many applications and services, and begins to become really interesting.Also note the arrival of the Molotov application.TV which allows access to many TV channels via the Internet.We are convinced that Sony will further progress on the subject and that the transition to Android TV Nougat will provide more and more possibilities, even if everything does not depend on the Japanese brand (Google and the developers of each application remain the masters of'work).

The environment is modern, dynamic and very intuitive.Rather judge, the Android TV screen highlights TV or VOD programs related to your tastes, access to Netflix of course, plus the latest applications or games used.Special mention for players, we can even connect a controller of Android games and, Sony obliges, the controller of the PS3 or PS4 consoles is recognized.By the way, we were able to view some extracts from the new Gran Turismo 4K HDR, simply amazing realism with breathtaking visuals!In short, even without ultra HD Blu - Ray, Blu -Ray or DVD on hand, the Sony KD - 55X9005 largely offers what to be entertained!Finally, there is of course an internet browser, but it is far from being optimal (opera not to name it).

A most basic audio system

The Sony KD -55XE9005 has the most classic audio equipment, whether in its design, but also its rendering.If the dialogues remain intelligible and perfectly precise thanks to good quality mediums and correct treble, it still lacks power, musicality, nuances, and especially bass.We notice a Class D amplifier with the usual S -Master Digital Amplifier by 2 x 10 W, but no boomer, so very little serious.Also present, the DSP DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) and the S -Roce Surround Spatialization algorithm.If this package is more than enough to enjoy TV emissions, a home cinema system or, at worst, a sound bar is highly recommended to fully appreciate films.Obviously, many settings are offered to refine the rendering with various audio modes (music, football, film, voice) and an EQ (equalization) manual.As already specified, the ARC function now allows you to manage the Dolby Atmos in addition to the Jurassic Park, it is competitor of the Dolby Digital system to which it opposes superior audio performance." >DTS.To be clearer, if you read a video with a Dolby Atmos track or if you connect a Blu - ray player via HDMI to TV, the ARC function will return the Atmos track in 7.1.4 in bitstream to your home cinema amplifier.Unfortunately, this does not work with the DTS - HD Master Audio, nor the DTS: X.