Sony XBR65X900E vs XBR65X930E Review – What are their differences?

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The Sony XBR65X930E is part of the X930E line, nd along with the X940E is the top model of Sony’s 2017 4K HDR LED TV lineup X series. Meanwhile the Sony XBR65X900E is part of the X900E series, which is the second to the top model of Sony’s 2017 4K HDR LED TV lineup. Both offer stunning picture quality in their class. One of the major downsides of both is they are not equipped with 3D technology. It seems Sony has removed 3D technology from their 2017 lineup. The XBR65X930E is a higher priced series is being sold for a few hundred more than the X900E. So what features are offered by each and what are their differences?

Short Review of Sony XBR65X900E

After this series is missing in the 2016 lineup, in 2017, Sony has released again their X900 series called X900E including XBR65X900E. The major technologies which become its flagship are about new Sony’s picture engine called 4K HDR Processor X1 Engine and Direct LED Backlight with Full Array Local Dimming Technology. And powered by the number Sony’s most advanced technologies such as Extended Dynamic Range Pro, 4K X-Reality Pro, Motionflow XR960, this make picture performance that offered by Sony XBR65X900E is really amazing for its class. Thanks to its deep black level, strong contrast, bright peak brightness, and saturated color, this makes it is as a good TV when used in a room with any light condition.

Still focus on HDR, Sony XBR65X900E offers great HDR performance. Like Sony’s 2016 TV lineup, it only supports HDR 10 only, a royalty-free HDR format by UHD Alliance. Actually, this TV is also designed to support new HDR format for broadcasting called Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG). But because HLG is not year available for this time, you must update your TV firmware once HLG is available.

In addition to stunning picture quality for its class, Sony XBR65X900E also offers great performance on some features that offered. Motion Handling is a good with the ability to play 24p movies with judder-free. This makes it is a great TV when used for watching movies or sports. Additionally, it also has low input lag that is good for games. The other strong point, XBR65X900E is powered by 4K X-Reality Pro where combine to X1 Engine, it does excellent job when up-scaling lower resolution to near 4K quality. And that is not attractive is about its smart TV where with Google Android TVs, it offers tons of interesting and useful apps that make you more comfort when enjoying 4K entertainment in your home.

The only major downside is about poor viewing angle where when you are watching TV from side viewing angle, started at 20 degrees off center, the quality of the picture looks degraded. 3D technology is also a major downside of XBR65X900E. But even so, it is not alone considering there is no Sony 3D TV that released in 2017.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X900E <<

Short Review of Sony XBR65X930E

One level above XBR65X900E, Sony XBR65X930E is sold about hundreds dollar more expensive. But as instead, it comes with greater picture quality and some additional features that make its performance better.

One of the main technologies behind the Sony XBR65X930E is its picture engine called 4K HDR processor X1 Extreme. Compared to picture engine of XBR65X900E, it comes with several additional technologies embedded. The other mainstay technology behind it is about Sony’s advanced Edge Lit LED backlight with local dimming called Slim Backlight Drive Plus where it improves significantly black level and contrast while TV is still slim. And with the support of the number Sony’s most advanced technologies behind it such as X-Tended Dynamic Range 10X, TriLuminos Display, Motion Flow XR960, 4K X-Reality Pro, and more, this makes Sony XBR65X930E including the one of TVS with the best picture quality in class. As long as you don’t watch TV from side viewing angle, no matter the light condition in a room, the picture that displayed on its screen will looks consistently amazing.

While XBR65X900E supports HDR 10 only, Sony XBR65X930E already support most of HDR format that available in the market like HDR 10, Dolby Vision and HLG. Considering great HDR performance of its predecessor XBR65X930D series where it is certified by Ultra HD Premium Certification, can be ascertained, HDR performance of XBR65X930E is also great, even better.

In addition to amazing picture quality and great HDR performance, like the lower series X900E, it also offers great performance on some features that offered. Combination between 4K X-Reality Pro and Dual Data Base technology inside X1 Extreme allows you to enjoy video contents with any resolution to near 4K sharply and clearly. Motion Handling is also good that makes it is a good TV when used for watching sports program. XBR65X930E also has ability to remove judder when it is playing 24p movies at any sources. And like the lower series, its input lag is also very low that makes XBR65X930E is a great TV for games. As its Smart TV platform, Sony XBR65X930E also features attractive Google Android TV.

Meanwhile, because it uses VA panel as their panel technology, poor side viewing angle is a major downside of XBR65X930E. And as mentioned, because there is no 3D TV that released by Sony in 2017, Sony XBR65X930E is also not equipped with 3D technology.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X930E <<

Sony XBR65X900E vs XBR65X930E Key Specs

Specs and Features XBR65X930E XBR65X900E
Panel Type VA Panel VA Panel
Resolution 4K (2160 x 3840) 4K (2160 x 3840)
LED Backlight Edge LED (Slim Backlight Drive +) Direct LED
Local Dimming Yes Yes (Full Array Local Dimming)
TriLuminos Display Yes Yes
Extended Dynamic Range Pro Yes (10X) Yes (5X)
HDR (High Dynamic Range) Yes (HDR 10, Dolby Vision, HLG) Yes (HDR 10, HLG)
Image Processor 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme 4K HDR Processor X1
Picture Engine 4K X Reality Pro 4K X Reality Pro
Motion Control Motion Flow XR960 (native 120 Hz) Motion Flow XR960 (native 120 Hz)
3D Technology No No
Smart TV Platform Android TV Android TV
Speaker Type Front-face 3-way speaker (tweeter/mid-range/woofer) Bass Reflex Speaker
Audio Output 10 W + 10 W + 10 W + 10 W + 10 W + 10 W 10 W + 10 W
HDMI Ports 4 (1 side/3 bottom) 4 (3 Side, Rear)
USB Ports 2 (side), 1 (bottom) 3 (side)
Price See today’s price See today’s price

The difference between Sony XBR65X930E and XBR65X900E

As we see on comparison table above, there are some differences in technologies behind the Sony XBR65X900E and XBR65X930E. Of course, all of them make a difference in performance that offered by them. These differences also make XBR65X930E as a higher series is sold hundreds dollar more expensive than XBR65X900E.

Picture Engine

Technology Embeded 4K HDR Processor X1 (New) 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme
Dynamic Contrast Enhancer Yes Yes
Precision Color Mapping No Yes
Dual Data Base Processing No Yes
Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR Yes Yes
Object-based HDR Remaster technology Yes Yes

One of the major differences between them is about their picture engine. Despite essentially, they use similar picture engine, but there are difference in technologies that embedded inside them. As we see on comparison table, Sony XBR65X930E is powered by 4KI HDR Processor X1 engine where this engine is first used by the flagship of 2016 Model Sony Z9D series. Inside it there are several technologies embedded such as Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, Precision Color Mapping, Dual Data Base Processing, Super Bit Mapping 4k HDR and Object-based HDR Remaster technology. Meanwhile, Sony XBR65X900E is powered by new 4K HDR Processor X1 (Without Extreme). Like X1 Extreme but there are no Precision Color Mapping and Dual Data Base Processing embedded inside it. The impact, Sony XBR65X930E should offer better picture quality when displaying 4K HDR contents, especially when inputted by video contents with lower resolution.

Backlighting Technology

As their backlighting technology, Sony XBR65X930E uses Sony’s advanced Edge-lit Led backlighting with local dimming called Slim Backlight drive while Sony XBR65X900E uses Direct LED backlight with Full Array Local Dimming. The impact is on black level and native contrast ratio produced by them. Basically, Full Array Local Dimming is better than Edge-Lit LED with local dimming. Nevertheless, this also depends on the number of dimming zones of each technology. But unfortunately, Sony didn’t reveal how many dimming zones of each. According to trustworthy unofficial site, Sony XBR65X900E has around 20 dimming zones while XBR65X930E has many more dimming zones. The result, despite essentially XBR65X930E uses edge Lit LED backlight, it offers wider brightness range than XBR65X900E. Additionally, Slim Backlight Drive Plus also allows the thickness of XBR65X930E is still slim.

The level of X-tended Dynamic Range Pro

As we see on comparison table above, Sony XBR65X930E is powered by X-tended Dynamic Range Pro 10X while XBR65X900E is powered by X-Tended Dynamic Range Pro 5X. Multiplication in here show how many times the brightness range produced compared to conventional edge lit backlight. As we know, it is Sony’s proprietary technology that designed for improving contrast ratio with an unique algorithm that manage in such away the lights outputs of backlight. Basically, this technologies is also depends the strength of each of their local dimming and backlighting technology. With X-tended Dynamic Range Pro 10X, XBR65X930E should offer wider brightness range than XBR65Z900E with X-tended Dynamic Range Pro 5X.

HDR Formats

The other difference between Sony XBR65X900E and XBR65X930E is about HDR formats which they have supported. Like 2016 model, XBR65X900E supports HDR 10 and in future, it is ready to support Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG), a royalty-free HDR format that was jointly developed by BBC and NHK that designed for broadcast. Meanwhile, in addition to HDR 10 and HLG, Sony XBR65X930E also supports Dolby Vision, a proprietary HDR format by Dolby Laboratories. With more capabilities in supporting HDR formats, XBRX930E certainly allows you to enjoy HDR contents from any formats of HDR.

Sound Quality

As we see on comparison table, Sony XBR65X900E is equipped with 2.0 channel speaker system with sound output 10 W + 10 W and Bass reflex speaker type while Sony XBR65X930E is equipped with 2.1 speaker system with sound output 10 W + 10 W + 10 W + 10 W + 10 W + 10 W and Front-face 3-way speaker (tweeter/mid-range/woofer). From their sound system, can be ascertained we have mentioned, for you who care about sound quality, an additional external sound bar is still recommended for each, especially for XBR65X900E that has poor sound quality.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X900E <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X930E <<

Sony XBR65X900E vs XBR65X930E Performance’

Picture Quality

Both of Sony XBR65X930E and XBR65X900E offer amazing picture quality for each of their class. Nevertheless, the difference in picture engine, backlighting technology, and the level of X-tended Dynamic Range makes their picture performance is different, especially on peak brightness and color saturation.

As we know, theoretically, with the same amount of dimming zones, Full Array Local Dimming should be better and effective than Edge Lit Backlight with local dimming. But you need to know, Slim Backlight Drive Plus is not a conventional edge Lit Backlight. Sony has modifies in such away this technology so its performance is as good as or even better than conventional FALD (Full Array Local Dimming). The result, both of them equally offer very deep black level and strong contrast. Because black level and contrast are parts of important aspects of picture quality, of course this makes the picture that displayed on each of their screen looks very amazing. This is due detail images in a dark scenes or shadow can be revealed well so looks clearer.

Otherwise, peak brightness reached by them is also quite bright But even so, because they are powered by different level of X-tended Dynamic Range Pro technology, for this case, Sony XBRX930E offers brighter picture than XBR65X900E, despite peak brightness reached by XBR65X900E itself is already quite bright. Meanwhile, peak brightness is one of the important components which determine great or not HDR performance that produced. This makes XBR65X930E offers better HDR performance than XBR65X900E. Additionally, this also makes XBR65X930E is better when used in very bright room with sunlight coming in through windows because its peak brightness is able to drown out the glare. Meanwhile, despite peak brightness reached by XBR65X900E is already bright, but it is still a bit below 1000 nits as the recommendation value for HDR 10. Additionally, in drowning out the glare, it is also not as good as that performed by XBR65X930E.

Moving on color performance, both of Sony XBR65X900E and XBR65X930E also equally offer good color saturation. This cannot be separated from great performance of TriLuminos Display that supported by their picture engine. Color gamut delivered by them even exceeds the 90% of DCI P3 color space as the minimum recommendation for displaying HDR 10 contents fully. As the result, color of the picture that displayed on each of their screen looks very accurate, especially when displaying HDR contents that mastered with wider color gamut. Additionally, assisted by deep black level and bright peak brightness also makes the color still looks accurate in shadow or in sun highlighted effects. In other hand, with Super Bit Mapping 4k HDR technology inside their processor X1 or X1 engine, both of them is able to processor 8 bit or 10 bit depth of color in 14 bit signal processing. This makes color gradients of the picture displayed on their screen looks very smoothly without any color banding or gradation, no matter it is inputted by SDR or HDR contents.

In addition great HDR performance and good picture quality, both of them are also equipped with great performance UHD Up-scaling engine that allows you to enjoy video contents with lower resolution in near 4K quality. No matter the resolution of your video sources, you will enjoy them in 4K quality sharply and clearly without small detail is preserved well. Moreover, with Dual Data Base Processing technology behind XBR65X930E, this significantly improves the clarity of 4K picture that produced. And considering most of the contents that available in the market are still mastered in 1080p or lower resolution, of course this is very useful to allow you watch them in 4K resolution.

With great performance of each component of picture quality, of course this makes the picture that displayed on their screen looks amazingly, no matter the light condition of room where they are used.  Additionally, Object-based HDR Remaster technology inside their picture engine also allows you to enjoy SDR contents with the quality close to HDR. But even so, the quality of the picture that displayed on their screen looks well, but overall, XBR65X930E as a higher series offer better quality especially when they are inputted by HDR signals.

But unfortunately, like other TVs that use VA Panel, their side viewing angle is equally poor. The quality of the picture will looks deteriorated started at 20 degrees off center and front. If you don’t want to lose picture quality that offered by them, watch TV from side viewing angle should be avoided.

Motion Handling and 24p Playback

For handling motion blur and delivering smooth picture quality when they are used for watching fast moving images, both of them are equally equipped with MotionFlow XR960 based on native 120 Hz refresh rate panel. The result, both of them has quick pixel response time that means it is good. Motion blur following the moving objects when you are watching sports program or other fast moving images might still be slight noticeable, but it is only a short trail where most of people should not notice them. Additionally, both of them also have ability to play 24p movies with judder free at any sources. This means, no matter the source is movies from Blu-Ray, Streaming Media, or Satellite TV, all of them will be displayed clearly on each of their screen. But even so, for removing judder from 24p via 60i or 60p signals without adds ‘soap opera effect’, you must set certain settings on their picture setting.

Inputs/Outputs

Like most of middle to upper 4K TVs which available in the market, Sony XBR65X900E and XBR65X930E are equipped with 4 HDMI ports and 3 USB ports as their major inputs outputs. Their HDMI ports also already supports any formats or what required for HDMI connections like HDCP 2.2, CEC, Audio Return Channel, and more. Additionally, the input lag of both is very low at both 1080p and 4K source once game more is activated. This means both of them are a great TV for video games, even for playing fast paced games which require fast reflexes. Playing game on XB65X900E and XBR65X930E feel comfort due their low input lag and good motion handling. In addition to HDMI Ports and USB Ports, there are also 2 Composite IN (AV In), Component In, RF In, Ethernet In and Digital Audio Out (Optical) where I think they are quite enough to cover your other electronic devices.

Smart TV

Google Android TV

As their smart TV platform, both of them equally feature Google Android TV version 6.0. The one of the most attractiveness that offered by Google Android TV is about the apps provided where there is Google Play Store that provide tons of apps, games, and contents from a lot of developer. Additionally, there are also most popular apps available like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more, Cloud Game Services like PlayStation Now, Web Browser, Screen Mirroring apps like ChromeCast, and many more. In addition it provides complete and varied apps, Google Android TVs also comes with attractive layout design. Its performance is also fast and feels responsive when used for selecting between apps or navigating between different menus. But a bit downside is navigating on its menu feels a bit confusing.

As the controller, both of Sony XBR65X930E and XBR65X900E comes with a basic remote where there are a lot of buttons provided. Additionally, there is also a built in microphone that can be used for controlling the TV function or search on the internet with your voice. Both of them also equipped with IR blaster that allows you to control your other devices which connected onto your Sony TV with a single Sony remote.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X900E <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the XBR65X930E <<

Summary

Performance XBR65X900E XBR65X930E
Design (4.3/5) (4.3/5)
Picture Quality (4/5) (4.1/5)
HDR (4.1/5) (4.2/5)
Motion Handling (4.6/5) (4.3/5)
Inputs (4.2/5) (4.3/5)
Sound Quality (3/5) (3.7/5)
Smart TV (3.9/5) (3.9/5)

Conclusion

As we have discussed a lot above, picture quality is the main difference between Sony XBR65X900E and XBR65X930E. This is due the difference in picture engine, backlight, and the level of Extended Dynamic Range Pro behind it. Additionally, the other difference between them is about HDR format that they support where XBR65X900E already support HDR 10 only while XBR65X930E already support HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. Meanwhile about Hybrid Log Gamma, once the standardizations of HLG is confirmed, Sony will provide a firmware update for each them for supporting HLG. Overall, picture quality that offered by each of them is good for each of their class. But even so, watch TV from side viewing angle should be avoided due both of them has poor side viewing angle.

So, which is a better choice between them? As mentioned, in the market, Sony XB65X930E is sold about hundreds dollar more expensive than XBR65X900E. And of course this comes back to you according to your preferences and budgets. If you care about picture quality and don’t mind to spend hundreds dollar more, XBR65X930E should be a better options for you. By spending hundreds dollar more, you can enjoy better picture quality and both of HDR 10 and Dolby Vision contents on your TV. But even so, this means XBR^5X900E is also not a bad choice. Overall, the features that offered have great performance for its class. Finally, before you decide to choose one of them, there are a lot of opinions from each of their real customers where you can make as your further consideration.

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony XBR65X900E <<

>> Please click here to see today’s price for the Sony XBR65X930E <<


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