Wednesday 25 / December / 2024
4K rules the roost when it comes to TVs in 2016. Although there is not much 4K content out there yet, still brands have made haste in phasing out the full HD TVs to make way for 4K. Perhaps the buyers’ little knowledge on the subject has to do with it, who go out shopping more with the belief that latest is definitely the best. But better or not, the truth of the hour is that it is 4K calling the shots.
So here we are with a head on comparison among 55 inch smart, 3D, 4K TVs, from two of the best brands
Picture Quality
The prime reason while considering which one to go for and Sony leads Samsung here. The X850C deliversexcellent black levels and black uniformity. Contrast is outstanding as well - more due to the black levels rather than peak brightness. Samsung JU7100 also delivers great results. The blacks look inky, but there is slight bleed over, from white and light colors, into blacks.
Color rendition is realistic and not oversaturated on the X850Cwhile grayscale uniformity is exceptional, yielding a very smooth picture. The JU7100 lags behind in picture uniformity due to Samsung’s bright LED lights. However, the bright lights make for excellent light flow through images, creating a beautiful rendition on the clear gloss screen of the Samsung.Light flow is good on the X850C too, but not exceptional for an LED backlit 4K TV.
Samsung JU7100: 4/5
Sony X850C: 4.5/5
Angled View
The X850C delivers the best performance for a mid-priced 4K TV. Colour saturation and contrast begin degrading at around 15 degrees, but nothing severeuntil around 30 degrees off center.
The Samsung has clear gloss screen with light flow through, still side angle viewing is not good as contrast is lost early and severely.
Samsung JU7100: 3/5
Sony X850C: 4/5
Motion Handling
The X850C has a dedicated picture mode for Sports programming as well as a dedicated‘Football mode’, which honestly is not quite good an option, causing artifacts, false edges and other unwelcome strobing effects. However post calibration (adjusting picture settings), fast motion results are simply breathtaking on the Sony.
For the JU7100, motion handling is no problem at all with the powerful LED backlights and gloss screen. When it comes to gaming performance both show good results with JU7100 having an input lag of just 25ms in Game mode, and the X850C having a lag of 35ms.
Samsung JU7100: 4.5/5
Sony X850C: 4/5
4K Upscaling
This feature is another very crucial one, as most of the content will have to be upscaled from full HD to 4K.
With the Sony having the best upscaling engine – X-Reality PRO, upscaling is excellentand conversion smooth. There is a nice bump from streaming material like Netflix and Amazon Instant. Samsung also does a very handsome job at upscaling but so far has only been able to narrow the gap with Sony, and not come at par yet.
Samsung JU7100: 4/5
Sony X850C: 4.5/5
3D Viewing Quality
Here, the Samsung takes the crown, with the active 3D having lots of depth, and very less visible cross-talk. No glasses included. Set the Picture Mode to ‘Standard’ for 3D and turn on the‘Smooth Auto Motion Plus’ feature which adds substantial depth to 3D images and reduces judder to a non-issue. However, the 3D picture degrades hugely at side viewing angles.
The Sony X850C is moderate at best in 3D viewing. It has active 3D, but crosstalk is frequent. None includes3D glasses in the packing. To be purchased separately.
Samsung JU7100: 4.5/5
Sony X850C: 3/5
Features and Functionality
The Android Powered Sony X850C features fantastic Apps including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Crackle and SiriusXM, and around 30 other handy Apps. There is access to tons of Google Play games, movies and music content, along with 6 month free subscription to Netflix.
Samsung JU7100 also has relevant useable Apps like SEC network and HBO Go, but not a lot. Loading and selection is not too difficult once software areupdated. The new Smart menu also allows arranging Apps by priority.
Still what sets the Sony’s functionality really ahead of the Samsung is the operation speed combined with excellent video and sound quality of the Android/Google Play section.
Samsung JU7100: 3/5
Sony X850C: 4/5
Conclusion
Both the models are excellent 4K TV value choices, with their own strong points.
If the Samsung offers excellent picture quality upgrades, including the ultra-clear coat screen's light flow through, and UHD dimming upgrade, Sony has the most admirable picture traits including stellar dark shadow detail and the best upscaling engine, along with Android OS.
However, apart from 3D, it is the Sony X850C, which leads the Samsung JU1700 on all aspects, or is on par with it.
TOO Verdict: Excellent picture results, with Android platform and best X-Reality PRO upscaling engine: It is the Sony. Nobody is interested in 3D that much anyways.
