When it comes to high-end TVs, Sony Has always been a popular name. Their latest offering, bravia 8, continues this tradition. But in a market saturated with cutting-edge displays, does the Bravia 8 have what it takes to stand out? After spending a few weeks looking at this new TV, we’re ready to take a deeper look at what makes it special – and whether it’ll be a great fit in your living room or bedroom or whatever room you prefer to watch television in. Like, whether it deserves a place in it or not.
A visual feast for the eyes
At first glance, the Bravia 8 is a stunner. Its nearly bezel-less design and ultra-thin profile are premium, and the TV’s legs are adjustable to accommodate a soundbar at the bottom, which is a nice touch. However, at this price point, some may expect more premium materials, as there is still a fair amount of plastic used in the construction.
Regarding the remote, it feels premium even though it is made of recycled materials and most importantly, the buttons are backlit. Apart from the usual buttons, there are also a few more buttons dedicated to different streaming apps.
The heart of any great TV is its picture quality, and the Bravia 8 doesn’t disappoint. The OLED panel delivers the inky blacks and infinite contrast ratios we’ve come to expect from the technology. Colors pop with vibrancy, especially in HDR content, thanks to Sony’s XR Triluminos Pro technology.
What sets the Bravia 8 apart is Sony’s new XR processor. This AI-powered chip analyzes content in real-time, optimizing everything from contrast to motion handling. The result is a photo that looks more natural and lifelike. Watching nature documentaries is a special pleasure – the lush greenery of rainforests and the subtle gradients in ocean scenes are presented with breathtaking accuracy.
Watching movies on the Bravia 8 is a cinematic experience. Dark scenes in thrillers like “blade Runner 2049″ showcases the TV’s ability to render deep blacks while maintaining detail in the shadows. Vibrant, colorful films like “Avatar,” “La La Land” or “The Grand Budapest Hotel” are full of life, thanks to their meticulous The created color palettes are displayed with astonishing accuracy.
For cinephiles, there are picture modes like Netflix Calibrated Mode and IMAX Enhanced Mode, which aim to present content as close to the creator’s intention as possible.
Brightness levels are good for an OLED, with SDR content reaching around 450 nits and HDR peaking at around 800 nits on small highlights. While impressive, it’s worth noting that these brightness levels may not be enough to combat glare in very bright rooms, especially during daytime viewing.
The Bravia 8’s motion handling also deserves some praise. Fast-paced action scenes in movies like “Mad Max: Fury Road” remain crisp and clear with minimal blurring or judder. Sports fans will appreciate how easily the TV handles fast-paced action in sports like soccer or tennis.
The Bravia 8 is clearly designed with gaming in mind. The two HDMI 2.1 ports offer full 4K 120Hz support with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Input lag is impressively low at around 13ms at 4K 60Hz and drops to just 5ms at 120Hz. PlayStation 5 owners get some extra features with Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Zener Picture Mode.
It’s tricky though, as only two of the four HDMI ports support these high-end gaming features, although this may be disappointing for some people. Other ports include 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB, optical, an Ethernet, and two more ports for cable TV.
sound that surprises
Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology continues to impress. By vibrating the entire screen to produce sound, it provides clear dialogue and a decent sense of space. Although it won’t replace a dedicated sound system, it’s still more than enough for casual viewing.
A neat party trick is the ability to use the TV as a central channel in a larger audio system. However, this feature is limited to compatibility with certain Sony receivers, meaning it will be of no use to receivers with other audio setups.
Google TV will play shows (and movies)
The Bravia 8 runs on Google TV, which offers a simple, content-focused interface. The home screen does an excellent job of aggregating recommendations from various streaming services, making it easy to find something to watch. App support is extensive, covering all major streaming players.
Voice control works well through Google Assistant, letting you adjust settings, search content, or even control smart home devices. The remote has a dedicated Google Assistant button, but you can also use hands-free voice controls if you prefer.
One small complaint: like most smart TV platforms, there are ads on the home screen. They’re relatively unobtrusive, but seeing ads on premium devices is always a little annoying. And Google TV, though good enough in the beginning, often gets slow after a while, but that’s more Google’s problem than Sony’s.
Premium quality at a premium price
At Rs. ₹299,900, 55-inch sony bravia 8 OLED is undoubtedly an expensive purchase. Is this the perfect TV for everyone? Not to say, but then again no such thing exists. The Bravia 8 offers a premium viewing experience that will satisfy all but the most demanding users.
Just like there’s no perfect TV for everyone, no TV is perfect, and the Bravia 8 has some shortcomings that are worth considering. OLED technology, while great for picture quality, does come with a small risk of burn-in. Sony has implemented various features to mitigate this, but it’s something to be aware of if you consistently watch content with static elements (like news tickers or game HUDs) for long periods of time.
Secondly, the TV doesn’t support HDR10+, although this is a relatively minor issue considering the ubiquity of Dolby Vision content. Secondly, the TV is not that bright, and this can be a problem when you are watching it in a brightly lit room.
Its value proposition lies in providing image accuracy, deep black colors and a sophisticated smart TV experience. Sony’s ability lies in delivering stunning visuals that often exceed expectations. For movie buffs, or anyone who appreciates top-tier picture quality, the Bravia 8 largely justifies its price tag. And for gamers, the finer details of better picture quality matter, and this TV is great at it.
So, for those looking for top-tier picture quality, advanced gaming features, and a refined smart TV experience, this is an investment that will be beneficial in everyday viewing.
Our Rating: 4/5
