Sony Bravia 7 II: First RGB LED TV Delivers Stunning Performance
The first wave of RGB LED TVs is here, and Sony is making a bold statement with the Bravia 7 II. This model, alongside the flagship Bravia 9 II, pairs innovative RGB LED backlighting with Sony's renowned picture processing. While RGB LED technology is still new, the Bravia 7 II proves it can compete with OLED TVs in brightness and color, while outperforming standard LED TVs across the board. Priced at $2,600 for the 65-inch model, it's a premium option for serious home theater enthusiasts.
What Makes RGB LED Different?
Unlike traditional LED TVs that use all-blue or white LEDs for backlighting, RGB LED TVs like the Bravia 7 II use red, green, and blue LEDs. This allows the TV to display more colors with greater brightness, reducing reliance on the color filter. Sony drives each LED individually, providing fine control over the color mix for superior accuracy.
Color Crosstalk: A Minor Trade-Off
The biggest potential drawback of RGB LED technology is color crosstalk, where one color bleeds into adjacent pixels. In testing, color crosstalk was most visible in test patterns, such as a green rectangle creating a subtle halo. However, in real-world viewing, it was rarely noticeable.
Real-World Viewing Experience
During movies like The Last Jedi and Mad Max: Fury Road, color crosstalk was essentially a non-issue. The only minor instances occurred with app tiles on Apple TV, where blue from the Prime Video tile slightly crept into white text. Sony even offers a unique menu option to switch the backlight from color to white light, eliminating crosstalk but reducing color gamut coverage.
Test Pattern vs. Reality
While test patterns reveal crosstalk, it rarely impacts everyday viewing. The Bravia 7 II delivers a beautiful picture in Professional mode, with accurate colors and grayscale in SDR, and vibrant HDR performance.
Sony Bravia 7 II Specs and Performance
The Bravia 7 II offers impressive specs for its price point, including 2,200 nits of brightness and 88 percent BT.2020 color coverage. However, limited content takes advantage of that wide color gamut.
Key Specifications
- Display type: RGB LED
- HDR formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- OS: Google TV
- HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1 (one with eARC), 2 x HDMI 2.0
- Gaming features: 4K/120Hz, ALLM, VRR
- Sizes available: 50, 55, 65, 75, 85, 98 inches
Brightness and Color Accuracy
With 2,200 nits of peak brightness, the Bravia 7 II handles well-lit rooms and delivers stunning specular highlights. Colors are vibrant and accurate, though red is slightly oversaturated in SDR. The TV measures 88 percent of BT.2020, but most content is still mastered in P3, so the benefit is limited to select titles like Planet Earth II.
Design and Connectivity: Hits and Misses
The Bravia 7 II features a unique pedestal stand with a lenticular screen that visually hides cables, offering a clever cable management solution. However, connectivity is a weak point, with only two HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K/120Hz, one of which is the eARC port.
Screen Reflectivity and Gaming
The screen is fairly reflective, making the Bravia 9 II a better choice for bright rooms. For gamers, the limited HDMI 2.1 ports may be a concern if you plan to connect multiple high-refresh-rate devices.
Price and Value: Is the Sony Bravia 7 II Worth It?
At $2,600 for the 65-inch model, the Bravia 7 II costs $600 more than the Hisense UR9 and $500 more than the Samsung R85H. While it's pricier, Sony's superior processing and color accuracy justify the premium. If you prioritize picture quality and accuracy, the Bravia 7 II is a solid investment.
Final Verdict
The Sony Bravia 7 II is a strong entry in the RGB LED TV market. It offers excellent color accuracy, impressive brightness, and innovative design features. While color crosstalk exists in test patterns, it rarely affects real-world viewing. For those seeking a premium TV with cutting-edge technology, the Bravia 7 II is a compelling choice.
Comment