Sony 2017 TVs - panel types

Do you prefer VA or IPS panels in your main room TV?

  • VA... I like awesome black levels!

    Votes: 29 85.3%
  • IPS... I prefer great viewing angles!

    Votes: 5 14.7%

  • Total voters
    34

Loopthrough

Prominent Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2010
Messages
1,792
Reaction score
657
Points
349
Location
UK
I've been frustrated trying to get a one stop place to find this info, so here's what I have so far. If anyone has information further to what I add here or about models not listed, please use this thread so we can all keep track. This information applies to UK models, but should be the same for EU and mostly US.


2017 models in ascending order

KDL-xxRE40x (32" HDReady, 40" FHD) - dumb/smart TV using proprietary platform
32" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel) - 50hz
40" - VA (Samsung?) - 50hz

KDL-xxWE66x (32" HDReady, 40" FHD, 49" FHD) - smart TV using proprietary platform

32" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel) - 50hz
40" - VA (Samsung display?) - 50hz
49" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel) - 50hz (not great backlight bleed, very low contrast)

KDL-xxWE7x (32" FHD, 43" FHD, 49" FHD) - smart TV using proprietary platform
32" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel, WCG) - 50hz
43" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel, WCG) - 50hz
49" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel, WCG) - 50hz

KD-xxXE70xx (43" UHD, 49" UHD, 55" UHD, 65" UHD) - smart TV using proprietary platform
43" - LG IPS - 50hz
49" - unknown - 99% sure LG IPS - 50hz
55" - unknown - VA! (native contrast 3300:1, 300-400nits brightness)
65" - unknown - possibly VA? - 50Hz

KD-xxXE80xx (43" UHD, 49" UHD, 55" UHD) - Android TV
43" - unknown - 99% sure LG IPS - 50Hz
49" - unknown - 99% sure LG IPS - 50Hz
55" - unknown - 99% sure LG IPS - 50hz

KD-xxXE85xx (55" UHD, 65" UHD, 75" UHD) - Android TV
55" - VA (AUO?) - 100hz?
65" - VA? (AUO?) - 100hz?
75" - IPS? (LG?) - 100hz?

KD-xxXE93x (55" UHD, 65" UHD) - Android TV
49" - Samsung Display VA - 100Hz
55" - Samsung Display (?) VA - 100hz? - 0.04 black level
65" - VA?

KD-75XE94xx (75" only, UHD) - Android TV

75" - unknown - Likely Sharp VA - 100hz

KD-xxA1 OLED (55", 65", 77" OLED, UHD) - Android TV
55" - LG WRGB OLED panel 2017 generation - 100hz
65" - LG WRGB OLED panel 2017 generation - 100hz
75" - LG WRGB OLED panel 2017 generation - 100hz
 
Last edited:
The XE90 and above is all VA. The XE85 is VA in 55" and 65", 75" is IPS.
 
XE90 series 49, 55 & 65" is Samsung just like both XE93. XE85 65" VA seems to be AUO
XE94 might be an Innolux given the poor response time but the pixel structure closeups are of poor quality, might just as well be an AUO ...
 
XE90 series 49, 55 & 65" is Samsung just like both XE93. XE85 65" VA seems to be AUO
XE94 might be an Innolux given the poor response time but the pixel structure closeups are of poor quality, might just as well be an AUO ...
Thanks... updated... is there a pic of the 65" XE94? Innolux have a unique looking pixel structure, see any Panasonic VA review.
 
Thanks... updated... is there a pic of the 65" XE94? Innolux have a unique looking pixel structure, see any Panasonic VA review.

There is no 65" XE94. 75" only. XE93 is 55 and 65".
 
Thanks... updated... is there a pic of the 65" XE94? Innolux have a unique looking pixel structure, see any Panasonic VA review.

75" yeah (the only size) can be found on Rtings and the UK neighbours/Vicente T3oh. It always amazes me how they can get the crappiest closeups on the biggest panels/pixels :laugh:
 
@Loopthrough interesting find. Can you let me know where you sourced this info? I know reviews can be found on many of the TVs but in particular low range model panel info is really hard to come across. Thanks!
 
I need to update the info but it's a minefield on my limited time atm and making sense of Sony's confusing model numbering, but please everyone who gets any more info on the 2017 panels, let me know and I'll update it, so we all have an easy place to check.
 
Apart from the 40", they're all BOE PLS/IPS type. Stunning picture in every other regard than dark scene contrast. Last year's WD75 especially.
So where are you finding all this info?
 
I've owned a Samsung 40" H6400 (bedroom) for about 6 months, I watch a lot of content over DLNA such as MKVs ect.. It's got serious problems with lip sync for that.

I prefer Sony, I have a 50" W829 (living room) which I've had for sometime and I'm satisfied.

If I was to go Sony and select between 40"-43", I don't want 4K, strictly FHD only, what is the best choice from the list above?

43" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel, WCG) - 50hz?

If the Sony 42" W829 was available I'd buy it instantly, new one of course.
 
I've owned a Samsung 40" H6400 (bedroom) for about 6 months, I watch a lot of content over DLNA such as MKVs ect.. It's got serious problems with lip sync for that.

I prefer Sony, I have a 50" W829 (living room) which I've had for sometime and I'm satisfied.

If I was to go Sony and select between 40"-43", I don't want 4K, strictly FHD only, what is the best choice from the list above?

43" - BOE ADS (IPS-type panel, WCG) - 50hz?

If the Sony 42" W829 was available I'd buy it instantly, new one of course.
You can get a VA Sony (just like your 50") in 40" as the WE663 or a KDL-43WD756 (still available but overpriced, you can now get the 49" IPS KDL49WD751 for less than the 43"!) or a 2017 IPS one as the 43" WE753.

For IPS, these Sonys are extremely good. The black levels are quite light in a dark room but if you have lights on or bias lighting they are stunning TVs... software not so much, but still really stunning performers.
 
I know it comes down to personal opinion and I would recommend anyone to view any TV they buy first before they buy it, ideally demo it with your own content. If not its very important that you are able to return it afterwards, so always buy from a reputable dealer with a good return policy in case you are unhappy.

As for these Sony FHD TVs I wouldn't put those in the same class, firstly even the models equipped with VA type panels still only have 60hz panels vs 120hz on the H6400/W829b, secondly reviews on the WD series I've seen get slated for horrible screen uniformity, worse of course on the IPS panelled models, but even the VA panels have had bad screen uniformity.

eg

Sony KDL-32WD750 : pas idéal pour le cinéma chez soi
Sony KDL-40WD650 : l'un des derniers téléviseurs Full HD de Sony
Sony W650D Review (KDL40W650D, KDL48W650D, KDL55W650D)
Sony W600D Review (KDL32W600D)

ps the WD650 is even direct lit with a VA type panel and has bad uniformity. WD7 series is edge lit so if anything will be worse in the respect.

Of course uniformity can differ between two of the same tv, you may find models with great uniformity but its always a risk and some tv's tend to average out worse than others. However I do not think these TVs are in the same class of the old 120hz FHD TVs from 2014/2015 like the Samsung H6400/J6300 and the J6240/50 until Samsung started putting 60hz panels on 40" size of the latter.

There is no such thing as a good FHD TV any more, not unless you buy from 2015/2014, especially with sport/fast action, oddly not because of the slower hz panels (Sony 60hz TVs play well with motion blur/judder), but because you will get horrible DSE with sports.

And as always, VA panels were designed to let through less light from behind, so they will have a tendancy to have better screen uniformity. IPS on the other hand is the opposite and has a trend the other way. You only need to read reviews to notice this pattern.

Also Sony these WD/WE IPS panels are not the best for black levels, they were beaten considerably by LG in 2016 with their higher end UH7+ series. It looks like LGs 2017 SJ models are better still. The Sony FHD models black levels and contrast are about equal with LGs lower range TVs. They should be as they use the same panels.

@DiNZi have you considered returning your TV to the retailer as you are within 1 year of purchase. If your tv exhibits a fault you should be able to return it by law. Alternatively have you considered using an external solution for streaming anyway? If you get a fire stick or something similar (like the android boxes reviewed on here) you can set up something like XBMC for streaming or just use a basic DLNA client. If you still have sync issues via HDMI then you can use XBMC to create an audio offset like here:

If you are using an external sound bar via SPDIF you can control audio sync in the TVs menu too, not sure if this also works via HDMI.
 
There is no such thing as a good FHD TV any more, not unless you buy from 2015/2014, especially with sport/fast action, oddly not because of the slower hz panels (Sony 60hz TVs play well with motion blur/judder), but because you will get horrible DSE with sports.

Also Sony these WD/WE IPS panels are not the best for black levels, they were beaten considerably by LG in 2016 with their higher end UH7+ series. It looks like LGs 2017 SJ models are better still. The Sony FHD models black levels and contrast are about equal with LGs lower range TVs. They should be as they use the same panels.

I would disagree. These WD/E series Sonys are some of the best FHD TVs I've seen in the last decade, even taking the IPS panel into account. Certainly no worse than 2013/4 equivalents, putting aside any Hz or panel type differences.
I agree with you about preferring VA to IPS, but for bright rooms IPS is very good too.
These Sonys don't use LG IPS panels at these models. BOE.
 
@Loopthrough would you mind sharing where you are researching panel info etc? For example how do you know who manufactures the panels on those Sony TVs.
 
@Loopthrough would you mind sharing where you are researching panel info etc? For example how do you know who manufactures the panels on those Sony TVs.
I have the TVs in front of me and that's how I get the info. BOE panels are also in a lot of Samsung models.

I also know of the Panasonic models but not other brands really.
 
75XE9405: MVA, 10-bit, Direct LED, 120/100Hz, local Dimming - 256 zones

65XE9305: MVA, 10-bit, Edge LED, 120/100Hz, Local Dimming - 72 zones
55XE9305: MVA, 10-bit, Edge LED, 120/100Hz, 4 x 16 zones

75XE9005: MVA, 10-bit, Direct LED, 120/100Hz, ? independently dimmable zones
65XE9005: MVA, 10-bit, Direct LED, 120/100Hz, 45 independently dimmable zones
55XE9005: MVA, 10-bit, Direct LED, 120/100Hz, 35 independently dimmable zones
49XE9005: MVA, 10-bit, Direct LED, 120/100Hz, ? independently dimmable zones

75XE85xx: IPS, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 120/100Hz
65XE85xx: MVA, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 120/100Hz
55XE85xx: MVA, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 120/100Hz

55XE80xx: IPS, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz
49XE80xx: IPS, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz
43XE80xx: IPS, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz

65XE70xx: MVA, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz
55XE70xx: MVA, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz
49XE70xx: IPS, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz
43XE70xx: IPS, 8-bit+FRC, Edge LED, 60/50Hz

49WE750: IPS(PLS), 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz,
43WE750: IPS(PLS), 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz,

49WE66x: IPS, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz
40WE66x: MVA, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz

32WE61x: IPS, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz (index 400 Motionflow XR),

40RE453: MVA, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz (index 400 Motionflow XR),
40RE450: MVA, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz (index 400 Motionflow XR),

32RE405: IPS, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz (index 400 Motionflow XR),
32RE403: IPS, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz (index 400 Motionflow XR),
32RE400: IPS, 8-bit, EdgeLED, 60/50Hz (index 400 Motionflow XR),
 
Are we sure that all Sony 43" are IPS? Last year (2016) used to be a mix of VA (XD80) and IPS (XD83).
 
Are we sure that all Sony 43" are IPS? Last year (2016) used to be a mix of VA (XD80) and IPS (XD83).
Yes, last year only the 43XD80xx was VA. This year they are all IPS.
 
Yes, last year only the 43XD80xx was VA. This year they are all IPS.

I wonder what is best in 43" ... Buying an overprices 2016 VA (£699) which does not have Dolby Vision... or waiting for 2018 models hoping there is VA... Do we have any idea of the panel trends for 2018 which will surely have better processors ? This shift towards IPS at Sony is rather disappointing for cinema fans.
 
There is a significant gap in the market right now, not sure if its down to limitations with smaller TVs compared to larger ones but there are no capable HDR TVs at 40/43. The last was the Samsung 43KS7500 which seems very rare to find now.

Even that TV had mid range HDR performance. With TVs at 55" starting to have good HDR versus mediocre.

The Sony XD80xx may use a VA panel but it may as well not have HDR in my opinion, all it can do is display better colours, other aspects of HDR such as local dimming and high brightness are reserved for higher end TVs at larger sizes.

So dolby vision support really isn't really a boon at all. Some LG LCDs have it but for them it is simply a case of accepting another HDR format, they are terrible TVs with HDR.

I'm not sure what will happen, but it would be a really stupid move for them not to come out with capable HDR TVs at smaller sizes, perhaps its more difficult too? Or perhaps they just aren't really thinking of the console market. I guess eventually we will see HDR capable computer monitors also, hopefully by that stage TVs that are more mainstream will also be decent with HDR.

You have to remember that HDR isn't like HD/FHD was, its a format that has varying specifications. You get a wide colour gamut that is associated with HDR and at the best TVs now are only displaying around 70% of the complete rec2020 colour spectrum, versus 99% for SDR.

Then you have colour volume, that is heavily dependant on a TVs brightness, this is the ability to display those colours over different brigthness steps. Obviously if a TV doesn't get bright enough for HDR it isn't going to be able to display its more saturated colours over a large spectrum either.

Then there is pure brightness or nits. HDR can be mastered in the studio up to 10,000 nits, most is mastered now at 4000 nits yet the UHD premium specifications state you you don't need anywhere near that amount, currently 1000 on an LCD.

So there is a lot of room for improvement and even if you buy an UHD Premium certified TV now, who knows in a few years time there may be a lot better out there.
 

The latest video from AVForums

TV Buying Guide - Which TV Is Best For You?
Subscribe to our YouTube channel
Back
Top Bottom