The Sony ZG9 8K HDR Full Array LED TV are slated to become available at select European retailers from June with pre-orders starting now.

The MASTER Series ZG9 8K HDR Full Array LED TVs feature the latest generation Picture Processor X1 Ultimate, which has an algorithm developed for 8K that can intelligently detect and analyse each object handles the 33 million pixels of 8K. The ZG9 models -- ZG9 98” and 85” -- also feature the new Sound-from-Picture Reality which reproduces the position of the sound on the screen so when actors are speaking, the sound appears to be coming directly from their mouths and not from a speaker off to the bottom of the TV. The new Acoustic Multi-Audio on the ZG9 utilises four front-facing speakers; two on the bottom and two on the top. In addition, the ZG9 has a TV Centre Speaker Mode for those who have a home cinema setup – the TV becomes the centre speaker. Also enhancing the sound experience is Dolby Atmos.

The same X1 Ultimate processor enables the 8K X-Reality PRO to up-scale any content closer to 8K picture quality using a dedicated 8K database to refer to.

In addition, new dedicated 8K technologies have been developed for the ZG9 series, including Backlight Master Drive with full-array local dimming and 8K X-tended Dynamic Range PRO. The Backlight Master Drive on the ZG9 has ultra-dense LED modules which are independently controlled. To leverage the most out of this backlight system, 8K X-tended Dynamic Range PRO uses the saved energy to intelligently boost the brightness in the areas where it needs to be boosted.

The ZG9 also features X-Wide Angle to ensure the picture retains its quality and true colours regardless of the viewing angle by reducing colour shifts when viewing the screen off-axis. Also, X-Motion Clarity minimises motion blur.

The TVs feature Sony Android TV which supports a wide range of apps from Google Play and have Google Assistant built-in. Additionally, they have built-in microphones that will free users’ hands. The TVs also work with smart speakers such as Sony’s own LF-S50G and SRS-XB501G, Google Home or Amazon Echo devices. With smart speakers, users can control their TV and stream content by using their voice – with more features to come later this year.

The MASTER Series ZG9 8K HDR Full Array LED TVs will be compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit. AirPlay 2 lets you stream content from your iPhone, iPad and Mac right to your Sony TV. HomeKit lets you control smart home products using the Home app or by asking Siri on your Apple devices. TVs can be added to the Home app and included in scenes or automations with other HomeKit accessories. For example, users can create a “Movie Night” scene in the Home app to easily turn on their smart TV and dim the lights, and ask Siri to launch the scene. AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support will launch in ZG9, AG9, XG95, XG85 models in 2019.

The 85-inch ZG9 is available from the first week of June and costs € 17,000. The larger 98-inch model will be available from the second week of June and will cost € 80,000.