Sony's AG8 OLED now available

Like buses…

by Andy Bassett
MSRP: £2,299.00
As reported recently on AVForums, the Sony’s Masters Series of OLEDs for 2019, the AG9 (A9G in the US) models have been available for a couple of weeks. They’re now joined by the more affordable AG8 (A8G in US) OLEDs, available in the UK, US and parts of Europe.
Knocking the AF8 and AF9 Master Series OLEDs from 2018 into the long grass, the AG8 range is available in 55 and 65-inch versions for £2,299 and £3,199 respectively, saving £700 and £800 pounds compared to their AG9 cousins.

To facilitate the saving of nearly a grand, the AG8 drops the X1 Ultimate Processor for the X1 Extreme version. This still enables the vast majority of image processing including access to the 4K X-reality PRO image engine and dual database processing, whereby the image is checked against two databases, one to clean image noise and the other to improve clarity. These databases contain thousands of reference standards to allow constant adjustments to make sure the picture remains optimal.

The AG8 loses the Pixel Contrast Booster of the AG9, which enhances colour and contrast in areas of brightness.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is the same for both models, with support for HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision formats.

Both ranges feature Motionflow XR but the AG8 lacks the Auto mode feature found in the AG9.
Sony KD-55AG8
And while both series come with Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio speaker technology which delivers sound via oval shaped actuators in the panel, so creating the impression that the audio is coming directly from the action on the screen, the AG9 has a slightly superior ‘+’ version with new actuators, two subwoofers and an extra 20W. Only the AG9 can be used as a central speaker in a surround sound setup too.

The Smart TV interface for both the AG8 and the AG9 is powered by Android TV and voice control comes courtesy of Google Assistant built-in so viewers can choose what they want to watch or control other connected devices with just a simple vocal command. The AG8 is ‘Works with Alexa’ ready too.

Connectivity is largely the same across both sets of models although the AG9 does feature HDMI eARC. However, neither yet sports HDMI 2.1 and with Sony’s own next generation games console and, most recently, next year’s upcoming Project Scarlett Xbox One replacement both being confirmed as supporting 8K and 4K120, could that decision be seen as shortsighted? Let us know what you think in the discussion thread.

Source: www.flatpanelshd.com
Image Source: Sony
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