HDR Given A Chance To Shine

This TV proves to John Archer that you don't have to spend a fortune to embrace the HDR revolution

- John Archer

Much as we love high dynamic range (HDR) picture technology at HCC, there's no denying that it can represent a major performance challenge for relatively affordable TVs. If a TV doesn't have enough brightness, colour range, contrast and video processing prowess, it can lead to an HDR experience that's less satisfying than traditional SDR. It's a potent technology that needs handling with care.

Cue the new Sony KD-55XE8596. Despite costing a far from unreasonable £1,100, this 55in flatscreen continues Sony's generally impressive run of 2017 TVs by confidently handling whatever you might decide to throw at it, including HDR.

Considering its mid-range rather than premium status, the 55XE8596 is pretty easy on the eye. Its frame and rear are both slim, and its centrally mounted open-frame stand is practical and unassuming. But it's not the most robustly built TV around; there's clearly plenty of plastic in the bodywork. You only really notice this, though, when putting the TV together. It's not obvious from a distance.

The screen carries a native 4K resolution, as we'd expect these days, and its support for the HDR10 industry HDR standard is joined by playback of HLG: a second HDR system set to be used by broadcasters.

Unlike Sony's ZD9, XE94 and XE93 TVs this year, the 55XE8596 can't be upgraded via a future firmware update to also handle Dolby's advanced Dolby Vision HDR platform. This is because it uses Sony's X1 chipset, rather than the X1 Extreme chipset employed in those more powerful models.

Using Sony's less potent processor also means the 55XE8596 doesn't get the dual-database system for advanced upscaling of non-4K sources found on Sony's high-end TVs.