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Ahead of CES 2021 next week, Sony has introduced new 4K OLED, 4K LED, and 8K LED smart TV models with support for HomeKit and AirPlay 2.

sony-tv-homekit.jpg

The new lineup includes the MASTER Series A90J with 55-inch, 65-inch, and 83-inch 4K OLED TVs, the X95J Series with 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch 4K LED TVs, the X92 Series with 50-inch to 100-inch 4K LED TVs, and the MASTER Series Z9J with 75-inch and 85-inch 8K LED TVs. Sony says pricing and availability will be announced in Spring 2021.

AirPlay‌ 2 support allows users to stream videos, music, photos, and more directly from an iPhone, iPad, and Mac to compatible Sony smart TVs, complete with lock screen controls. ‌HomeKit‌ support enables users to easily control the TVs using Siri voice commands or the Home app on ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, and Mac. The features are also available on select 2018, 2019, and 2020 TV models sold by Sony, with a full list available on Apple's website.

All of the TVs announced this week feature Sony's artificial intelligence technology, known as the Cognitive Processor XR, for continuously optimized picture and sound quality. Other features and specs include Google TV support, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration, HDMI 2.1 compatibility, and more.

Article Link: CES 2021: Sony Unveils New 4K and 8K LED TVs With HomeKit and AirPlay 2
 
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If these are truly HomeKit compatible, does that mean that if I have a HomeKit Secure Router that I can lock it down to not phone home? That could be awesome. As of now I turn off all “smart” features on TVs and just use an Apple TV box.
 
My TVs will always be Sonys. Fantastic picture quality and reliability. My 10 year old XBR that currently resides in the bedroom is still going strong. Replaced with an XBR900E a few years ago in the living room. Next TV will probably be an OLED model in a year or two.
Yeah Sony are great at alot of the little details and accuracy. They seem to be the last semi premium TV manufacturer around. I would go mad constantly tweaking/setting the LG's. Panasonic are great but have a rough smart TV experience (PQ is fantastic though and close second to Sony in many ways).
 
I managed to get a free Apple TV 4K with my broadband provider 8 months ago and I’ve just got a 4K tv after years of refusing to go for a non HDR panel, the ‘smart’ telly is meh aside from the fantastic screen but the Apple TV literally sorts every problem I could’ve had with that TV, my point of all this is that they may come with Airplay but you can find great TV’s without them and transform them with a good ATV4k box for hundreds less than these Airplay 2 compatible machines 👌🏻
 
If these are truly HomeKit compatible, does that mean that if I have a HomeKit Secure Router that I can lock it down to not phone home? That could be awesome. As of now I turn off all “smart” features on TVs and just use an Apple TV box.
Problem is these processors aren’t really ‘Apple TV box’ powerful the A10X is a beast! I agree though my new TV(Hitachi) has an excellent panel but it really falls off at the software(Android TV is meh to me, especially compared to TVOS)
 
im excited for the LG C1 even tho I just brought the CX
That's an amazing TV! I am going to see if I should get the CX or the C1 (depending on the price e.g. discounted price of the CX, and the new features of C1 over the CX to see if the price difference justifies)
 
im excited for the LG C1 even tho I just brought the CX
This is much! I have a C9 and **** is amazing!

That being said, I don't think AirPlay and HomeKit is such a big deal anymore. Maybe it's because Sony has never featured it, but so many devices are carrying it now. It's more of a "look who's late to the party" than innovation at this point.
 
Using a dumb TV with an AppleTV is a vastly better option. Easier to iterate the streaming technology, and you don't have anywhere near the security and privacy issues. TV's and toasters don't need internet connectivity.
 
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Using a dumb TV with an AppleTV is a vastly better option. Easier to iterate the streaming technology, and you don't have anywhere near the security and privacy issues. TV's and toasters don't need internet connectivity.
Dumb TVs don't even exist anymore. That said, there's no problem connecting an ATV to a smart TV. That's what I do.
 
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They have a variety of OLED models..
Yes I absolutely know this. I was just making a point that LCD TV's aren't worth investing money into when we're talking about high resolution such as 8K. There will always be limitations in viewing pleasure with LCD. I'm a Plasma guy so it's OLED or bust for me. Plus I prefer the LG to the Sony.
 
Most of the stuff I stream these days is 4K. Only stuff that isn't 4K for me is HBO Max. Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ are pretty much entirely 4K for new releases. All the YouTube channels I watch are in 4K too.
If you add up all of the 4K content from Netflix, Disney+, and AppleTV+...this is a drop in the bucket compared to all of the 1080p content out there. That is my point. Not taking away from your post, I'm just saying that it is 2021 and 4K content should be the standard. 1080p should go away.
 
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