SONY UNVEILS ITS CRYSTAL LED SCREEN TECH DELIVERING PICTURE QUALITY AND DIMENSIONS SIMPLY SECOND TO NONE

BY ARCHANA AITHAL ROSE

In September, Sony announced a line of TVs that stretched, literally and figuratively, what we thought home theatres were capable of. Its Crystal LED display system, originally intended for use in commercial and entertainment venues, begins its size adventures with a Full HD 110-inch model, then journeys to a 4K 220-inch option, followed by 8K (440-inch) and 16K (790-inch) models. That means the last TV, folks, is just under 65 feet in diagonal dimension, with a 15,360 × 8,640 pixel density. It also features a 120-frame-per-second rendering speed, close to a 180-degree viewing angle, 3D playback capability, and a 99% black surface area that assists with contrast and resolution. Size flexibility is made possible by a unique modular screen system the Crystal LEDs, not surprisingly, requiring home installation by a certified Sony technician.

“Crystal LED also delivers over a million-to-one contrast ratio, the most accurate light levels, low heat emission, and a picture quality that’s breathtaking,” said Mike Fasulo, president and chief operating officer at Sony North America. “Consumers now have an exciting new option for the transition from home projections and large-screen TVs.”

The 4K unit (72 modules) would run about $720,000 the 16K (576 modules) could cost as much as $5 million.