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Sony KD-55XD8599 review

 Review: April 2016  
 

Rating: 4 stars

In a nutshell: The high-end Sony KD-55XD8599B is a very capable UHD(4K) HDR TV with iconic looks and impressive picture quality. Whilst undoubtedly expensive, it's a lot more affordable than many of the flagship HDR TVs on sale in 2016, and offers a good entry-point into this new technology. The XD8599 also includes the benefits of Android Smart TV, twin Freeview tuners and Youview catch-up TV.



 

Design & looks

The Sony XD85 sits just below Sony's 2016 flagship XD93 TV, and shares the same ultra-slim looks. The screen is razor-thin, with a slightly thicker lower chassis than the XD93, but still very slim at just 44mm at its deepest. The screen is surrounded by a slim black bezel, with a glowing Sony logo at the bottom centre. The TV is mounted on a dark silver slate stand, which provides solid support, and includes a lift-off panel that helps to keep your AV cables neat and tidy.

Picture quality

The XD85 is a UHD (4K) TV with HDR capability. The TV has much in common with the flagship XD9305, but uses a slightly different backlighting system.

The Triluminos screen is bright, with a wide colour spectrum, and the ability to generate plenty of shadow detail. It reaches impressive black levels too, and offers excellent viewing angles. UHD source material is handled very well, and the TV meets the HDR standard, so is capable of displaying HDR video too.

Sony's 4K X-Reality PRO processing engine enhances texture, contrast, colour and edges of non-UHD video to upscale effectively to 4K resolution.

The XD8599 misses out on Sony's high-end Slim Backlight Drive, and instead is edge-lit from the bottom. The LED lighting system incorporates a level of dynamic backlight control, but it's true that there isn't quite as much shadow detail in evidence on this screen compared with Sony's flagship. The backlighting system is very energy efficient, though, if that's a feature that's important to you.

Motion handling is good, however, and the screen has a XR 1000 Hz Motionflow rating.

We'd say that overall this TV performs extremely well, and the slightly reduced dynamic range is really only noticeable when it's placed next to the XD93. Note also that the XD8505 doesn't support 3D.

Audio quality

For a TV at this price, we think that Sony might have given the KD55XD8599 a better audio system. The S-master amplifier produces just 20W of total power, and there are just two speakers fitted, giving rather average audio quality.

You'll certainly benefit from adding a subwoofer, soundbar, or better still a dedicated home cinema kit.

Android TV

Sony made the switch to Android TV in 2015, and spent most of that year desperately releasing updates to fix the multitude of bugs that were present. We're hoping that the OS has now reached an acceptable level of stability, but we're not staking our life savings on it. Be prepared for some teething problems, and be aware that you're taking a risk in choosing Android TV.

Having said that, in principle Android TV offers significant advantages over other Smart TV systems. It gives you access to Google Play apps from your TV, and you can download videos, music and other content directly from your TV. Amazon Instant Video and Netflix are probably the best ways to access 4K content at present, and both of these will be streaming HDR material during 2016.

Android also provides features such as Google Cast, which lets you mirror content such as videos or photos from an Android phone or tablet. The TV SideView app lets you use your Android phone or tablet to control the TV.

Catch-up TV is provided courtesy of Youview. A user-friendly 7-day windback with content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5 is displayed alongside future programmes in the Electronic Programme Guide.

Connectivity

The Sony XD85 includes 4 HDMI connections, Wi-Fi and ethernet, 3 USB ports, a subwoofer output, and various other A/V connections for hooking up your devices. Android TV lets you easily connect the TV wirelessly to smartphones and tablets.

Twin Freeview HD tuners are provided, so if you have an external USB drive you can watch and record different programmes at the same time.

The sales package also includes a voice-activated remote control.

Conclusion - impressive and affordable HDR capability

HDR is 2016's sexy TV feature and it doesn't come cheap. Nevertheless, an asking price of less than £1,500 makes the Sony KD55XD8599 a lot more affordable than the Sony KD55XD9305. The more basic backlighting system may be less impressive, the audio rather average, and there's no 3D support, but there's no denying that this is a fine UHD HDR TV. Taken on its own merits, it delivers excellent picture quality, has excellent Smart TV capabilities, and is a real style icon too.

We're still suspicious of Android TV, following its less-than-surefooted launch in 2015, and for this reason we're deducting one star from our rating, as we have concerns about the OS. We'll be watching Sony's range during 2016 to see if the Android bugs have been properly banished, and we're also optimistic that the price of this TV will fall in the run-up to year-end 2016. Who knows - perhaps we can find an extra star to give to the Sony Bravia 55XD8599 in time for Christmas?

The Sony KD55XD8577S is the same, but with a silver frame and stand.


Sony KD-55XD8599 features include:

User questions

Sorry - questions and comments on this page are now closed.

Facebook icons etc. on Smart TV?

Asked by Ray Dinning from United Kingdom on 8th Feb 2018
I own a Sony KD-55XD8599 TV which I understand is a Smart TV. However I cannot understand how I can get icons such as Facebook and the other things on my screen which I believe comes with a Smart TV.

Do I need to buy an adapter or is there something I am missing. I do not see anything to help me on the Remote control

Can you help me please or direct me to some form of internet instructions that would help.
Many thanks
Ray Dinning

Is there on and off switch on the back?

Asked by Joseph Vincent gauci from Malta on 26th Dec 2017
Well the againt got me this tv and no explain nothing, I just wanted to check is there any switch at the back .

Previously used Sony TVs as it has function to use headphones ( I have poor hearing) whilst others in room listen to tv audio as normal ( i.e. doesn't mute the sound when headphones plugged in) does this television have this function and does it also work when using Sony soundbar?

Asked by Tony from England on 3rd Jan 2017

See all 10 questions

Sony KD-55XD8599 user reviews

Sorry - reviews and comments on this page are now closed.