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Panasonic VIERA AX902 vs Sony BRAVIA X90C

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

PanasonicVIERA AX902SonyBRAVIA X90C
Overview
Released20142015
Display
PanelLED LCDLED LCD
Panel detailPanasonic specifies an LED LCD panel with Local Dimming Ultra. AVForums identifies the reviewed 55-inch panel as IPS with full-array direct backlighting and 128 zones; that zone count is not claimed for the 65-inch size. Panasonic's 3000 Hz Backlight Scanning claim is not a native refresh rate.Edge-lit IPS LCD on the independently reviewed 65-inch set. Sony calls the X90C an ultra-slim design, with its upper section about 4.9 mm thick. No maker-confirmed native refresh rate was found; Motionflow XR processing must not be read as a panel rate.
Resolution3840 × 2160 (4K)3840 × 2160 (4K)
HDR formatsNoneHDR10
HDR extras–Sony UK lists HDR10 for X90C streaming, HDMI and USB playback in its compatibility table; HDR support arrived by software update after launch. The table does not list Dolby Vision.
Screen finish–Glossy, as observed by FlatpanelsHD on its 65-inch review sample
Picture processingStudio Master Drive, Local Dimming Ultra, Studio Master Colour, 4K Pure Direct and Intelligent Frame Creation Pro. The 55-inch zone count is reported by AVForums, not the UK manual.Sony 4K Processor X1, 4K X-Reality PRO upscaling and TRILUMINOS Display; FlatpanelsHD found good colour and detail on the 65-inch model.
Picture modesDynamic, Normal, Cinema, THX Cinema, THX Bright Room, True Cinema, Monitor, Custom, Professional 1 and Professional 2; BT.1886 gamma is available.–
Motion handlingHDTVTest found clear motion with Intelligent Frame Creation enabled but mild 24p judder; AVForums preferred turning interpolation off for films.Motionflow processing is available; a native panel Hz value was not established from Sony's published material.
Viewing angleThe reviewed 55-inch IPS panel retained contrast and colour better off-axis than many contemporary VA LCDs according to HDTVTest.FlatpanelsHD found wider side viewing angles than VA LCDs on its IPS-equipped 65-inch review sample, with weaker dark-room contrast.
Sizes
Sizes55, 65″55, 65″
Largest size65″65″
Gaming
HDMI ports4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)4 (0 HDMI 2.1 at 4K 120 Hz+)
Variable refresh rateNoneNone
HDMI detailFour HDMI inputs support 4K and 3D; HDMI2 supports ordinary Audio Return Channel. The UK manual also lists DisplayPort for 4K, one SCART, component and composite inputs, CI+ and an SD card slot. HDTVTest confirmed full HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and HDCP 2.2 on the reviewed 55-inch unit.Four HDMI inputs; the Sony reference guide identifies MHL support. This predates HDMI 2.1 and 4K 120 Hz inputs.
Input lagAVForums measured 90 ms in Game mode on the 55-inch set; HDTVTest measured 87 ms on its separate 55-inch sample.34.6 ms in Game mode on FlatpanelsHD's 65-inch sample; a reviewer measurement, not a maker specification.
Game features–Game mode; no VRR or ALLM claim in the Sony reference material.
Smart TV and sound
Smart TV platformmy Home ScreenAndroid TV
ProcessorQuad Core Pro54K Processor X1
Speakers18 W–
Wi-FiBuilt-in dual-band IEEE 802.11a/b/g/nBuilt-in Wi-Fi
BluetoothBluetooth 3.0 for accessories–
Speaker detailPanasonic specifies 4 W + 4 W stereo drivers and a 10 W woofer.The thin chassis left limited room for speakers; both full reviews found the built-in audio light for films.
Audio features3.5 mm headphone socket and Bluetooth accessory support.–
CastingPanasonic's my Home Screen platform supports network media, TV Anywhere, screen mirroring and streaming apps; service availability varies over time.Google Cast built into Android TV, confirmed by the full FlatpanelsHD review.
TV tunersUK DVB-S/S2 Freesat, DVB-T/T2 Freeview HD and PAL I analogue tuners; two satellite dish inputs.Terrestrial, cable and satellite reception. The Sony reference guide shows two satellite feeds for twin-tuner mode; recording functions were still pending a software update when FlatpanelsHD tested it in August 2015.
USBTwo USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port support media and recording to a registered drive; SD card slot.Three USB ports on the 65-inch set, per FlatpanelsHD.
EthernetRJ45 10/100/1000 Ethernet for network services and local sharing.One Ethernet input on the 65-inch set, per FlatpanelsHD.
Optical audio outFibre-optic PCM, Dolby Digital and DTS output.One digital optical output on the 65-inch set, per FlatpanelsHD.
Design and power
SizeTV only: 55-inch 1238 × 741 × 59 mm and 26 kg; 65-inch 1457 × 864 × 60 mm and 35 kg. With pedestal: 55-inch 1238 × 740 × 283 mm and 40 kg; 65-inch 1457 × 863 × 356 mm and 52 kg.Without stand, Sony reference guide wall-mount table: 55″ 1232 × 712 mm and 65″ 1451 × 835 mm (width × height). FlatpanelsHD describes the 65-inch lower electronics housing as about 39 mm deep.
StandSupplied rear-weighted pedestal. Panasonic lists 400 × 400 mm wall mounting holes.Two narrow feet can be positioned at the edges or closer to the centre, and Sony supplies a close-fit wall-mount bracket.
Power usePanasonic product fiche on-mode average: 210 W for 55 inches and 229 W for 65 inches; 0.30 W standby and off mode for both.Sony energy table standard mode: 55″ 138 W; 65″ 157 W. These are size-specific and are not a single series value.
Energy classC for UK 55-inch and B for UK 65-inch under the historical Panasonic product fiche.–
ColoursBlack glass front with silver edge trim.–
In the boxStandard and touchpad remotes, two pairs of passive 3D glasses, pedestal, mains lead and instructions. Panasonic's 2014 UK model list and manual confirm 55- and 65-inch AX902B sets; the distinct 85-inch TX-85X942B is excluded. Exact first-sale month remains unconfirmed; contemporary UK coverage places availability in November 2014.Sony reference guide lists a supplied wall-mount bracket; FlatpanelsHD found both a touch remote and conventional remote with the 65-inch set, but no 3D glasses.

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