Sony XBR65X750D 4K HDR Ultra HD TV Review

X750D 120Hz Smart LED TV

Sony’s XBR65X750D is part of its entry-level lineup of premium HDTVs. This lineup contains five different models which include the model under review here. For more info on these entry-level models click here.

Design/Features

The X750D is only available in a 65″ screen size and features an eye-appealing narrow bezel design that measures just over a 1/2″. The TV’s profile is somewhat slim with a maximum depth of approximately 3-inches which is due to its direct-lit LED design. By comparison, Sony’s higher-end XBR930D is much thinner with a maximum depth of 1.38″.

The screen is made of clear acrylic (plexiglass/plastic) and contains a semi-matte finish. For illumination, the X750D uses direct-lit LED backlighting which uses rows of LEDs spread across the backplane of the display. This lighting technique is different from the typically used edge-lit LED backlighting which utilizes LEDs along the edges of the TV’s screen.

The advantages of direct-lit vs. edge-lit LED designs are that direct-lit offers more uniform screen lighting and a brighter picture image. It can also improve contrast and black level performance.

The silver finish metal pedestal stand provides decent stability for a 65″ screen size; however, it still felt a bit wobbly when I gently rocked it back and forth from the top of the panel, yet was in no danger of tipping over.

Even though the 750D uses a 10-bit display panel, it does not support a wide color gamut which means it can’t produce the wider range of colors typical of TVs that support a wide color spectrum. Furthermore, this also means HDR images will not produce the most dynamic and vibrant color images.

The remote control included with this TV is nothing to write home about, and is just your basic type wand, yet provides the necessary buttons and functionality to operate the TV from the comfort of your sofa.  The XBR750D does have voice control capability; however, the supplied remote does not offer this function. You can purchase separately the RMF-TX200U remote control that will enable this feature.

3D capability: Although this is becoming less of an issue these days, this TV does not support 3D for those who may still be interested in this feature.

Additional features include:

• HDR (High Dynamic Range) for extended picture contrast and brightness in addition to more dynamic color reproduction and picture detail
• 4K X-Reality Pro enhances picture quality and upscales all non-native 4K video to near 4K quality
• HEVC/VP9 decoding for watching streamed 4K video sources like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and YouTube
• DIRECTV 4K Ready – DIRECTV subscribers with the Genie Whole-Home HD DVR can enjoy 4K service and full DVR features without an additional receiver
• IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD panel provides very good off-axis viewing and rich dynamic color rendering
• Motionflow XR 960 blur reduction during sports and other fast-action content
• PlayStation Now allows for PS3 game streaming
• Google Android smart TV platform with Google Cast lets you access and enjoy apps and other content from Google Play as well as share content between your TV and other Android devices
• Netflix Recommended TV – This certification makes it easier for consumers to know which manufacturers HDTVs work best with its streaming video service
• 802.11ac dual-band Wi-Fi to connect to a wireless network

Connectivity

• 4 HDMI 2.0a inputs (HDCP 2.2 compliant)
• 1 Component video input
• 1 Composite video input (A/V minijack)
• 3 USB inputs
• 1 Ethernet input
• 1 RF input for antenna/cable/satellite
• 1 Digital optical audio output
• 1 Stereo minijack output

Performance

The XBR65X750D’s overall picture quality was quite pleasing to my eyes. Images from my test footage which included 4K HDR, 4K, 1080p, and even 480p sources, all delivered good to very good picture quality.

4K HDR images had the best picture quality; however, HDR images on this set fell short of being the best I’ve seen to date when compared to other TVs I reviewed such as Sony’s XBR 940D and 930D. HDR images on the 750D were lacking in peak brightness, contrast range and color saturation.

This type of HDR performance was most likely due to the TV’s average peak brightness output, restricted contrast range, and the absence of a wide color gamut. With that said, HDR images weren’t bad on the 750D, they just could have been much better in my opinion.

4K and 1080p HD images, on the other hand, were rendered nicely on the 750D. Images were very sharp, crisp and detailed, with excellent clarity, in addition to very good image depth and transparency.

Color reproduction was also good, delivering nicely saturated hues with a good tonal balance and a refined natural appearance.

Contrast range on this TV was lacking which hindered its black level performance and kept it from delivering the deep dark blacks I like to see that are typically observed on many LED TVs that use a VA panel with a well-implemented backlight design such a full-array LED with local dimming.

This less than stellar black level performance was due to the 750D’s use of an IPS panel, which is known for its inability to produce extended contrast range and deep black levels.

However, on the contrary, all was not lost on this TV’s black-level performance when viewed in a semi-dark environment. One of my go-to scenes to evaluate black-level performance is from the movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In this particular scene, Darth Vader’s mangled helmet was rendered with a decent and nicely saturated black coloration. I must say I was surprised at this level of performance coming from an IPS panel.

My thoughts on why this accrued were most likely due to the fact this TV uses a direct-lit LED backlight design to illuminate the display panel. And as I mentioned earlier, this lighting technique can improve contrast and black level performance.

For the record, however, I didn’t compare the 750D directly to another LED TV using a VA panel, which most likely would have revealed the 750D’s true shortcomings in the areas of contrast and deep black levels.

While viewing other scenes from the movie mentioned above, shadow detail in dark scenes showing minimal lighting revealed good visibility and surface detail on objects within these darkly lit scenes.

Sony’s X-Reality Pro is well known for its excellent 4K upscaling, and its implementation within the XBR65X750D did not disappoint. Well mastered 1080p content looked very good on this set and could easily be mistaken for true 4K content.

Screen uniformity while viewing normal content on this TV appeared to be satisfactory and didn’t reveal any light bleed or flashlighting.

Motion handling was very good on the XBR750D. And while viewing my test footage of a basketball came shot in 4K, court action revealed very smooth and artifact-free images during this fast passed event.

Side angle viewing was a very strong attribute of this display considering its use of an IPS panel which usually delivers very good off-axis or wide-angle viewing. Viewing this set from typical wide angles shows virtually no contrast or color saturation loss.

Sound quality: The audio output from the TV’s two down-firing speakers was below average for a flat panel design. The overall sound was very thin and hollow in nature, and as expected bass output was non-existent. So a quality soundbar is definitely recommended for this TV.

Picture Settings:

I chose the Custom picture mode when setting up the 750D for evaluation.

Brightness: Max (you can adjust the brightness level down if the picture appears too bright while viewing in a dark room.)

Color: 53

Contrast: 90

Gamma: 0

Black level: 50

Sharpness: 30

Color Temp: Warm or Expert 1

Live Color: Off

Motion flow: Off

Cinemotion: Off

Use the Standard picture mode as an alternative if you find the picture quality when set to Custom mode too soft or flat/dull (primarily in sports programming) in appearance for your liking. The Standard mode will give the image more vibrancy and punch without being harsh or over-processed in appearance. If using this picture mode, be sure to turn off the Black adjust and Adv. contrast enhancer found in the Advanced settings menu.

Conclusion

In the end, I enjoyed using Sony’s XBR65X750D. The picture quality was quite good in most regards in my opinion, with the exception of some contrast and black level deficiencies that may or may not be an issue for some consumers while watching this TV in a semi-dark or completely dark viewing environment.

On the other hand, this ought to not be an issue at all when viewing this TV in a well-lit room which can make contrast and black level issues less apparent.

Where HDR performance is concerned, I felt it could have been better on the 750D, which was affected by the TV’s limited contrast range.

With that said, the 750D did deliver a well-defined picture image that was sharp and detailed, with good color reproduction while viewing 4K and 1080p high-def images.

So if you’re looking for a large screen entry-level 4K HDR smart LED TV that is available at an affordable price point, and aren’t overly concerned about seeing the deepest black levels in your picture images, then I suggest you take a look at the XBR65X750D.

You may also like these reviews:

Sony 65″ XBR65X930D

Sony 65″ XBR65X850D