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Sony X700D TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
Sony X700D Picture
7.5
Mixed Usage
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.4
Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.9
TV Shows
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.9
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.8
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.2
HDR Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.4
HDR Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.5
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
This TV was replaced by the Sony X720E

The Sony X700D is a 4k LED TV, with slightly above average picture quality. It isn't good in a dark room due to the low native contrast ratio. On the upside, it can be enjoyed even from a wide angle, and it handles motion well. It also supports a wide range of inputs with low input lag which is good.

Our Verdict

7.5 Mixed Usage

Good TV for mixed usage. Picture quality is above average and remain the same even when seen from the side. It is more suited for bright room since the blacks are not that deep and tend to look more gray in a dark environment.

Pros
  • Great color accuracy at an angle
  • Low motion blur
Cons
  • Poor blacks in a dark room
  • Peak brightness could be better
6.4 Movies

Below average for watching movies in a dark room. The blacks are not deep and not very uniform and it doesn't have a local dimming feature to make it better.

7.9 TV Shows

Good TV for watching TV in a well lit room. Picture quality is slightly above average and remain the same even when viewed from the side. Upscaling of lower resolution content is good. It can deal pretty well with reflections and glare. The smart platform is easy to use and offers a lot of features.

7.9 Sports

Great for watching sports, since it has low motion blur. The wide viewing angle is great if you have friends over to watch a game. The uniformity could be better though.

7.8 Video Games

Great for video games. It has a consistently low input lag no matter the source and the motion blur is great.

7.2 HDR Movies

Supports HDR10 with newest firmware update. Average for HDR movies. Picture quality is slightly above average but does not have wide color gamut and local dimming feature to improve further the picture quality. Contrast ratio is very low making blacks appear gray when viewed in a dark room.

7.4 HDR Gaming

Good for HDR gaming. Picture quality is slightly above average, but no wide color gamut support. No local dimming to improve dark scene performance. Input lag is low, which is great.

7.5 PC Monitor

Good as a computer monitor. Can accept a wide variety of inputs and supports a wide range of resolutions. Input lag is good and has a great response time. Support chroma subsampling at 4k @ 60Hz.

  • 7.5 Mixed Usage
  • 6.4 Movies
  • 7.9 TV Shows
  • 7.9 Sports
  • 7.8 Video Games
  • 7.2 HDR Movies
  • 7.4 HDR Gaming
  • 7.5 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated Sep 14, 2016: Our testers have started testing this product.
  3. Updated Aug 10, 2016: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

We tested the 55" (XBR55X700D). For the most part, we expect our review to be valid for the 49" (XBR49X700D) and.

If someone comes across a different type of panel or if their Sony X700D doesn't correspond to our review, let us know and we will update the review.

Size Model
49" XBR49X700D
55" XBR55X700D

Compared To Other TVs

Comparison picture

Top left: Hisense H8C (50H8C). Bottom left: Samsung KU6300 (UN55KU6300). Middle: Sony X700D (XBR55X700D). Top right: Vizio D Series 4k 2016 (D50u-D1). Bottom right: LG UH7700 (55UH7700).  Unlike our other photographs, this picture wasn't taken under a controlled environment, so do not draw conclusions from it.

The Sony X700D is a good TV and a great choice if you need a wide viewing angle. If you are directly in front though, there are better alternatives.

Test Results

Design
8.5
Design
Style
Curved No

 The X700D has the same design as the larger model X750D. It is similar to many of the Sony TVs released in 2015. It looks quite good, with all black plastic borders and a simple metallic stand.   

Design
Stand

The stand is a single metallic support. It is very minimalistic, and looks good. It also supports the TV quite well.

Footprint of the 55" TV stand: 24.75" x 9.125"

Design
Back
Wall Mount VESA 200x200

The back of the TV certainly isn't something to show off if the TV is placed in the middle of a room, but it is very functional and allows easy access to most of the inputs. If wall mounted, some of the inputs may be more difficult to use.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.67" (1.7 cm)

The borders are quite simple and made of plastic. They are quite thin, which is good.

Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 3.03" (7.7cm)

The thickness of the X700D is about average, but it will stick out from the wall a little bit if mounted.

Picture Quality
6.0
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
992 : 1

The contrast ratio is bad. This TV has an IPS panel which generally have worse contrast than VA panel, but for the X700D, this is on the lower end. Blacks appear gray when seen in a dark room.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Direct

The X700D doesn't support local dimming, but we have included the video for reference.

7.7
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
363 cd/m²
SDR Peak 2% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Peak 10% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Peak 25% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Peak 100% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 2% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 10% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 25% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 50% Window
450 cd/m²
SDR Sustained 100% Window
450 cd/m²

The SDR peak brightness is average for the Sony X700D. Since it does not have local dimming, all the different sized windows have the same level of brightness and at 450 cd/m² it should be good enough even for a bright room.

8.0
Picture Quality
HDR Peak Brightness
HDR Real Scene Peak Brightness
450 cd/m²
HDR Peak 2% Window
496 cd/m²
HDR Peak 10% Window
497 cd/m²
HDR Peak 25% Window
496 cd/m²
HDR Peak 50% Window
494 cd/m²
HDR Peak 100% Window
496 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 2% Window
496 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 10% Window
497 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 25% Window
496 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 50% Window
494 cd/m²
HDR Sustained 100% Window
496 cd/m²

The peak brightness is better than average. There is no local dimming, so the result is the same across all window sizes and does not vary over time. The whole screen brightness is enough to deal with glare even in a bright room.

Update 10/20/2016: We have retested the peak brightness with the newest firmware update which enables HDR10.

7.1
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
4.319%
50% DSE
0.207%
5% Std. Dev.
0.654%
5% DSE
0.091%

The Sony X700D has an average gray uniformity. Both sides are a bit darker and there is also a warmer horizontal band in the middle of the screen. Even with this little imperfection, the screen is pretty even and dirty screen effect should not be too much of a problem.

7.8
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
IPS
Color Shift
44°
Brightness
54°
Black Level
75°

When viewed at an angle, the picture quality remains very similar. For those with wide seating this is a great TV.

6.4
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
2.419%

Black uniformity is below average for an LED TV and is comparable to its bigger sibling the X750D. Even if there is a lot of clouding on our test picture, the clouding is pretty much even on all the screen and when viewing normal content, the picture quality is still good and you can't really notice it. That being said, we have seen a lot worse on other IPS TVs.

9.0
Picture Quality
Gradient
Color Depth
10 Bit

The Sony X700D has a good 10 bit panel and the color reproduction is pretty even. There is not really any obvious banding problem that can be seen on our test picture that could cause a problem when watching movies.

7.4
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
5.24
Color dE
4.4
Gamma
2.09

Prior to calibration the results are average. There are some more significant issues in the white balance, especially at 80 - 100 IRE. For most people this should be fine, but a calibration definitely helps to fix some of the more significant issues.

9.2
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
0.29
Color dE
2.5
Gamma
2.19

The calibration works well to fix issues with the white balance, by adjusting the 2 and 10 points method. There are still some issues with the colors which could not be fixed, but for most people this is not a problem. You can see our full picture settings here.

8.0
Picture Quality
480p Input

Lower quality content such as DVDs are upscaled well. Details are preserved, and the image looks clean.

8.0
Picture Quality
720p Input

720p content such as cable TV looks quite good. The image looks sharp.

9.0
Picture Quality
1080p Input

Blue-rays and other 1080p content looks great. Some moire can be seen in our test picture due to the camera, but details are preserved and the image looks very sharp in person.

10
Picture Quality
4k Input

Native 4k sources look good.

6.8
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
75.3%
DCI P3 uv
84.58%
Rec 2020 xy
53.08%
Rec 2020 uv
59.25%

The X700D doesn't support a wide color gamut. The supported color space is only enough for Rec. 709 content.

4.5
Picture Quality
Color Volume
Normalized DCI P3 Coverage
45.968%
10,000 cd/m² DCI P3 Coverage
29.263%
Normalized Rec 2020 Coverage
35.042%
10,000 cd/m² Rec 2020 Coverage
22.043%
0.1
Picture Quality
Image Retention
IR after 0 min recovery
14.971%
IR after 2 min recovery
5.599%
IR after 4 min recovery
2.866%
IR after 6 min recovery
1.526%
IR after 8 min recovery
0.804%
IR after 10 min recovery
0.328%

The Sony X700D does present some image retention. The retention is pretty strong and you can easily make out the original picture from the test video. Some retention is still present after 10 minutes of recovery, even if it is very faint. The image retention is not permanent, but is definitely lasting longer than on other IPS TVs.

This is one of the worse image retention that we have seen on a LED TV. The image retention will be visible after watching a TV show in 4:3, a letter box movie, a news TV show with a static banner and even sport channel with static scoring banner. Note that the image retention will fade completely with time.

8.0
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
1.8%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

Deals quite well with reflections. Semi gloss finish diffuses direct reflections on the screen, but works quite well to reduce their intensity. For an average room this is a good result and should not be a problem.

0
Picture Quality
3D
3D
No
3D Type
No
2D to 3D
No

This TV does not support any 3D features.

Picture Quality
Pixels
Type LED
Motion
8.7
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
Response Time
12.5 ms
Overshoot
1.6 ms

The response time is great, and results in very little motion blur following the logo. Some slight overshoot is visible as a lighter trail following. The backlight does not flicker on this set.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
BFI
Yes
BFI Frequency
60 Hz
BFI In Game Mode
Yes

The X700D is able to flicker the backlight by increasing the 'Clearness' slider. This helps to clear up motion blur caused by eye tracking.

7.1
Motion
24p Playback
Judder-free 24p
Yes
Judder-free 24p via 60p
No
Judder-free 24p via 60i
No

Watching movies from a 24fps source such as a Blu-ray player is smooth. Those that are sensitive to judder will notice it when watching movies over a 60fps source such as cable TV, or a home theater PC.

5.0
Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Yes
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
No

Unlike the larger size X750D, the X700D has a 60Hz panel. It is only able to interpolate 30fps content. Those who like a strong soap opera effect will not be able to achieve it.

Inputs
8.2
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
31.4 ms
1080p With Interpolation
47.8 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
47.7 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
31.4 ms
4k @ 60Hz
32.6 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
32.4 ms
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
32.4 ms
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
32.4 ms

The 1080p input lag is quite low and is the same as the X750D, which is great. For most people, this will not be noticeable when playing game. To get the lowest input lag, set the picture mode to 'Game or 'Graphics'. The input lag stays low even in 4k.

Update 10/20/2016: We have retested the input lag with the newest firmware update which enables HDR10.

8.0
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 4k
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
No
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes

Like the Sony X750D, the X700D can display Chroma 4:4:4 at 4k @ 60Hz only on the HDMI port 2 and 3 and you need to switch the 'HDMI signal format' to 'Enhanced format'. When the picture mode is set to 'Graphics' or 'Game' the input lag is 31.4ms.

Inputs
Side Inputs
Inputs
Rear Inputs
Inputs
Total Inputs
HDMI 4
USB 3
Digital Optical Audio Out 1
Analog Audio Out 3.5mm 1
Analog Audio Out RCA 0
Component In 1 (shared)
Composite In 2 (shared)
Tuner (Cable/Ant) 1
Ethernet 1
DisplayPort 0
IR In 1
SD/SDHC 0
Inputs
Inputs Specifications
HDR10
Yes
5.1 Passthrough ARC Dolby Digital
Yes
Dolby Vision
No
5.1 Passthrough ARC DTS
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical Dolby Digital
Yes
5.1 Passthrough Optical DTS
Yes
HDMI 2.0 Full Bandwidth Yes (HDMI 2, 3)
ARC Yes (HDMI 3)
USB 3 Yes (1)
HDCP 2.2 Yes
CEC Yes
MHL No
Variable Analog Audio Out Yes

The TV doesn't support HDR10 at time of the review, but is planned to support it in the future with a firmware update.

Update 10/20/2016: The review has been updated with the newest firmware which enables HDR10.

Sound Quality
7.0
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
3.04 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
3.5 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
6.1 dB SPL
Max
92.6 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
119.87 Hz

Decent performance. Frequency response and maximum loudness are above average, however pumping and compression will be present under heavier loads, and the TV doesn't produce a lot of bass either.

3.7
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.022
Distortion @ 80
0.33
Distortion @ Max
2.648

Poor distortion performance. The amount of harmonic distortion at 75dB and 85dB are low. There was audible aliasing present even at 85dB. However, aliasing starts to creep in at volumes louder than 85dB. At 100dB there's a dramatic jump in the harmonic distortion, which is typical of most Sony TVs. However, these artifacts will be less audible in real-life situations.

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

The Google Play Store provides access to many Android apps, and there is also support for Sony's PlayStation Now for even more apps and games. All of the major apps such as Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, HBO Now and Showtime are available.

8.0
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS Android

The X700D includes the latest Android TV version (6.0.1 Marshmallow). There is a huge variety of content available, due to access to the Google Play Store. It is very stable and works well. The home screen is a bit confusing to navigate though. After turning on the TV it does take a while to load, but after a few minutes this is not an issue. There are 3 USB ports on the TV, and the Android OS is able to play content directly off USB flash drives.

10
Smart Features
Ads
Ad-free
Yes
Opt-out
N/A

While no ads appear on this TV, apps and featured content are shown on the main page.

Smart Features
TV Controls

The controls are located behind the left side of the TV. They provide basic functionality, but may be difficult to access if wall mounted.

Smart Features
Remote
Remote Basic

The remote is exactly the same as the one found with the larger X750D. It has the familiar Sony layout, but lacks the voice control feature found on higher end models such as the X800D.

Smart Features
In The Box

  • Manuals
  • Remote
  • Batteries
  • IR blaster

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 58 W
Power Consumption (Max) 142 W
Firmware PKG6.0306.0001NAA