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To try to better understand how long a TV should last, we're running 100 TVs through an accelerated longevity test for the next two years. We've just posted our 1-year video update with our latest findings on temporary image retention, burn-in, and more!

Sony X830C TV Review

Tested using Methodology v1.0
Review updated Mar 01, 2017 at 06:31 am
Sony X830C Picture
7.1
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
7.3
TV Shows
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.3
Sports
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
8.0
Video Games
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
6.2
HDR Movies
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
4.8
HDR Gaming
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
7.9
PC Monitor
Value for price beaten by
: Not at the latest test bench
This TV was replaced by the Sony X830F

The Sony X830C doesn't have good picture quality. It reflects too much light in a bright room, and with the lights turned off, the blacks are gray. At least it maintains good color accuracy when viewed at an angle.

Our Verdict

7.1 Mixed Usage

The main advantage of the Sony X830C is its viewing angle. The picture quality both in a bright and a dark environment is sub-par. It also has little blur, which is good.

Pros
  • Great color accuracy at an angle.
Cons
  • Reflects a lot of light
  • Really poor contrast ratio
  • 7.1 Mixed Usage
  • 6.4 Movies
  • 7.3 TV Shows
  • 7.3 Sports
  • 8.0 Video Games
  • 6.2 HDR Movies
  • 4.8 HDR Gaming
  • 7.9 PC Monitor
  1. Updated Mar 01, 2017: Review published.
  2. Updated May 20, 2015: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
  3. Updated May 20, 2015: Our testers have started testing this product.

Test Results

Design
8.5
Design
Style
Curved No
Design
Stand

The footprint of the stand on our 43" is 19.5" by 9.5".

Design
Back

The Sony X830C is a nice-looking TV. The bezel is small and the TV is quite thin.

Design
Borders
Borders 0.39" (1 cm)
Design
Thickness
Max Thickness 1.73" (4.4 cm)
Picture Quality
5.5
Picture Quality
Contrast
Native Contrast
741 : 1

Both the Sony XBR43X830C and the XBR49X830C have an IPS panel. The contrast ratio is really low, which means they're poor choices for a dark room.

0
Picture Quality
Local Dimming
Local Dimming
No
Backlight
Edge
5.5
Picture Quality
SDR Peak Brightness
SDR Peak 2% Window
196 cd/m²
SDR Peak 50% Window
196 cd/m²
6.9
Picture Quality
Gray Uniformity
50% Std. Dev.
3.911%
50% DSE
0.196%

While it doesn't have much dirty screen effect, the picture is darker around the edges of the screen.

6.8
Picture Quality
Viewing Angle
LCD Type
IPS
Color Shift
28°
Brightness
42°
Black Level
75°

The colors are great when you view them off-axis. You will perceive the same picture quality even when you're sitting at quite a wide angle.

Update 01/06/2017: We have changed the methodology of testing. Since this is an old TV which we don't have anymore, we extrapolated the results from 2016 TVs.

6.2
Picture Quality
Black Uniformity
Native Std. Dev.
2.516%

There was no significant clouding or flashlighting issue with our set. However, due to the poor blacks, every small issue is aggravated.

9.0
Picture Quality
Pre Calibration
White Balance dE
1.33
Color dE
2.5145
Gamma
2.25
9.3
Picture Quality
Post Calibration
White Balance dE
0.38
Color dE
2.1003
Gamma
2.21
8.0
Picture Quality
480p Input

With the latest firmware update, 480p content look good and is not too soft.

8.0
Picture Quality
720p Input

Like most of Sony TVs, 720p content is well upscaled.

9.0
Picture Quality
1080p Input

1080p upscaling is also great, with no softness.

10
Picture Quality
4k Input

4k content looks sharp without any problems.

6.5
Picture Quality
Color Gamut
Wide Color Gamut
No
DCI P3 xy
72.26%
DCI P3 uv
80.23%
Rec 2020 xy
51.84%
Rec 2020 uv
55.01%
6.5
Picture Quality
Reflections
Reflection
1.9%
Screen Finish
Semi-gloss

This Sony reflects a lot of light. There is also glare around bright objects.
It's not able to get very bright. If your room gets lots of light and you plan on watching TV during the day, this isn't a good choice.

0
Picture Quality
3D
3D
No
3D Type
No
Picture Quality
Pixels
Type LED
Motion
8.2
Motion
Motion Blur
Refresh Rate 120 Hz
Response Time
15.5 ms
Overshoot
0.4 ms

Its level of motion blur is good. The setting to control the backlight is a nice feature (see here for pictures), too.

10
Motion
Image Flicker
PWM Dimming Frequency
0 Hz
BFI Frequency
60 Hz
BFI In Game Mode
Yes
10
Motion
24p Playback
Judder-free 24p
Yes
Judder-free 24p via 60p
Yes
Judder-free 24p via 60i
Yes
10
Motion
Motion Interpolation
Motion Interpolation (30 fps)
Yes
Motion Interpolation (60 fps)
Yes
Inputs
7.6
Inputs
Input Lag
1080p @ 60Hz
36.8 ms
1080p With Interpolation
69.6 ms
1080p @ 60Hz Outside Game Mode
74 ms
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
36.8 ms
4k @ 60Hz + HDR
N/A
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4 + 8 bit HDR
N/A

The input lag of the Sony X830C is 36.8ms in Game mode. While this isn't particularly great, it is low enough for most people.

10
Inputs
Supported Resolutions
Resolution 4k
1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
1080p @ 120Hz
Yes
4k @ 30Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes
4k @ 60Hz
Yes
4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
Yes

Just like with last year's Sony TVs, 1080p @ 120Hz produces little artifacts (lines), but this shouldn't be too bothersome while gaming.
Update: With the new firmware update PKG2.463.0010NAB, This TV now supports 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4. To enable this, go to Settings - External Inputs - HDMI Signal Format - Enhanced (new).

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
No
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
ARC Yes (HDMI 4)
USB 3 Yes (1)
HDCP 2.2 Yes
CEC Yes
MHL Yes (HDMI 2)
Variable Analog Audio Out Yes
Sound Quality
6.7
Sound Quality
Frequency Response
Std. Dev. @ 70
4.39 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ 80
4.7 dB SPL
Std. Dev. @ Max
7.19 dB SPL
Max
95 dB SPL
Low-end Cutoff
106 Hz

OK bass extension and frequency response under comfortable listening levels. However when the TV gets loud, and it does get loud, there is a significant decrease in the frequency response and pumping may be present.

4.1
Sound Quality
Total Harmonic Distortion
Distortion @ 70
0.032
Distortion @ 80
0.05
Distortion @ Max
5.131

Good distortion levels under light load, but the distortion jumps to unacceptable levels under heavy load.

Smart Features
Smart Features
Apps

Android TV has come a long way, and while it still isn't perfect, most of the main apps are present, making it a viable option for frequent users of smart features.
See our full review of the smart features.

7.5
Smart Features
Interface
Smart OS Android
10
Smart Features
Ads
Ad-free
Yes
Opt-out
N/A
Smart Features
Remote
Remote Basic

Contrary to the X850C, the X830C only comes with a basic remote.

Smart Features
Misc
Power Consumption 62 W
Power Consumption (Max) 89 W
Firmware PKG2.173.0010NAB - Android 5.0.2