Sony announces True RGB TV technology, throws down gauntlet to Mini LED rivals

Sony looks to be banking the farm on RGB TV technology, but continues to play its cards close to its chest, so technical details remain vague. The company has announced proprietary ‘True RGB’, which is its naming convention behind the display technology that will power upcoming Sony True RGB (Mini LED?) televisions.

Unlike some alternative approaches, Sony True RGB uses independently controlled red, green, and blue light sources (diodes), which it says delivers purer colour, greater brightness, and what it claims is the largest colour volume “ever achieved in Sony’s home TV history.”

The promise is of a picture that looks more natural, more dimensional, and more accurate in real-world viewing environments, from bright living rooms to cinematic dark scenes. Off axis viewing is also said to be dramatically improved.

What we do know is that True RGB is the product of a proprietary optical structure and precision backlight control, coupled to a new Sony-developed RGB backlight driver, said to represent the culmination of more than 20 years of innovation in LED control.

Sony has been in this game for a long time, first touting RGB light sources in the QUALIA 005 (2004) through to its flagship Backlight Master Drive technology launched in 2016.

Sony says that by combining the precision of individual RGB LEDs with the strengths of both Mini LED and OLED, it can elevate picture performance to another level. Consider our appetite whetted.

Unfortunately, what we don’t have yet are True RGB models, pricing or even release timetables, although these are expected to be announced in a matter of weeks.