Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. Guides

Sony X900E unboxing and setup guide: Give yourself the 4K TV treatment

Caleb Denison
By
In a market flooded by feature-rich 4K TVs, the Sony X900E still manages to stand out. If you recently picked one up, we think you’ll find this handy set-up guide helpful. Our Sony X900E unboxing and setup video, and the outline below, will give you step-by-step instructions on installation and key picture settings.
Recommended Videos

What’s in the box?

In addition to the TV itself, you’ll find the following in the box:

  • Quick setup guide.
  • User manual.
  • Stand and pedestal.
  • 8 screws.
  • IR blaster.
  • Remote with included batteries.
  • Power brick and cable.
  • Protective cardboard — Do not throw this away!.

Several items are not included with the TV. You will need to buy HDMI cables to connect your TV to other devices. The easiest way to ensure you have HDMI cables is to buy the AmazonBasics High-Speed HDMI cables at the same time you buy your TV. If you do not buy the AmazonBasics HDMI cable, make sure that the HDMI cables are rated as “high speed” cables so they can accommodate the large amount of data 4K HDR content requires.

Related

Additionally, the TV does not come with any wall mounting hardware. For information about wall mounting check out our wall mounting guide video.

Hardware setup

Be sure to open the top of the box first. You’ll find a quick setup guide there that will tell you where all the accessories are located in the box.

Begin by assembling the stand. The legs of the stand are labeled “1” and “2,” corresponding to the “1” and “2” on the large main stand piece itself. The legs slip onto the stand over the screws. Push the legs up so the screws sit in the small notches, and the empty screw holes are exposed. From there, simply use the included screws to fasten the legs in place.

Next, lay the TV face-down on the protective cardboard. Slide the assembled stand into the slots on the bottom of the TV, then use the four remaining screws to attach it.

Next, we’ll get power to the TV. Plug the supplied AC cable into the power brick, then plug the lead from the power brick into the port located at the lower left side on the back of the TV.

Almost all of the X900E’s inputs reside on the right-hand side bay. These include three HDMI ports (including one with ARC), three USB ports, analog video and audio ports, Ethernet port, and antenna connection. A second, smaller recessed bay includes another HDMI port and legacy inputs.

The legs of the TV stand are hollow, with slots for stringing your cables through so they aren’t visible when connected, resulting in a clean look.

Features and design

Since Sony broke out the power supply into an external power brick, the profile of the Sony X900E is thin. There’s still a little bump out in the back — much like you’ll find on many TVs — but expect a clean look when wall mounting.

The black matte bezel is thin, at about a half inch, and the stand is only 20 inches wide, which should make the X900E easy to set up in any entertainment center. Factor in the stand’s built-in cable management, and you have yourself a great looking TV.

Keep the viewing angle in mind when placing the X900E. The picture is great, but if viewed too far off angle from the “sweet spot” of dead center, the picture will wash out. Make sure your TV and seating arrangement are angled for the best possible picture.

Software setup

The X900E runs Android TV smart TV OS, which provides a quick setup wizard when you turn it on for the first time. Software setup starts with configuring your Wi-Fi connection if you’re not already connected to the internet via Ethernet cable. After you’ve connected to the internet, the TV will offer to scan for TV channels if you have an antenna connected, or it will program itself to control your cable box. Since this is an Android device, be sure to log in with your Google account if you have one. This will open up features like personalized recommendations or access to content you have already purchased through the Google Play Store.

If you’re planning to use the X900E remote’s voice controls, this needs to be enabled in the settings menu first. You’ll then be able to control the TV with OK Google. Users with an Amazon Alexa device can also control the TV through an Echo speaker. Finally, content can be cast to the TV via Google Cast-compatible apps.

For picture, we prefer the Cinema Home picture preset. It provides the best contrast, with solid brightness and great color. Two other settings are also worth mentioning: Cinema Pro, which darkens the picture a bit, making it great for dark rooms, and the Standard setting, which we recommend for those watching in brightly lit environments, such as a sun-filled room.

We hope this Sony X900E unboxing and setup guide has been helpful. Enjoy your new TV!

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Caleb Denison
Caleb Denison
Editor at Large
Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…
A $20 Chromecast with Google TV is perfect for this one reason
Chromecast with Google TV.

Normally, I would never recommend that someone buy a streaming device that tops out at 1080p resolution. Even if you somehow don't have a 4K TV already — I'm not judging, there are plenty of good reasons — you might well have one in the future. And at that point, it's better to not have to buy new hardware until absolutely necessary. Just go ahead and spend the extra $30 now for a 4K version.

But it's hard to say no to a $20 Chromecast with Google TV HD.

Read more
Tidal vs. Spotify: Which music streaming service has the features you need?
Tidal app for iOS on an iPhone 14 showing now playing screen with Max quality track.

Spotify is the world's leading music streaming service, with over 236 million active paid subscribers and a vast library of artists, albums, podcasts, and audiobooks. It is available on almost every desktop and mobile device. However, if you are a fan of hi-res audio, Tidal may be a better option as it emphasizes hi-res content and offers a vast collection of music and video content.

To determine which platform is better, we compared Spotify and Tidal based on price, sound quality, and supported devices.
Price
Spotify has two tiers of service for individual users. The free, ad-supported tier gives access to the entire library of Spotify content, but has restrictions on how you can interact with it and also has ads. The full-featured Premium plan costs $11 per month, which is standard for the industry now. Spotify also offers plans for two individuals for $15 per month, called Spotify Premium Duo, and a six-person family plan (with parental controls) for $17 per month. There's also a student plan at just $6 per month.

Read more
What is Qobuz? Music, features, and pricing explained
An iPhone 15 Pro showing Qobuz app.

Are you a music lover who craves the highest-quality sound possible, but can't quite afford the hefty price tag that comes with a top-of-the-line audio setup like turntables, integrated amplifiers, and hi-fi speakers? Fear not, my friend, for there is a solution -- Qobuz, the ultra-high-quality music streaming platform that will have you listening and singing to the tunes of your favorite artists in no time.

While some audiophiles may argue that physical media is the only way to achieve true sound quality, the convenience and affordability of Qobuz is hard be beat. So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through everything you need to know about this music streaming service. Just be sure to keep it on the down-low from your vinyl-collecting pals -- we wouldn't want to start a music war.
What is Qobuz?
Qobuz is a music-streaming platform with access to over 100 million songs, all of which are available in the hi-res FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec) format. As far as quality goes, it’s tough to beat the kind of clarity, dynamic range, and definition you’ll hear on a Qobuz track, with the catalog being available from CD-quality (16-bit at 44.1kHz) up to 24-bit at 192kHz. 

Read more