How to Stop Sony X90J from Showing Color Banding on HDR Content

When you sit back to enjoy a blockbuster on the Sony X90J, the promise of HDR should be a splash of brilliance – deep blacks, bright whites, and colors that feel almost alive. Yet many viewers notice a frustrating flaw: the appearance of color banding, especially in scenes with subtle gradients such as sunsets, water, or sky. Color banding appears as a series of thin, uneven stripes that break the smoothness of a gradient. For a premium TV like the X90J, this is a noticeable issue that can detract from the cinematic experience.

Below is a detailed guide that walks you through the causes of color banding on the Sony X90J, the settings you can tweak, and practical steps to reduce or eliminate it. The goal is to help you restore the expected HDR fidelity and enjoy a cleaner picture.

Why Does Color Banding Occur on the X90J?

Color banding is not exclusive to the X90J; it can affect any display that has a limited color depth or where the processing pipeline reduces detail. On the X90J, the main contributors are:

• Bit‑depth conversion – The TV’s internal processing may reduce 10‑bit HDR signals to 8‑bit, especially when using certain picture modes or when scaling content. The fewer bits available to represent color, the more likely you’ll see bands.
• HDR‑to‑SDR conversion – Some sources (e.g., streaming services) deliver HDR10 content that the TV converts to SDR for certain picture modes. This conversion can introduce banding if the algorithm is not fully optimized.
• Compression artifacts – Streaming HDR over the internet often uses aggressive compression. The X90J’s decoder may struggle to reconstruct smooth gradients, causing banding.
• Firmware or GPU limitations – The GPU inside the TV may apply tone‑mapping or color‑adjustment steps that inadvertently create visible bands, especially if the firmware is out of date.

Step 1: Check the Source Signal

The first line of defense is to ensure the input signal is as high quality as possible.

1.1 Use a High‑Quality Cable

• Choose HDMI 2.1 – The Sony X90J supports HDMI 2.1, which allows for 10‑bit HDR10+ content at 120 Hz. A cable that does not support HDMI 2.1 may downgrade the signal, forcing the TV to do the heavy lifting and increasing the risk of banding.
• Inspect the cable – Look for visible defects, such as bent pins or frayed insulation. A damaged cable can introduce noise that the TV’s demodulator interprets as color errors.

1.2 Verify Source HDR Settings

If you’re using a console, Blu‑ray player, or streaming device, confirm that HDR is enabled and that the output resolution matches the TV’s native 4K capability.

• For consoles – Go to Settings → System → TV & Video → HDR and make sure HDR is set to On.
• For Blu‑ray players – Enable HDR10 or Dolby Vision in the player’s settings.
• For streaming devices – Check that the app (e.g., Netflix, Disney+) is set to stream in HDR. Some services have an option to force SDR; ensure this is turned off.

Step 2: Update Firmware

Sony regularly releases firmware updates that include improvements to image processing, color accuracy, and HDR handling. A simple update can sometimes resolve banding issues.

1. Navigate to the TV’s menu – Go to Settings → System → Software Update → Update Software.
2. Connect to the internet – Ensure your TV is connected via Ethernet or Wi‑Fi for a stable download.
3. Install the latest firmware – If an update is available, download and install it. The TV will restart after installation.

After updating, observe whether the banding has lessened. If it persists, proceed to the next steps.

Step 3: Adjust Picture Modes and Settings

The X90J offers several picture modes, each optimized for a different viewing scenario. The default “Standard” mode may apply aggressive processing that introduces banding. Switching to “Movie” or tweaking specific parameters can help.

3.1 Switch to “Movie” Mode

• Navigate to Picture → Picture Mode → Movie.
  Movie mode turns off many of the TV’s enhancement features, providing a more accurate, unprocessed image. It is the most suitable setting for HDR content.

3.2 Fine‑Tune Color Depth and Tone Mapping

• Open Picture Settings → Advanced Settings → Color Depth and select 10‑bit if available.
  The X90J’s OLED panel can display 10‑bit colors. Ensuring the TV uses the full 10‑bit depth helps keep gradients smooth.

• Disable HDR Tone Mapping if you suspect it’s the source of banding.
  Go to Picture Settings → HDR Tone Mapping → Off.
  This setting allows the TV to display the HDR signal as intended, without modifying luminance or color ranges.

3.3 Turn Off Dynamic Contrast and Black Level Adjuster

• Dynamic Contrast can cause bands by over‑compressing gradients. Set Dynamic Contrast to Off in Picture Settings → Advanced Settings.

• Black Level Adjuster may also add visible bands around darker areas. Turn it off by selecting Black Level Adjuster → Off.

3.4 Adjust Color Temperature and White Balance

If the colors still look unnatural, consider tweaking the Color Temperature:

• Set Color Temperature to Warm or Cool depending on your preference.
  Warm settings tend to reduce banding in warmer scenes, while cool settings help in cooler scenes.

• Use White Balance to fine‑tune the overall brightness.
  Go to Picture Settings → White Balance → Auto or manually adjust Red, Green, and Blue sliders to balance the image.

Step 4: Use the “Picture” Customization Options

The X90J’s “Custom” picture mode allows granular control over all parameters. Create a custom profile tailored for HDR.

1. Select Picture Mode → Custom.
2. Adjust the following:
   • Brightness – Reduce slightly if you see banding in dark areas.
   • Contrast – Set to a moderate level to preserve gradient detail.
   • Sharpness – Keep low (1–3) to avoid artificial edge enhancement that may exaggerate banding.
   • Color – Lower slightly (around 40–50) for smoother gradients.
   • Hue – Keep neutral; small adjustments can sometimes mask banding.
3. Save the profile – Label it (e.g., “HDR Banding Fix”) for easy recall.

Step 5: Consider External Processing

If the TV’s internal processing still introduces banding, you can offload some tasks to an external device.

5.1 Use an External Media Player

High‑end media players such as the Apple TV 4K (2nd Gen) or NVIDIA Shield TV Pro can perform their own HDR processing and deliver a cleaner signal to the TV.

• Connect the player via HDMI 2.1.
• Set the player’s HDR output to match the TV’s input (e.g., HDR10+).
• Disable any player‑side image processing (if available).

5.2 Enable “HDMI Enhanced Audio Return Channel” (eARC)

Although primarily for audio, enabling eARC ensures a full‑bandwidth connection, allowing the TV to receive the full HDR signal without intermediate compression.

• Go to Settings → Audio & Video → eARC → On.

Step 6: Calibration with a Reference Image

To objectively measure whether banding has improved, use a calibration image designed for HDR tests. Sony often recommends a “Color Gradient” test pattern.

1. Download a 10‑bit HDR gradient image – many online resources provide 10‑bit HDR test patterns.
2. Play the image on the TV – use a USB drive or a media player.
3. Observe the gradient – look for smoothness. If you still see discrete steps, banding remains.

Adjust the Color Depth and Tone Mapping settings until the gradient appears seamless.

Step 7: Monitor Ambient Light and Room Conditions

Sometimes, the perceived banding can be exacerbated by external lighting.

• Reduce glare – Place the TV in a position where direct light from windows or lamps does not reflect off the screen.
• Control room brightness – Use dimmed lights or curtains to reduce ambient brightness, which can help the eye focus on the image fidelity.

Step 8: Contact Sony Support

If after all these steps the color banding persists, it could be a hardware issue or a firmware bug not yet addressed.

1. Gather details – Note the model number, firmware version, and all settings you have adjusted.
2. Contact Sony Support – Use the official Sony website or your local service center.
   They may provide a firmware update or recommend a repair.

Common Misconceptions About Color Banding

Quick Reference Checklist

Final Thoughts

Color banding on the Sony X90J is largely a software‑driven issue that can be mitigated by careful configuration of picture settings, ensuring the highest bit‑depth, and avoiding aggressive processing. By following the steps above—starting from the source signal, updating firmware, choosing the right picture mode, and fine‑tuning the TV’s color parameters—you can dramatically reduce or even eliminate banding, restoring the HDR experience you expect from a flagship OLED TV.

Remember that each viewing environment and content source can introduce unique variables, so you may need to tweak settings slightly for different scenarios (e.g., streaming versus a local 4K UHD Blu‑ray). Treat this guide as a living reference: when you notice banding again, revisit the steps and adjust accordingly.

Enjoy your Sony X90J with smoother gradients, richer colors, and a truly immersive viewing experience.