Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs Unveiled With Internet Video Link Compatibility

Sony today took the wraps off seven BRAVIA™ high-definition televisions that will be compatible with the company’s recently announced BRAVIA™ Internet Video Link module.

The HD 1080p (progressive) V-series models include 46- and 40-inch screen sizes, while 720p models include the S-series 26-, 40-, 46-inch models (all measured diagonally) and 32-inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally). Also new is the 32-inch class (31.5 inches measured diagonally) KDL-32XBR4 set.

All of the new models feature the Technical Emmy award-winning Xross Media Bar (XMB)™ user interface for enhanced navigation.

Previously, Sony announced the first of its kind BRAVIA Internet Video Link module that allows for direct television access to Internet video content, including high-definition programming, from providers like AOL, Yahoo! and Grouper, as well as Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sony BMG Music.

The module mounts on the back of the compatible Sony televisions announced today, and connects to the Internet via an existing broadband Ethernet connection without the use of a computer. It provides access to such content as Internet video programs, music videos, movie trailers, user generated videos and RSS feeds — all without any additional charges.

“The new BRAVIA models will soon expand the world of home entertainment with the touch of a button,” said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of the Home Products Division at Sony Electronics. “We are going to be opening a whole new avenue of programming to American consumers, which has been by and large constrained to the PC.”

At the center of the user experience is Sony’s XMB menu system. First featured in the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3 video game consoles, the XMB is an icon-based, on-screen menu system that helps easily navigate through program selections, regardless of whether the content is coming over the air, from cable provider, through a satellite service or via the Internet.

Waynick said the XMB is integral to the BRAVIA Internet Video Link feature, allowing easy navigation and playback functionality.

BRAVIA V-Series

The full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive KDL-46V3000 and KDL-40V3000 BRAVIA LCDs deliver picture quality performance with advanced technologies, including Live Color Creation with WCG-CCFL backlight and a 10-bit panel display that increases the television’s gradation level by 64 times from 8-bit panels.

Both models also deliver advanced picture processing with the BRAVIA Engine™ EX full digital video processing system with its Digital Reality Creation-Multifunction v1.0 (DRC-MF v1.0) technology, which upconverts 480i video signals to HD-like picture quality.

Additionally, a feature called BRAVIA Theatre Sync offers a one-button command that integrates the operation of the television with external components connected via an HDMI cable. Through a simple one button click of the remote, users can quickly switch such programming sources as viewing Blu-ray Disc™ players, AV receivers, cable boxes, satellite receivers and other components.

Both of the V-series models feature 1080p input capability via HDMI, as well as PC and HD component inputs. The high-definition component and HDMI inputs are compatible with both 1080/60p and 1080/24p sources.

BRAVIA S-Series

Sony’s BRAVIA S-Series LCD HDTVs, including the KDL-26S3000, KDL-32S3000, KDL-40S3000 and KDL-46S3000, offer 1366 x 768 progressive screen resolution. Features include the BRAVIA Engine full digital processing system and BRAVIA Theatre Sync on all models. The KDL-32S3000, KDL-40S3000 and KDL-46S3000 sets add Live Color Creation with WCG-CCFL backlight, while the KDL-40S300and KDL-46S30000 models also feature Sony’s new 10-bit panel.

BRAVIA KDL-32XBR4

Also new is the 1366 x 768 progressive resolution KDL-32XBR4. With advanced features including Live Color Creation with WCG-CCFL backlight, 10-bit panel, BRAVIA Engine and BRAVIA Theatre Sync, the model adds Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz motion compensation technology. Motionflow creates 60 unique frames between each of the existing 60 frames, doubling the frames displayed per second, effectively eliminating image blurring and motion artifacts like “judder.”

The KDL-32XBR4 unit offers a variety of inputs, including two HD component inputs, three HDMI inputs with 1080/60p and 1080/24p capability, PC input via HDMI and D-sub 15-pin input.

The KDL-46S3000, KDL-40S3000, KDL-32S3000 and KDL-32XBR4 will ship this spring, while the KDL-26S3000, KDL-46V3000 and KDL-40V3000 will be available this summer. Pricing for the new models will be announced at a later date. All models will be available direct from Sony at www.sonystyle.com and Sony Style retail stores nationwide, as well as at authorized dealers around the country.