FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
David Migdal
Sony Electronics Inc.
201-930-7394
David.Migdal@am.sony.com
Aaron Levine
Sony Electronics Inc.
858-942-8036
Aaron.levine@am.sony.com
SONY ENHANCES HIGH-DEF LEADERSHIP POSITION
WITH DEBUT OF BLU-RAY DISC BASED PRODUCTS
LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 4, 2006 — Sony Electronics today unveiled a variety of Blu-ray Disc-based products, offering a host of new high-definition entertainment possibilities.
U.S. product introductions will begin this spring and gather momentum over the summer with the introduction of a home player. BD technology will also be included in VAIO computers, aftermarket computer drives and recordable BD-R (write-once) and BD-RE (rewritable) media.
Sony expects the Blu-ray Disc format to emerge as the standard in HD video performance and flexibility packaged in a convenient five-inch optical disc. The format features a robust 25GB single layer and 50GB dual layer capacity, making it ideal for feature length motion pictures with tons of extra feature material — all in full 1080p high definition — along with the multimedia possibilities of Java-enabled interactivity.
“Blu-ray Disc technology is the final piece needed to complete our vision of the high-definition world,” said Hideki “Dick” Komiyama, president and chief operating officer for Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony’s first Blu-ray Disc home player, model BDP-S1, will be available in early summer and features 1080p full HD video output for brilliant HD imagery and also DVD upscaling to 1080p. This initial BD player features a sophisticated design and exceptional build quality with rigid beam construction as well as finely tuned audio and video parts and circuits.
The company’s RC series VAIO desktop computer will combine Blu-ray Disc recording technology with high-octane performance, allowing aspiring HD movie makers and other videographers to shoot their creation with a high-definition camcorder. Using Sony’s VEGAS software users can edit high-definition footage then archive and share it on Sony high-capacity BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs or on traditional DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW discs, capitalizing on flexibility in storage, playback and recording. RC series desktops will be available with the drive in early summer.
As VAIO expands its line of digital home products Blu-ray Disc drives will be progressively integrated.
Sony also announced that a Blu-ray Disc aftermarket drive for personal computers is also expected to be available this year, and will support 25GB/50GB BD-R/RE discs, as well as DVD+R/+RW, and CD-R/RW recordable media. This drive will be bundled with consumer-level BD recording software and accessories for creation of High-Definition home video and data Blu-ray Discs.
Beginning in the spring, Sony will begin selling a 25GB single layer BD-R and the BD-RE recording media. Dual layer 50GB capacity recordable media will follow in the subsequent months. Recordable Blu-ray Discs utilize Sony’s AccuCORE technology offering superb archival and reliability, scratch guard protection and temperature durability.
Sony’s BD road map comes full circle by partnering the new home BD player with either a 1080p capable SXRD or BRAVIA LCD high-definition television.
Helping to support the BD players entering the market, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment division will be launching 20 titles on BD-Rom discs, spanning from recent hits to classic favorites.
Sony Computer Entertainment’s PLAYSTATION3 computer entertainment system scheduled for launch this year will also adopt BD-ROM disc as its medium.
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