Sony Electronics today announced that its LocationFree (LF) Player software will be pre-installed on all of the summer line of VAIO notebook computers.
Now VAIO notebook users will be able to access content from their home entertainment devices virtually anywhere in the world, as long as they have either a LF-B10 or LF-B20 Base Station (sold separately).
With LocationFree software you can “place-shift” live TV, access your personal video recorder or DVD player, and view that content on your notebook PC–via the Internet. Enjoy TV programs, movies and personal video content– all streamed from your LF Base Station–anywhere broadband connectivity allows.
“VAIO notebook users expect us to push the envelope when it comes to entertainment and what can be done with a PC,” said Shigeo Saito, director of marketing for Sony’s LocationFree products. “By pre-installing this software, we are taking another step toward the future of portable entertainment.”
In addition to utilizing a VAIO PC with a LocationFree Base Station, actually just about any Internet-connected Windows-based laptop, Apple Macbook (additional software required) or PSP™ (PlayStation Portable) device can be turned into a personal TV.
LocationFree Base Stations incorporate a MPEG4 AVC compression scheme, providing high-quality video at lower data rates for viewing content over the Internet (Base Station requires firmware 4.000 upgrade and PSP device software 3.10 or later version). LF software is compatible with the Windows Vista™ operating system.
VAIO notebooks with integrated LocationFree Player software will be available this summer starting at about $1,000 (no additional charge for software) at sonystyle.com, Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), and authorized dealers nationwide.
