65 Inch Class TV From Sony Enthralls

The Bravia W model from Sony Television has all the latest bells and whistles that viewers can expect from a classy equipment, and more. With a price tag of USD 4,999.99, it better be.

The Bravia W comes in four different sizes: 40″, 46″, 52″ and 65″. The 65″ is indeed the top of the heap amongst them. Here we list some of its features.

A 16:9 full HD 1080p resolution panel is capable of processing any video signal and output it with the right, optimum resolution. This means that all Blu-ray Disc players and other high-end entertainment systems (such as Sony’s own PlayStation 3) work beautifully with the TV.

The device comes equipped with Motionflow 120Hz technology that gives a smoother and more natural motion even in complex framing environments such as fast-action sports, animation movies and games.

The TV can be hooked to PCs and other devices which can stream digital photos, music and video, and this is thanks to the circuitry that complies with DLNA specifications. The display comes with internet widgets, which give viewers access to websites that host content such as news, weather, stock info and the like.

Read more about the best-in-class television set from Sony, here.

Sony Bravia KDL-32E5500 32in LCD TV Review

The new Sony 32E5500 TV looks pleasing to the eyes at first go with its glossy white finish and the sharp angular lines. It does remind one of the very distinctive Apple-type design, which happens to be key rival of Sony in the mp3 player market. The only different element which stands out different from the rest is the thick black outer frame placed directly in front of the main white bezel.

The E5500 has been brought forth in the market as the ‘Picture Frame TV’ and its potential clientele base would be people in want of a ‘designer’ TV which has the multimedia functionality. Sony’s emphasis on design of the 32E5500 extends to the fact that one can even choose the color and material of the outer-most frame as per one taste to suit their home décor and the options range from Aluminium and wood alternatives to the black plastic.

The 32E5500 stands out from the rest of Sony’s current excellent range. During the tests of the model, the operating specification of the 32E5500’s is almost exactly the same as that of Sony’s 32W5500. To an extent this similarity works in favor of the W series sets which are ranked quite high in the Sony’s current TV range.

This also comes with most amazing features. The full high definition screen in spite of its relatively small screen size of just 32in carries both Sony’s latest Bravia Engine 3 video engine and Motion Flow 100Hz system. The E5500’s multimedia-friendly position brings forth all the features of W series which includes the USB port enhanced with features to display a slide show of photos, MP3 and video files and this also includes the LAN port which one can use to  access files stored on a DLNA-certified PC.

The LAN port allows one to access Sony’s AppliCast online system which comes with a rather limited service that includes a calculator, RSS newsfeed access, a clock, a calendar and few stills based on nature, architecture and art themes that are available online.

Sony Bravia KDL-37S5500

One of the most affordable HDTV in the market, the new Sony’s S-series HDTV is described as one which provides “entertainment for everyone” and this is the closest Sony has ever come to the word ‘cheap’. The 37inch KDL-37S550037 set when bought from the Sony online store costs around £829.It is cheapest TV offered by Sony in the LCD TV range and hence it generates lot of interest from customers who are interested in a good entry-level LCD TV.

The KDL-37S5500 is no frill low cost LCD TV. One cannot expect a razor sharp super slim line design which is similar to that of the new ZX1 or the EX1. All one gets is on the face straight forward 37in LCD screen combined with a 7.5mm black plastic bevel around the edges. The features are neat enough and all the basic features one wants in an HD set are present and correct.

The KDL-37S5500 provides a full HD (1080p) resolution which has a 50Hz refresh rate and also provides support for PAL, NTSC and Secam formats. Present at the back of the unit are two HDMI ports, component-video inputs along with a stereo output which connects the TV with an external music system, and VGA and audio ports for connecting a PC.

The KDL-37S5500 has a hybrid analogue/digital TV tuner, which gives user an option to choose the best reception which is available in their area. Apart from that an additional set of connectors is located on the left-hand edge of the screen for easy access and this also includes the third and final HDMI port which comes in handy for connecting a gaming console, VCR or any other device like a headphone socket. There is also a CAM slot for pay-per-view access cards and a USB port which allows one to play photo slideshows or listen to MP3 music.

The KDL-37S5500 does have certain flaws but their solid entry-level sets gives a good platform for the set of features which includes an image and build quality that is a trademark of a brand like Sony. Home cinema enthusiasts may prefer something which is little up-market, but the KDL-37S5500 comes as good choice for the people who want a good quality HD TV for less than a grand.

ECO TV that switches off when one sleeps off

Suddenly a technology arrives which sets the order for the future and this is what Sony’s new “Eco TV” is aiming to do. The ‘Eco TV’ goes one step further with an Energy Saving Switch which cuts the power supply completely without any need to turn of the main switch. The TV has a circuit which ensures that the screen will switch off and go into power saving mode when a person falls off to sleep in the middle of the program and also when the last person in the room leaves by detecting the heat emanated from the body and intensity of it. In case the person wakes up suddenly or returns back to proximity the TV will automatically switch on so that none of the action is missed. Families can also set the timings on the motion sensors. The person who sits in front of the TV without moving for long periods can see to it that the ‘picture off’ does not get triggered due to long gap of non-movement. Majority of people put their TVs on standby mode for long time without realizing that it does consume a lot of electricity.

Sony says that the new Eco TV consumes 50 per cent of the power when compared with other TV sets of the same size. This has been achieved through a new backlight technology known as the micro-tubular Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL) that ensures the required brightness at the same time consuming less power.

Sony WE5 is based on the W5500 series, and it hosts a lot of interesting features which ensure cutting edge picture processing and clear sound. The ‘presence sensor’ is like an eye on the user. It’s also smart enough to monitor heat, which means if you’re just quite still, the TV shouldn’t switch off.

Eco WE5 is priced at £150 premium over the W5500. Sony says that the power savings will see that the extra cost can be easily recovered in just three years.

Sony, Epson To Collaborate On Small- & Mid-Sized LCD

Suwa, Nagano, Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation and Minato, Tokyo, Japan-based Sony Corporation have announced a coming together in the domain of small- and medium-sized liquid crystal displays (LCDs). This coming together will be most likely formalized by the end of June, 2009.

At Seiko Epson, the business of small- and medium-sized LCDs is handled by a subsidiary, Epson Imaging Devices Corporation. The company has also developed in-house expertise and built a product portfolio in high-definition and ultra-wide viewing angle technologies, which are based on amorphous silicon TFT and low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) TFT technologies. Through the alliance, Epson Imaging is looking to transfer the LCD technology and the amorphous silicon technologies, as well as the associated product designs and production capabilities, to Sony.

For Sony, the LCD domain is handled by its subsidiary, Sony Mobile Display Corporation. While Sony Mobile has its own commercialization processes in place for small- and medium-sized LCDs, the new alliance will enable the company to consolidate further its resources and increase both its depth and reach in this arena.

While Epson Imaging is reckoned to be a leader in the LCD domain, the latest move is part of its strategy to shift its product portfolio to new and emerging technologies.

Read more about the impending business alliance between Sony and Epson, here.

New televisions

I’ve discussed plenty of accessories for your home cinema over the past couple of weeks, but haven’t touched much on the most important part of your home cinema experience. That would be the television itself. Technology is always advancing, and it seems like a new gadget or gizmo is added to the market on a daily basis. If you haven’t purchased a new television in several years, or simply want a new one, now is a great time to look for a television set. Let’s take a look at some the best buys for your money.

The Sony – BRAVIA 46″ 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV carries a hefty price tag at $1,599.99, but is worth every penny. Reviews have been overwhelmingly high with an average rating checking in at 4.9 out of 5. One customer had this to say of the TV: “”If your looking for a high quality flat panel HDTV, then this one is for you. When you watch TV on this, you will notice all the details from the shear rocks on a cliff to a vivid colorful amazon jungle.”.  This beautiful set carries a 1 year warranty, and is energy star qualified. Other features include BRAVIA engine, 24p True Cinema, 3D digital comb filter, and S-Force Front Surround.

I’ve always professed that Sony is the best in the business, but you might not like them. That’s fine, because there are other great manufacturers around, like LG. The LG – 26″ 720p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV/DVD Combo carries a markedly less price at $549.99, and has many fine features of its own. The set is very pleasing to look at, and would fit well in any room. I love the built in DVD player, which will allow you to get rid of some of the wires in your television area if you already have one. One self proclaimed tech mastermind said this about the LG set: “The setup was easy and the picture quality is great. We love watching movies on this screen.”. One thing is for sure. If you are seeking a new television set, you cant go wrong with the Sony, or this fine LG television!

Sony brings on world’s Skinniest LCD TV war

Sony claims that its new Bravia ZX1 is the world’s slimmest LCD TV which is just 9.9mm in width. But Samsung and JVC both have some issues with that claim since each have built their masterpiece LCD TVs that are 7mm-deep.

But there is something which stands different for the ZX1,inside its thin 9mm body, which approximately has same width as that of a CD case and has this 100Hz refresh technology which gives in less mixed up images with a 1080p LCD screen which comes in  sizes -42, 46, and 52-inches. The super-thin aspect of it is achieved by side-lighting and instead of the backlighting the LCD has rows of LEDs.

The no clunky connectors make it clutter free and wireless at it’s rear-end. The Bravia 1080 Wireless joins it to base station that can manage three HDMI video sources and USB port for photos which comes with in picture-frame mode and along with it is the cutting edge Sony XMB user interface that also comes on the Play-station 3for user control functions.

This television set’s price is set around $3,000. Sony’s R&D has worked really hard to optimize on the width and the area of this LCD TV in matter of its depth and exclusivity. But then it would have been little better for times like these when the economy is on a slowdown to create an LCD which has better picture rather than focus on the width.

Sony Z-4500 takes it to another level

 

Sony tired of 100 Hertz LCD TV has now taken imaging to the next level with the introduction of its 200 Hertz LCD TV. The 46-inch LCD is conditioned to give the best viewing experience.

The Z4500 sports a black bezel with slight blue finish and has two Components, two Composite, two HDMI, S-video, Analogue audio out, Digital audio out, Composite AV out, D-Sub port, Ethernet, and DMPort located at the unit’s rear, a USB, HDMI, and Composite ports, as well as a headphone jack are located on the left hand side.

Z4500 comes packed with a lot of features that includes a Full HD panel, Motionflow 200Hz, 80,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, Live Colour Creation and Bravia Engine 2 that delivers exceptional colour and contrast. XMB (XrossMediaBar) is the main component of the unit and makes it easy for the users to adjust TVs settings by simply pressing the Home button (on the remote or the panel), they can have instant access to Picture, Sound, Settings, Features, Set-Up, Analogue set-up, Digital set-up, and Network Settings. The remote control is well defined and labelled and is very simple to use.

Motionflow (or 200Hz) technology is able to provide with smoother movements during the movies but it is sometimes too smooth, setting the Motionflow to Standard is probably recommended in order to make it look smooth and natural without it looking too artificial and fake.

Z4500 is a good panel even with the Motionflow feature turned off. Colours are brilliant with shots looking very clear and vivid. Black levels were also good, which makes movies like Star Wars or Aliens much more enjoyable. 

Sony To Undertake Massive Overhaul Of TV Production Facilities

Minato, Tokyo-headquartered Sony Corporation, is said to be planning a massive overhaul of its TV production facilities, in the light of the operating loss experienced by the company for the first time ever in fourteen years.

While the Q3 FY2008 earnings announcement is a few days away (January 29), the company has been facing straight losses consistently for the past few quarters. Sony Ericsson, for example, a joint venture between Sony  and Ericsson has reported a total loss of Euro 113 million dollars in its latest report for Q4 08. Operations that were considered capital expenditure during times of boom are now looked upon as revenue expenditure to be curtailed. The company is now laying off 2,000 of its Japan-based employees, as part of its plan of reducing over 8,000 personnel worldwide. Sony had 180,500 employees as of March 31, 2008.

The company is also planning to integrate TV assembly and production operations at the Inazawa factory in central Japan. The fate of the second TV factory in Japan is still uncertain, but will most likely be deployed for some other non-TV-production activity.

Speculation is mounting that the company will report an operating loss of USD 1.1 billion (JPY 100 billion) in the forthcoming financial report.

Read more about the latest development at Sony’s headquarters, here.

Sony 32″ Bravia L Series LCD HDTV

 

Sony who is the king of quality has done it again. The Sony 32” Bravia L Series LCD HDTV is the perfect set for the midprice shopper. Whether it’s the 720p resolution, the HD tuner, Dolby Digital audio, or the pc input, this one has it all. You can’t beat a deal like this one at it’s current pricing!

The 32” inch screen size is measured diagonally from corner to corner. Viewing is ideal from around 4 to 8 feet away. I like the size because its not too big, but also not too small. I think it would be great for playing video games.

The pixelation is great on this set, with 720 rows lining up to provide you with the clearest picture possible. Progressive scan will aid in this process. With the NTSC tuner you won’t need a box or antenna to view basic channels.  The ATSC tuner will bring the over-the-air digital channels that you know and love to your set. With the 16:9 widescreen ratio, watching movies on this machine will be a delight.

Sound comes through quite clear on this set. Equipped with Dolby Digital audio your going to feel like you’re part of the action due to the surround sound effect. This revolutionizes your experience just as much as the HD tuner. The HD tuner shows every little detail, and when watching sports you can see the sweat on the athletes faces. As if all this stuff wasn’t enough, Sony has given this set a PC tuner. You will be able to use this one not only as a television set, but also as a monitor!

As with most Sony models, reviews on Sony 32” Bravia L Series LCD HDTV have been stellar, with an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars. One owner was quoted saying “This unit looks like a masterpiece”. Another owner says “I’ve always stayed with Sony brand products due to the quality I’ve experienced”. One thing is for sure about this set. For the price, it is very hard to beat!

• 720p resolution
• HD tuner
• CineMotion pulldown
• 2 HDMI inputs
• Dolby Digital audio
• PC input

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