Sony Makes Digital Dreams Come True At CES

8-Jan-01

At CES 2001, Sony Electronics is unveiling a number of A/V and IT products designed to not only capture peopleís imaginations, but enhance their lives as well. The companyís 17,000 square foot exhibit emphasizes how digital technology can make dreams come true, by pairing the benefits of consumer electronics with the power of personal computing. ""Sony is driving the industry with the development of category-defining products that provide new benefits and new lifestyle experiences for consumers,"" said Michael A. Vitelli, president of Sony Electronicsí Consumer Electronics Group. ""By integrating hardware, software, content and services, we are making dreams a reality."" New products, technologies and services on display at CES include: Television KV-40XBR700 FD TrinitronÆ Wegaô Television - the latest addition to Sonyís award-winning FD Trinitron Wega line features a 4:3 40-inch CRT, the largest in the industry. The TV incorporates several enhancements to the companyís proprietary XBRÆ features, including the next-generation Digital Reality Creationô (DRC) MultiFunction with CineMotionô reverse 3:2 pulldown process. This process minimizes artifacts caused when 24 frame-per-second film is transferred to 30 frame-per-second video. The Wega television will be available in October for about $4,000. Grand Wega Television - this 50-inch, 16:9 demonstration model incorporates three wide XGA LCD panels, and a proprietary optical engine to increase brightness and resolution. The futuristic Grand Wega TV promises to set new standards for rear projection LCD technology in a slim, sleek and lightweight frame. Introduction plans and pricing for the Grand Wega television are still being finalized. DVD-Video DVP-NS700P DVD/CD Player - Sonyís latest single-disc DVD/CD player offers 480 progressive video output to complement the growing high definition and Hi-Scanô television market. With the industryís leading 12-bit/54MHz D/A conversion and a multifunction MPEG processor, the DVP-NS700P provides optimal video performance from almost any source. It will be available in June for about $400. DVP-NC600 Five-Disc DVD/CD Changer - designed for consumers looking to replace their existing single or five-disc CD changers, Sonyís new DVD changer offers CD/CD-R/CD-RW playback. The unit adds Digital Image Enhancer technology to make the highly defined edges on DVD-Video images even sharper. It will be available in June for about $300. Recordable DVD RW Dual Compatible Recorder - in an effort to simplify the various recordable DVD platforms, Sony is displaying a prototype recorder that will support both DVD-RW and DVD+RW media. The RW Dual Compatible Recorder is scheduled for introduction in mid-2002. DVR-Blue Technology - For the first time in the U.S., Sony is previewing a next-generation optical disc recorder that features a blue-violet laser diode. With more than 22GB capacity, DVR-Blue technology can store the same amount of data as five current DVDs. It also offers a high enough data transfer rate to record up to 2.5 hours of high definition video, or more than ten hours of standard definition video. DVR-Blue commercialization has not yet been finalized. Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) SCD-C555ES Multichannel SACD/CD Five-Disc Changer - the industryís first multi-channel SACD changer is designed for consumers who are looking to upgrade their existing CD changers and who demand the outstanding audio attributes of the SACD format. The player is part of Sonyís award-winning line of high-end ES audio products. It will be available in April for about $1,700. SCD-CE775 Multichannel SACD/CD Five-Disc Changer - designed to bring the excitement of SACD to mainstream consumers, this new SACD/CD five-disc changer incorporates many of the core technologies found in the SCD-C555ES at a price point of around $400. It will be available in July. MiniDisc Long Time Play (MDLP) Sony is introducing a line of home, car and portable MiniDisc models that feature a new Long Time Play mode. This mode works in conjunction with ATRAC3 compression to allow users to record up to five hours on a standard MD. All of the new MD Long Time Play models are also fully backward compatible with current ATRAC-based MiniDisc recordings. MZ-R700DPC MD WalkmanÆ Player/Recorder - this new MD Walkman model with Long Time Play mode is Sonyís latest to include the digital PCLink, a cable for recording music files from the Internet. The unit also incorporates G-Protectionô technology which eliminates or reduces skipping during many active uses. The player/recorder will be available in May for about $250. MDX-CA680X MD Car Head Unit - this new MD car stereo with Long Time Play mode has a wealth of features that provide drivers with maximum music enjoyment on the road. Highlights include a built-in 50 x 4-watt amplifier, EXA tuner with adaptive reception to pick up radio frequencies in low-signal areas and a My Best Position speaker function to optimize the sound system to the listenerís position. The unit will be available in April for about $400. MXD-D40 High-Speed MD Dubbing Deck - acting as the perfect complement to the MD car head unit and MD Walkman stereo, this new MD home deck with Long Time Play mode makes recording from your personal CD collection faster and easier. Available in April for about $300, the unit offers an industry leading 4x dubbing speed in standard recording mode. CD-R/CD-RW Recorders Digital Relayô CD-R/CD-RW Drive (CRX10U-A2) - Sonyís first battery-operated, portable CD-R/RW burner can also perform as a standalone CD player. The computer peripheral incorporates a USB interface for plug-and-play connectivity, and comes with a complete suite of feature-intensive MacintoshÆ and WindowsÆ software, an InfoLithiumÆ rechargeable battery, an AC power adapter, a wired-remote with an LCD display, earphones, cables and blank Sony media. The Digital Relay drive will be available in April for about $400. RCD-W1 CD-R/RW Home Deck - Sonyís first CD-R/RW home recorder features a 4x speed dubbing function, allowing for a standard CD to be recorded in about 20 minutes. A 24-bit D/A converter enhances CD/CD-R/CD-RW playback sound quality, while a 20-bit A/D converter brings analog music into the digital realm. For added convenience, the dual tray design permits discs to be played from either tray simultaneously or sequentially. The home deck will be available in February for about $500. CD/CD-R/CD-RW Players To meet the needs of consumers who want to listen to music downloads while away from the PC, Sony is introducing its first line of products with CD/CD-R/CD-RW playback capability. These devices will be able to play back MP3 files. D-CJ01 CD Walkman Player - Sonyís newest portable offers CD/CD-R/CD-RW playback. It incorporates Sonyís award-winning G-Protectionô technology and provides up to 15 hours of music playback on two AA batteries. The player will be available in August for about $180. CFD-S40CP Boombox - aside from CD/CD-R/CD-RW playback capability, this compact boombox has Jog Dialô control for easy track searches and a digital synthesized AM/FM stereo tuner that allows up to 20 stations to be preset. It will be available in February for about $180. CDX-MP450X Car Stereo CD Receiver - this new head unit combines CD/CD-R/CD-RW playback with the best features of an XplodÆ sound system. Highlights include cross-key design for easy control, 50 x 4-watt amplifier, EXA tuner and My Best Position speaker function. It will be available in March for about $430. Gateways Wireless AV/IT Gateway - this new concept product removes virtually all of the boundaries from the digital lifestyle experience by allowing consumers access to e-mail, TV broadcasts, the Internet, video content and digital still images from almost anywhere inside their homes. Delivering on Sonyís vision of combining key technologies into one, easy-to-use system, the unit includes a transportable touch-screen monitor and separate base station. With the touch-screen, you can simultaneously view video content, along with Web pages, e-mail, or digital still images from a Memory Stick media card. Utilizing the built-in IR blaster, you can also control a variety of CE products, such as an A/V receiver, digital satellite box or DVD player. It will be available in late 2001. Pricing is still to be determined. NTE-D101 e Villaô Network Entertainment Center - rhis new concept from Sony consists of a 15-inch, portrait-oriented FD TrinitronÆ display, keyboard and mouse, bundled with an ISP, that enables users to instantly access e-mail, tune into Internet radio stations, view video and images, navigate the Web and customize local, financial, sports and lifestyle information. The e Villa browser not only emphasizes the entertainment aspects of the Internet, but eliminates the common hassles of connecting to it. (Thereís no need to boot-up and dial-in just to see if thereís new e-mail, or to manage complicated multimedia plug-ins.) It also integrates two USB ports for easy connectivity, and a Memory Stick media slot for virtually unlimited network storage. The product will be available in April for about $500, and will carry a monthly Internet service charge of $21.95 for unlimited access. Next-Generation Interactive Digital Cable Receiver - for the first time, Sony and Cablevision are publicly demonstrating the next-generation digital entertainment and broadband communication platform. Sony provided system design and software integration for Cablevisionís new platform, including both the head-end system and the interactive digital cable receiver. The receiverís advanced features include ports for the i.LINK digital interface, a GUI that enables easy navigation with integrated TV and data, interactive TV applications, video-on-demand, always-connected access to a managed Web environment, e-mail, including chat and instant messaging, and a broadband cable modem that provides high-speed, bi-directional interactivity. Cablevision plans to launch the new service throughout the New York metropolitan area in the first half of this year, to a potential customer base of more than four million homes. Network Services Digital Voice Recorders - Sony and Audible Inc. announced their intent to enter into an agreement to bring Audibleís Internet audio service to Sony digital voice recorders. As AudibleReady devices, the ICD-BP100/120 recorders will be able to store and playback any of the spoken audio content downloaded from Audible.com. Content includes audio books, newspapers, magazines and more. The ICD-BP100 will be available in March for about $150, the ICD-BP120 in April for about $200. DRN-XM01 XM Satellite Radio Receiver - this new satellite radio receiver can accept up to 100 satellite broadcast channels of digital quality music, news, sports, talk and childrenís audio programming - not only in the car, but also in the home and office. XM Satellite Radio will provide the programming services. Sonyís transportable plug-and-play receiver, which will be available this summer, will cost around $400 for the car bundle, $300 for the home bundle. Musiclub(SM) - designed to complement Sony's latest Network Walkman players, the recently updated Musiclub site (www.musiclub.sonystyle.com) includes the latest music news, reviews and artist information, as well as access to promotions and secure music. Musiclub allows seamless navigation between hardware and music information, all at the same location. eMarkerô Device - put an end to the most frustrating part of hearing a song on the radio-- not knowing the title or the artistís name. By pressing the button on the tiny eMarker device, people can ""eMark"" songs and locate the information later on their PC through www.emarker.com. The EMK-01 device is available now for about $20. ImageStation.com(SM) - Sonyís ImageStation service is a one-stop shop that helps consumers create, share and enjoy digital pictures and video. The site offers free online albums and eCards, and members can share their favorite pictures as gifts, keepsakes and high-quality prints in a variety of sizes. And, with ImageStationís latest a2DVDSM video service, you can transfer and preserve your favorite home videos on DVDs. The service supports virtually any consumer video format, including 8mm, Hi8ô, D8, Mini DV, VHS and VHS-C.For more information, visit www.sel.sony.com.

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