Sony Announces Trio Of High Definition Televisions With i.LINKÆ Digital Interfaces, Integrated ATSC Tuners

15-Mar-01

With the transition to high definition television (HDTV) slowly coming into focus, Sony Electronics is setting its sights toward the next generation of home entertainment with the announcement of three new, advanced HDTV sets for the fall. Helping consumers move closer to the vision of the digitally networked home, where two-way communication and security between digital devices is the ultimate goal, Sony today introduced a 34-inch direct-view set (KD-34XBR2) and two rear-projection HDTVs in 57- and 65-inch screen sizes (KDP-57XBR2, KDP-65XBR2). All three of the new 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV sets feature integrated digital tuners to receive and decode all 18 ATSC formats, two i.LINKÆ (IEEE 1394) digital interfaces with the so-called 5C-endorsed Digital Transmission Content Protection software, along with other advanced technologies. With the i.LINK interface, copyright protected high definition content can be transferred between the new televisions similarly equipped digital cable set-top boxes as well as satellite receivers, camcorders, and video recorders. ""We're hopeful that i.LINK will open the door to unprecedented availability of high definition content,"" said Vic Pacor, President of Sony Electronics' Home Network Products Company. ""This represents another step forward."" Pacor added that the recent consensus with the broadcast industry and government regulators to maintain the 8-VSB transmission modulation standard was the major factor fueling Sony's introduction of fully-integrated HDTV sets at this time. ""Sony is now in position to introduce a new world of home entertainment to the American market, while offering the content community a solution it can immediately work with,"" Pacor said. Building on the reputation of Sony's first-generation HDTVs (which did not offer the i.LINK interface), the new lineup is led by the KD-34XBR2, a direct-view model that is designed to set new standards in picture quality and performance. In addition to the ability to natively display high definition content in 1080i resolution via an integrated ATSC tuner and digital decoder, the new direct-view FD TrinitronÆ WEGAÆ HDTV set also utilizes powerful Sony technologies to bring the cinematic experience home. The second generation of Sony's new digital direct-view television features Digital Reality Creationô (DRCô) Multi-Function and CineMotionô 3:2 pull-down technology. Sony's DRC circuitry allows consumers to enjoy today's NTSC broadcasts and DVD titles in either upgraded 960i or 480p resolution.The CineMotion 3:2 pull-down process minimizes motion artifacts caused when 24 frame-per-second film is transferred to 30 frame-per-second video. Combined with the DRC digital bitmapping process, the result is detailed pictures with improved sharpness and enhanced image dimensionality that approaches the original high definition film-like quality. For video enhancements, the KD-34XBR2 adds new Multi-Image Driver-Xô chipsets, which give viewers the ability to simultaneously watch NTSC and high definition programming side-by-side with the Flexible Twin Viewô two-tuner picture-and-picture. MID-X chipsets also provide the ability to display images in 480p.There is also new 3D digital comb filter circuitry, which adds processing power to maximize resolution and minimize video artifacts or noise. For enhanced connectivity, Sony's new direct-view HDTV set features two rear i.LINK ports for integrating multiple A/V components, as well as two component video inputs that are capable of handling 1080i, 480p and 480i sources. A scrolling channel index and a new bitmap Graphic Menu System are added conveniences. The new KD-34XBR2 will be available this fall for about $4,000. Along with the 34-inch direct-view set, Sony is introducing 57- and 65-inch high definition rear projection sets for those looking to bring the big-screen cinematic experience home. While these sets share several of the same technologies as the KD-34XBR2 (dual i.LINK ports, integrated HDTV tuners, DRC, MID-XA, etc.), they both also offer several new features to enhance picture quality and convenience. Both Hi-Scan projection sets utilize 16:9 aspect ratio screens and integrated ATSC tuners and DTV tuners, allowing consumers the ability to display 1080i images without compromise. Picture quality is enhanced with the addition of a new high definition Microfocusô cathode ray tube, for improved picture clarity and sharpness. A built-in High Contrast Protective Screen with Double AR (anti-reflective) Coating helps reduce screen glare and reflection. For convenience, the new 57- and 65-inch sets utilize a special Flash Focusô Fully Automatic Digital Convergence System. With this system, diodes just beyond the screen's edge sense and confirm precise alignment of the red, green and blue picture tubes, rendering superb color reproduction. Connecting to external sources is also simplified with the inclusion of two component video inputs, rear and subwoofer outputs, and an optical DolbyÆ Digital output. The KDP-57XBR2 and KDP-65XBR2 will be available this fall for about $5,000 and $6,000, respectively. They will be produced in the U.S. at the Sony Technology Center - Pittsburgh, which is located about 40 miles outside of the city in Westmoreland Country, Pennsylvania.