Sony Expands 2001 Television Lineup With Debut Of New Hi-Scanô And WEGAÆ Series

15-Mar-01

Responding to the growing number of A/V enthusiasts, sports fans and home theatre aficionados, Sony Electronics unveiled its most complete collection of televisions for 2001. The array of new television models ranges in size from a portable WatchmanÆ TV with a 2.2-inch screen to a 61-inch rear-projection set. Sony's latest television offerings include new 16:9 widescreen rear-projection sets, as well as the industry's largest direct view 40-inch FD TrinitronÆ WEGAÆ television, the KV-40XBR700, which earned raves at last month's Consumer Electronics Show. Many of these new TVs incorporate the company's proprietary Digital Reality Creationô MultiFunction (DRC) and CineMotionô circuitry, that delivers unsurpassed picture quality with four times the detail of a typical TV image. ""As the market leader, we are showcasing many exciting new televisions that meet the demands of today's sophisticated consumer,"" said Tim Alessi, Director of Television Marketing for Sony Electronics. ""Consumers are seeking superior picture quality in bigger screen sizes. Keeping that trend in mind, we are introducing some of the industry's top performing sets in the increasingly popular 32-inch-plus screen sizes."" New Hi-Scan WEGA TVs Introduced Continuing the expansion of the flat-screen television market it pioneered, Sony is broadening its signature line of award-winning FD Trinitron WEGA direct-view televisions to include two new 32- and 36-inch Hi-Scanô 1080i models. The new direct-view Hi-Scan series - models KV-32HS20 and KV-36HS20 - incorporates a 1080i chassis, which accepts and displays high definition signals when paired with a satellite or digital set-top box via one of two HD component inputs. With their 16:9 enhanced mode feature, the new Hi-Scan sets are capable of displaying full vertical resolution in widescreen format. Both Hi-Scan sets also feature DRC Multifunction circuitry to bridge the gap between today's NTSC broadcasts by displaying images in near high definition quality. It is DRC's pattern recognition circuitry - a digital bitmapping process - that re-generates an NTSC signal to have up to four times the picture density. The result is image quality from standard 480i sources displayed in 960i. In addition, the new Hi-Scan series incorporates Multi-Image Driver-Xô (MID-Xô) circuitry, which enables viewers to simultaneously watch NTSC television broadcasts and high definition programming side-by-side, utilizing the Flexible Twin-Viewô two-tuner picture-and-picture feature, along with a special zoom mode to customize the size of the viewing window. The new KV-32HS20 and KV-36HS20 Hi-Scan models will sell for about $1,900 and $2,400, respectively, and will be available in July. Enhanced FD Trinitron XBRÆ WEGA TVs Added To Lineup The next generation of Sony's top-of-the-line XBR WEGA series is also making its debut as the ultimate NTSC television line with 32- and 36-inch models, joining last month's 40-inch XBR model introduction. The new KV-32XBR450 and KV-36XBR450 models incorporate valuable enhancements on top of the company's Hi-Scan series. In addition to featuring a 1080i chassis, DRC Multifunction and the MID-X capability like the Hi-Scan models, the new XBR series incorporates the CineMotion reverse 3:2 pull-down process. The CineMotion process minimizes motion artifacts caused when 24 frame-per-second film is transferred to 30 frame-per-second video. Combined with DRC's digital bit mapping process, the result is detailed pictures with improved sharpness and enhanced image dimensionality that approaches the original high definition film-like quality. The top-of-the-line XBR series will also include a new silver remote control, the company's first remote to complement the sleek silver-and-gray design of the WEGA TVs. This unique Joystick/Flip Universal Remote CommanderÆ control will help provide easy one-touch operation not only of the TV, but of all home theatre products, including VCRs, cable boxes, digital satellite receivers and DVD players. With the ability to display true high definition signals when paired with a digital set-top box or near-HD quality using the DRC Multifunction feature, the new XBR series is poised to deliver the ultimate home theatre viewing experience. The KV-32XBR450 and KV-36XBR450 models will sell for about $2,000 and $2,500, respectively, and will be available in July. A WEGA TV For Every Need And Lifestyle Since the WEGA television's introduction in 1998, Sony has continued to raise the bar in flat-screen picture tube technology and performance with WEGA direct-view TVs. In addition to the Hi-Scan and the XBR series, the company will offer the next generation entry-level FS line and the step-up FV line in 20-, 27-, 32- and 36-inch screen sizes. The new FS and FV series will feature an improved two-way speaker system, amp and control panel. Most of the models will also incorporate the popular two-tuner picture-in-picture feature for additional viewing options. The 2001 lineup of the FS and FV series will be available in July with prices ranging from approximately $350 to $1,800. With all of these WEGA TV additions, Sony is providing the industry's most comprehensive product offering of flat-screen televisions to fit virtually every room size, lifestyle and budget. This year's flat-screen WEGA TV lineup now encompasses 13- to 40-inch screen sizes. New Projection Sets Deliver Bigger, Better Picture For consumers looking to bring the big screen cinematic experience home, Sony is introducing sizeable additions and picture enhancements to its lineup of Hi-Scan rear-projection televisions. New to the Hi-Scan series, the 51-inch KP-51HW40 and the 57-inch KP-57HW40 feature a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and are equipped with the latest generation technologies that raise picture quality to a new level. Both models feature a Hi-Scan 1080i chassis that provides full compatibility with high definition sources, as well as progressive scan DVD signals in their anamorphic widescreen format, allowing viewers to enjoy widescreen content as the director intended. These new widescreen models also incorporate DRC and CineMotion circuitry that upconverts NTSC signals to near HD-quality. The resulting images are vivid and clean, free from many of the artifacts and ghosting that can haunt standard definition broadcasts. With two component video inputs (Y/Cb/Cr or RGB/HV), the Hi-Scan televisions provide the highest quality connection to a DVD player, as well as outstanding performance with HD receiver/decoders. The new Hi-Scan widescreen sets incorporate the Multi-Image Driver-X circuitry and Flexible Twin-Viewô two-tuner picture-and-picture. The enhanced MID-X feature includes a multichannel scrolling index screen, which allows the viewer to choose a channel simply by clicking on a program image with the remote control. Other enhancements of the widescreen rear projection series include a new FlashFocusô fully automatic digital convergence system that aligns the picture tube in just five seconds. There is also an improved 3D digital comb filter circuitry for higher resolution and reduced video noise. In addition, the new widescreen sets incorporate TruSurroundô Virtual Dolby Surroundô sound to further maximize the home theatre cinematic experience. With 40 watts of total audio power, the televisions can reproduce lifelike sound, using only the pair of stereo speakers built into the television cabinet. The new KP-51HW40 and KP-57HW40 models will be available in October, and will sell for about $3,500 and $4,000, respectively. Committed to bridging the analog and digital divide, Sony's next generation of Hi-Scan rear-projection series will also include the KP-53HS30 and KP-61HS30 models. These 4:3 rear-projection sets will incorporate all the features of the widescreen Hi-Scan series, including the new DRC Multi-Function and CineMotion circuitry. The KP-53HS30 and KP-61HS30 sets will sell for around $2,800 and $3,300, respectively, and will be available in August. More Big Screen For Small Rooms Joining the growing family of Hi-Scan rear-projection televisions is a space-saving 43-inch rear-projection television, the KP-43HT20 model. Despite its Hi-Scan package and 1080i chassis that delivers outstanding picture performance, this set is only 20 inches deep, and is much lighter than a typical 36-inch direct-view television. The suggested minimum viewing distance is just five feet. Nicknamed the ""tabletop"" projection TV, the KP-43HT20 model includes a host of step-up features, including DRC Multi-Function, CineMotion and MID-X circuitry, flexible twin-view tuner, 16:9 enhanced mode, FlashFocus system, and new 3D digital comb filter circuitry. With technology and performance rivaling its larger-sized siblings, the tabletop set is perfect for petite areas and is sure to please the urban apartment dweller or home theatre enthusiast with limited space. The KP-43HT20 tabletop TV will be available in August for about $2,500. Other notable projection television models for 2001 are the analog entry-level ""S"" and the step-up ""V"" series in 48-, 53-, and 61-inch screen sizes. Available in July, these sets will sell for about $1,700 to $2,200.