Sony Shifts To All-Flat-Screen CRTs With Its 2002 FD Trinitron WEGA Television Lineup

25-Feb-02

Sony Electronics, the creator of the 2001 EmmyÆ-winning FD TrinitronÆ flat-screen picture tube, unveiled its portfolio of WEGAÆ models for 2002. Since its launch in 1998, the WEGA line has expanded to include television sets ranging in screen size from 13 to 40- inches. Accelerating the trend it created, the company will market an all-WEGA flat-screen direct-view lineup in the U.S., with several new key models broadening the category. ""Our WEGA televisions set the industry standard in performance, reliability and modern design,"" said Tim Alessi, Director of Marketing for Sony Electronics' Visual Network Products Company. ""We are excited to present a flat-screen WEGA lineup that includes every level, from feature-packed entry to premium, analog to digital, 4:3 to widescreen, and a variety of screen sizes. It represents an extraordinary collection of Sony's best direct-view televisions."" Sony's expanded WEGA television line-up incorporates all new cosmetic designs and enhanced performance technologies. The premium models feature a Hi-Scan 1080iô chassis and incorporate a Digital Visual Interface (DVI-HDTV) connection that enables copy-protected, high-definition video content to be delivered from a DVI/HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compatible set-top box. Many of the new models also include the company's latest Digital Reality Creationô MultiFunction V1 circuitry, which allows user customization of the DRCô feature. Next-Generation XBR SeriesThe XBRÆ television series embodies the company's innovation in picture performance, state-of-the-art convenience features, and contemporary design. New to the Hi-Scan XBR series is the KV-34XBR800, a 34-inch 16:9 widescreen television. Along with the KV-36XBR800 and KV-40XBR800 models, the 2002 XBR series incorporates these performance-enhancing innovations: - DRC MultiFunction V1 circuitry, which gives viewers complete control over the level of DRC picture enhancement depending on the quality of the input signal or personal preference, thereby displaying clear, high quality images, no matter what the video source - HD Detailerô wideband video amp, which reproduces finer image details when utilizing high-definition sources such as an HD set-top box and HD satellite receiver - ClearEdge VMô wideband velocity modulation scanning, which doubles the bandwidth capacity from last year, takes picture enhancement a step further, enhancing not only conventional bandwidth, but higher frequency sources like DVD players and satellite receivers to take full advantage of 1080i capability for exceptional clarity and depth These new models continue to provide a host of performance features, such as CineMotionô reverse 3:2 pull-down circuitry for optimum film-based video source display, Multi-Image Driver-Xô with Scrolling Channel Indexô, Flexible Twin-Viewô two-tuner picture-and-picture, and SRSÆ TruSurroundô sound. In addition to the DVI-HDTV interface, these models also contain two HD component video inputs (YPbPr). The KV-36XBR800 and KV-40XBR800 models will be available beginning this summer for about $2,500 and $3,500, respectively. Also available this fall, the 16:9 widescreen KV-34XBR800 will sell for about $3,000. Enhanced HS Series Hi-Scan Models Sporting a new two-tone, unique ""arc""-shaped design, the HS series, available in 32- and 36-inch models, will incorporate numerous high performance step-up features found in the XBR series. Each set will include DRC MultiFunction circuitry, DVI-HDTV interface, ClearEdge VM scanning, Auto ID-1 detection, MID-X and TruSurround sound. The KV-32HS500 model will be available in May and the KV-36HS500 will be available in August for around $1,800 and $2,300, respectively. Available in June, the step-up KV-32HV600 model with HD Detailer wideband video amp and DRC MultiFunction V1 circuitry will sell for around $2,000. Industry's First Memory StickÆ Media-Compatible Television Sony's new HS, HV, and XBR models also incorporate the Memory Stick media slot for convenient viewing of favorite JPEG images converted to dynamic 1080i high-definition quality. With choice of full-screen, index, or slide show, this new feature provides a fast, easy way to showcase images taken with Memory Stick media-enabled digital still cameras and camcorders. ""It's the best thing to happen to a television since the remote control,"" Alessi said. ""A recent report by Info Trends Research Group indicated that consumers are discovering the TV is a friendly, easy alternative for viewing and sharing photos. The report was also very bullish on the TV becoming the center of consumer photography applications in some homes over the next five years."" Alessi said. ""Equipping our new Hi-Scan TV sets with Memory Stick feature advances this trend by connecting two different medium into one easy solution."" Memory Stick media is a widely-adopted removable digital storage format. There are currently more than 300 different Memory Stick media-compatible products available with format support from 214 companies. Feature-Loaded Entry-Level Models Equal Value Redefining the entry-level concept, the FS series, ranging in screen size from 13 to 36 inches, including the new 24-inch model, offer high performance package at excellent value. Introduced with a new side speaker design, the FS series adds component video input, three-line digital comb filter, improved audio power, and other convenience features. The FS series will begin shipping in April with a price range of $250 to $1,500. The step-up FV series, available in 20-, 24-, 27-, 32- and 36-inch screen sizes, incorporates performance enhancing ClearEdge VM wideband velocity modulation scanning, and DynaBlackô video technology, which expands the black level for accurate contrast. Housed in the new ""arc"" design, which is similar to Sony's premium Hi-Scan models, the 27- to 36-inch FV models also features a 3-D Digital Comb Filter, the popular two-tuner picture-in-picture, Auto 16:9 Enhanced Mode and a powerful audio design that includes SRS TruSurroundô sound processing with WOWô. Scheduled to ship beginning April, the FV series will sell from about $400 up to about $1,700.  

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