Sony Spotlights 2003 Grand WEGA LCD-Based Rear-Projection Televisions

7-Mar-03

Sony announced its 2003 lineup of 16:9 LCD-based rear-projection Grand WEGAô televisions. New to this year's line is the KF-42WE610, a 42-inch widescreen model offering Sony's LCD-based rear-projection picture technology in a more compact and versatile screen size. The KF-42WE610, along with the 50-inch KF-50WE610 and 60-inch KF-60WE610 models all combine a proprietary LCD optical engine with Sony's WEGA Engineô system. Each of the newly designed models includes enhanced Memory StickÆ media functionality. Enhancing LCD Rear-Projection Performance All three models feature the WEGA Engine system. This full digital processing engine includes: - Direct Digital circuitry, which reduces signal-to-noise ratio when converting the signal from analog to digital - Digital Reality Creationô (DRCô) MultiFunction circuitry, which gives viewers control over the level of DRC circuitry depending on the quality of the input signal - MIDô-X (Multi-Image Driver), which maintains the integrity of a converted signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process and provides Flexible Twin Viewô picture-and-picture features.- Each model also includes CineMotionô reverse 3:2 pull-down circuitry for film-based video source display, and SRSÆ TruSurroundÆ audio. The new models all incorporate a proprietary optical engine, which utilizes Sony's three wide XGA high-resolution LCD panels, one for each of the RGB signals. This results in a total of 3.15 million dots of resolution. The Grand WEGA models' use of LCD panels in reproducing images eliminates uneven aging of phosphors and does not require periodic convergence adjustments. In addition, with the unique dot-line inversion drive technology, the set delivers images virtually free of blurring, shading, and ghosting. The optical engine also features a special eleven-element lens system that allows the rear-projection set to have a lightweight, ultra-slim cabinet design. The lens system bends the light path, creating an ultra-short focal point while maintaining high levels of brightness.Additionally, the new Grand WEGA models incorporate an improved green trim filter for greater contrast ratio as well as a UV filter for improved black levels. As a result, these models display a 25 percent improvement from the first-generation model in overall black levels. Powerful Convenience Features The new sets also offer Uniform Brightness Screenô technology, which provides a wider vertical viewing angle and consistent horizontal brightness from top to bottom. In addition, each model features a double-anti-reflective coating screen. The Grand WEGA lineup incorporates a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connection that enables copy-protected, high-definition video content to be delivered to the unit from a DVI/HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection)-compatible set-top box, such as Sony's SAT-HD200 HD/DirecTVÆ receiver. Expanding upon their Memory Stick media slots for displaying JPEG images, the KF-42WE610, KF-50-WE610, and KF-60WE610 include MPEG-1 file playback. Viewers can now watch their favorite video files recorded onto the Memory Stick media directly on the new widescreen set. The 2003 Grand WEGA models have a sleek, two-tone chassis. The KF-42WE610, KF-50WE610 and KF-60WE610 will be available in September for about $2,500, $3,000 and $4,000, respectively. For more information, visit www.sony.com.

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