Sony Extends Its Flat-Screen TV Leadership With Expanded Lineup Of Plasma WEGA And LCD WEGA Displays

10-Jul-03

Sony has unveiled a series of flat-panel plasma and LCD models under its WEGAÆ brand. The company also announced its first fully integrated XBRÆ Plasma WEGAô models, as well as XBR Grand WEGAô LCD-based rear-projection models. The Plasma WEGA lineup also includes the new XS series, bringing the total to nine new fixed pixel TV models for 2003. These new models also incorporate Sony's proprietary WEGA Engineô technology, a fully digital processing system. ""We are seeing tremendous demand for flat-screen and fixed pixel devices in the television arena,"" said Tim Baxter, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Sony Electronics' Visual Network Products Division. ""We expect to continue our leadership position with the industry's most versatile product selection and hot, technical innovations and design."" Advanced WEGA Engineô System The second generation WEGA Engine system, featured in the new Plasma WEGA sets and Grand WEGA LCD rear-projection models, integrates advanced digital circuitries to optimize picture performance from any video source by minimizing the number of digital-to-analog conversion processes. This full digital processing engine includes: - Direct Digital II circuitry, which optimizes incoming video signal to minimize video artifacts- Digital Reality CreationÆ MultiFunction circuitry, which bit maps any NTSC source (DVD, VHS, DBS, cable, etc.) - MIDÆ-X (Multi Image Driver) circuitry, which displays high-definition and conventional pictures for picture-and-picture performance In addition, CineMotionÆ reverse 3:2 pulldown circuitry is included in the new flat-screen sets. Fully Integrated HDTV Plasma WEGA Models Leading the new Plasma WEGA lineup are three flagship XBR series models (KDE-42XBR950, KDE-50XBR950, KDE-61XBR950), including the new 61-inch screen size with a built-in ATSC tuner for access to over-the-air high-definition broadcasts, as well as Clear QAM tuning for access to digital terrestrial and unscrambled local digital channels from many cable service providers. In addition to the WEGA Engine system, the new XBR plasma models incorporate a reengineered plasma panel driver LSI, which integrates the Digital Component Processor. The new sets have sleek, floating screen designs, and the 61-inch XBR model also features removable speakers. JPEG and MPEG-1 file playback is available via the Memory StickÆ media slot found on a new, slimmer Media Receiver Unit (MRU), a set-top component for connection to any video and audio source. The MRU houses both i.LINKÆ (IEEE 1394) and DVI (with HDCP) digital interfaces for receiving and displaying copy-protected high-definition programs. Also included are Virtual DolbyÆ, SRSÆ TruSurroundô, BBE, and a TOSlink connection. The KDE-42XBR950 (1024 x 768 resolution), KDE-50XBR950 (1365 x 768), and the KDE-61XBR950 (1365 x 768) Plasma WEGA models will be available this fall for about $9,000, $13,000 and $20,000, respectively. New XS Series Plasma WEGA Television The XS series Plasma WEGA models offer a step-up solution to the TS series. Featuring a new design, the new 37-inch screen size model, KE-37XS910 (1024 x 1024), and the 42-inch KE-42XS910 (1024 x 1024) incorporate many of the XBR series' features, including the reengineered plasma panel driver, WEGA Engine system, Memory Stick media playback, DVI (with HDCP) connection, and twin surround audio system. The KE-37XS910 and the KE-42XS910 Plasma WEGA models will be available this fall for about $6,500 and $7,500, respectively. ""We are vigorously expanding the plasma display market,"" added Baxter. ""Our new XBR Plasma WEGA sets are everything you wished a flat-screen can be, one that delivers superb high-definition picture performance without sacrificing style, and the XS series provides a more affordable, yet stunning plasma experience."" The extended line of Plasma WEGA family also includes the TS2 models, the KE-32TS2 and KE-42TS2, available now for about $5,000 and $7,000, respectively. Grand WEGA LCD Rear-Projection New to the Grand WEGA LCD-based rear-projection lineup are the 60-inch KDF-60XBR950 and the new 70-inch KDF-70XBR950 widescreen models with built-in ATSC tuner, Uniform Brightness Screenô technology, enhanced Memory Stick media playback, i.LINK and DVI (with HDCP) digital interfaces, and a new design. They are also Clear QAM tuning-capable. The XBR Grand WEGA models incorporate the WEGA Engine system with a proprietary LCD optical engine, which contains the new 0.87-inch-wide XGA LCD panels (one for each of the RGB signals).The optical engine also features a special 11-element lens system that allows the rear-projection set to have a lightweight, slim cabinet design. The lens system creates an a very short focal point while maintaining high levels of brightness.The KDF-60XBR950 and KDF-70XBR950 Grand WEGA models will be available in October for about $5,500 and $7,000, respectively. The expanded LCD rear-projection TV line for the fall also includes the recently announced KF-42WE610, KF-50WE610, and the KF-60WE610. All will be available in September for about $2,800, $3,300, and $4,000, respectively. LCD WEGA Flat-Panel TV Family Sony also introduced two additional LCD WEGA flat-panel sets in 21-inch and 23-inch screen sizes. The KLV-21SR2 (4:3 aspect ratio, 1024 x 768 resolution) and the KLV-23HR2 (16:9 aspect ratio; 1280 x 768 resolution) models are all-in-one LCD TVs with built-in NTSC tuners, speakers, and pedestals. The new LCD WEGA sets also incorporate core elements of the WEGA Engine system, such as the proprietary Direct Digital circuitry to optimize incoming video signal for improved image processing, the new LCD panel driver, the Digital Reality Creation circuitry, and CineMotion reverse 3:2 pull-down. Additionally, they feature a viewing angle of 170 degrees (measured at 10:1 contrast ratio) both horizontally and vertically, a 3-D digital comb filter, and SRS WOWô. The KLV-23HR2 unit also includes Wide Modes that allow users to toggle through Normal, Full, Zoom, and Wide Zoom, as well as enhanced Memory Stick media slots for displaying JPEG images and MPEG-1 file playback. It also features a DVI (with HDCP) interface. Available in October, the KLV-21SR2 and KLV-23HR2 LCD models will sell for around $1,800 and $2,700, respectively. The KLV-30XBR900 and the recently announced KLV-23HR1 and KLV-15SR1 models complete the LCD WEGA television family. These models are available now for about $4,500, $2,300, and $900, respectively.For more information, visit www.sony.com.

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