Sonyís New Big-Screen Televisions Feature Enhanced Technologies Resulting In Unmatched Picture Quality
Sony is changing the look of analog (NTSC) and high-definition (HDTV) programs with the introduction of two new Hi-Scanô big-screen televisions. Just announced, these rear-projection TVs feature Sonyís second-generation Digital Reality Creationô (DRC) technology for near high-definition pictures from standard definition sources, and a newly designed, high-performance display for viewing the true HDTV programs. The 53-inch KP-53XBR300 and the 61-inch KP-61XBR300 big-screen televisions are the first to incorporate the latest generation of DRC technology, a proprietary technology that converts analog signals to near high definition quality, resulting in clean, sharp images. DRC technology bit-maps the original NTSC and standard definition (480i) signals in real-time, doubling the vertical resolution and increasing horizontal pixel count two times, creating an image with 960i resolution x 1440 pixels. When paired with a digital television (DTV) set-top decoder box compatible with HD component connections (Y Pb Pr or RGB HV), the new Hi-Scan TVs will have the ability to display 480i/480p plus high definition signals at 1080i resolution. ""These new big-screen televisions with enhanced DRC technology raise the bar for picture quality and television performance, whether viewing a football game in high definition or a movie in NTSC,"" said Vic Pacor, Vice President of Television and Digital Media Marketing for Sony Electronics. ""This launch is timed to sync-up with the growing availability of high definition programs, yet also offers consumers the best picture possible when watching analog programs - still the majority of programming available today."" Sonyís Hi-Scan televisions include such other enhancements as an Extended Definition CRT and optimized positioning of the Velocity Modulationô coil, both of which contribute to improve picture quality. For enjoying high definition (1080i) programs in the theatre-like, widescreen format, new Vertical Compression (V-Compression) scans only the 16:9 image area ñ excluding the black bars - providing 33 percent higher resolution in a 4:3 screen format and full 1080i viewing in the 16:9 aspect ratio. Other picture enhancements include an advanced Flash Focusô full digital auto convergence feature that automatically aligns the picture tubes in just five seconds. And, a newly designed Lenticular screen along with other screen improvements allows for clear viewing from any angle, while providing higher contrast and less surface glare. New convenience features include auto signal detection on Video 5 for 1080i, 480p or 480i signals. Viewers can also select the standard definition screen format (16:9 OR 4:3) they prefer. An entertaining feature on these new TVs is the Multi-Image Driver (MID)ô circuitry. MID circuitry provides flexible Twin-Viewô picture ñin-picture, enabling viewers to variably size the two frames or move the inset from around the screen. Viewers can even ""freeze"" one picture while the action rolls in the second picture. Both projection televisions provide an 80-watt DolbyÆ Pro LogicÆ System and supplied rear speakers for exceptional sound. The KP-53XBR300 and KP-61XBR300, available in October 1999, carry a manufacturerís suggested retail price of $4,499.99 and $5,499.99 respectively. For more information, contact Caroline Lappetito at Sony Electronics Inc. 201 930 7436 or visit the Web site at www.sony.com.