Sony ""SuperSizes"" Big Screen High Definition TVCompanyís Largest Consumer TV Ever Makes Debut At CES ë99

Giving new meaning to the term ""size matters,"" Sony premiered its biggest consumer television ever - 65-inch, big screen, high definition rear-projection television. The KWP-65HD1, which features an integrated digital TV receiver/decoder compliments Sonyís existing HDTV product offerings. ""With the addition of our new high definition big screen TV, Sony now has the deepest representation of HD television products in the industry,"" said Jim Palumbo, Vice President of Consumer Television Products for Sony Electronics. ""Now people can enjoy a total entertainment package with a big screen picture, advanced digital imaging and DolbyÆ Digital surround sound that makes watching any television signal - analog or digital - very exciting.""The new big screen HDTV is the latest addition to Sonyís family of DTV products. Sonyís DTV family started with the industryís first direct-view 34-inch HDTV, the FD Trinitron WegaÆ, integrated HDTV introduced in September 1998 at a suggested retail price of $8,999.Sonyís Digital receiver/decoder/box for down converting free, over-the-air digital television signals for display on todayís analog TVs was also announced last fall. The company says that this versatile digital receiver/decoder will also convert many high-end front projectors into high definition televisions. The digital receiver decoder will be available in February for a suggested retail price of $1,599.The Sony KWP-65HD1 is ddesigned with an integrated digital television receiver/decoder capable of receiving all 18 ATSC signals. The Sony big screen HDTV has a widescreen 1.78:1(16:9) aspect ratio. It also has two built-in analog tuners to receive current television signals, a new 3D digital comb filter for improved image sharpness and clarity, and a full digital auto convergence system that focuses the picture in less than 15 seconds.The big screen HDTV also features proprietary Sony digital imaging technologies: Digital Reality Creation (DRC), that the company claims brings standard definition video sources to near-HD quality; and Multi-Image Drive (MID) to take advantage of DTVís multiple broadcasting options.In addition, for the audio/video enthusiast, the new big screen HDTV offers several inputs, such as S-Linkô for integrating multiple A/V components, and RGB with HV sync for use with other high definition sources. To connect with current high quality video sources such as DVD-Video, Digital Satellite Systems and WebTvô, the big screen HDTV features component video input (NTSC) and 480I NTSC output for VCR recording.As for sound, the new HDTV delivers 80 watts of Dolby ProLogicÆ surround sound via two supplied left and right rear speakers.The big screen HDTV sports a surprisingly slim profile and sleek, modern design with hidden, but easy-to-access, front controls. It also includes many other consumer-friendly convenience features, such as Program Guide for DTV tuning, flexible Twin-Viewô 2-Tuner Picture-And-Picture as well as V-Chip for parental control of analog programming.The Sony big screen HDTV was developed to appeal to the growing market for big screen televisions and custom-installed home theatres and will be available in the Spring of 1999 at a manufacturerís suggested retail price of $11,999.