For more information, contact David Migdal, Sony Electronics Inc. at 201 930 7394, Email: david.migdal@am.sony.com.
Sony Announces Company's First Digital Network Recorder
Continuing to open doors to the networked home, Sony Electronics today introduced its first digital network recorder integrating TiVoô technology and service. The Sony SVR-2000 will be available this spring. It incorporates a 30-gigabyte hard drive that records up to 30 hours of television programming or up to nine hours at the highest quality (DVD-Video) setting. By employing hard disk technology, the new network recorder enables consumers to play, pause or rewind ""live"" television broadcasts as they are being watched. To enhance the home entertainment experience, it also is designed to work with standard definition terrestrial broadcasts, as well as digital satellite systems and cable programming services. ""We're looking at this product as just the beginning in making the vision of the digitally networked home a reality,"" said Mike Fidler, Senior Vice President of Home Audio/Video Marketing for Sony Electronics. ""Given the flexibility it offers, the SVR-2000 is an important part of our overall home entertainment strategy."" TiVo Service Offers Customization TiVo's personal television service can suggest programs for recording based on personal preferences by using an integrated program guide that features a ""thumbs up/thumbs down"" option. This can establish preferences for a specific genre of programs or for individual programs broadcast at different times of the day. All preferences are stored in the system's memory. Keywords can be used as other options for finding programs. By utilizing TiVo's personal television service, the SVR-2000 can even record favorite shows while another prerecorded program is being watched. Simple, Convenient Operation The SVR-2000 also allows users to transfer recordings via one-touch dubbing to Sony VCRs for archival purposes. Additionally, the new digital network recorder enables users to browse within groups of related programs by including a new ""Sony Showcase"" area, which can link viewers to different content from Sony entertainment companies. Once shows are recorded, the SVR-2000 offers one-touch access via the ""List"" button on the supplied remote commander. Next-Generation Networked Products On the Way Fidler anticipates that Sony will build upon the hard-disk drive platform by introducing several ""combination"" or hybrid products which can integrate TiVo technology with DirecTV and digital set-top box products. These products will have the capability of storing high-definition broadband digital content in the future, and will feature the i.LINK (IEEE-1394) digital interface protocol which employs the Digital Transmission Content Protection system. ""These product developments will underscore digital television's emerging role as one of the primary gateways into the networked home,"" Fidler added. The SVR-2000 will be available in April and is expected to sell for approximately $400. About Sony Electronics Headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey, Sony Electronics has more than 26,000 employees in North America. It is the largest operating division of Sony Corporation, with annual sales of more than $10.6 billion. Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, pictures and computer entertainment operations make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. In the most recent fiscal year, Sony Corporation recorded consolidated annual sales of more than $56 billion. About TiVo TiVo, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, is the creator of personal television. The TiVo service allows consumers to take control of their television viewing by allowing them to watch what they want, when they want. TiVo enables consumers to pause, rewind, instant replay and playback in slow motion any live television broadcast. As part of TiVo's easy-to-use service and unique technology, viewers can time-shift their favorite television shows and create a customized television lineup for viewing anytime. The company was founded in August 1997 by two former Silicon Graphics senior executives, Michael Ramsay and James Barton, both of whom were instrumental in early generation interactive video-on-demand systems and Hollywood special-effects technology. TiVo can be reached on the Internet at www.tivo.com or by phoning 408 331 5925.