For more information, contact: Scott Gardiner, Sony Electronics Inc. at 201 930 7436, Email: Scott.Gardiner@am.sony.com.
Sony Showcases New Digital Lifestyles At CES 2000
Attendees of the year 2000 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will experience the benefits of digital connectivity in creating new lifestyles as they explore Sony's latest audio/video and information technology products on display in a variety of applications. Sony's CES exhibit extends the company's leadership in AV/IT convergence through the demonstration of key networking technologies, including Memory StickÆ - the ultra-compact, removable media designed to easily capture, save and share digital pictures, music and information; and i.LINKÆ - the high-speed home networking solution that seamlessly connects AV and IT products for digital imaging and entertainment. ""Digital connectivity offers entrance to a new world of network-oriented solutions that provide consumers with products that will transform their lives,"" said Fujio Nishida, President of Sony Electronics' Consumer Products Marketing Group. ""The result is greater access to more entertainment, information and communication than ever before."" Product Showcase Sony's CES exhibit highlights the following new products: Digital Televisions - On display are two new direct-view FD TrinitronÆ Wegaô high-definition sets, including a new 36-inch screen size (KV-36HD2), and four rear-projection DTV sets, including the 65-inch big screen (KWP-65HD2). All of these sets can render full 1080i HD resolution in a 16:9 viewing area. Each TV also offers two rear i.LINK ports for integrating multiple A/V components. Digital Network Recorder - The company's first product (SVR-2000) integrating TiVoÆ technology and service offers a 30 GB hard drive that records up to 30 hours of television programming (up to nine hours at the highest quality setting). DVD-Video Players - Sony is introducing three single-disc models, two advanced five-disc changers, two second-generation portables ñ including the first with a seven-inch LCD screen (DVP-FX1) - and a full featured DVD Dreamô System combining DVD/CD functionality with a digital 5.1 channel amplifier and Dolby Digitalô decoding (DAV-S300). Digital Satellite System - The SAT-A55 features a multi-satellite tuner which can support both current and future DirecTVÆ programming, and offers access to local programming options which can be easily controlled with a supplied remote commander. Digital Music Players - Sony debuts another SDMI-compliant player (NW-E3), which joins the Memory Stick Walkmanô and VAIOÆ Music Clipô players. The NW-E3 offers quick transfers (80 minutes of music in two minutes), a durable brushed aluminum case, backlit LCD display and shuttle switch which allows control of all basic functions with one hand. Digital 8 HandycamÆ Camcorders - Sony is expanding its Digital 8 camcorder line with five new models, four of which have digital still capabilities with Memory Stick media. The new line includes the world's first camcorder with built-in color printer (DCR-TRV820), which prints business card-sized color photos on-the-spot, like an instant camera. MiniDisc Players - Featured are six new MD portables, including the world's smallest and lightest player/recorder (MZ-R90), a new 2x CD/MD dubbing boombox (ZS-M35) that allows you to record an hour-long CD in 30 minutes, and a new MD head unit for the car (MDX-C800REC) that can record programs from your tuner or CD changer and can even complete recordings after the engine has been shut off. Telephones - Sony's 2000 phone lineup is ideal for residential and SOHO users in need of feature-rich products that also offer extended range, convenience and functionality. It includes 900 MHz High Power Digital Spread Spectrum phones, analog 900 MHz phones, cordless phones with digital answering machines, and two- and four-line units. Xplodô Car Audio Systems - Sony has pumped up its successful line of Xplod speakers and amps by increasing the power and expanding the line to include in-dash cassette, CD and MD receivers featuring Xplod products' popular bright red color and new youth-oriented styling created especially for Generation Y. Presentation Highlights Network Connectivity The centerpiece of Sony's CES exhibit is a special presentation supported by three stage areas dedicated to network connectivity. ""Today, the world is moving toward a broadband networked environment,"" Nishida noted. ""New digital content is what is driving people to these networks, and new digital products will enable consumers to utilize this content for their personal enjoyment. ""High definition video can transform a living room into a private movie theatre...high speed data systems can empower the Internet like never before..and new forms of interactive entertainment will affect us in ways we can only begin to imagine,"" Nishida added In the home networking area, Sony is showcasing i.LINK technology coupled with 5C Digital Transmission Content Protection as the basis of a powerful home network. Presentations include: Network connectivity between i.LINK-compliant devices that allow you to control digital televisions, cable and satellite set top boxes, A/V hard drives, VAIO PCs and digital Handycam camcorders. High definition entertainment from broadband services. Seamless integration and storage of digital content. Satellite-based secure music delivery and distribution. Professional-quality digital video editing. In the personal networking area, Sony is demonstrating how Memory Stick media is used to capture, store and share digital pictures, music and information. Presentations include: Interchangeability across platforms and devices. Secure download of music from personal computers. Image capture from digital cameras and camcorders. Image display on LCD viewers and VAIO PCs Voice recording. Other Display Areas Aside from Sony's main presence in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the company is also supporting the IEEE-1394 trade association booth (#S2337). Sony will also be represented in the HAVi home networking booth at the Desert Inn, and join with Philips in demonstrating multichannel Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) at the St. Tropez Hotel. About Sony Electronics Headquartered in Park Ridge, New Jersey, Sony Electronics (SEL) has more than 26,000 employees in North America. SEL is the largest operating unit 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.