Sony Introduces 2000 Projection Television Lineup
Get Maximum Enjoyment From The Class Of Big-Screen TVs
For A/V enthusiasts, sports buffs, and aficionados of the big-screen, Sony is introducing sizable additions and picture enhancements to its lineup of rear-projection televisions. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sonyís introduction in 1975 of the KP-4000, the worldís first projection television for the home. Continuing the tradition of innovation, Sony is fielding an all-star lineup for 2000 bolstered by the top performing 53-inch and 61-inch Hi-Scanô 1080i projection televisions. New Big-Screen Sets For Both Digital And Analog Display For maximum enjoyment, the Sony KP-53HS10 and KP-61HS10 big-screen TVs incorporate the latest generation of Digital Reality Creationô (DRC), a proprietary technology that converts analog signals to that approaching high-definition quality, resulting in clean, vibrant images. A bridge technology, DRC bit-maps the original NTSC and standard definition (480i) signals in real-time, doubling the number of scanning lines and pixels per line, creating a picture with four times the image resolution. As a result, conventional NTSC programming approaches the picture quality of high-definition TV. For enhanced detail, the new HS series projection televisions with the Hi-Scan chassis accept 1080i high-definition signals when paired with a digital set-top box with HD component connections, as well as progressive-scan DVD (480p) signals in their anamorphic 16:9 wide-screen form. It also upconverts NTSC signals from 480i to 960i with DRC technology from a VCR, digital satellite receiver, or DVD-Video player. With component video inputs (Y/PB/PR or RGB/HV) and an S-video connection, the Hi-Scan televisions provide the highest quality connection to a DVD player and superior performance with HDTV receivers. Also with the addition of Multi-Image Driver (MIDô) circuitry, viewers can watch two programs simultaneously side-by-side, as well as zoom in to customize the size of the viewing window. With Twin-Viewô two-tuner picture-and-picture functionality, sports fans can set their sights on catching the baseball playoffs and college football in real time, and never miss a minute of the action. Other enhancements include Sonyís Extended Definition MICROFOCUSô CRT and Velocity Modulationô scanning, both of which contribute to improved picture quality, as well as edge detail by varying the scanning rate of the electron beam. And, the Flash Focusô full digital auto convergence feature automatically aligns the picture tube in five seconds. For clear viewing from any angle, all of the new HS Series TVs include Sonyís BrightViewô Screen, with a new higher contrast lenticular screen, to provide richer colors and stunning detail. Emulating the movie-theatre experience, the sets also include 40 watts of total audio power, with two 6 3/8-inch woofers built-in to a Dynamic Acoustic Chamber (DAC) box for true high-fidelity sound. Incorporating TruSurroundô Virtual Dolby Sound with Dolby Pro LogicÆ processing, the televisions can reproduce lifelike sound of rear speakers using only the stereo pair built into the television cabinet. Available in the spring, the 53-inch KP-53HS10 and 61-inch KP-61HS10 will sell for about $3,200 and $3,700 respectively. A Better Vision In Rear-Projection Television Also, new for 2000 are 48, 53, and 61-inch big-screen televisions in the popular ""V"" series. These new televisions incorporate several enhancements, such as the MICROFOCUSô picture tubes and lens system. These advancements deliver a higher level of precision with a flatter plane of focus across the projection screen, while providing a sharper picture from corner to corner. And, the Flash Focus full digital auto convergence feature automatically aligns the picture tubes in five seconds. Added features include a new first surface mirror and lenticular screen to produce better color contrast and higher brightness with even more extensive surface coverage across a wide 130-degree horizontal viewing angle. Similar to Hi-Scan models, the ""V"" series includes two component video inputs (Y/PB/PR), that deliver sharper and more vivid colors when viewing images from a DVD-Video player or digital set-top box. The sets include built-in two-way speakers with 6 3/8-inch woofers with Dynamic Acoustic Chamber (DAC). This loudspeaker enclosure closely matches the shape of the television for crisp treble and clear, high-output bass. The 48-inch KP-48V85, 53-inch KP-53V85, and 61-inch KP-61V85 are scheduled to be available in the fall. These rear-projection televisions will sell for approximately $2,200, $2,400, and $2,800 respectively. Picture Performance With Enhanced Stereo Sound With the entry-level ""S"" series, Sony is introducing newly improved 48, 53, and 61-inch rear-projection televisions. Unique to these big-screens is a first surface mirror to reflect more light, resulting in brighter screen images. This feature eliminates ghosting that results from light passing through the mirror twice before it reaches the picture tube. The new sets also include a 3-Line Digital Comb Filter to separate luminance from color. The result is less video noise and higher resolution. For added convenience, two simultaneous full-motion pictures can be displayed with the two-tuner picture-in-picture feature. With Free Layout PIP, these images can also be placed anywhere on the screen - not just in a corner. Available this fall, the 48-inch KP-48S75, 53-inch KP-53S75, and 61-inch KP-61S75 will sell for approximately $1,900, $2,100 and $2,400 respectively. Big Screen For Small Rooms For smaller living spaces such as apartments and college dorms, Sony has just the right fit with a space-saver, big-screen television. Sporting the moniker, ""The Big Screen for Small Roomsô,"" the KP-43T75 chassis is 20 inches deep and 43 inches diagonally. Minimum viewing distance is just five feet. It also features advanced scanning with 3-Line Digital Comb Filter for improved image resolution. For better color contrast, the set includes a first surface mirror, as well improved image resolution with the 3-Line Digital Comb Filter. With two-tuner picture-in-picture functionality, the viewer has the capability to watch two programs simultaneously. Also, included is Free Layout PIPô which allows the viewer to place images anywhere on the screen - not just in a corner. And, with built-in two-way speakers with four-inch woofers, coupled with audio enhancing BBEô circuitry, sound appears more lifelike. The KP-43T75 will sell for about $1,800 and will be available this fall. ""By incorporating the latest advances in big-screen television technology and offering round-the-clock customer service with concierge-level personalized attention, we are striving to provide the fullest television experience imaginable,"" said Vic Pacor, Senior Vice President of Television and Digital Media Products at Sony Electronics. According to Pacor, this yearís class of rear-projection televisions are ideally equipped for viewing todayís NTSC television, in addition to the growing amount of digital high-definition programming, as well as digital sources as DVD-Video players, A/V hard disk recorders, Web TVÆ terminals, and digital satellite systems.