""Flat Out Better"" Pictures And Digital Technologies Define Sonyís 1999 Television Line Up
In 1999, Sony Electronics announced on March 17 that it is introducing 27 new Trinitron televisions, expanding its highly successful FD TrinitronÆ Wegaô line of flat screen, direct-view televisions from four to nine models, and adding two new screen sizes. Sony also announced a complete new line of big-screen projection televisions, including eight new models, a new screen size and enhancements in picture performance. By expanding FD Trinitron technology throughout its line, Sony has firmly cemented it as a key Sony technology for the transition to digital television. Sony's recently introduced direct-view HDTV, an industry first, also features FD Trinitron flat screen technology. In big-screen projection televisions, Sony is enhancing picture quality and performance across the entire line and highlighting its two proprietary digital technologies, Digital Reality Creationô (DRCô) and Multi-Image Driverô (MIDô), in high-performance models. ""With a total of nine FD Trinitron Wega televisions, including new 20-inch and 27-inch screen sizes, and eight new big-screen projection televisions, including a new 43-inch screen size, Sony now offers consumers the best picture quality, theatre-like sound and the most advanced digital technologies,"" said Vic Pacor, Vice President-of Television and Digital Media Marketing for Sony Electronics Consumer Products Marketing Group. The two new Wega television screen sizes, 20-inch model KV-20FV10 and 27-inch model KV-27FV15, make FD Trinitron technology available to consumers who prefer a smaller TV. The 20-inch model will be available this October at a suggested retail price of $449.99; the 27-inch model will be available in June at a suggested retail price of $949.99. Two new features designed to enhance the viewing experience are included in direct-view XBR models: Vertical-Compression and IR (infrared) wireless stereo headphones. Vertical-Compression is designed, says Sony, to maximize resolution of widescreen letterboxed DVDs by concentrating scanning lines in the image area only, delivering 33 percent higher resolution in the viewing area. This appears to be Sonyís terminology for anamorphic widescreen. The IR wireless stereo headphones allow consumers to enjoy the convenience of wireless full stereo sound. Also new for 1999 is the V-chip parental control feature, an aid to help parents monitor the programs their children watch. V-chip is available in most of the 1999 line in screen sizes of 13 inches and above, for a total of 33 models. Two V-series models, the 32-inch KV-32V68 and the 35-inch KV-35V68, have no V-chip, yet sport another new feature, Gemstarís GUIDE Plus+Æ Gold electronic program guide (EPG). This EPG enables easy, on-screen set-up (with no monthly service charge), provides 48-hour program listings by channel/time slot, and simplifies recording of favorite TV programs with VCR Plus+Æ timer recording. The expanded line of Sony FD Trinitron Wega TVs, along with availability and suggested, retail prices, include: - Model KV-20FV10, available in October for $449.99 - Model KV-27FV15, available in June for $949.99 - Models KV-32FS1O and KV-32FV1S, available in July, $1,499.99 and $1,699.99, respectively; - Models KV-36FS 10 and KV-36FV15, available in July for $1,799.99 and $1,999.99, respectively. Sonyís big-screen projection TV line also grows this year with new designs and performance features. A highlight for 1999 is a redesigned chassis that Sony says improves picture performance in four key areas: focus, color reproduction, gray scale and color contrast. The new projection line also includes upgrades in the S- and V-series TVs, specifically, 3D digital comb filters, built-in contrast screens and 40-watt TruSurround virtual Dolby sound systems (available in the V-series). Many popular convenience options have been extended across all new models. Among them are the Flash Focusô 15-second, automatic, all-digital convergence system; Steady Soundô automatic volume control; free layout picture-in-picture (pilots PIP to anywhere on the screen); Speed Surfô channel surfing and component video input (for displaying high-quality NTSC video material, such as DVD). For 1999, all Sony big-screen projection TVs also will feature consumer-friendly design enhancements such as front cabinet menu buttons and improved menu graphics that Sony says makes it easier to read text and graphics on-screen. A key television in the 1999 line is the new 43-inch ""Big-Screen TV For Small Rooms."" This new 43-inch big-screen 4:3 television, model KP-43T70, has a footprint three-inches smaller than last year's 41-inch screen size and is only 20-inches deep. Sony is positioning this set as the ideal big-screen TV for apartments, the bedroom or for smaller family rooms. The T-series model also includes, says Sony, new digital video picture upgrades such as a new video processor and discrete video output circuit for better focus, contrast, natural color reproduction and a better gray scale. Component video input and two rear S-Video inputs provide more advanced connectivity to DVDs and to future digital set-top boxes. Additionally, 30 watts of audio power is included for sound reproduction. Available in August, the new KP-43T70 television will have a suggested retail price of $1,799.99. In the big-screen projection TV XBR-series, DRC (Sony's proprietary ""near-HDTV"" enhancement technology) and MID (an advanced two-tuner PIP technology) will continue in 1999, enabling consumers to enjoy all current NTSC programs in near HDTV picture quality. Additionally, XBR models will feature XBRís Express Navigatorô on-screen menu and sound from the built-in 80 watt Dolby ProLogic audio package with two supplied rear surround speakers. Lastly, ""Sony At Your Serviceô"" (SAYS), the support program for big-screen projection television customers that was introduced in 1998 will be supported with national advertising and promotion. SAYS provides toll free product and initial set up information, in-home service within 48 hours of the first call, and a seven-day repair/replace policy from the first visit. A Complete Offering Of Digital Television Products Available In Stores Sony announced that in 1999, consumers around the country will be able to choose from Sonyís line of digital television products via in-store demonstrations at select Sony dealers. Available for demonstration and sale will be Sonyís complete HDTV line: the 34-inch direct-view FD Trinitron Wega HDTV (KW-34-HD1), the 65-inch rear projection HDTV (KWP-65HD1), and the digital television receiver/decoder (DTR-HD1). Demonstrations and products for sale will be in those markets where the digital television broadcast signals are available. (As of February 25, 1999, more than 31 stations are broadcasting DTV with more stations scheduled to ""turn on"" later in the year.) Currently the KW-34HD1 HDTV is available nationally for $8,999. The 65-inch high-definition widescreen projection television, Sonyís newest digital TV product and its largest TV ever, is specified as a fully featured HDTV with an integrated digital TV receiver/decoder. Announced in January, the 65-inch HDTV features a unique twelve speaker audio system to provide consumers wanting such with a total entertainment package: 65-inch 16:9 (1.78:1) widescreen, HDTV (1080i) display capability, DRC and MID technologies, and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. Available in late April, the KWP-65HD1 HDTV will have a suggested retail price of $l 1,999. Also available in late April will be Sonyís digital television receiver/decoder for down converting free, over-the-air digital television signals for display on high-performance analog TVs. This receiver/decoder also will display high definition signals through Sonyís and other manufacturersí high-end front projectors and monitors already used in home theatre systems. Model DTR-HD1 will carry a suggested retail price of $1,599. More information about Sony products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sony.com/professional, or readers may call 800 686 SONY. For more direct information, contact Caroline Lappetito, Sony Electronics Inc., at 201 930 7436 or email caroline_lappetito@mail.sel.sony.com or David Migdal, Sony Electronics Inc., at 201 930 7394 or email at david_migdal@mail.sel.sony.com.