Sony Press Release Jan 9th, 2012
New Models – from entry-level to top-of-the-line — Keep Consumers Connected and Entertained
LAS VEGAS (CES BOOTH #14200), Jan. 9, 2012 – Sony is reaffirming its leadership in the fundamentals of home entertainment, announcing today its new BRAVIA® television lineup. This year Sony introduces three distinct series – the entry-level BX, the step-up EX, and the flagship HX. Each newly introduced model delivers the best picture quality available and offers a range of features to give consumers flexibility in choosing the right entertainment solution.
“Television consumers have told us the mix of formats and features often creates confusion,” said Brian Siegel, vice president for Sony’s television business. “But, we know that the best part of the TV has always been – and will always be – the picture quality. Sony is cutting through that noise to make TV buying easier: three model lines with very clear differences, each designed to deliver the most premium, best-in-class picture ever.”
Innovations in Picture Quality
The new BRAVIA models offer many of the unique-to-Sony technologies and features that consumers have come to expect from a Sony TV, complemented by new enhancements and additional innovations.
Select models incorporate Dynamic Edge LED with local dimming and deliver a brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture with increased brightness and outstanding contrast, particularly in best-in-class deep blacks. Sony’s exclusive OptiContrast™ panel elevates the picture to the front surface of the TV and creates a dark background for rich, vibrant, high contrast pictures even in well-lit rooms.
Picture quality is further enhanced with Sony’s X-Reality™ PRO and X-Reality digital video processors. The dual-chip X-Reality PRO optical engine optimizes video sources by utilizing a vast database of signal patterns and comparing incoming signals with ideal scenes to display unprecedented detail and astonishing color. The single-chip X-Reality engine separates incoming video into its constituent parts of outline, texture and color/contrast, and then applies image enhancements to deliver its outstanding picture. Finally, Sony’s newest version of Motionflow™ XR technology reduces blur caused by quick camera movements, enhancing sharpness and creating a smoother viewing experience for fast-paced sports and movie programming, as well as gaming.
The Lineup
Sony’s HX850 and HX750 debut in the first quarter of 2012 and the HX850 carries forward Sony’s distinctive Monolithic design incorporating Gorilla® Glass by Corning, allowing for thinner, lighter and stronger screen material. Complete with X-Reality PRO and Motionflow XR 960, the HX850 is a fully Internet-connected television with built-in 3D, delivering a premium viewing experience when on, and a stunning addition to home décor even when off.
Consumers wishing to step into Internet-connectivity and Edge LED backlighting need not sacrifice picture quality with Sony’s out-of-the-box Wi-Fi-ready (adapter included) EX640, debuting in the first quarter of the year. The EX series uses Motionflow XR 240 processing, delivering brilliant Full HD 1080p resolution, and integrates Clear Resolution Enhancer providing a vivid, clear, life-like picture.
Entry into the Sony line begins with the BX series, with the BX450 delivering a vivid Full HD 1080p picture with bright images and color. Clear Resolution Enhancer and Digital Noise Reduction provide clear, well-defined images with reduced picture noise.
Connected to a World of Streaming Entertainment
The connected features of the BRAVIA line let consumers discover more content through the Sony Portal, featuring one-touch access to the Sony Entertainment Network and its Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited streaming services, offering on-demand catalog of over 80,000 blockbuster movies and favorite TV shows, as well as a constantly expanding global catalog of more than 15 million music tracks1.
From the BRAVIA home screen, consumers also will find easy-to-navigate apps for Netflix®, Pandora®, HuluPlus™, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube™, Slacker® Internet Radio, Crackle and many more, as well as access to social platforms such as Facebook® and Twitter™. First to market, Sony delivers Yahoo! Broadcast Interactivity, with auto-content recognition, which allows viewers one-click access to TV apps with Internet content related to the programming being watched. This interactive content can include show trivia, viewer votes for fan favorites, purchases of items they see on TV, playing along with a favorite game show, or viewing of related videos and photos.
BRAVIA HX series models also come with Skype™ embedded. After connecting the Sony camera and microphone (model CMU-BR100, sold separately) users can enjoy free widescreen Skype-to-Skype video calls with friends and family from the comfort of their living rooms (subject to Skype terms and conditions). Users can also make voice calls while simultaneously watching TV.
The DNLA®-certified and Wireless LAN built-in HX models also easily connect to and share content from mobile devices and computers on the same home network, as well as allow consumers a wide variety of control options via Sony’s Media Remote™ and Remote Keyboard apps, for a comfortable, lean-back experience at home. Viewers can ‘throw’ a browsed website from a smartphone to the BRAVIA HDTV for easier viewing, and the app allows control of the web cursor with one thumb, tapping for selecting links, and pinching in and out to enlarge or shrink the viewable areas. The apps are available for download from both Android Market™ and iTunes® App Store, and function as a full remote control with keyboard, allowing easy online content search and playback.
Lastly, the Internet-connected BRAVIA HX TVs ensure consumers will never again have to wonder what song is playing during their favorite movie, TV program, or commercial. Sony’s Track ID® service powered by Gracenote analyzes any selected song playing on the TV, identifies it, and provides artist, album, and song information.