[CEDIA 2008] Sony Debutes LCD Television With 240HZ Frame Rate

Also Introduces Super-Slim 40-inch LCD Monitor With a Depth of a Blu-ray Disc Jewel Case

Sony continues to push the limits of display innovation and technology with today’s introduction of two new BRAVIA® flat-panel LCD high-definition televisions appealing to the hard-core home theater enthusiast and design-conscious consumer alike.

The BRAVIA KDL-52XBR7 LCD TV features 240Hz high frame rate technology, delivering exceptional motion detail in movies, sports and video games. Meanwhile, the BRAVIA KLV-40ZX1M LCD monitor features a revolutionary slim design measuring just 9.9mm, or about the thickness of a Compact Disc jewel case.

“Sony continually pushes performance and design innovation beyond any other television manufacturer,” said Jeff Goldstein, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics’ Home Product Division. “From the top to the bottom of our TV line, Sony offers unmatched performance and design.”

The full HD 1080p 52-inch diagonal KDL-52XBR7 incorporates Sony’s new Motionflow™ 240Hz technology delivering an exceptionally crisp and detailed image with natural motion.
The Motionflow algorithm goes beyond traditional 120Hz technology by quadrupling the frame rate of conventional LCD TVs and interpolating three new frames, producing remarkably crisp and natural motion.

Other picture enhancements include Sony’s Advanced Contrast Enhancer (ACE), which helps deliver a dynamic contrast ratio of 80,000:1 and BRAVIA Engine™ 2, Sony’s digital video processor that enhances all incoming signals to match the TV’s 1080p resolution.
The model also is compatible with Sony’s BRAVIA Link modules providing the ability to seamlessly add new features.  Optional expansion modules include the BRAVIA DVD Link, the BRAVIA Wireless link, the BRAVIA Input Link, which will ship later this year, and the currently available BRAVIA Internet Video Link.

The BRAVIA Internet Video Link module attaches to the back of a selection of Sony’s 2007 and 2008 BRAVIA LCD flat-panel television models.  The service seamlessly streams on-demand entertainment including movies, TV programs, your favorite YouTube videos and a variety of other content not found on network or cable/satellite TV.  The service connects to the Internet via your existing broadband Ethernet connection and streams content, much of which is avaialble at no additional charge  Content is easily navigated with Sony’s Technical 2007 Emmy® award-winning Xross Media Bar (XMB)™ user interface.

Sony’s 1,000,000:1 contrast BRAVIAs launch in Japan October 10

Sony’s XBR6 / XBR7 / XBR8 models are still waiting in the wings for their U.S. debut, but along with HDTVs that push the extremes in thin and fast, the company announced these more conventional models it’s deemed “the highest quality BRAVIA HDTVs in history.” The XR1 (read: XBR8) series will feature a 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio (3,000:1 static) courtesy of those new TRILUMINOS three-color LEDs, 10-bit BRAVIA Engine 2 processing and Motionflow 120Hz technology. If you can live without 240Hz or WHDI, the 1080p 55-inch edition runs ¥750,000 ($6,489 U.S.) with a 46-inch for ¥600,000 ($5,479 U.S.).

The next level down is the X1 (read: XBR6 / XBR7) series, based on old school CCFL backlights limited to a 3,000:1 contrast rating, ranging in size from 40- to 52- inches and in price from ¥530,000 ($4,866 U.S.) to ¥320,000 ($2,922 U.S.) when they go on sale October 10. Digital Media Extender support, DLNA connectivity and all the other high end feature’s make their expected appearance across the lineup.

With fears of watered down technology effectively quelled, Sony wouldn’t make us wait until October to find out when we can buy an HDTV in the U.S. or Europe from this lineup — somehow we doubt it.

Sony, Samsung to Spend US $1.8B on New LCD Line

Sony and Samsung are reaffirming their alliance in LCD (liquid crystal display) panel manufacturing with plans to jointly construct a third flat-screen factory in South Korea.

The 1.8 trillion won (US$1.8 billion) production line will be built by S-LCD, a joint venture between Sony and Samsung that already operates two factories in Tangjeong in South Korea. The new factory will be built at the same site and is scheduled to start turning out LCD panels in the second quarter of 2009, the two companies said Friday.

It will be based on so-called eighth-generation technology and has been given the name 8-2. That means it will be able to accept sheets of mother glass — from which several panels can be made — of 220 centimeters by 250 centimeters.

S-LCD already operates one eighth-generation line in Tangjeong, called line 8-1, in addition to its original seventh-generation line. With each successive jump in production technology the size of the mother glass sheets is increased and economies are introduced into the production process. The higher technology lines can make larger panels at a lower per-inch cost.

The new factory is scheduled to process 60,000 mother glass sheets per month, which makes it larger and the 8-1 facility that handles up to 50,000 sheets per month.

Output from the plant will be split between Samsung and Sony with 51 percent of panels going to the former and 49 percent to the latter. This is in line with their share holdings in S-LCD.

In February Sony it had started talks with Sharp towards investing in a new production line that Sharp has under construction in Japan. The Sharp plant will be based on a more advanced 10th generation technology and will be best suited to making LCD panels in the 60- and 50-inch class.

The announcement sparked speculation that Sony was giving up on S-LCD and had found a new partner with which to share the considerable cost of a cutting-edge display factory. Friday’s announcement reaffirms the joint venture with Samsung but repositions from the leading edge to become a supplier of panels for what are likely to be the mass market portions of the LCD TV market.

Earlier in the day Samsung reports 37 percent higher net profits for the January to March quarter on the back of strong demand for LCD panels and TVs. The company said its LCD panel business recorded a year-on-year sales growth of 53 thanks to increased production and strong sales of TV screens in the 46-inch size and above.

[CES 2008] Sony Debuts First OLED Television in the United States

LAS VEGAS (CES BOOTH 14200) Sony today announced the availability of the industry’s first Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) television in the United States.

The 11-inch (measured diagonally) XEL-1 model is just about 3 millimeters thin and offers picture quality with extremely high contrast, outstanding brightness, exceptional color reproduction, and a rapid response time.

“The launch of an OLED TV is one of the most important industry landmarks,” said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ Home Products Division. “Not only does the technology change the form factor of television, it delivers flawless picture quality that will soon become the standard against which all TVs are measured.”

Under development for more than 10 years, Waynick said OLED displays not only offer a striking form factor, they deliver “unmatched performance” in key picture quality categories. With its light-emitting structure, OLED displays can prevent light emission when reproducing shades of black, resulting in very deep blacks and a contrast ratio of over 1,000,000:1. The lack of a backlight allows the device to control all phases of light emission from zero to peak brightness. The innovative technology delivers exceptional color expression and detail without wasting power, so it is an exceptional energy-saver.

The OLED display panel uses extremely low power levels since the light-emitting structure of the panel eliminates the need for a separate light source. As a result, OLED panels can be up to 40 percent more efficient per panel inch compared with a conventional 20-inch LCD panel. Additionally, since OLED displays create their own light, any mercury associated with traditional backlighting is eliminated.

Sony’s unique “Super Top Emission” technology features a wide aperture ratio producing high brightness and efficiency allowing the TV to deliver an accurate picture. The device’s proprietary color filter and micro cavity structure allow it to reproduce natural colors — even in darker scenes — and more faithfully recreate the colors that were originally intended.

Since OLED technology can spontaneously turn the light emitted from the organic materials layer on and off when an electric current is applied, it features rapid response times for smooth, natural reproduction of fast-moving content like sports and action scenes in movies.

Sony’s new OLED TV features the latest connectivity options, including two HDMI inputs and a Memory Stick® slot for viewing high-resolution photos.

The inaugural model is also DMeX compatible so consumers can add BRAVIA Internet Video Link service (as well as other modules under development). Using a broadband connection, the module streams select Internet video for no charge from content providers directly to the television without a computer. Current BRAVIA Internet Video Link content partners include CBS and FEARnet.com — which were announced today — Yahoo!, AOL, Crackle, CondéNet, Sports Illustrated, blip.tv, and Sony Pictures.

The XEL-1 OLED TV is now available for about $2,500. Initially, it will be in limited supply at Sony Style® retail stores nationwide.

[CES 2008] Sony Bolsters Bravia Flat-Panel LCD Line with 17 New Models

LAS VEGAS (CES BOOTH # 14200) Slim Bezels and 3D Graphical User Interface Highlight New Features. Sony introduced 17 new BRAVIA® flat-panel LCD high-definition televisions at the International Consumer Electronics Show, bolstering the company’s industry-leading LCD HDTV line.

The new line features several models with slim bezels and thin depth, along with Sony’s new 3D graphic user interface. Many of the models also have the ability to access video and music from portable media devices like compatible Walkman® and iPod® players via Digital Media Port (DMP) accessories, which are sold separately. Additionally, certain models can display digital photos and play digital music from Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compliant and USB devices.

“With features like BRAVIA Internet Video Link, Digital Media Port, DLNA compatibility and USB input, we are offering a host of entertainment solutions that allow access to Internet videos, digital photos and music from a variety of devices,” said Jeff Goldstein, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics’ television group.

With Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMeX ) technology seamlessly integrated throughout the line, new features from various add-on modules expand functionality over the lifetime of the sets.

The first of these is the currently available BRAVIA Internet Video Link module, which allows you to view select streaming Internet video, including high-definition content, on a BRAVIA HDTV. Future BRAVIA Internet Video Link content providers include CBS and FEARnet – which were announced today – along with existing providers like Yahoo!, AOL, Crackle, CondéNet, Sports Illustrated, blip.tv and Sony Pictures.

Z-Series

With an elegant slim bezel, the full HD 1080p 40-inch KDL-40Z4100 and 46-inch KDL-46Z4100 models (all measured diagonally) feature the new BRAVIA Engine™ 2, Motionflow 120Hz high frame rate technology, x.v.Color, WCG-CCFL backlight with ACE (Advanced Contrast Enhancer circuitry) and 10-bit processing with a 10-bit panel. Both models are also DMeX and DMP compatible, while offering the USB digital music and photo player.

Motionflow creates 60 unique frames between each of the existing 60 frames, doubling the frames displayed per second in real-time, further improving images for fast action sports and other programming. The technology dramatically eliminates motion artifacts (“judder”) while watching content filmed at 24 frames-per-second. While watching DVDs, broadcast movies or prime-time television shows, you can enjoy all the fast-moving detail.

Enhancing the BRAVIA picture further is x.v.Color compatibility. This technology expands the potential color data range of video by about 1.8 times, resulting in the display of more natural and vivid colors similar to what the human eye can actually see. This complements Sony’s HD camcorder models, which capture color range beyond what broadcasters currently deliver.

The new televisions also include Sony’s BRAVIA® Sync™ one-button command, which integrates the operation of the TV with supporting external components connected via an HDMI™ input. Through a simple click of the remote, you can easily view a Blu-ray Disc™ movie, listen to surround sound audio via an AV receiver, and control other components like a Sony Handycam® camcorder — all over a single HDMI cable (sold separately) connection.