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Sony 3D TV Bravia Ranges Unveiled in Store for Pre Order

Josh Tait — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:10:23 +0000

All new Bravia 3D TV at CES 2010

The 3D TV bandwagon is certainly gaining considerable momentum, particularly since this year’s CES in Las Vegas. The latest 3D TV developments have come from Sony with their announcement that three Bravia ranges capable of faithfully recreating 3D images will be hitting the market soon, just days after Samsung and Panasonic made similar statements.

Of the models it is the LX900 that will be 3D capable out of the box whilst the HX800 and HX900 will need an add on. These TVs however seemingly offer more than a 3D experience, the HX900 for example provides viewers with Full HD 1080p resolution and a technology labelled as “Intelligent Dynamic LED”. The technology actively alters the backlighting of sections of the screen in order to heighten contrast levels and provide a richer picture.

The LX900, as the 3D TV flagship will, according to reports will have a built in 3D transmitter and is likely to come boxed with a pair of active shutter glasses. No prices have been mentioned as of yet but customers can see some of these TVs at Sony Style stores. In store the TVs will be placed in a mock up living room where viewers have the chance to see 3D clips from a FIFA football match (probably to prepare people for the “3D World Cup”) and trailers from the 3D version of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. This effort to have 3D in real life situations apparently helps Sony engineers to better understand the public’s reaction to this new technology and of course allows customers to pre-order what will certainly be one of the hot technologies of 2010.

For those not lucky enough to see one of these new TVs it is clear that simple styling has played a major part in the design of these models. Monolithic Design combined with the slim profile means that these new models will perfectly sit in any modern home. Available in screen sizes from 22 to 60 inches we will be waiting with baited breath for this latest step in the 3D TV revolution.

UK Can Haz Sony Dash Plz

Timo — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:55:27 +0000

Sony Dash, Alarm Clock 2.0 and so much more

The Sony Dash, introduced at the CES show, could be forgiven for being a glorified alarm clock – Alarm Clock 2.0 if you like. That simply does not do the device justice, it really is so much more than that. How many times have any of us fired up the laptop and sat there blindly watching YouTube videos, stealthily invading the privacy of our friends lives on Facebook or flicked through last nights pictures that you hope won’t invade your privacy on the aforementioned social network? It seems a bit wasteful of a laptops function to perform relatively mundane tasks like these and Sony believe you needn’t harness the power of a modern laptop just to enjoy casual pass-times on the Internet. Enter, Sony Dash.

The fun-sized gizmo is as welcome in the kitchen while you’re burning toast or the garage while you re-arrange your toolbox in preparation for day you might actually use it. Play music over you home network or ensure you’re not missing that tweet, anywhere in your house. Widgets installed on the device add functionality so you’ll know what the weather is going to be like or get the latest news from your RSS feeds.

Now NetFlix have announced support for the Dash too which is begining to make this glorified alarm clock look like a complete replacement for the laptop you aren’t using to its potential. The ability to watch movies, or more likely skim through trailers, makes this both a revolution and evolution of the alarm clock – I can’t look at my aging Sony Dream Machine again. Put me down for a Sony Dash!

We have established that the Dash is brilliant and what’s more it will only cost $199 - Sony have gone mad! Good-mad though as this is an absolute bargain for a device that brings value to itself in more than a couple of ways. In todays money your $199 translates to £129, add the mysterious UK levy on electronics that manufacturers like to justify and you’re conceivably going to pay around £149 for this over. So, when and where can you get this useful gadget in good ol’ Blighty? You can’t.

Tragically the Sony Dash is only available in the US, and possibly Canada, and there are no plans to release the evolved Alarm Clock anywhere else. All we can do is hope the Americans buy it in droves and the decision makers at Sony are offered up a ‘no-brainer’ choice to release the Dash worldwide. So to Sony in North America we say “I Can Haz Dash Plz?”

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Sony Expands 3D TV Offerings With Home Cinema Update

Naomi Roberts — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:51:36 +0000

3D Television at home!

After news that Sony will be releasing 3D capable Blu-ray players they have now announced that 3D movie playback will now be available for some 2.1 and 5.1 home cinema systems via a software update.

Customers that want to experience the immersive experience that is 3D have a number of home cinema products available. The BDV-F500 and BDV-F700 2.1 channel packages offer Blu-ray 3D capability, the former with desktop or wall mountable satellites, the latter with slim floor standing speakers. Sony’s 5.1 home cinema system offering are equally impressive in technological terms. Style has also played an important part in the design of these models, created to perfectly match the latest BRAVIA televisions. Models include the BDV-E370, BDV-E670W, BDV-E870, BDV-E970W and the BDV-IZ1000W.

Sony are certainly throwing their weight behind the 3D revolution, after a raft of announcements at CES this year that included the latest models of BRAVIA televisions, a demo of Gran Turismo 5 in 3D and a host of Blu-ray players, this latest news highlights that 3D TV and movies are an important aspect to Sony’s offerings this year. The commitment of the company to start broadcasting television, movies and sporting events in the 3D is further evidence of this commitment.

The hope is that the cardboard glasses of yesteryear will be completely done away with; instead Active Shutter glasses delivering the stereoscopic experience will bring 3D technology into the home. The Active Shutter technology tricks the eyes by synchronising the refresh rate of the TV set with the glasses, displays are then alternated to deliver a 3D effect to the viewer.

It is technology like this that will make a Sony home cinema system a key component in creating a 3D movie experience in the living room. This latest update to home cinema systems and new 3D ready products will only add to the speculation that 2010 will be the year of 3D.

Playstation Network Evolves With CES Announcement

Tom Pretty — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:06:06 +0000

Playstation Network (PSN)

Sony’s CES 2010 press conference was bound to hold some surprises and President of Network Products & Services Kazou Hirai did not disappoint. The announcement focussed on the next stage of evolution for the Playstation Network and how devices under the |Sony umbrella will also be brought into the fold. It is believed form the speech that the Network hopes to evolve into a “digital ecosystem” that contains all of the media; music, books, videos and games that are provided by Sony’s entertainment divisions. The model will surely be built upon the current Playstation Network that already offers users access to game demos, full video games, as well as standard definition and high definition movies.

It is believed that the new platform will grow beyond its current Playstation walls, incorporating products such as BRAVIA TVs, VAIO laptops as well as Sony Blu-Ray players. Owners of these items should have access to hundreds of feature films from a range of movie houses as well access to music on the Sony BMG label. This evolution is deemed important enough to create a new company called ‘Sony Network Entertainment Inc.’ This company will not only handle the growth of the network in Japan and the USA but will also make an effort to expand the amount of content available to European territories. However this evolution is implemented it is sure that on demand content as well as streaming and downloading of media is sure to be a major part of present and future Sony devices.