SONY'S HDCAM FORMAT WORLDWIDE SALES BREAKS 4000 UNIT MARK; DEBUTS NEW GENERATION OF HDCAM GEAR AT NAB 2001

Sony HDCAM Formats Gain Broad Acceptance with Content Creators

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (NAB Booth #L11600), April 22, 2001 -- Since its introduction at NAB in 1997, Sony Electronics' high definition HDCAM ® video format has gained widespread acceptance as a production format with content creators and distributors of live event recordings, feature and independent films, episodic television and commercial productions.

"With the 24P CineAlta ™ HDCAM system's robust picture, Sony is providing content creators with a full complement of hardware designed to meet the demands of the most discriminating producer," said Larry Thorpe, vice president of marketing for acquisition products at Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "With the introduction of the new HDW-750/730 camcorders at NAB this year, we can now provide 1080/60i camcorders and VTRs for DTV coverage of live events, long format television production and cinema."

"With broadcasters now settling on the 8-VSB modulation standard and consumer electronics manufacturers, including Sony, producing integrated HDTV ™ receivers, content creators can now future proof their content with Sony HDCAM products," said Robert Ott, vice-president of marketing for VTRs storage products for Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company. "Our next generation HDCAM 60i equipment is smaller, lighter and roughly the same cost as Digital Betacam ® equipment."

"Over the past year there has been a significant increase in the number of HDCAM productions, including major motion pictures, television programs, and commercials," Thorpe added.

Legendary filmmaker George Lucas is currently creating the next installment in the Star War trilogy, Episode II using Sony's CineAlta 24P system.

Some current 24P CineAlta productions include the Fox series "Titus," the CBS detective series "Diagnosis Murder," the A&E drama "100 Centre Street," and the syndicated sci-fi series "Earth Final Conflict."

Sony has assisted many broadcasters this year with live sporting events using HDCAM 60i equipment, including the NFL Super Bowl, the Sony Open and Masters Golf Tournaments. HBO is now airing "Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in New York City," which was acquired using Sony's HDCAM 1080/60i format.

"Episodic television producers stand to be one of the big winners with the HDCAM equipment," Ott added. " Content shot in the HDCAM format can go through post-production faster, with the look and feel of film at a lower overall cost."

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Sony Electronics' Broadcast and Professional Company (BPC) provides advanced products and systems for a variety of professional and broadcast markets, including production, corporate, industrial, government, security, medical and education. Sony offers a variety of digital products and systems designed to facilitate the transition to digital technologies and the emerging broadband network era. Sony products, systems and services include those for broadcast acquisition, production, storage, data management, system integration, digital imaging, digital printing, large and small venue display, and projection needs. Sony Electronics recorded annual sales approaching $14 billion in the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2001.

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