SONY ELEVATES NEW GRAND WEGA LCD PROJECTION SETS TO THE PRESTIGIOUS XBR LINE-UP
50- and 60-Inch Sets Display Improved Contrast and Black Level, Incorporate Memory Stick Media Slot and DVI-HDTV Interface
VANCOUVER, B.C., Aug. 7, 2002 - Responding to increasing demands from home theater enthusiasts for advanced TV technology, Sony Electronics today unveiled new 50- and 60-inch, 16:9 LCD-based rear projection Grand WEGA ™ television models.
The new KF-50XBR800 and KF-60XBR800 feature a second generation, proprietary "Optical Engine," which incorporates three wide XGA LCD panels and a sophisticated UHP (Ultra High Pressure) lamp system that renders high-resolution images with improved contrast and clarity across the entire screen.
"We're experiencing explosive growth in the widescreen, large-screen TV category," said Tim Alessi, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' Visual Network Products Division. "These new Grand WEGA models offer videophiles a powerful combination of new LCD technology and outstanding picture performance in an attractive, modern design."
The Optical Engine utilizes Sony's three wide XGA high-resolution LCD panels, one for each of the RGB signals. This breakthrough technology results in a total of 3.15 million dots resolution for a crisp and consistent picture across the screen and from corner to corner. Unlike most other projection televisions, the use of these LCD panels eliminates phosphor burning and misconvergence. Also, with the proprietary dot line inversion drive technology, the set delivers images virtually free of blurring, shading and ghosting.
The Optical Engine also features a special lens system that allows the rear-projection set to have a lightweight, ultra-slim cabinet design. The lens system bends the light path, creating an ultra-short focal point while maintaining high levels of brightness. This proprietary lens system delivers vivid images from the center of the screen all the way to the edges.
In addition, the new Grand WEGA models incorporate an improved Green Trim filter for greater contrast ratio as well as new UV filter for improved black levels. As a result, the new models display a 25 percent improvement in overall black levels, further enhancing picture brightness and contrast.
Advanced screen technology is used in the new models for improved picture display. The Superfine Pitch Lenticular screen has a pitch of just 0.155 millimeter -- only one-quarter of conventional screens -- which enables faithful reproduction of high-definition digital broadcasts. It also expands the viewing angle vertically for wide vertical viewing angle of 60 degrees. The High-Contrast Double Anti-Reflective screen produces sharp images by allowing only 1.5 percent of ambient light to be reflected back at the viewer.
The Grand WEGA LCD projection television sets have a native resolution (1366 x 768) higher than 720p and accept 1080i high-definition signals when paired with a digital set-top box via HD component connections, as well as progressive-scan DVD signals. The set automatically converts all content to a high-resolution progressive output for a picture that is realistic and consistent.
The new sets feature Sony's Digital Reality Creation ™ MultiFunction V1 circuitry (DRC) and CineMotion ™ reverse 3:2 pull-down technology. The DRC MultiFunction V1 circuitry gives viewers complete control over the level of DRC ™ picture enhancement depending on the quality of the input signal or personal preference, thereby displaying clear, high quality images, no matter what the video source. The CineMotion process minimizes motion artifacts caused when 24-frame-per-second film is transferred to 30-frame-per-second video. The combination of these two technologies result in a superb picture with improved sharpness and enhanced image dimensionality.
They also include the Multi-Image Driver ™ X (MID-X), a high performance picture-and-picture feature that allow viewers to simultaneously watch analog NTSC television broadcasts and high-definition programming side-by-side.
The new KF-50XBR800 and KF-60XBR800 models incorporate a secure Digital Visual Interface (DVI-HDTV) connection that enables copy-protected, uncompressed high-definition video content to be delivered to the TV from a DVI/HDCP (High- bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compatible set-top box, such as Sony's SAT-HD200 HD/DIRECTV receiver.
The new sets also include nine different video inputs to ensure optimal viewing. In addition to three S-video inputs, these offer two component video inputs for connection to such high-definition sources as digital satellite, cable, progressive scan DVD player, or HD receiver set-top boxes.
Additionally, a Memory Stick ® media slot is incorporated for fast, easy access to favorite JPEG images converted to XGA images in high-definition quality. With a choice of full screen, index, or slide show, this feature provides a fast, easy way to showcase images taken with Memory Stick media enabled digital still cameras and camcorders*.
To complement the outstanding picture quality, the Grand WEGA TVs incorporate TruSurround ™ SRS ® audio sound processing with BBE, SteadySound ™ automatic volume control and a Multi-Amp Speaker System to independently drive the three-way, six-speaker system for dynamic audio performance. Positioned at either side of the screen, this speaker system provides powerful sound reproduction, adding to the cinematic viewing experience.
Available this fall, the KF-50XBR800 and the KF-60XBR800 models will sell for about $5,500 and $6,500, respectively.
*All Sony digital still cameras and camcorders except Cyber-shot models DSC700 and DSC770 store images on a Memory Stick media in the DCF file format, which is required for playback on these televisions. If the image file is re-named or manipulated, the DCF file format must be restored before playback is possible. Images captured on all other digital still cameras and camcorders will need to be formatted on a PC to the DCF file format (with third party software not supplied with the television) before they can be viewed.
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