By David Susilo ( All price are on US$ )
Photos by David Susilo
Sony Electronics:
Sony introduces four new players for 2011 ranging from $150 to $250 and all ship in the first half of the year. The BDP-S780 begs the highest price of the lineup but for that you also get the ability to use a 720p camera to Skype with your friends and it also converts 2D content to 3D. The entire line supports the new Media Remote for iPhone and Android phones, and the Android version even has voice control. Also new this year is a 10.1-inch portable BD player with a 5-hour battery which is set to ship in the spring for $300.
Sony has revealed a slew of new camcorders touting cutting-edge specs. While three 3D camcorders were announced, the HDR-TD10 is the flagship model and is touted by Sony as the world’s first « Double Full HD » 3D consumer camcorder thanks to its double Sony G lenses, double « Exmor R » CMOS image sensors, and double BIONZ image processors. The camera also sports 3.5-inch Xtra Fine LCD 3D touch screen that enables users to view 3D footage without glasses. The unit will ship with internal 64GB of flash memory and will hit the stores this April for around $1,500.
Sony also introduced three Handycam models featuring video projectors built-in to their 3-inch flip-out LCD panels which can display footage in sizes of 60 inches diagonally from 18ft. away. When combined with the integrated stereo speakers with Clear Phase and S-master digital amplifiers, these cameras are designed to provide an ideal playback experience without a TV. The HDR-PJ50V features the largest amount of storage in the series with a 220GB hard drive and will be available this April for $1000. The 32 GB HDR-PJ30V and 16GB HDR-PJ10 will be available slightly later in March for $950 and $700 respectively.
Rounding out the camcorder news is the HDR-CX700V video enthusiast-level unit, featuring a 16:9 Exmor R CMS image sensor, wide angle Sony G lens, and 60p/24p recording. This unit will ship with 96GB of internal flash memory and also be available in March for about $1,300.
The 2011 lineup of Sony Bravia HDTVs is quite extensive with a total of 27 models spreading nine lines. All but the five most inexpensive models feature internet streaming services while 16 of the higher end models being 3D capable. Most of the great streaming services we’ve come to expect are there, but in addition you can now watch Time Warner Cable VOD without a set-top-box as well. A major step in getting rid of separate cable box although it won’t benefit Canadian consumers.
A few of the lines are compatible with a special Sony 720p camera (CMU-BR100) for use with Skype, while others feature Gorilla Glass manufactured by Corning for Sony. The XBR-HX929 Series sits at the top replacing the current HX909 series with a new local dimming technology called Intelligent Peak LED Backlight, and is also one of the lines that supports the new Media Remote application for iPhone, iPod Touch or Android, which includes full remote capabilities as well as a keyboard. The 929s will be available in April in 46, 55 and 65-inches, with the others hitting the streets of America sometime between February and May.