Sony today unveiled an innovative solution for organizing personal collections of digital movies, music and photos in a stand-alone device called the HES-V1000 Home Entertainment Server.

The unit features a full HD 1080p 200-disc Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD changer (196 12cm BD/DVD/CDs and four 8cm BD/DVDs) and 500GB hard disc drive that can store up to 137 hours of video. Additionally, the device is Sony?s first Blu-ray Disc-capable component other than a VAIO notebook or optical PC drive that can burn content to Blu-ray Discs, as well as DVDs.

In addition to its playback and storage capabilities, the HES-V1000 unit offers Sony's new x-Application feature that includes x-Pict Story HD and x-ScrapBook photo slide show so users can create customized photo presentations with the click of the remote.

x-Pict Story HD utilizes new layouts with sophisticated face-recognition technology and syncs transitions with music selected from personal content libraries to create a unique photo slide presentation.

x-ScrapBook offers a compelling slide show that the device automatically arranges in a very fast timeframe to explore memories in a personalized digital scrapbook. Users can also export both types of slide shows to Blu-ray Discs or DVDs to share with family and friends.

Featuring Sony?s XMBTM (XrossMediaBar) menu, the system offers easy set up and content navigation. Additionally, when the system is connected to the Internet via Ethernet or an optional wireless adapter (sold separately), it accesses commercial CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc movie and music metadata for discs housed or stored in the device. While connected to the Internet via Ethernet, users can also download any firmware updates directly to the system.

The HES-V1000 system can play back music stored on the hard disk drive. It has the ability to wirelessly stream music throughout the home with a router to other devices, including Sony?s CPF-IX001 wireless music player and other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA)-compatible wireless devices, such as PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) videogame console and select VAIO notebook computers. The system can register up to ten devices with four independent audio streams.

The new device has also a stylish design featuring a mirror black tower measuring about 12 1/4 x 31 5/8 x 15 7/8 inches. The displays can either be read from the front or top of the tower.

Connectivity options include S-video, composite, audio and HDV/DV (i.LINK) inputs, as well as HDMI with BRAVIA Theatre Sync, component, optical, coaxial and analog outputs. The unit also features Memory Stick media inputs, Secure Digital cards, CompactFlash media and xD-Picture Card flash memory readers.

The HES-V1000 Home Entertainment Server will be available in October for about $3,500.