Sony Electronics will soon ship six new Grand WEGA? rear projection HDTV sets
that will be fully integrated Digital Cable Ready (DCR).
In addition, the company recently announced two high-definition digital video recorders, featuring an
integrated hard disk drive for recording and control of live broadcasts, as well as the TV Guide On
Screen? interactive program guide for easy program searching and automatic scheduled recording. These
new products expand upon Sony's comprehensive DCR lineup.
The Grand WEGA micro-display LCD rear projection television category consists of six new fully
integrated HDTV models, in addition to the two models currently available. Available in a range of 42-,
50-, 55- and 60-inch screen sizes, these televisions utilize a proprietary LCD Optical Engine with
Sony's WEGA Engine? system to deliver detailed picture quality from any compatible video source by
minimizing the digital-to-analog conversion process. These Grand WEGA models are based on a 3LCD panel
technology, providing natural colors and high brightness.
The new Grand WEGA offers:
An integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner for access to over-the-air digital high definition broadcasts, as well
as digital cable programming;
HDMI? technology with HDCP (High Definition Multimedia Interface with High Definition Copy Protection)
technology, which is the latest interconnect between digital sources, supporting both uncompressed high
definition video and multi-channel digital audio through a single cable. HDMI is an enhanced version of
DVI-HDTV and is backward compatible;
Digital Reality Creation? MultiFunction circuitry, which provides control over the level of DRC?
circuitry depending on quality of input signal, displaying clear, stable images;
WEGA Engine technology with MID-X Multi Image Driver, which maintains the integrity of a converted
signal by minimizing image loss in the scaling process and provides flexible Twin-view? picture and
picture features;
CineMotion? reverse 3:2 pulldown circuitry for optimum film-based video source display; and
A Memory Stick? media slot for convenient JPEG and MPEG1 file playback. It can also display customized
slide show with MP3 file background music. The new sets are compatible with Memory Stick PRO? and Memory
Stick Duo? media formats.
The Grand WEGA line consists of the KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655, KDF-55WF655, and KDF-60WF655 models. These
sets will be available this month for about $2,800, $3,300, $3,700 and $4,000, respectively, while the
step-up KDF-55XS955 and KDF-60XS955 models will be available later this fall for about $4,000 and
$4,400.
High-Definition Digital Video Recorders
For the 10 million existing HDTV owners seeking access to digital cable high definition content, Sony is
also announcing a new line of HD digital video recorders. The new recorders, the DHG-HDD250 and the
DHG-HDD500, will provide access to encrypted high-definition and standard-definition digital cable
services when paired with a digital decoder device and a digital cable subscription. They also provide
access to analog cable services, as well as such non-subscription services like high definition digital
terrestrial and analog broadcasts.
The DHG-HDD500 digital video recorder can record and store up to 400 hours of standard definition (SD)
programming or at least 60 hours of maximum bit rate high-definition content with its 500 GB of storage
capacity. The DHG-HDD250 will record up to 200 hours of SD programming and at least 30 hours of HD
content on its internal 250 GB hard drive.
The DHG-HDD250 and the DHG-HDD500 digital video recorders will be available this fall with MSRPs of
about $799 and $999, respectively.