Sony kicks off IFA 2010 with 3D extravaganza featuring Sir
Howard Stringer and Lang Lang. The company announced many new
products under the '3D world created by Sony' moto as well as
the 'Qriocity' network service platform.
"The 3D train is moving forward, speedily and steadily, like
China?s Harmony Express. And Sony clearly has the strongest
engine in this 3D express." Sir Howard Stringer, CEO Sony
Corporation, said enthusiastically at the press conference of
Sony Europe at IFA 2010. As Sony is aggressively blazing the
trail in every part of the 3D universe, its hour-long press
conference was held entirely in 3D.
An enormous 280-inch LED 3D screen displayed a varied line-up
of 3D entertainment. Movies, the highlights of the 2010 FIFA
World Cup, the finale of 2010 Masters Golf Tournament,
stereoscopic 3D games and a recital by Sony Music Entertainment
artist ,and Sony's brand ambassador, Lang Lang. His live
performance on stage was also filmed and displayed in 3D.
Announcements/displayed at IFA 2010 include:
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VPL-VW90ES Home Projector to enjoy 3D cinema
experience in Full HD 1080p
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STR-DA5600ES/3600ES receivers with 3D pass-through and
Automatic Phase Matching
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(prototype) VAIO demonstrates 3D in Full HD, 200Hz
high frame rate technology and LED backlight
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Blu-ray Disc bundle offers including "Michael Jackson's This Is It ? 3D Enhanced Edition" from Sony Pictures Entertainment and this year's blockbuster 3D movie "Alice in
Wonderland 3D" from The Walt Disney Studios. (Actual titles to be offered may differ in each country, and the details of bundle promotion is going to be announced in due course.)
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VUE cinema chain to install Sony 3D projection systems
for 670 cinemas in UK
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(prototype) Sony Internet TV The world's first HDTV
powered by Google TV.
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Handycam DCR-SX15E/SR15E with high-zoom light,
compact and easy to use Standard Definition camcorders
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Bloggie Touch MHS-TS20K "All-in-one" web sharing with touch screen, Full HD video, 360-degree panoramic videos and 12.8 megapixel stills images
- S-Frame digital photo frames with HD video playback and stereo sound
- Reader PRS-650/350 with touch screen, 2GB memory for storing
up to 1,200 books and 12 built-in dictionaries
-
XNV-L77BT/L66BT in-car multimedia AV Centre with
TomTom navigation
- The firmware update bringing 3D Blu-ray playback to the
PlayStation 3 will arrive in October.
Qriocity
In November 2009, Sony said that it was developing a network
service platform called Sony Online Services (SOLS), which is
now called Qriocity. Qriocity is a network service platform
that connects many of Sony's network-enabled devices and allows
consumers to enjoy high quality entertainment across multiple
devices. Via Qriocity, Sony will deliver a variety of digital
entertainment content and services that are "powered by
Qriocity", including video, music, game applications, and
e-books over time, and through these services, and in
combination with its networked devices, Sony aims to bring new
entertainment experiences to customers.
Today at the IFA 2010 show in Berlin, Sony announced that
"Video On Demand powered by Qriocity", a premium streaming
video service, will be available this fall in five European
countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K.
With "Video On Demand powered by Qriocity," users can choose
from hundreds of box office hits from 20th Century Fox Home
Entertainment, Lionsgate, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
(MGM), NBC Universal International Television Distribution,
Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, The Walt
Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution, as well
as popular content from top local studios. Many movies are
available in High Definition (HD) as well as Standard
Definition (SD), and all can be rented at the touch of a button
on Sony?s 2010 models of network-enabled BRAVIA TVs and Blu-ray
Disc players, and Blu-ray Home Theater systems. "Video On
Demand powered by Qriocity" has been available in the U.S.
since April 2010.
Sony also announced plans to introduce "Music Unlimited powered
by Qriocity", a new, cloud-based, digital music service.
Available by year's end, "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity"
will give music lovers access to songs stored and synchronized
through the cloud. "Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" will
initially be available across Sony's 2010 models of
network-enabled BRAVIA TVs, Blu-ray Disc players, Blu-ray Home
Theater systems , as well as PlayStation 3 computer
entertainment systems and VAIOs and other personal computers,
and will become increasingly available on a range of Sony's
portable devices.
"Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity" brings together the
features cited as most important by music enthusiasts. With
access to a huge library of songs through the cloud, users can
discover new music through channels personalized to their
tastes on multiple devices and without the requirement to
manage digital music files.
VPL-VW90ES Home Projector
Sony Professional today announced its first 3D home projector,
the VPL-VW90ES, which gives movie fans the opportunity to enjoy
a 3D cinematic experience in the comfort of their own home.
The VW90ES is equipped with Sony's Advanced Iris 3 technology.
This enables a dynamic contrast ratio of 150,000:1.
With the ability to project 3D in Full HD 1080p, the VPL-VW90ES
features an upgraded SXRD 240Hz Panel which minimizes image
distortion or "crosstalk." The projector is also capable of
taking 2D video and simulating 3D images.
Key to the VPL-VW90ES is customisation. The projector is simple
to setup and suited to meet a wide range of installation
configurations. Users can personalise the projector depending
on the content they are showing and the size of the room they
are in, whether it be a small living room or large home
theatre. The projector is quiet too, thanks to its low fan
noise of just 22db0.
The projector will be available across Europe in November 2010.
STR-DA5600ES/3600ES receivers
ES products from Sony have an enviable reputation for superb
audio quality and the new high-end receivers. The new
STR-DA5600ES and STR-DA3600ES are built on that reputation with
new technology for even better home cinema sound, plus new
features such as 3D pass-through, DLNA connectivity for
networked audio and video and internet radio.
In addition, Sony is launching a new network-capable, 3D-ready
receiver styled to match its Blu-ray players: the STR-DN2010
combines advanced home cinema technology with a sleek,
room-friendly design. All three models feature:
- 3D pass-through on HDMI, even when the receiver is on
standby, and Audio Return Channel
- Digital Cinema Auto Calibration for the best possible sound
- DLNA network audio/video capability, with a built-in four-way
Ethernet hub
- 1080p video upscaling
- On-screen GUI for simple, intuitive operation
STR-DA5600ES
The 120W per channel STR-DA5600ES features six HDMI inputs, one
on the front panel for quick hook-ups, along with two outputs.
The STR-DA5600ES features 3D pass-through, even when the
receiver is turned off and Audio Return Channel to carry sound
back from the TV to the receiver. HDMI 3D pass-through and ARC
are available on the receiver?s HDMI A output.
To make the most of its sound quality, the receiver also has
the Sony-developed H.A.T.S. system, which tackles digital
jitter, for smooth, detailed audio when used with the
SCD-XA5400ES.
The latest Sony auto-calibration technology, DCAC-EX, is used,
now providing Speaker Relocation to compensate for
less-than-ideal room layouts and Automatic Phase Matching for
even better speaker integration. HD-D.C.S. processing now
supports the use of front height speakers.
The STR-DA5600ES will not only operate as a DLNA client for
music, video and photos streamed over a home network, but it
also receives internet radio and can even stream analogue
sources to other DLNA-compliant devices. And with a four-port
Ethernet hub built-in, it makes connecting all content to a
complete system simple.
1080P video upscaling is provided to make the most of
standard-definition sources, and as befits a receiver built for
the true AV enthusiast and audiophile, the STR-DA5600ES
supports all the latest high-definition surround audio codecs
along with Dolby Pro Logic IIz. It will even give 1080i
upscaling to a second zone.
STR-DA3600ES
With four HDMI inputs and one output, complete with 3D
pass-through, power-off pass-through and Audio Return Channel,
the STR-DA3600ES delivers 100W per channel. It has full DLNA
client capability, along with a built-in four-port Ethernet hub
for easy connectivity.
Sony DCAC speaker calibration is provided, with Automatic Phase
Matching and HD-D.C.S. processing. There?s 1080P video
upscaling along with on-screen set-up and adjustment. The
ability to provide video and audio to a second zone, plus audio
to a third, completes the specification.
STR-DN2010
The STR-DN2010 is a this 100W per channel receiver with four
HDMI inputs and one output, complete with 3D pass-through,
pass-through when the power is off and Audio Return Channel. In
addition, the receiver has DLNA client capability for audio and
video, internet radio and a built-in four-port Ethernet hub.
DCAC automatic set-up ensures quick audio tuning. There?s 1080P
video upscaling, on-screen control interface and compatibility
with all the latest HD audio formats including Dolby Pro Logic
IIz, and it?s even possible to use wireless rear speakers with
an add-on S-AIR kit.
All three home cinema receivers will be available in October
2010.
New-generation Bloggie Touch web sharing solution
It?s easy to grab Full HD video clips and still photos with new
Bloggie Touch by Sony. The all-new HD snap camera boasts new
looks with its slim, rounded body and finely brushed aluminium
finish.
Available in a choice of pink, silver and black finishes, the
Bloggie Touch features a 7.6cm (3") LCD touchscreen. A new
user interface simplifies intuitive 'touch and flick' enjoyment
of your clips and pictures.
Operation is equally straightforward. Just point and shoot to
catch the moment: you can even grab still images while video
recording continues uninterrupted.
The sensitive Exmor CMOS Sensor captures Full HD videos and
still photos. Picture quality is enhanced further by the high
quality lens with F2.8 maximum aperture.
Bloggie Touch features an autofocus lens with wide angle
function. There?s also a new auto macro mode to focus sharply
on objects as close as 10cm away.
Bloggie Touch also records 360-degree panoramic videos and
photos to capture everything that?s happening around you ? just
clip on the supplied lens adaptor. 360 Videos are now twice the
resolution of previous-generation Bloggie, and low-light video
quality is also improved thanks to the Exmor CMOS sensor. In
addition to fun 360 Video, Bloggie Touch features "free-style
shooting" which allows you to capture movie both in landscape
and portrait.
Despite its slim, compact size, Bloggie Touch allows nearly 4
hours HD movie shooting time (1280 x 720/30p mode) on its 8GB
internal memory. (Continuous maximum shooting time: approx. 29
mins).
After shooting, Bloggie Touch connects instantly to any PC via
its flip-out USB arm that also charges the camera?s battery.
There are no fiddly cables or software CDs to worry about: hook
up Bloggie Touch and built-in sharing software launches
automatically.
Just drag and drop to upload your favourite moments without
fuss to social networks and popular sites like YouTube,
Facebook and Flickr.
The new Bloggie Touch MHS-TS20K mobile HD snap camera by Sony
is available from the beginning of November 2010.
New In-Car Multimedia AV Centre with TomTom navigation in
Europe
Sony and TomTom combine to create AV Navigation in-car
products: the XNV-L77BT/ 770BT and XNV-L66BT/ 660BT
Sony?s brand new range of in-car multimedia AV centre is the
XNV-L77BT, 770BT, L66BT and 660BT. "Infotainment", real-time
information + multi-media entertainment, is increasingly
becoming part of our daily lives, and these new products meet
this demand from commuters and travellers on the road.
Each system consists of Sony?s AV head unit and TomTom?s
navigation module with its cutting edge navigation services.
The XNV-L77BT (7" widescreen) and XNV-L66BT (6.1" widescreen)
take full advantage of TomTom Live services including HD
Traffic, Local Search with Google and Safety Alerts.
HD Traffic gives drivers accurate and up-to-date traffic
information, live on the in-dash head unit. Safety Alerts give
advanced warnings of where the safety cameras (fixed and
mobile) and dangerous areas are.
All AV Navigation models come with the most comprehensive maps
from TomTom. Map coverage is far-reaching across 45 European
countries. Route calculation by TomTom is much more complex
than simply using maximum speed limits. The unique IQ Routes
technology with their extensive historical database of ?real?
travel times calculates the fastest route taking into account
the time and day you?re travelling. This includes rush hours,
weekends and even slow traffic lights.
Keeping the most up-to-date maps in your dash is essential.
Thanks to MapShare from TomTom and its enormous navigation
community, you can correct your maps and benefit from changes
made by other drivers via your computer and the free software
TomTom HOME.
The new in-car AV centre Xplod range is built on the same
product platform as the XAV-70BT in-car multimedia centre. The
new devices feature all the great AV innovations of this award
winning product. They are double-DIN and boast bright WVGA
screens displaying high resolution of 800x480 pixels.
Attention to detail, such as completely separating the Audio
and Video signal paths, ensures high quality of AV
reproduction. With Centre Speaker Organiser, listeners can
enjoy a soundstage as it recreates 5.1 channel surround sound
by placing an additional ?virtual? speaker right in the middle
of the dash board. The AV centres also use Intelligent Time
Alignment, which considers the driver?s position and allows
adjustments to the timing of the sound from the different
channels for an optimum listening experience.
The touch screen, simple display layout and useful onscreen
functions or buttons give a very intuitive user experience.
Cutting edge patented technology from Sony such as ZAPPIN and
SensMe make your music selection easy and fun, helping you find
the tune that?s just right for whatever driving mood you may be
in. Genuinely multimedia, the range has excellent connectivity
across a wide range of digital music players including WALKMAN,
iPod, iPhone and USB memory drives. In addition, it features
integrated Bluetooth for mobile phone wireless music stream and
hands-free phone calls.
The new line-up of Xplod in-car AV centre with navigation will
be available from November 2010.
Handycam DCR-SX15E and DCR-SR15E
Handycam video quality is made accessible with two new Standard
Definition camcorders from Sony.
The Handycam DCR-SX15E shoots clear video and stereo sound onto
removable flash memory. Just slip in a Memory Stick or SD card
and capture the moment for easy transfer to your PC after
shooting.
If you?re looking for extra-long record times, Handycam
DCR-SR15E stores up to 61 hours of Standard Definition video on
its 80GB built-in hard disk drive.
Whether you choose flash memory or HDD, both models are packed
with smart features.
The models feature 50x optical zoom lens, SteadyShot image
stabilisation and Face Detection.
Menus and settings are adjusted via a thumb-operated joystick
next to the flip-out 6.7cm (2.7") LCD. A button switches on
the built-in video light to illuminate indoor get-togethers,
parties or night-time scenes. For extra convenience there?s
also an Auto mode that switches the video light on when natural
light levels are low.
After shooting, Direct Copy enables PC-free transfers of video
footage direct to an external hard disk drive.
The compact new Handycam DCR-SX15E and DCR-SR15E Standard
Definition camcorders from Sony are available from the
beginning of October 2010.
Personal Space Comes to Europe
Sony has launched a new online service that provides quick
sharing of digital photos and videos with friends and family.
Now rolling out across Europe, Personal Space is a free service
that streamlines the tricky process of sharing photos and
videos via the Internet. With a few clicks it?s easy to share
all those memories captured with your Cyber-shot camera,
Handycam camcorder, α DSLR or Bloggie mobile HD snap camera.
Instead of sending slow file attachments, Personal Space users
simply email a web link to anyone in their customized Sharing
Group. With only one click, friends and family can view shared
photos and videos in their browser or from their mobile device.
The service has already launched in the UK, with France and
Germany scheduled to follow in October 2010. Personal Space is
also available in the United States, Canada, and Japan.