At CES 2013, Sony is unveiled a line-up of new products and technologies - from Wi-Fi capability, Internet connectivity and easy One-touch function using Near Field Communication (NFC) to HD, 3D, 4K and more.
"We have many exciting new products at CES, combining that magical mix of science and wonder, design and function, usefulness and elegance, technology and entertainment content to create an emotional experience that only Sony can deliver," said Kazuo Hirai , President and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Corporation.
The new Sony products and technologies on display at CES include touchscreen VAIO PCs; Sony's entry into 4K televisions with Sony's largest TV model to date - the BRAVIA 84-inch 4K LED TV -- and a line of new digital imaging products.
Sony is highlighting its new Xperia Z and Xperia ZL smartphone models. They are basedon Snapdragon S4 Pro quad core 1.5 MHz processors and feature full 1080p HD, 5-inch screens, 13-megapixel cameras with HDR video and LTE.
The flagship Xperia Z model features Exmor RS for mobile, the first image sensor with High Dynamic Range (HDR) video for smartphones. Sony's new battery STAMINA mode can improve standby time by four times or more. A combination of Sony media applications - WALKMAN, Album and Movies apps - lets users find, share and play content with common controls and an interface that can be shared across the PC, tablet and smartphone.
Through the Sony Entertainment Network, the Xperia Z model, as well as other compatible devices, gives users access to more than 18 million songs and more than 100,000 movies and TV series from all the major studios. In addition, the new phone is dust-resistant and water-resistant to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes.
The Xperia ZL model, sporting a smaller form factor but delivering the same entertainment features as the Xperia Z, will be available only in select markets.
New products like the Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZL smartphones also deliver the benefits of a technology found in many of the new Sony products at CES 2013: One-touch function based on NFC, a fast way to wirelessly connect and enjoy music, photos and videos from a smartphone.
Sony has the largest range of NFC-enabled devices with built-in One-touch functions, including a Blu-ray disc home theater system, sound bar, wireless speakers and other home audio products; headphones, portable speakers and mobile devices. Sony's new Personal Content Station is a 1TB device can be used to manage memories with One-touch function. It can connect wirelessly to a home network to store, view, and share photos and videos from smartphones and tablets.
One-touch function is also connecting smartphones with select Sony BRAVIA TVs. For added home theater mobility, Sony is including NFC capability in its new wireless Bluetooth speakers (models SRS-BTX500, SRS-BTX300, SRS-BTM8 and the SRS-BTV5). Even Sony headphones deliver the benefits of One-touch function, starting with the new headband-type MDR-1RBT model with a smartphone mirroring capability.
Sony also began the 4K revolution unveiling the first commercial 4K projector for movie theaters - now more than 13,000 4K projectors are installed at theaters worldwide - and the first professional camera to produce 4K content, the F65. With a 4K home projector, a full line of 4K-capable home entertainment products with the recently introduced 84-inch 4K LED TV and a pre-loaded 4K content delivery system Sony offers an end-to-end 4K ecosystem.
Traditionally a hallmark of Sony's CES exhibit, the new TV models on display feature Sony's new TV SideView application, which uses second screen connectivity to provide a dynamic graphical interface through which users can interact with their TV, view listings and manage/operate embedded applications on the big screen. It can also extend the social nature of TV, allowing users to share their experiences in real time with others. TV SideView can be used as a universal remote control for a TV or to control other devices via IR. TV SideView also allows cross search of content from various sources using voice recognition.
Sony is unveiling a line-up of new BRAVIA TVs, with new 4K LED TV models. Following the launch of its 84-inch 4K LED TV in September 2012, Sony is expanding its 4K UHD XBR LED TV line by adding 65-inch and 55-inch screen sizes to the X900A series of 4K Ultra HD TV. Also on display at CES are the W and R series of HD LED TVs which deliver an incredible home viewing experience.
The XBR-X900A series of 4K LED TVs employ the 4K X-Reality PRO picture engine, which reduces visual noise and corrects image shapes. TRILUMINOS Display LED backlighting is used in the XBR 4K LED TVs to present authentic color while also replicating bold colors including hard-to-reproduce reds and greens. By integrating QD Vision's Color IQTM optical component with Sony's display technologies, these televisions promise to offer significantly wider color gamut and provide a far more natural viewing experience with a heightened sense of depth.
The XBR-X900A series, 4K UHD LED TVs are also incorporating an end-to-end Sony audio solution. Utilizing a Signal-to-Sound Architecture, these TVs incorporate Sony's own magnetic fluid speakers and digital signal processing technology. The front facing speakers on XBR 4K LED TVs extend Sony's new design concept to match the exterior aesthetic of some of the other 2013 models for the home with an angular outer cabinet - incorporating the Sense of Quartz design concept.
All XBR-X900A models are Wi-Fi enabled and support features such as One-touch mirroring and TV SideView.
The X series of 4K LED TVs will be available in Spring 2013 at Sony Stores and select electronics retailers in the U.S. Also available in Spring will be a lineup of Mastered in 4K Blu-ray discs from Sony Pictures' Colorworks Studio. The first titles to be available include The Amazing Spider-Man, The Karate Kid and Taxi Driver.
In addition to the new XBR-X900A, 4K LED TV models, Sony is debuting two new series of LED TVs, which will also arrive in stores this Spring. The W series of LED BRAVIA televisions includes the KDL-W650A, KDL-W802A and KDL-W900A. All models are Wi-Fi enabled, with the W900A TV incorporating NFC features of the X-series, TRILUMINOS display, X-Reality PRO picture engine and active 3D capability. The KDL-W900A LED HD TV leverages the highest level of Motionflow XR. The W900A integrates a long duct speaker cabinet design. The long 1.2m speaker duct is folded into a compact unit that?s hidden neatly behind the TV screen.
The R series BRAVIA LED HD TVs includes the KDL-R550A LED HD TV with 3D and Wi-Fi.The TV is also RVU compliant, meaning DirectTV customers with Genie Whole-Home HD DVR can access their set-top box, DVR and on-demand services right from the KDL-R550A TV without the need for additional equipment. With passive 3D (including four pairs of glasses) the model is available in 70-inch, 60-inch and 50-inch. Also available with the same feature-set, in 60 and 70-inch sizes, minus 3D capability is the KDL-R520A. Additionally, the KDL-40R450A LED HDTV and KDL-32R400A will debut offering a bevy of features, including One-touch Mirroring.
Sony is also combining 4K technology with another display technology it pioneered: OLED. Sony launched the world's first 11-inch consumer OLED TV in 2007. A 56-inch prototype 4K OLED TV is on display at CES.
Sony's 56-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) OLED TV prototype showcased at CES is using the latest oxide semiconductor TFTs and Sony's own 'Super Top Emission' technologies.
Up until now, in order to force light through the OLED layer, OLED TVs used low-temperature polysilicon (LTPS) thin-film transistors (TFTs). However, there were some challenges inherent in the manufacture of large OLED displays. Using oxide semiconductor TFTs Sony has been able to produce this new larger display. The new OLED component's structure also incorporates Sony's own 'Super Top Emission' technology, which has been incorporated in other products already introduced into the market. This technology has a high aperture ratio and enables light to be extracted efficiently from the structure's OLED layer. Sony claims that the combination of these technologies deliver all of the features expected from OLED TVs, such as high contrast, brightness, rapid video image response time and rich images produced even at wide viewing angles.
The OLED panel used in this prototype 4K OLED TV on display at the exhibition was jointly developed with Taiwanese company AU Optronics Corporation (AUO).
Sony plans to introduce the first 4K content distribution service in the United States this summer. With the use of a dedicated 4K Media Player, users can enjoy 4K native content from Sony Pictures Entertainment at home.
Sony is also exhibiting a prototype of its first 4K consumer camcorder, as well as other 4K digital imaging solutions such as "PlayMemories Studio," and the first line-up of 4K-mastered Blu-ray Discs of existing films.
Sony Electronics is also unveiling an array of new home audio and video technologies - from Blu-ray Disc players to Home Theater Systems to accessories for the Internet player powered by Google TV.
Sony is adding three new models to its acclaimed line of Blu-ray Disc players: the BDP-S1100, BDP-S3100 and BDP-S5100. Each model is Internet-connected and packed with apps. The S3100 and S5100 players are also equipped with improved Wi-Fi capability offering a stronger signal.
The S5100 player is also Blu-ray 3D playback-capable.
All three new models offer access to more than 100 online apps and content services, including Sony Entertainment Network?s Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited, as well as the entertainment options from Netflix, Pandora,HuluPlus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle and many more. The BDP-S1100 player is compatible with the most services of any entry Blu-ray Disc Player on the market.
The new Sony Blu-ray Disc home theater systems (available this Spring) feature One-touch, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology too. By simply touching an NFC-enabled mobile phone or tablet to the player, users can automatically connect and play music from that mobile device while controlling the entertainment experience across multiple screens. All new Blu-ray disc home theater systems as well as the BDP-S5100 and BDP-S3100 players are compatible with the TV SideView universal remote control app for Android and iOS devices.
At CES 2013, Sony is also highlighting new features from the latest platform update and peripherals for the Internet Player with Google TV, such as a remote control with a built-in microphone for enabling Voice Search.
Sony is also developing newer imaging technologies with the latest being "TRILUMINOS Display." Designed to deliver truer blues, greens and reds, this technology will be available on select new Sony 2K and 4K television models. In addition to TVs, Sony is expanding the color pallet of its 2013 Cyber-shot, Alpha and Handycam lines with the addition of "TRILUMINOS Display," with plans to expand it to the VAIO PC family.
Adding to the introductions in its Alpha, Cyber-shot and NEX camera lines, Sony is furthering the convergence of digital cameras and smartphones and tablets with new models like the Cyber-shot DSC-WX80 camera. This model lets users share memories directly from the camera to a smartphone. Another new Sony product at CES, the compact Cyber-shot DSC-TF1 camera with a new rugged design. It is waterproof (up to 10m/33ft), dust-proof, shock-proof and freeze-proof.
Sony is also enhancing its Handycam camcorder lineup with the "Balanced Optical SteadyShot" feature. The new camcorder models (HDR-PJ790V, HDR-PJ650V, and HDR-PJ430V) are equipped with a built-in projector and can be Wi-Fi enabled with the addition of an optional accessory so users can upload images to social networking sites via a smart phone or tablet.
Finally, Sony builds on its first-ever digital recording binocular technology with a new prototype. Smaller and lighter, this prototype will add an OLED viewfinder and "hyper-gain" capability, enabling images to be captured in the dark. It will even be dust-proof and splash-proof to meet the demands of outdoor usage.