Sony ramps up new product line

NEW YORK: Sony Electronics Inc., the North American sales arm of Japan's

Sony Corp, has unveiled its latest new products and technologies line during

its presentation to the nation's consumer electronics retailers. Sony introduced 12 fully integrated HDTV sets designed to include

CableCARD-based interface technology.

With the new technology consumers insert a cable card into an

integrated slot in the television. The card acts as a removable

"key," allowing HDTV on any compatible TV set or HDTV receiver. Sony's line-up features models ranging from 30 to 60-inch screen sizes

and encompassing FD Trinitron WEGA direct view CRT, Grand WEGA

micro-display LCD, and CRT rear projection television categories.

The first integrated HDTV sets with planned CableCARD-based interface

technology will start shipping later by August. Leading this year's FD Trinitron, WEGA direct-view TV line is the

34-inch wide-screen KD-34XBR960 with top-of-the-line performance features

and advanced picture technologies.

By utilizing second generation Super Fine Pitch CRT technology, the

KD-34XBR960 produces true to life, high-resolution images with virtually

no visible vertical scanning lines on the screen for outstanding corner to

corner image precision, said the company. The KD-34XBR960 34-inch model will be available in June for about

$2,200.

Sony is also adding the XS-series to the FD Trinitron WEGA lineup. The

expanded line will also feature Super Fine Pitch technology and include

the wide-screen 34-inch KD-34XS955, KD-30XS955 30-inch and the 4:3

KD-36XS955 36-inch models.

The wide-screen models will be available for $2,000 and $1,400,

respectively in August and the 36-inch model will sell for around $1,900

in October. In the Grand WEGA microdisplay LCD rear projection sets, there will be

six new fully integrated HDTV models available in 42-, 50-, 55- and

60-inch screen sizes.

According to the company, these sets utilize a proprietary LCD Optical Engine with Sony's WEGA

Engine system to deliver exceptional, detailed picture quality from any

video source by minimizing the digital-to-analog conversion process.

The Grand WEGA line consists of the KDF-42WE655, KDF-50WE655,

KDF-55WF655, and KDF-60WF655 models, all have new design features and will

be available in September for $2,800, $3,000, $3,700 and $4,000,

respectively. The KDF-55XS955 and KDF-60XS955 models will be available in September

as well for about $4,000 and $4,400.

Sony also introduced two CRT rear projection, fully integrated high

definition sets, designed with a CableCARD-based interface, in 51- and

57-inch wide-screen models which will be available in September this year.

In addition, Sony showed a pair of high-definition digital video

recorders. The DHG-HDD100 and the DHG-HDD200 digital video

receiver/recorders which will be available later this year.

Sony also expanded its location free portable broadband LCD TV line-up

with the addition of a 7-inch monitor and base station, the company added.

© Reuters