Sony Rolls Out New Bravia LCD, SXRD HDTVs

Sony has added nine new LCD panels and five new SXRD models to its Bravia flat panel television line.

Electronics giant Sony has revamped its Bravia line of HDTVs, announcing nine new LCD displays and three new SXRD flat panel televisions.

The nine new Bravia LCDs range from 40 to 52 inches (diagonally) and are all 10-bit panels featuring 1,920 by 1,080 resolution along with Sony’s Digital Media Extender (DMeX) technology which lets them hook up to Sony’s Bravia Internet Link system so users can tap into Internet-based digital video from sources like Grouper, Yahoo, AOL, and—of course—Sony itself. Selected models also feature Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz high frame rate system (which reduces blur and stutter) and x.v.Color capability.

“Our BRAVIA flat-panel LCD HDTVs have the leading market share because they deliver an outstanding level of picture quality and style that people appreciate,” said Randy Waynick, senior VP of Sony’s Home Products Division. “The new line elevates our commitment to full HD1080p televisions displays, while offering many more choices.”

The W3000 series handle x.v.Color and can upscale video sources like traditional DVDs and non-HD broadcast video, along with 1080p support via HDMI, component, and PC inputs—the component and HDMI inputs can be used with 1080/60p and 1080/24p sources as well. The XBR4 and XBR5 series feature a floating glass frame and a bexel which can be swapped out for any of eight optional colors, so the units coordinate with a room’s existing decor. Both XBR lines feature Motionflow 120Hz display technology and upscaling of non-HD sources to 1080p resolution.

Pricing and availability of the units is a little jumbled. All three lines will feature 40, 46, and 52-inch models. The 40- and 46-inch W3000 models will be available in July at $2,700 and $3,500, with the 52-inch W3000 shipping in August for $4,300. The 40- and 46-inch units in the XBR5 lines will ship in August for $3,300 and $4,100, with the 52-inch version shipping in September for $5,100. Finally, all the XB4 series will ship in August, at prices ranging from $3,000 to $4,800.

Next up, Sony as announced three slimmed-down SXRD HDTVs, all of which feature Sony’s Motionflow 120Hz high frame rate technology. The new A3000 SXRDs are 20 percent thinner than last year’s models, while the new XBR SXRDs are about 40 percent slimmer than their predecessors. All offer full 1080p high definition support, and were developed in conjunction with Sony Pictures Entertainment to ensure the units’ Theater Mode better preserve the details so important to filmmakers. The new models are compatible with Sony’s Digital Media Extender technology, and Sony’s Bravia Internet Video Link; the A3000 will upscale video sources to 1080i resolution, while the the XBR models will up-convert to 1080p; all models accept 1080p content via HDMI, component, and PC inputs. Users can opt to swap out the speaker grilles on the A3000 models to better match their decor

“Going bigger is not a compromise with Sony SXRD micro-displays,” said Waynick, in a release. “With slim cabinets, advanced features like high frame rate and full HD 1080p resolution, SXRD TVs give consumers who want big picture impact exactly what they have been looking for.”

The A3000s will be available in 50-, 55, and 60-inch sizes in August at prices ranging from $3,000 to $3,500, while the 60- and 70-inch XBR5 models will ship “this fall” for $5,000 and $6,000, respectively.