Electronics giant Sony continues to bolster its lineup of 3D-capable home theater gear, announcing three new Elevated Series (ES) AV receivers and a new ES-series 3D-capable Blu-ray player. The components are intended to showcase Sony’s top-of-the-line home theater capabilities, and are aimed at the high-end custom-installer market—and that includes full support for multi-room solutions and third-party control systems.
“By focusing on seamless integration with custom home theater control partners, Sony is working to deliver products that support the custom and specialty retail business like no other manufacturer,” said Sony’s VP for home audio and video Brian Siegel, in a statement. “Because Sony is involved in every stage of the 3D ecosystem, specialty dealers and installers can rest assured that our AV components leverage that deep expertise to deliver the most technically advanced experience possible.”
The 2010 ES series receivers sport IR input jacks and two-way serial control—again, sure to make custom installers happy—along with IP-based control that enables them to tie in with systems from the likes of RTIp, COntrol4, Crestron, Savant, and others. The systems are all DLNA clients and can tap into home networks via Ethernet—they also serve as four-port Ethernet hubs for connecting up additional broadband-capable gear. There’s even an iPhone app for controlling the receivers. All three receivers feature Digital Cinema Auto Calibration for Automatic Phase Matching, Sony HD CInema Sound, x.v.Color and Deep Color video codecs, and all high-def audio formats—and of course 1080/24p video.
The STR-DA3500ES features a 7-channels of audio (at 100 watts each) and four HDMI outputs for about $1,100; the STR-DA4600ES steps up to 120 watts per channel and four HDMI inputs and two switched or simultaneous HDMI output for about $1,500, while the STR-DA5600ES moves to 130 watts per channel with six HDMI inputs (five back, one front) and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs for about $2,000. All should be available in August.
Rounding out the new offerings, the new Sony BDP-S1700ES Blu-Ray 3D Player will feature an IR input on the back to tie into control systems, 802.11n Wi-Fi for tapping into both Sony’s Bravia Internet TV platform and on-demand movie service Qriocity—users can also control the player with an iPhone app, and Sony says an Android controller app is coming soon. The BDP-S1700ES should be available in August for about $400.
