Sony Intros XBR LCD TVs, Hooks Up YouTube

Sony has introduced seven new high-definition LCD televisions in its Bravia XBR line, all featuring Sony’s Triluminos LED backlighting and local dimming for improved contrast. What’s more, the new models range from 30-inches all the way to a whopping 70-inches, and feature Sony’s premium video technology and features.

"Critics consistently praise Bravia as the best HDTVs on the market, and the XBR badge indicates the best of the best," said VP of Sony’s television marketing group Jeff Goldstein, in a statement. "Consumers can now experience the quality of Bravia from small-sized models all the way up through our premium big screen XBR series."

The XBR8 series includes 46- and 55-inch models with 10-bit processing, the new Advanced Contrast Enhancer Pro technology for local dimming, Sony’s Bravia Engine 2 Pro, x.v.Color, Sony’s Digital Media Extender for Sony-produced media expansion modules (like the Bravia Internet Video Link), and Motionflow 120 Hz refresh technology. The units also sport four HDMI connections, two component inputs, Ethernet connectivity, and an RS-232 connection, plus a Sony Digital Media Port for things like Walkmans and iPods.

The XBR7 series includes the giant 70-inch KDL-70XBR7 and a 40-inch model. The units sport a feature set similar to the XBR8 series, except with a WCG-CCFL backlight and integrated DLNA compatibility, and the Bravia Engine 2 EX rather than the Pro. The sets feature four HDMI inputs, two component inputs, a 1080/60p PC input, Ethernet, and an RS-232 jack.

The XBR6 series comes in 40-, 46-, and 52-inch models in addition to the 32- and 37-inch models Sony previously announced. The XBR6 units offer a bottom speaker and a "floating glass" industrial design; the XBR6’s don’t have the Bravia Engine 2 EX or RS-232 connection, but otherwise match up nicely with the XBR7-series specs.

Sony hasn’t announced pricing information for any of the new Bravia XBR series, but says they’ll be available "this fall." (As usual, we assume that refers to the northern hemisphere.)

In the meantime, Sony also says YouTube is now available via its Bravia Internet Video Link service, along with video from Wired.com and comedy shorts from C-Spot. The Bravia Internet Video Link module connects to the back of supported Bravia televisions and streams on-demand Internet-based video directly to the television. Sony recommends a home broadband connection of at least 2.5 Mbps to use the service.

Editors' Recommendations