Indianapolis – Sony (booth 1803) is using CEDIA Expo 2011 here
this week to unveil several new high-end ES-series products that are said to
achieve new performance excellence levels for the custom and A/V specialty
markets.
Among the products slated to make their debut is something Sony
is calling a Personal 3D Viewer – a head-mounted HD/3DTV personal display, which
was given a sneak preview at International CES; recently announced SXRD 3D front
projectors; and recently shipped high-end Bravia LED LCD TVs with some of the
industry’s highest refresh rates for smooth fast images and improved 3D
quality.
The company is also showing new ES-series A/V receivers that
maximize the presentation quality of Internet streaming content.
The HMZ-T1 3D/HDTV viewer
is said to have a unique form factor that presents a virtual theater experience
allowing users to be fully immersed in the action.
To the viewer, the image appears to be displayed on a 150-inch
screen, Sony said. It uses miniature 720p OLED screens developed by Sony that
reportedly support a high contrast ratio and fast refresh rates, and is
“capable of enhanced 3D” presentations.
Sony said the viewer
produces “a more natural 3D video experience that is completely free of
crosstalk since each eye has its own display.”
The viewer is equally capable with 2D and 3D material and is said
to be ideal for video game play as well as movie watching.
The HMZ-T1 head-mount display delivers a virtual surround-sound
experience, using Sony’s proprietary signal-processing technology to power the
integrated headphones with a simulated 5.1-channel experience.
The personal 3D viewer will ship to retail in October at a price
to be announced.
The company is also showing its full lineup of SXRD-based front
projectors, the recently introduced VPL-HW30AES “affordably priced” 3D
projector carrying a $3,700 suggested retail, and the midline VPL-VW95ES home-theater
front projectors, which made their world debut last week at IFA in Berlin.
In LED LCD TV, Sony is showing its 65-inch XBR-65HX929 flagship Bravia
television. It uses Sony’s Intelligent Peak full-array backlighting system with
local dimming for deeper blacks and improved brightness in lighter scenes, as
well as improved onscreen contrast bolstered by Sony’s OptiContrast panel, which
elevates the picture to the front surface of the TV and creates a dark
background for a high-contrast picture even in well-lit rooms.
The set includes a rear IR input and a two-way RS232c connection
for easy integration with third-party control systems.
Sony will also show its Internet television, model NSX-GT1,
powered by Google TV. The set is firmware upgradable for the addition of apps
and features, including new enhancements slated for demonstration at the Sony
booth.
“We come to CEDIA to reinforce our commitment to being the
leading provider of quality entertainment solutions for the high-end, custom-install
channel,” said Mike Abary, senior VP of Sony Electronics’ home fivision.
“Sony’s Elevated Standard (also known as ES) line epitomizes innovation,
quality and style, but also is an indicator of our leading home entertainment
lineup and value proposition that no other company can match.”
For audio, Sony is showing a pair of new A/V receivers in its ES lineup that feature
an activity-based user interface, including an easy setup wizard with fully
automated settings.
Both the AVR-5700ES and AVR-3700ES A/V receivers incorporate
Faroujda 1800p video up-scaling and a variety of networking options, including
built-in apps for both iOS and Android devices.
Both ES receivers are the first to offer a full range of Bravia Internet
services, including streaming video from Netflix, YouTube, Vudu and other
content providers.
The AVR-5700ES supports a variety of audio codecs, including DTS
Neo X, and offers speaker-relocation capability along with DLNA service
compliance.
Both additions to the ES receiver line are slated to ship in
October and are compatible with a full range of system integrators, including
the latest AMX and Control4 discover beacons.
In other categories, Sony will show the SA-NS500 Wi-Fi network speaker,
which is billed as a part of the company’s HomeShare line of networked and
multi-room audio products.
The concept enables synchronizing music in other rooms by adding
multiple HomeShare speakers and using PartyStreaming playback. It is also
compatible with special universal remote control apps available on iPhone/iPod
Touch and Android phone devices. The battery-powered, SA-NS500 networked audio
speaker is said to be fully wireless and adds Apple AirPlay compatibility for
the first time.
Sony will also show its SS-AR1 high-performance loudspeaker, which
was said to have been “honed through decades of research and development in the
high-end audio space.”
The speaker is made with Hokkaido maple, harvested from Japan’s
northern island in November, when the grain is said to be tightest. It also
features baffle boards laminated to a thickness of 50mm and side panels of
select Finnish birch, Sony said.
