Next generation

High-definition technology has changed the way we see the world and it doesn't stop at your television. Today, the same technology used for movies is now available in an ever-increasing number of Sony consumer electronic products from Cyber-shot® digital still cameras to Handycam® camcorders to Blu-ray Disc¢ players.

Sony Electronics Home Products Division director of marketing Alexandra Magin says Sony has taken HD technology to heart.

"It's in our DNA. And it's not just movie-making that has helped refine the technology nearly every major sport is broadcast using Sony HD cameras.

"We have now taken this extensive knowledge and transferred it to other products. You can expect to see the equally greater picture detail and clarity that you see on a Sony HDTV reproduced in many products, including the Sony Cyber-shot digital still camera, Handycam camcorder and VAIO (Video Audio Integrated Operations) notebook."

Magin says the Sony Blu-ray Disc players also output full 1080p signals for the highest HD quality at home.

"The crystalline clarity of 1080p Blu-ray Disc movies and DVD upscaling that can bring your DVDs to the highest possible quality, mean your favorite movies have never looked or sounded so good."

Magin says HD compatibility means you can shoot home movies with a HD Handycam Camcorder and edit them on a powerful Sony VAIO notebook. You can burn them to Blu-ray Disc media, and play them back via a Sony Blu-ray Disc player, while watching on a Sony BRAVIA® (Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture) HDTV.

Similarly, select Cyber-shot digital still cameras can be connected to your HDTV with a cradle or component cable, allowing you to experience an HD slideshow, complete with music.

The Cyber-shot camera incorporates other features that help improve picture quality. Super SteadyShot® image stabilization helps to minimize blur, and Face Detection Technology automatically adjusts focus, color and exposure for up to eight faces. The Cyber-shot camera has a special setting for low-light shooting.

The latest Sony HD Handycam camcorders also come with an extensive list of features. The Handycam camcorders provide bright, vivid and detailed video images with the 3 megapixel ClearVid¢ CMOS sensor. They also come with Super NightShot® technology, which allows you to shoot in low light environments. The Handycam camcorders can record on a variety of media, including tapes, CDs, Memory Stick® media and hard drives

Magin says the Sony VAIO AR690 notebook offers an easy way to edit still and video images.

"It is also a great HDTV with a full HD resolution display, and built-in Blu-ray Disc player so you can enjoy your favorite movies in HD wherever you are."

The Sony HDTV line-up also reflects recent advances in technology.

Several Sony BRAVIA LCD HDTVs feature MotionFlow¢ technology, which smooths out the motion in fast action sequences. This makes for more realistic, sharper images. Magin says this is of particular benefit to sports fans, many of whom look to upgrade their TVs in preparation for big events, such as NASCAR and football games.

Sony BRAVIA HDTVs also feature 10-bit video processing and display for more natural, accurate color reproduction.

"This technology allows 64 times the level of color expression over a conventional 8-bit panel," says Magin. "That translates to smoother transitions from color to color, to reproduce subtle color changes."

In addition, these HDTVs feature the Xross Media Bar® menu, which is an easy-to-navigate multimedia interface. They also showcase BRAVIA Theatre Sync¢ technology that allows you to effortlessly control all your Sony digital audio and video systems at the touch of a button.

Sony BRAVIA HDTVs come in a variety of sizes, up to 70 inches (measured diagonally). The BRAVIA SXRD® rear projection HDTV is a good choice for sports and movie fans it was developed by the same minds that developed the Sony SXRD digital movie theater projectors. Like the top-of-the-line BRAVIA LCD HDTVs, the BRAVIA SXRD features full 1080p high-definition images, MotionFlow technology and 10-bit video processing for natural color reproduction.

"It offers considerable value for size," says Magin. "But even though the screens can be up to 70 inches (measured diagonally), the latest HDTVs are 22% slimmer than earlier models, thanks to a reduced optical system."

All Sony BRAVIA HDVs are designed to complement interior decorating trends.

"The sleek, sophisticated styling of all Sony BRAVIA HDTVs ensures they look great, even when they're not in use," says Magin. "Some models have the added option of a personalized bezel there is a variety of colors to choose from."

Magin says most BRAVIA HDTVs are Digital Media Extender (DMex)-ready. DMex, which features an award-winning user interface, provides a digital connection path for other modules. This ensures the HDTVs are powerful entertainment platforms that can be extended to add new applications seamlessly.

Sony audio systems are also in the limelight. Magin says home audio systems have made huge leaps in design. There has been considerable concentration on making high-quality audio much more compact, so as to complement the design of the BRAVIA LCD HDTVs.

The new Sony DAV-IS10 home DVD BRAVIA Theater Micro System is a good example. This system features five tiny speakers that are about the size of golf balls. Not only are these space-saving, they are also highly unobtrusive, yet the sound quality is not compromised.

Another audio development from Sony is a system that calibrates your speakers to ensure you have the best sound possible. Digital Cinema Auto Calibration lets you set the optimal speaker setting for your room with the press of a button.

For more information, visit the Sony website: www.sony.com.

Story by: Trendsideas