By: Richard Del Cazzo
Web site: http://www.hdtv-hdtv.com

New 30-inch and 34-inch Widescreen Hi-Scan Models Expand DTV Choices

Sony WEGA TV: Building upon the momentum of the recently announced XBR® TV lineup featuring its breakthrough Super Fine Pitch™ CRT, Sony Electronics today announced two new 16:9 FD Trinitron Sony WEGA TVs with advanced technologies to produce brilliant, high-quality picture and images.

The widescreen Hi-Scan 1080i™ Sony WEGA TVs models-- the 34-inch KV-34HS510 and the 30-inch KV-30HS510-- incorporate such enhanced performance technologies as the HD Detailer™ wideband video amplifier and the Scrolling Channel Index™ view function that enable home theater enthusiasts to optimize the display of high definition content when paired with a compatible top box.

Picture Enhancement Features

The new KV-34HS510 and KV-30HS510 Sony WEGA TV models embody state-of-the-art picture performance, convenience features, and trend-setting design. This year's HS models incorporate these performance-enhancing features including:

HD Detailer™ wideband video amplifier, which reproduces finer image details when utilizing such high definition sources as an HD set top box and HD satellite receiver; and

ClearEdge VM™ wide-bandwidth velocity modulation scanning, which doubles the bandwidth capacity from last year's models, enhancing not only conventional bandwidth, but higher frequency sources like DVD players and satellite receivers to take full advantage of the 1080i widescreen chassis for exceptional clarity and depth.

The 2003 Sony WEGA TV models continue to feature Digital Reality Creation ™ MultiFunction circuitry, CineMotion™ reverse 3:2 pulldown technology for optimum film-based video source display, Multi-Image Driver-X with Scrolling Channel Index™ viewing feature, Flexible Twin-View™ 2-tuner picture-and-picture, and SRS® TruSurround® sound for powerful audio performance.

Step Up Convenience Features

The KV-34HS510 and KV-30HS510 Sony WEGA TV models also incorporate a Memory Stick® media slot for viewing JPEG images. With full screen, index, or slide show viewing options, this feature provides a convenient way to showcase images taken with Memory Stick media-enabled digital still cameras and camcorders.

For exceptional digital connection, the new models incorporate a Digital Visual Interface (DVI-HDTV) connection that enables copy-protected, high-definition video content to be delivered to the unit from a DVI/HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compatible set-top box, such as Sony's SAT-HD200 HD/DIRECTV receiver.

In addition to the DVI-HDTV interface, Sony's new HS models also contain two HD component video inputs (Y/PB/PR), offering the highest quality connections available today to DVD players and outstanding performance with HD receiver/decoders.

The KV-34HS510 Sony WEGA TV will be available in August for about $2,000. Consumers can also find the KV-30HS510 in September for about $1,500.

The HS series also includes two 4:3 aspect ratio models-- the KV-32HS510 and KV-36HS510—which will be available in May for about $1,300 and $1,800, respectively.

Super Fine Pitch CRT

Created especially for displaying optimum high resolution pictures like high-definition broadcasts, the new Super Fine Pitch™ CRT features a proprietary Super Fine Pitch aperture grill with a 65 percent increase in the number of vertical "slits," which improves image resolution, for crisp, brilliant, high-quality picture reproduction from corner to corner. Together with a new High Focus electron gun and high intensity luminescent phosphor, the Super Fine Pitch CRT delivers exceptional picture depth. The improvement is immediately noticeable, with no visible vertical lines on the screen.

The KV-34XBR910 and KV-30XBR910 Sony WEGA TVs will be available in July for about $2,500 and $2,000, respectively. The industry's largest CRT direct-view TV-- the KV-40XBR800-- will continue to be marketed through 2003 and sell for about $3,000.

Feature Loaded Analog Models

Sony's FV series Sony WEGA TVs, available in 27-, 32- and 36-inch screen sizes, offer high performance and chic design at excellent values. The new models incorporate performance enhancing ClearEdge VM™ wideband velocity modulation scanning, High Voltage Regulator and DynaBlack™ picture enhancement for accurate contrast, and improved focus with high quality digital content from such sources as satellite receivers and DVD players.

Housed in an "arc" design featuring elegant two-tone cosmetics, the FV310 models feature a 3-D Digital Comb Filter, the popular 2-tuner picture-in-picture, Auto 16:9 Enhanced Mode, and a powerful audio design that includes SRS® TruSurround® sound processing with WOW™ Audio Effect.

Scheduled for shipment in June, the FV series will retail for about $650 to $1,300.

The industry's leading entry level flatscreen direct-view, FS100 series, available in 13-, 20-, 24-, 27-, 32- and 36-inch screen sizes, will continue for about $200 to $1,000, depending on the size.

The step-up FS210 models, available in 27-, 32- and 36-inch screen sizes sporting a new arc side speaker design, 2 tuner Picture-in-Picture feature and dual component (Y/PB/PR) inputs will be available in June for about $550 to $1,100, depending on the screen size.