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By: Richard Del Cazzo
Web site: http://www.hdtv-hdtv.com
Sony Electronics today announced the SAT-HD300 digital satellite/TV
receiver, a fully integrated, advanced high-definition HD
receiver that delivers DIRECTV® standard and high-definition
programs, digital and analog terrestrial HD signals, as well
as unscrambled analog cable broadcasts.
One of the key benefits of the new HD receiver is to deliver
high definition broadcast content in the original format intended
by the content creators, which results in the faithful reproduction
on a high definition television. The SAT-HD300 HD receiver
accomplishes this by implementing a new "native"
variable format mode that seamlessly passes video to display
devices from the original resolution format. Programming broadcast
in 480i, 480p, 720p or 1080i formats is output to the display
device in its native resolution via the receiver's component
or the DVI-HDTV connection.
In addition, the new HD receiver receiver supports a variety
of high definition monitors and video formats by offering
three other variable format settings, four fixed format settings,
as well as a variable "Auto DVI" setting for displays
equipped with DVI-HDTV digital interface.
"The SAT-HD300 HD receiver is a powerful tool in completing
the high-definition home theater viewing experience and exemplifies
Sony's commitment to DTV transition," said Tim Baxter,
senior vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics' Visual
Network Products Division. "Versatile and sophisticated
features like the multi-format modes flawlessly deliver the
thrilling action and drama into the viewer's home the way
high-definition pictures were meant to be seen."
To handle the proliferation of widescreen format TV sets
and expanded HD programming in a variety of aspect ratios,
the new HD receiver has 11 aspect ratio settings, including
a new Cine-Zoom feature with 16 discrete image control steps.
It also has two new temporal high-definition only aspect ratio
settings that are designed to minimize the impact of programs
that are broadcast in non-standard high-definition aspect
ratios.
The HD receiver's expanded convenience features include
an updated IR/RF Universal Remote Commander remote control
for convenient multi-room operation, as well as a Multi-Freeze
function with a screen "freeze" capability that
can magnify and pan "frozen" images.
The HD receiver also provides up to seven days of Advanced
Program Guide™ with a satellite service subscription
for simple organization of programming choices. The improved
program guide functionality includes enhanced search capability
through text (title, keyword, category, etc.) prediction,
saved searches, and personalized category selections to maximize
viewing options and quick location of desired programs.
With the new simultaneous high-definition and standard-definition
video output function, the HD receiver provides effortless
program recording onto a VCR or DVR. The new Timer & Record
function allows simple scheduling of up to 20 events from
the program guide and can repeat events to ensure daily or
weekly favorite shows won't be missed.
The SAT-HD300 HD receiver's versatile connectivity includes
not only the DVI-HDTV interface, but also HD component (Y/PB/PR)
for 480i/480p/720p/1080i output and RGB video connection for
480p/720p/1080i format output for viewing video content on
a wide variety of high-definition TVs and monitors.
Sporting a striking silver chassis and mirrored front panel
display window to complement Sony's latest line of digital
television models-- Plasma WEGA® flatscreen, Grand WEGA
LCD rear projection and FD Trinitron WEGA Hi-Scan sets-- the
SAT-HD300 HD receiver will be available in September for about
$750.
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