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By: Richard Del Cazzo
Web site: http://www.hdtv-hdtv.com
Sony Electronics today announced the SAT-HD300 digital HD
satellite receiver, a fully integrated, advanced high-definition
HD satellite 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 satellite receiver
is to deliver HD 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
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 satellite receiver supports a variety
of HD 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 satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite 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 satellite 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-HD300HD satellite 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 satellite receiver will be available in September
for about $750.
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