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By: Richard Del Cazzo
Web site: http://www.hdtv-hdtv.com
Sony unveiled today a line of Digital Cable Ready™
(DCR), Plasma WEGA™ Sony HDTV Plasma sets, expanding
its line of DCR HDTVs. Continuing the fine tuning of the proprietary
WEGA Engine™ processing system, the latest models, available
in 37-, 42-, and 50-inch screen sizes, feature the 3rd generation
Sony HDTV Plasma fully digital WEGA Engine system and add
a powerful 100-Watt 2.1 built-in audio system for an incredible
listening and viewing experience.
"Our new Sony HDTV Plasma XS series is far more than
just another cool, flat panel line of TVs," said Greg
Gudorf, vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics'
Television Group. "As the market leader, Sony is always
one step ahead in creating versatile and technically advanced
sets for discriminating home entertainment enthusiasts. With
the newly redesigned XS series, we have enhanced the sights
and sounds for the users to match the breathtaking beauty
of this product."
The new Sony HDTV Plasma WEGA Engine system maximizes picture
performance from virtually any video source. Whether viewing
DVD, digital cable/satellite, standard or high definition
programming, the advanced system maintains the integrity and
displays realistic, outstanding picture quality. The latest
enhancements significantly improve the set's performance,
greatly reducing signal deterioration, and expressing finer,
detailed picture images, deeper and natural contrast and unsurpassed
color reproduction. It also smoothly transfers the HD signal
by utilizing a proprietary algorithm.
- DRC-MultiFunctionV2- Digital Reality Creation® MultiFunction
circuitry enables the digital mapping of any NTSC source
(DVD, VHS, DBS, Cable, etc.), to create a picture that is
precise and finer in detail, rivaling high definition resolution.
Incoming HD signals digitally bit mapped, utilizing Sony's
proprietary algorithm to provide a crisp and clear picture
- New Panel Driver LSI- This drive provides a more realistic
color expression by improving the color space of the original
signal and color gradation
- IFP (Image Format Processor) - The Digital Texture Enhancer
function of this chip provides the optimal contrast by utilizing
a wide dynamic range. This chip also reduces signal noise,
by using an improved motion vector algorithm, while maintaining
image sharpness.
In addition to the multiple video enhancements, this year's
XS Sony HDTV Plasma line will feature improved proprietary
audio capabilities, including the S-Master® digital amplifier
LSI, along with a detachable 50-watt subwoofer that can be
inconspicuously mounted to a wall bracket or a table-top stand,
as well as two 25-watt left and right front speakers to create
a complete 2.1 channel system.
The S-Master digital amplifier processes clear dialog and
reproduces the original sound quality while minimizing any
sound fragmentation or jitter noise. The new XS Sony HDTV
Plasma model can also be used as a center channel that acts
as a true speaker complimenting a 5.1 home theater system,
creating a movie-theater like experience with minimum shelf
space. This superb audio system combined with unique video
enhancements packs a high resolution, high performance home
theater experience into one, single unit.
These three new Sony HDTV Plasma sets extend Sony's lineup
of Digital Cable Ready HDTVs, which allows digital cable subscribers
to conveniently access digital cable services using a CableCARD™
designed to the CableLabs® interface specifications. The
CableCARD is a removable security module which, when inserted
in a DCR TV, enables the delivery of secure, digital audio/video
content.
It allows consumers to receive premium digital cable programming,
including HDTV content, from participating local cable operators,
without the need of a cable box (interactive services such
as VOD require the use of a set-top box). Where supported,
cable operators will offer CableCARDs for consumers to take
part in the simplicity and convenience DCR sets have to offer.
This interface makes the new Sony HDTV Plasma sets compatible
with virtually all digital cable TV systems across the country.
In addition, the Sony HDTV Plasma sets' integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC
tuner supports DCR by allowing access to over-the-air digital
high definition broadcasts, as well as digital cable programming.
The newly-engineered WEGA Engine 3 system will optimize incoming
video signals to minimize video artifacts for cleaner signal
processing and set the standard in advanced high definition
television picture performance.
Other state-of-the-art features include the HDMI™
connection with HDCP (High Definition Multimedia Interface
with High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection), and a Memory
Stick® media slot. HDMI with HDCP, an enhanced version
of DVI-HDTV, is the latest interconnect between digital sources,
supporting uncompressed high definition video and processing
stereo audio through a single cable while being backward compatible.
The Memory Stick media slot, compatible with Memory Stick
Pro™ and Memory Stick Duo™ media formats allows
convenient JPEG and MPEG1 file playback. It can also display
a customized slide show with MP3 file background music.
The new Sony HDTV Plasma XS line adds a new convenience
feature---a simple, color illustrated set up guide for quick
and accurate installation--- to reduce the amount of time
consumers spend setting up their home theater systems.
The stylish new Sony HDTV Plasma XS line is housed in a
transparent top and bottom floating glass design to accommodate
the trendiest environment. The 37-inch KDE-37XS955 (1024 x
1024), the 42-inch KDE-42XS955 (1024 x 1024) and 50-inch KDE-50XS955
(1366 x 768) Plasma WEGA models will be available this fall
for about $5,500, $7,000 and $9,000, respectively.
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