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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 HDTV
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 HDTV 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 HDTV 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 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 HDTV 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 HDTV 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 unit 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 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 HDTV 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 receiver will be available in September for about
$750.
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