Sony Unveils BRAVIA LCD TV With Full HD Models & 1080p Inputs

Sony Electronics today announced an expansion of its acclaimed BRAVIA flat-panel LCD television line, including several new models with native 1920 x 1080 full high-definition resolution panels and HDMI inputs with 1080p capability.

The line features six new models in 40- and 46-inch screen sizes and a 32-inch set featuring 1366 x 768 (WXGA) screen resolution.

"Our BRAVIA LCD HDTV's offer superior picture quality and unlock the power of the high-definition experience with more than five times the number of pixels compared to enhanced-definition plasma televisions. Paired with our forthcoming Blu-ray Disc player, consumers will see a level of high-definition video unmatched in the home theater," said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of the Sony Electronics' Home Products Division.

Stunning picture quality is not the only feature that sets the BRAVIA line apart. The new XBR models feature an elegant floating glass design that is sure to inspire novice interior decorators to rethink the modern home.

"BRAVIA TV's were designed with the critical eye in mind," Waynick added. "The art of building a television is not limited to the components inside but also the aesthetic beauty that completes the package as these new models attest."



















BRAVIA XBR Series

At the top of the new line is the XBR3 series including the 46-inch KDL-46XBR3 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR3. With native 1920 x 1080 panel resolution and three HDMI inputs with 1080p capability, the sets are compatible with full high-definition signal sources, such as Sony's BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player, which is targeted for shipment to retail late this summer.

With the ability to display full high-definition resolution and rich colorful images, even non-1080p content -- from standard-definition to 1080i or 720p high-definition signals -- is at its best once it hits the screen. The new BRAVIA Engine Pro full digital high-definition video processor is Sony's latest and most advanced video processing system. Optimizing the video signal path, the system leverages a new version of Sony's Digital Reality Creation Multi Function Version Two Point Five (DRC-MFv2.5) with increased computing capabilities to process not only standard-definition signals, but also high-definition signals for a consistently crisp, detailed image.

The XBR models come with Sony's Live Color Creation technology, featuring Wide Color Gamut Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (WCG-CCFL) backlight. WCG-CCFL's new phosphor spectrum allow for a wider, more realistic range of colors enhancing picture.

Framing that sharp, detailed picture is an elegant floating glass-encased, high gloss, piano black bezel with side speakers.

Rounding out the XBR3 series feature package is a built-in ATSC tuner, PC input, two high-definition component, one S-video and three composite inputs.

The KDL-46XBR3 and KDL-40XBR3 models will ship in September and be available for about $5,300 and $4,300, respectively.

In addition to the piano black XBR3 models, the new XBR2 BRAVIA models feature the same 1920 x 1080 screen resolution, BRAVIA Engine Pro, HDMI inputs with 1080p capability and elegant floating glass design. However, these two models -- the 46-inch KDL-46XBR2 and 40-inch KDL-40XBR2 -- feature a silver bezel that can be replaced by one of five different colored bezels for custom integration into any decor.

These models also feature the same audio package, built-in ATSC tuner, PC input, two high-definition component, one S-video and three composite inputs.

The KDL-46XBR2 and KDL-40XBR2 models will also ship in September. They will be available for about $5,000 and $4,000, respectively. The optional bezels come in five colors, including red, white, blue, black and brown. They will be available at authorized dealers, Sony Style stores and direct online at www.sonystyle.com

Rounding out the XBR2 line is the 32-inch KDL-V32XBR2 model featuring a 1366 x 768 screen resolution. It is equipped with Sony's BRAVIA Engine and Live Color Creation, which delivers a sharp and rich picture from standard definition sources as well as high-definition.

The set's narrow, two-tone black and silver bezel incorporates invisible bottom speakers with SRS TruSurroundXT and BBE Digital Enhancement technology.

Other features include a built-in ATSC tuner, single HDMI and PC inputs, as well as two high-definition component, two S-video and two composite inputs.

The KDL-V32XBR2 set ships in September and will be available for about $2,500.

BRAVIA V2500 Series

Next in the BRAVIA line is the V2500 series, including the 46-inch KDL-46V2500 and 40-inch KDL-40V2500. These 1920 x 1080 native high-definition resolution models are equipped with two HDMI inputs with 1080p capability and the BRAVIA Engine and Live Color Creation technologies.

The black bezel, V2500 models feature a space-saving bottom speaker design that helps the sets fit easily into existing AV cabinets.

Other features include a digital amplifier with SRS-TruSurround XT and BBE Digital Audio Enhancement technologies for high-quality sound, a PC input, two high-definition component, two S-video and two composite inputs.

The KDL-46V2500 and KDL-40V2500 models will ship in September for about $4,500 and $3,500, respectively.

All new BRAVIA televisions, including the previously announced S-series and U-series models, are available through sonystyle.com, at Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and at authorized dealers nationwide.

http://ph.hardwarezone.com/news/view.php?cid=5&id=4669

Sony Bravia Model Numbers

have been thinking of buying a Sony Bravia LCD TV and as I was doing some research I came across a site that explained what the model numbers mean, so I am going to share this with you to help you choose your TV.

These codes are as far as I know only for the current Sony Bravia range (2005 - 2006) and may or may not be irrelevant next year.

Here is a typical Sony LCD model number

KDL46V2000U

This number can be split up into 5 different parts - KDL - 46 - V - 2000 - U

KDL

The first part tells you about the TV's tuner. KLV- means an Analogue tuner. KDL- means that the TV is equipped with a digital one and can pick up Digital Terrestrial broadcasts ("Freeview" in the UK).

46

This is the size of the screen in inches.

V

This is the series number. There are 6 different letters that you can find here (U, S, V, X, W & E).

The U-Series:
The "value" range. The bottom range, designed to be cheap and sold at supermarkets and the like.

The S-Series:
One step up. The new S-Series models (KDL-xxS2000) feature the BRAVIA Engine technology. The older ones (KDL-SxxA12) do not.

The V-Series:
This is the affordable higher end option. They have always featured picture cleanup technology. The first BRAVIAs used "WEGA Engine", but the new ones use "BRAVIA Engine". The upcoming "V2000" versions also feature the new "Live Colour Creation" backlight, which apparently produces far better colour reproduction.

The X-Series :
These are the best ones available but only come in 40" and above sizes. They take the features of the V-Series, add full high-def (1920x1280) screen resolution, 2x HDMI inputs, and 2x Component inputs. The picture quality is also slightly better than the V-Series. The X-Series also features BRAVIA ENGINE EX and Digital Reality Creation, which are both included to enhance the quality of the picture specifically for large, high-res panels.

The W-Series:
They feature the S-Master digital amplifier, 1366x768 resolution, and 1 HDMI input. They are still one of the "prestigious" Sony models.

The E - Series:
These are the Rear Projection TVs that are based off an LCD technology.

2000

This is the colour of the TV's casing and does not change the technical spec of the TV.

2000 - Grey
2010 - Dark Grey
2020 - Silver

U

The "U" suffix means "United Kingdom". Continental Europe has the "E" suffix.

http://reviews.ebay.co.uk/Sony-Bravia-Model-Numbers_W0QQugidZ10000000001216097

The Sony Television Range Explained

Sony decided they wouldn’t bother with plasma TVs any more, instead opting to concentrate on LCD TVs.

The result is the BRAVIA range of LCD Televisions. Initially you had the three main ranges: the entry level Sony BRAVIA S-Series, the Sony BRAVIA V-Series and the Sony BRAVIA X-Series.

There are very subtle differences between the models, which Sony says is updated every year. All three models have the BRAVIA Engine technology that provides vivid and high contrast images while reducing picture noise. They also all use Sony’s 7th generation LCD panel which is a large sheet of glass that provides a clearer image (without getting technical, the larger the glass the better quality the end image).

All the Sony BRAVIA range also have Super Patterned Vertical Alignment (S-PVA) LCD panel technology which produces a wider viewing angle of 178 degrees, so no matter where you are in the room, the colour and contrast will be maintained. Sony has also put in their LCD TVs a super-fast 8ms response time which means pin-sharp, smoothly moving pictures, even on high-speed movies without the ghosting you might otherwise get.

The newest Sony LCD TV's are the S-3000 series and D-3000 series.

The D-3000 range includes the fantastic one-touch Home Theatre control feature. Hook up all of your HD equipment, e.g. Blu-Ray Disc Player, HD DVD Player or Playstation 3 via the 3 HDMI connectors and operate them all in one go with a single press of the power button on the Bravia Theatre Sync remote. This will also turn down the TV sound and allow the Home Theatre audio take over.

The 24p True Cinema feature will display movies played through either a Blu-Ray player or HD DVD player, at the original 24 frames per second that they we originally captured in, resulting in the perfect image and sound you could possibly expect.

Another important factor in displaying the perfect image is the refresh rate and the D-3000 series doubles the standard refresh rate from 50Hz to 100Hz by using Motionflow +100 technology. This superbly intelligent image function allows the human eye to visualise image motion much smoother and more realistic than an image without the technology.

A new Sony range of HD LCD TV’s would not be complete without an enhanced colour reproduction system and with the D-3000 range a 10bit panel has been included compared to the 8bit panel that is usually offered. Thus resulting in 1024 shades of gradation so real life colours and textures really will show and therefore taking TV and Movie watching into a whole new level.

The S-3000 series releases a new range of high definition ready LCD TV’s which are to feature the ‘Bravia’ Theatre Sync system which send signals through the HDMI ports enabling the home entertainment to be controlled by a single button press. This also results in the LCD TV itself being switched on as well as audio equipment and the Blu-Ray Disc player, DVD player or HD DVD player that is connected. This new range has 3 HDMI connectors for the ultimate in connectivity and through these connectors signals will be sent via all hardware and will power them up or switch them off with one button on the Bravia Theatre Sync remote.

The BRAVIA S-3000 series will be available in 30, 40 and 46 inch models and the D-3000 series will be available in 46inch.

The BRAVIA S-Series comes in 26inch, 32-inch, 40-inch and 46-inch HD LCD screen sizes has a contrast ratio of 1300:1 and a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Obviously the S-Series is HD ready and while it’s 720p it can also accept 1080i HD signals. And as well as an integrated Digital TV tuner it also has an HDMI port.

The Sony BRAVIA S-Series also uses fully digital amplification for a low-noise, hiss-free output through its integrated stereo speakers thanks to SRS TruSurround XT technology.

The Sony BRAVIA V-Series have a few extras not found in the S-Series, and hence costs a little more. The Sony V-Series uses Sony Live Colour Creation technology which gives a boosted spectrum of colour providing truer reds and greens.

It also has Wide Colour Gamut (WCG) CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp) which as well as being a mouthful is an exclusive Sony design employing improved light-emitting phosphors which completely transforms the characteristics of the screen.

The Sony BRAVIA V-Series models are available in 32-inch, 40-inch and 46-inch screens.

This Sony proudly says is the first true HD1080 LCD TV. That means it’s the first Sony HD TV capable of displaying high definition on a 1920 x 1080 LCD Panel. So while the S and V series will squash 1080 images to fit a 720 screen, this has enough room to give you the full experience.

The Sony BRAVIA X-Series and BRAVIA W-Series use a BRAVIA ENGINE EX, an upgrade that increases the resolution by a factor of up to four, doubling the number of vertical lines and horizontal pixels. What this does is give an image with an unprecedented degree of detail and clarity, which raises SDTV to a completely new level. Sony calls this process “Digital Reality Creation”.

The Sony BRAVIA X Series and BRAVIA X-Series also come with twin HDMI inputs and integrated Digital tuner and three Scart and two Component interfaces and the sound quality has been improved on by using powerful integrated speakers and Dolby Pro Logic II Virtual Surround digital signal processing and BBE Digital technology.

Sony has also increased the size of screens with the introduction of the R2000 series. This is a huge 70 inch LCD with everything the X and W series has. And the A2000 series will again be similar but available in a 55 and 70 inch screen size.

So now you know what you get with the BRAVIA series but what do all those numbers mean at the end of the products?

Sony says that anything with KDL means BRAVIA LCD. The two digit number next to it is the size of the screen, and the letter following it is the series type. The final four numbers are the year the TV came out and are put there to aid manufactures rather than the consumer.
Like everything models come and models go.

So the Sony KDL 42X2000U is the X series Sony Bravia TV with a 42 inch screen.

The KDF range that you might see is Sony’s Rear Projection TVs. If you’re looking for a high definition television with a large screen but can’t afford an LCD, read projection TVs are bigger and bulkier but cheaper.

The Bravia S Series The KDL-46S2010 is largest of the S-series The KDL-40s2010 is the entry level 40" LCD TV. Award winning 32" the KDL-32s2010 Sony KDL-26S2010 26" High performance panel Sony KDL-46D3000 46" HD Ready LCD with Bravia Theatre Sync

The Bravia V Series The KDL-46V2000 is the largest LCD TV in the V-series The KDL-40V2000 42" is one of the most popular TVs on Unbeatable.co.uk The KDL 32V2000 Winner of the What HiFi Supertest July 2006. Great TV. Sony KDL-46S3000 46" HD Ready LCD with Bravia Theatre Sync

The Bravia X Series The new HD Ready X series LCD has 1920x1080 resolution. The Bravia W Series The new HD Ready W series LCD has 1920x1080 resolution.

Sony newest range of TVs:

Sony Bravia KDL-46D3000

Sony Bravia KDL-32S3000

Sony Bravia KDL-40S3000

Sony Bravia KDL-46S3000

http://www.unbeatable.co.uk/feature/6.html