Big Picture Big Sound

Sony kicked off the Home Entertainment Expo this year with a big push for what they called "Full HD 1080" - they want to educate and indoctrinate the world into the belief that the only True High Definition is FULL High Definition (1920 X 1080 pixel resolution, aka 1080i or 1080p). To this end, Sony is introducing a full line of 1080p-native resolution display devices, LCD flat panels in their "Bravia" line as well as SXRD-based rear-projection TVs.

Bravia LCD models will fall into three lines, ascending in price and performance, the "V Line," the "XBR2" line and the "XBR3" line. The line features six new models in 40- and 46-inch screen sizes and a 32-inch set. All of the new Bravia models 40 inches in screen size or larger offer native 1080p resolution and 1080p-enabled hdmi inputs. A 32-inch model will offer a 1366X768 screen resolution.



XBR3 models include the KDL-46XBR3 ($5300) and KDL-40XBR3 ($4300). The XBR2 BRAVIA models feature the same 1920 x 1080 screen resolution as the XBR3 models. However, these two models -- the 46-inch KDL-46XBR2 ($5,000) and 40-inch KDL-40XBR2 ($4,000) -- also include a removable silver bezel that can be replaced with one of five different colored bezels (red, white, blue, black and brown) for custom integration into any décor.


The XBR2 and XBR3 models all feature a built-in ATSC tuner. Rounding out the XBR2 line is the 32-inch KDL-V32XBR2 ($2500), featuring a 1366 x 768 screen resolution. The "V2500" series includes the 46-inch KDL-46V2500 ($4500) and 40-inch KDL-40V2500 ($3500). All of these new models are expected to ship in September.


In the SXRD rear projection family, 5 models were announced all with 1920X1080 pixel resolution and 1080p-compliant hdmi inputs. The new models range in screen size from 50 to 70 inches. The top of the line 70-inch KDS-R70XBR2 ($7800) and 60-inch KDS-R60XBR2 ($5300) each feature 3 .61-inch SXRD chips (one each for Red/Green/Blue) delivering more than 2 million native pixels (1920X1080 resolution). And in Sony's Cinema Black Pro mode, the sets deliver up to 10,000:1 contrast based on overall light levels of the original signal.


The new models are digital cable-ready with an integrated CableCARD™ slot and TV Guide® on screen program guide. Other features include two HDMI inputs with 1080p capability, front HDMI HDV camcorder connection, and a PC input. The XBR models feature side speakers, which are removable on the KDS-R70XBR2 model (pictured below with speakers).


The more affordable A2000 line includes the 60-inch KDS-60A2000 ($4500), 55-inch KDS-55A2000 ($4000) and 50-inch KDS-50A2000 ($3500). These models also feature the WEGA Engine system and the same 0.61-inch SXRD chips found in the XBR line, as well as Cinema Black Pro mode. The line also offers two HDMI inputs with 1080p capability and a front component input for HDV camcorder and PC input. All models are scheduled for availability later this summer.


Driving the 1080p bus, of course, the BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player ($999), scheduled for release late this summer. The BDP-S1 will offer 1080p hdmi output, as well as upconversion of existing DVDs to 1080p. It includes "Cinema-tuned" picture presets to optimize the picture for different ambient lighting conditions as well as user control of black level, hue and other picture settings. While the BDP-S1 is said to support "up to 8 channels of uncompressed digital audio," the analog outputs, like the current crop of Toshiba HD-DVD players, only offer 5.1-channels. The BDP-S1 is built like a tank, featuring a frame and beam construction as well as audiophile grade circuitry and parts.

However, as impressive as the specs of the player are, slightly less impressive was the slate of BD titles Sony will have available to support the BD launch. Movies such as "Hitch," "xXx State of the Union," "Ultraviolet" and "Stealth" aren't exactly at the top of my list for "cinematic gems of the early 21st Century." It's nice to see titles like "Fifth Element" on the list (long a reference DVD used by many a reviewer, including myself, for its excellent audio and video quality), as well as "House of Flying Daggers." But if Sony is going to make this format successful, it's going to need a lot more (and a lot better) films. The HD trailer of "Ultraviolet" they showed in their BD Home Theater exhibit was crystal clear both in the video and audio departments, but how about some films worth watching!?

To provide the switching and decoding capabilities, Sony is also introducing a new A/V receiver, the STR-DG1000 ($800, available August, 2006) with full 1080p HDMI switching, upconversion of SD and HD video sources to 1080p and support for up to 8 channels of uncompressed digital audio via hdmi. The DG1000 also includes Sony's DCAC (Digital Cinema Audio Calibration) feature, which automatically sets speaker levels, distance settings, and delay with the use of the supplied microphone.



All in all, the Sony line-up was impressive. The BD player delay until "late Summer" was a bit of a downer, but if BD lives up to its potential, it will be quite an exciting format indeed.

Where to Buy:

• Sony's LCD TV line on SonyStyle.com.
• KDS-R70XBR2 on Amazon
• Sony XBR2 line on Amazon
• Sony XBR3 line on Amazon
• Sony's Complete LCD HDTV line at OneCall.com

Update (06/05/06): For those wondering about plasma, a Sony rep stated that they are getting out of the consumer plasma business, but will continue making plasmas in their pro line. Also, cableCARD support will only be offered in the RPTV line, not in the Bravia LCD line this year. Last thing - we've had some requests for a few more photos so feast your eyes on these: