By Chris Nicholls
MELBOURNE: Sony has introduced its new Bravia range today, showcasing their first 32-inch full HD models, HDMI link connectivity and white and red bezels on selected models.
The new models, split between a new lower end S-series and updated V- and W-series, all include Bravia Engine 2 image processing technology, Bravia Sync HDMI connectivity, Sony’s ‘Media Bar’ menu system and higher end models come equipped with a digital media port to connect an iPod or similar devices.
Prices were not disclosed, but the S-,V- and W-Series will be available from July, while new higher end X-Series and XBR-Series models will be available from September or October. Current X-Series and XBR-Series models will continue until this time.
All the new models are the same as recent models announced in Japan in February, but miss out on some new Europe-specific models announced earlier this year.
The new televisions also showcase a new photo display system called PhotoTV HD, which optimises colours and sharpness for still pictures by decreasing both to show colours, objects and depth in a more natural form.
“BRAVIA is now much more than a TV. With these new models, BRAVIA can bring your entertainment to life – whether its movies, music, or sharing your photos with friends. HD models now make up 98.6 per cent of all unit sales in the LCD TV market, showing that Australians are embracing the benefits of HD,” said Sony Australia technology communications manager, Paul Colley.
Colley said the move to full HD came as the Sony High Definition Benchmark showed one fifth of new TV purchases in Australia during Q1 this year were full HD.