In addition to the debut of big screen OLED, 4K resolution TVs, and speech recognition remote controls, the 2012 CES will also be remembered for Sony’s realignment in the HDTV space. Transitioning from 2011 to 2012 Sony has radically pruned the number of series and models in its  line, going from six series (XBR, HX, NX, EX, Google and BX) to four main lines (XBR, HX, EX, BX) and down from 29 2011 models to about 13 in 2012. The 2012 XBRs are expected around July while the rest of the lines ship in March. Sony is also dropping the Best Buy exclusive derivative models in 2012, shrinking its offerings even further.

The good news about Sony dropping so many models?  There are great deals on closeout 2011 models right now, in time for the Superbowl. Here are some examples.

Sony KDL55NX720 55-inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV Was $2900 Now $1599.00 Amazon 45% off

Sony KDL46HX820 46-Inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV Was $2600 Now $1389.00 Amazon 47% off

Sony KDL46NX720 46-inch 1080p WiFi 3D LED HDTV Was $2100 Now $1099.99 48% off

Sony also carries forward the uninspired 2011 styling found in its 2011 BX and EX models with  fairly wide bezels and not so thin cabinets. The step-up HX 750 is similar (top photo), the HX850 (photo above) carries the attractive all Gorilla glass front found on last year’s version of the HX820 series.

We expect the entry level BX series 60 Hz CCFL models to appear in Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Target, while the step-up LED LCDs to be found in national and regional dealers and of course, Amazon and Sony Style stores. All listed models below ship in March.

We can’t imagine Sony’s market share increasing with its heavily trimmed, lackluster low to mid-end 2012 line. Could this be the first step in Sony’s future withdrawal in the category? We shall wait until the new XBR model announcements later this year. Perhaps Sony still has a new thing or two up its sleeve. The 2012 BX, HX and EX specifics follows the Crystal LED information.

Crystal LED

Sony showed a prototype of a 55-Inch HDTV made up of over six million tiny red blue and green LED lamps. Unlike the OLEDs from LG and Samsung, Sony indicated there is no plan for production at this time and this was more of a concept piece. What we found most interesting as seen in our photo is the Sony LED scans the image, kind of like an old CRT hence the black bars. Current LED LCDs, plasmas and the new OLEDs produce the entire frame at once and do not scan. We can only speculate as to why. Perhaps the LEDs need to keep cool or Sony extends the lifespan by scanning. We ‘ll have to wait for more technical data if this design ever reemerges as a real production product.  Onto the Sony supplied data on the 2012  HX, EX and BX models, pricing has not been released.

BRAVIA® HX850-series LED LCD HDTV with 3D

Phenomenal picture quality that radiates brightly through exquisite edge-to-edge glass

Available this April

  • Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Dynamic Edge LED backlight with Local Dimming
  • X-Reality™ PRO Engine with 3D Super Resolution
  • Motionflow™ XR 960
  • Frameless Monolithic Design with Corning’s Gorilla® Glass and OptiContrast Panel Technology
  • Built-in Wi-Fi™ (802.11n)
  • Skype™ ready
  • One-touch access to the Sony Entertainment Network™ and apps
  • Screen sizes include 55-inch (KDL-55HX850), and 46-inch (KDL-46HX850)

 

BRAVIA® HX750-series LED LCD HDTV with 3D

Incomparable picture quality and an ultra-thin design that’s easy to love

Available in March

  • Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Dynamic Edge LED backlight with Frame Dimming
  • X-Reality™ Engine
  • 4x High Speed 3D Panel with Motionflow™ XR 480
  • Built-in Wi-Fi™ (802.11n)
  • Skype™ ready
  • One-touch access to the Sony Entertainment Network™ and apps
  • Screen sizes include 55-inch (KDL-55HX750), and 46-inch (KDL-46HX750)

 

BRAVIA® EX640-series LED LCD HDTV

Crystal clear, Full HD 1080p resolution and impeccable contrast

Available in March

  • Brilliant Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
  • Motionflow™ XR 240
  • Clear Resolution Enhancer
  • Wi-Fi™ (802.11n) LAN-ready
  • Sony Entertainment Network™
  • Screen sizes include 55-inch (KDL-55EX640), 46-inch (KDL-46EX640) and 40-inch (KDL-40EX640)

 

BRAVIA® BX450-series LCD HDTV

Amazing picture; legendary quality

Available in March

  • Full HD (1080p) CCFL backlight LCD HDTV
  • 60Hz panel with Clear Resolution Enhancer and Digital Noise Reduction
  • USB Media Player
  • 2 HDMI inputs
  • Screen sizes include 46-inch (KDL-46BX450), 40-inch (KDL-40BX450), and 32-inch (KDL-32BX450)

 

BRAVIA® BX330-series LCD HDTV

High Definition for every room in the house

Available in March

  • 60Hz panel with Clear Resolution Enhancer and Digital Noise Reduction
  • USB Media Player
  • 2 HDMI inputs
  • Screen sizes include 46-inch (KDL-46BX330), 40-inch (KDL-40BX330), and 32-inch (KDL-32BX330)

 

 

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