Sony CES 2007

Sony showed two new HDTVs and a number of prototype displays at the 2007 CES. Technologies included LCD, SXRD and OLED.

Bravia LCD

Sony showed two BRAVIA LCD flat panels at its booth. The first will be available this spring, its model KDL-70XBR3. It is a 1920 x1080 progressive 70 inch panel with a 120HZ refresh rate, 10 bit processing and panel (1024 levels) and uses Sony’s Triluminos LED backlighting for better dynamic range (7,000:1) and a wider color gamut. Sony’s name for this is x.v. Color and is said to be used in conjunction with the wider gamut coming available in future Playstation 3 games using HDMI 1.3. The set is (ridiculously) priced at $33,000 making over twice as expensive as the currently available LG 1080p 71” plasma ($15,000)

Sony again showed a not ready for prime time 82” LCD Bravia flat panel. No price or availability was given.

It also displayed an unimpressive LASER driven 55″ 1080p SXRD rear projectior with about 10″ depth. The promise of LASER, really bright images, wider viewing angles and outstanding color were not seen by the HD Guru during the demonstration.
Most impressive were the 2 OLED (organic light emitting diode) prototype displays. The was a 1080p (1920 x 1080) monitor with around a 1/2 “ depth. The contrast, brightness, color saturation and viewing angle were outstanding, far exceeding Sony’s best Bravia LCDs. OLED technology has always had a useable life issue and Sony representatives did not say if this problem has been solved.

Looking closer to mass production than the 27″ model were 11” panels with a 1024 x 600 resolution. This units were wafer thin measuring about 1/8” depth. Again no lifetime numbers or possible availability was given.

Sony also announced coming this summer would be its own proprietary internet downloading of content including HD directly to your Sony TV. This capability will be available on most of its yet to be released 2007 Bravia flat panel LCD by purchasing an extra cost download module (price to be announced later).

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