By Juniper Foo
08/01/2008
URL: http://asia.cnet.com/ces/08/0,3800010114,62036232,00.htm

LAS VEGAS--Actually, the highlight of the Sony press tour was celebrity-spotting. But don't tell that to the Japanese. Sony Pictures Television had apparently trotted out its stars at the Consumer Electronics Show Monday (US time) to spice up its presence at the fair. However, while singer Tony Bennett and Vanna White of Wheel of Fortune were under our radar, some of us did manage to catch a glimpse of gameshow host Alex Trebek and comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

That aside, Sony Corp has certainly been busy with a veritable slew of new products showcased at CES 2008. While it's not impossible to list every single device here, we've decided instead to highlight the more worthy ones for your attention.

Wireless interface | Music & mobility | Digital SLR |
Televisions | Camcorders | Blu-ray devices

Wireless interface

First demo'd at the pre-show briefing, the TransferJet "Near Field" wireless technology made an unforgettable entrance. It failed to perform. Sony Electronics' Digital Imaging and Audio Division senior VP Steve Habere was quick to add that "when it works, it's great".

Barely launched during the Consumer Electronics Show, this short-range proprietary wireless technology enables users to send digital images, video or other data at more than 500 megabits per second.

As an illustration, just touching a TV with a digital camera allows photos to be immediately uploaded onto the TV screen or vice versa. Music content can also be similarly and easily downloaded by touching a mobile phone to a portable audio player. According to CEO and chairman Sir Howard Stringer, TransferJet will be part of Sony products in the future.

Model name In a nutshell TransferJet Click for larger image Wow factor: Universal wireless interface between devices, these will be able to transfer their contents automatically to another unit within range, with minimum fuss and buttons. Notable features: • Simple interface, intuitive "Touch & Get" operation • Transmission rate of 560Mbps, effective 375Mbps • Low-intensity radio waves, causes almost no interference to other wireless systems • Communication range within 3cm • Based on electric induction field coupling Expected: No word on when the first devices using this technology will be out Price: N.A.

Music & mobility

Wireless interface | Music & mobility | Digital SLR |
Televisions | Camcorders | Blu-ray devices

This one needs no introduction. Rolly, the dancing egg-shaped speaker which is already retailing in Japan for 39,800 yen (US$364), will hop across to the US this year. What also caught our attention was Sony's digital noise-canceling headphones which it claims to be the industry's first such. At the same time, Sony has whipped out a new and improved second-gen mylo, the personal communicator created for portable instant messaging and other Internet-based communications. Take a peek below.

Model name In a nutshell Rolly Music Player Click for larger image Wow factor: Now that Aibo the robodog is gone, this fills up the vacuum for fun, goofy, interactive entertainment. Notable features: • Can be programmed to dance to tunes via software or in self-motion function where it dances to its own beat • Bluetooth stereo-enabled to stream music from any A2DP device • Supports MP3, ATRAC or ACC files • 2GB internal memory • 5 hours of music, 4 hours of dance and music, or 3.5 hours of dance, music and Bluetooth together Expected: Out in the US around Q2, no word on Asia Price: N.A. MDR-NC500D Digital Noise Canceling Headphones Click for larger image Wow factor: Claims to be world's first headphone with digital technology for precise noise canceling. Notable features: • Artificial intelligence noise canceling with automatic selection between three different environment modes • Monitor switch to enable surrounding sounds to be heard • Lithium-ion battery that's good for a max. of 16 hours' listening time • Ability to use AA battery via adapter • Power cable for charging Expected: Out in the US February, no word on Asia yet Price: US$400 Sony mylo COM-2 Click for larger image Wow factor: Supports AOL Instant Messenger and can now work in any open 802.11b wireless network Notable features: • Skype support, Adobe Flash, upload and download capabilities, HTML • Bigger 3.5-inch backlit display that is now also a touchscreen • New onboard camera with support for photo editing and ability to post images directly online at sites like Facebook, Photobucket and MySpace • Chat via instant messanger clients like AIM, Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk • Slideout QWERTY and interchangeable plate Expected: Out in the US January, not for Asia Price: US$299

Digital SLR

Wireless interface | Music & mobility | Digital SLR |
Televisions | Camcorders | Blu-ray devices

Sony continues its digital SLR march with the Alpha A200, an upgrade of its mainstream Alpha A100, and coming after last year's Alpha A700. In doing, it's brought some features over from the latter to this new model. Better yet, this 10-megapixel entry-level dSLR is launching in Asia soon.

Model name In a nutshell Alpha DSLR-A200 Digital SLR Camera Click for larger image Wow factor: Some improvements like battery light indicator, popup flash where before it was manual flash, and improved noise control. Notable features: • Super SteadyShot image stabilization • 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen • Bionz image processor improves noise control for ISO 1,600 and 3,200 • 1.7 times faster autofocus speed to previous model • Quieter shutter sound • Built-in anti-dust technology • Three frames-per-second continuous shooting • Battery life indicator • Accepts Sony, Carl Zeiss and Minolta A-mount lenses Expected: Out in the US February, in Asia January Price: US$700 with only 18-70mm lens as a kit

Televisions

Wireless interface | Music & mobility | Digital SLR |
Televisions | Camcorders | Blu-ray devices

With so much going for Sony's Bravia LCD TVs, it's not surprisingly that the Japanese company announced 17 new models at CES 2008. These range from a new 19-inch model with fast response time and 178-degree viewing angle to the new Z series with thin bezels and slimmer depth in the 40- and 46-inch screen range, to the first-ever smaller size Full-HD 1080p XBR models in 32- and 37-inch screen sizes. According to Sony, most of the new models have a new 3D graphic interface as well as another interface that provides viewers the ability to acces video from portable devices such as Walkman and others.

We also saw several new 52-inch Full-HD 1080p models as part of the company's desire to reinforce its lead in sets 40 inches and above.

LCD TVs weren't the only attraction. OLED television was a highlight as an emerging technology pitting itself against SED, LCD and plasma, with Sony being first out in North American stores with the XEL-1 OLED television.

In the experimental corner, the Japanese company showcased its 4K technology on an 82-inch screen in what could eventually trickle down to mainstream usage.

Model name In a nutshell XEL-1 Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) TV Click for larger image Wow factor: An ultra-sharp display that's wafer-thin at only 3mm or just three credit cards thin. Notable features: • 11-inch screen • 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio with very deep blacks, brilliant color expression and picture detail • Wide color range surpassing other displays • 178-degree viewing angle • Low power consumption of 30 watts • 960 x 540 pixels • 287 x 253 x 140mm, 2kg Expected: Now out in the US and Japan, no word on Asia availability Price: US$2,500, 200,000 yen (US$1,740) 27-inch OLED TV prototype Click for larger image Wow factor: This pushes the screen size envelope with a bigger version of the XEL-1. Notable features: • Full HD at 1,920 x 1,080 pixels • 10mm-thin panel • Over 1,000,000: 1 contrast ratio • Super Top Emission Expected: Prototype development Price: N.A. 4K x 2K LCD panel Click for larger image Wow factor: We're talking about 3,840 x 2,106, four times the resolution of high-definition TV. Notable features: • 82-inch LCD panel • LED backlight • Based on SXRD technology Expected: Several years down the road Price: N.A. Bravia KDL-46Z4100 flat-panel LCD HDTV Click for larger image Wow factor: New Bravia series which features a new slim frame bezel and ultra-thin depth, in addition to Motionflow 120Hz frame rate technology Notable features: • x.v.Color and Deep Color compatible • DLNA compliant • 24p True Cinema input capable • High-definition 3D graphic user interface • 1080i input capable via HDMI (x4), component (x2) and PC input • Bravia sync • Digital Media Port (DMP) ready for optional accessories such as audio cradles compatible with selected Network Walkman players and iPods Expected: Several years down the road, though hopefully sooner Price: N.A.

Camcorders

Wireless interface | Music & mobility | Digital SLR |
Televisions | Camcorders | Blu-ray devices

Can too much be a good thing? Camcorders took up a chunk of the exhibit area at the Sony booth, with 16 new models on display. What's new this round is face detection which has been borrowed from its Cyber-shot range over to its Handycams for both still and video.

Model name In a nutshell HDR-SR12 120GB High-Definition Hard Drie Handycam Camcorder Click for larger image Wow factor: Sony's highest capacity videocam capable of 14 hours 40 mins of storage in high definition. Notable features: • 1,920 x 1,080 AVCHD HD video recording • Face detection technology for video and photos, identifies up to eight faces • 10-megapixel photo capture with 5-megapixel Sony ClearVid CMOS sensor technology • Hybrid recording on Memory Stick and 120GB HDD • Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound with new built-in zoom microphone for clear recording • Super SteadyShot optical image stabilizer • Simultaneous dual record mode (movie and 7.6-megapixel photos) and slow motion video (240fps) with audio recording • 3.2-inch touch-panel Xtra Fine LCD (912k) screen and wide color viewfinder Expected: Out in US market March, no word on Asia rollout yet Price: About US$1,400 HDR-UX20 High-Definition Handycam Camcorder Click for larger image Wow factor: High-def videocam that can record onto three different storage media--internal memory, Memory Stick and 3-inch DVD disc. Notable features: • 1,920 x 1,080 AVCHD HD video recording • Hybrid Plus movie recording on 8GB internal memory (1 hr of video in 1,920 HD mode), Memory Stick and 3-inch DVD disc along with advanced dubbing function • Face detection technology for video and photos, identifies up to eight faces • 4-megapixel photo capture with 2-megapixel Sony ClearVid CMOS sensor technology • Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound with new built-in zoom microphone for clear recording • Super SteadyShot optical image stabilizer • Simultaneous dual record mode (movie and 3-megapixel photos) and slow motion video (240fps) with audio Expected: US availability in March, no word on Asia yet Price: About US$1,000 DCR-DVD910 DVD Handycam Camcorder Click for larger image Wow factor: The only DVD-based Handycam sporting face detection and zoom-in mic. Notable features: • Face detection technology for video and photos, identifies up to eight faces • Hybrid movie recording on Memory Stick and 3-inch DVD disc • 4-megapixel photo capture with 2-megapixel Sony ClearVid CMOS sensor technology • Super SteadyShot optical image stabilizer • Simultaneous dual record mode (movie and 3-megapixel photos) and slow motion video (240fps) with audio • Dolby Digital 5 surround sound with new built-in zoom microphone for clear recording Expected: March rollout for the US, no word on Asia Price: About US$650 DCR-HC52 Mini DV Handycam Camcorder Click for larger image Wow factor: Sony's very affordable tape-based videocam considering its strong suite of digital features. Notable features: • 40x optical Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens • VGA-resolution CCD imager for video and photos • 2.5-inch touch-panel LCD screen and color viewfinder Expected: US launch come February, no word on Asian availability Price: About US$250

Blu-ray devices

Wireless interface | Music & mobility | Digital SLR |
Televisions | Camcorders | Blu-ray devices

Blue is this season's favorite color for Sony, with Blu-ray featuring in its cylindrical Vaio home theater PCs and in a new sub-US$200 BD-ROM drive that can be installed in an existing desktop PC to turn it into a BD player, offering consumers yet another option for Blu-ray playback.

Model name In a nutshell Vaio TP25 Home Theater PC Click for larger image Wow factor: This the first Vaio TP-series PC with Blu-ray drive. Notable features: • Onboard Blu-ray disc drive • Built-in DVR function • Dual TV tuners for simultaneous viewing and recording • Intel T8100 Core 2 Duo processor • Bravia Sync technology • 500GB hard drive storage Expected: January in the US, Asia availability in the pipeline Price: S$3,000 for the TP25, US$1,600 for the T20 (250GB HD with fewer features) BDU-X10S BD-ROM Drive Click for larger image Wow factor: Sony's first Blu-ray drive for the PC. Notable features: • Plays Blu-ray movie titles, recorded Blu-ray content, DVDs and CDs • Comes with Cyberlink's PowerDVD BD Edition software • Compatible with Windows XP and Vista • Serial ATA (SATA) interface Expected: January (in Asia) Price: US$199