Sony Introduces World’s Largest High Definition Flat-Panel LCD TV

[Gregg Lengling]

Nov. 2003 – Enhancing one of the most comprehensive lineups of flat panel televisions, Sony Electronics just introduced the world's largest integrated high-definition flat-panel LCD television.


This new 42-inch model, along with another 32-inch flat-panel LCD integrated HDTV are both part of Sony's acclaimed XBR series. The expanded flat-panel lineup also includes a 50-inch HD-ready XS series Plasma WEGA TV.

These three flat panel sets include the advanced WEGA Engine system and a variety of picture enhancement technology features that will delight the home theater entertainment and HDTV enthusiast.

The 42-inch KDL-42XBR950 and 32-inch KDL-32XBR950 are now Sony's largest flat-panel HD integrated LCD TV models, expanding the company's rapidly-growing LCD category. They both feature an ATSC/QAM compatible tuner. Unique to the new models is the Twin View Picture-And-Picture feature, which allows users to watch high-definition and analog programs simultaneously.

"The introduction of these high-definition XBR LCD WEGA models clearly demonstrates the rapidly increasing demand for flat-panel television and our goal to provide the widest choice of screen sizes and display technology," said Tim Baxter, senior vice president of marketing of Sony's Home Products Division. "Consumers look to Sony for the latest in television technology and outstanding picture quality. And all three sets deliver the latest technology and the ultimate picture performance with the Sony proprietary WEGA Engine system."

With the two new sets, the company now offers nine LCD WEGA models ranging from 15-inch to 42-inch screen sizes.

Plasma WEGA XS Series Adds 50-Inch Plasma
The flat panel plasma TV category continues to grow and Sony is leading the trend with its latest 50-inch model in the Plasma WEGA XS series. The new KE-50XS910 unit incorporates many of the XBR series' features, including the re-engineered plasma panel driver, the WEGA Engine system, Memory Stick media playback, a DVI-HDTV connection and twin surround audio system for an outstanding home entertainment experience.

"Sony is the major force in the U.S. plasma market," Baxter said. "The best way to reinforce our number 1 position is with the introduction of the latest 50-inch plasma display, offering power and performance in one easy-to-use package."

Sony now offers eight Plasma WEGA models in the U.S., ranging in screen sizes from 32-inch to its flagship 61-inch integrated HD XBR series model.

Raising the Bar with Proprietary Technology
The three new models all incorporate the newly-advanced WEGA Engine system, which offers dynamic contrast and sharpness. It's an all digital processing system that reduces the amount of analog to digital conversions for minimized video artifacts that can occur during the conversion. The Block Noise Smoother feature further minimizes video noise sometimes found in 480p sources from DVD players and satellite receivers that process MPEG2 compression.

They also feature such proprietary Sony picture technology as:


Direct Digital II circuitry that optimizes incoming video signals to minimize video artifacts for cleaner signal processing;
Digital Reality Creation MultiFunction circuitry that bit maps any NTSC source (DVD, VHS, DBS, Cable, etc.), creating a picture that rivals high definition resolution; and
MID-X (Multi Image Driver) circuitry that displays high-definition and conventional pictures for the ultimate picture-and-picture performance. CineMotion reverse 3:2 pulldown circuitry is also included for the finest film-based video source display.

In addition to the WEGA Engine system, the new XBR models incorporate a proprietary panel driver LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit) for LCD, which improves response rate resulting in minimized image blur for fast action scenes. For greater contrast, a new contrast enhancer function automatically adjusts brightness and contrast to maximize picture reproduction, especially in dark scenes.

They also include the industry standard DVI-HDTV (Digital Visual Interface) connection, ensuring improved contrast and detail with better white tone and video noise reduction--- without the quality losses associated with a typical analog connection. Additionally, the XBR models include a high quality i.LINK digital interface for D-VHS support, an advanced Memory Stick media slot for JPEG still images, MPEG video and MP3 audio playback, and five sets of A/V inputs (3 composite, 2 component). This allows for easy hook up to a Sony DVD Dream system, ES series audio/video components or any DVD player with room for a Mini-DV camcorder, and even a VCR. The new sets have sleek, floating screen design, and the 42-inch XBR model also features removable speakers for flexibility in custom installations.

The KDL-42XBR950 and KDL-32XBR950 LCD models boast a wide viewing angle of 170 degrees and will be available in January for about $10,000 and $5,500, respectively, while the KE-50XS910 plasma TV will be available this winter for about $10,000.

SOURCE Sony