To go along with a 3D headset prototype, a 3D Bloggie, and a 3D Handycam, Sony continued its push of 3D consumer products with new additions to the BRAVIA TV lineup at CES 2011. Most notable among them was the XBR-HX929 series, which implements a number of new features intended to give buyers more incentive for taking the plunge towards purchasing a 3DTV.
Perhaps in an effort to alleviate doubts as to whether there is enough 3D content to justify buying a 3DTV, Sony likely hopes that by building in internet connectivity (via integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi) it can pick up the slack.
The company's own BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity services will provide some content for consumers to watch, and if enough people spring for 3D-enabled cameras, there should be more user-generated media hitting the interwebs as well.
Sony has also jumped on the VOIP bandwagon, putting a Skype chat on your television thanks to an optional camera/mic unit. It would be nice if this was built-in, but perhaps that's something to look forward to down the road.
The company also announced that it will be incorporating Corning's famous Gorilla Glass into the BRAVIA lineup, marking the first time that material will be used in flat-screen HDTVs.
Other features include the ability to record to hard disk via USB, as well as smartphone applications to turn your mobile into a television remote. Certain VAIO notebooks will also be capable to interfacing with the TVs as well, which will come in handy when doing any typing while browsing the net. See below for for more specs on this new BRAVIA lineup.
XBR-HX929 Series
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with full-array local dimming LED backlight
- Sleek Monolithic Design with OptiContrast Panel Technology
- Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n)
- Skype ready
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- X-Reality PRO Engine
- MotionFlow XR 960
- Rear two-way IR inputs and two-way RS232C control
- Screen sizes include 65-inch (XBR-65HX292, which is available in August 2011), 55-inch (XBR-55HX929), and 46-inch (XBR-46HX929)
HX820-Series LED LCD 3D Capable HDTV, available in May
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Dynamic Edge LED backlight
- Sleek Monolithic Design with OptiContrast Panel Technology
- Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n)
- Skype ready
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- X-Reality PRO Engine
- MotionFlow XR 480
- Screen sizes include 55-inch (KDL-55HX820), and 46-inch (KDL-46HX820)
NX720-Series LED LCD 3D Capable HDTV, available in May
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Dynamic Edge LED backlight
- Sleek Monolithic Design with OptiContrast Panel Technology
- Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n)
- Skype ready
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- MotionFlow XR 240
- X-Reality Engine
- Screen sizes include 60-inch (KDL-60NX720), 55-inch (KDL-55NX720), and 46-inch (KDL-46NX720)
HX729-Series LED LCD 3D Capable HDTV, available in May
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Dynamic Edge LED backlight
- X-Reality PRO Engine
- MotionFlow XR 480
- Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n)
- Skype ready
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- Rear two-way IR inputs and two-way RS232C control
- Screen sizes include 65-inch (KDL-65HX729), 55-inch (KDL-55HX729), and 46-inch (KDL-46HX729)
EX720-Series LED LCD 3D Capable HDTV, available in February
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
- X-Reality Engine
- MotionFlow XR 240
- Wi-Fi ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
- Skype ready in
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- Screen sizes include 60-inch (KDL-60EX720, which is available in April), 55-inch (KDL-55EX720), 46-inch (KDL-46EX720), 40-Inch (KDL-40EX720), and 32-inch (KDL-32EX720)
EX620-Series LED LCD HDTV, available in February
- Full High Definition (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
- X-Reality Engine
- MotionFlow 120
- Wi-Fi ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
- Skype ready
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- Screen sizes include 55-inch (KDL-55EX620), 46-inch (KDL-46EX620), and 40-Inch (KDL-40EX620)
EX520-Series LED LCD HDTV, available in February
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with Edge LED backlight
- X-Reality Engine
- Wi-Fi ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
- Skype ready
- BRAVIA Internet Video and Qriocity
- Energy saving Presence Sensor minimize power consumption
- Screen sizes include 46-inch (KDL-46EX520), 40-inch (KDL-40EX520), 32-inch (KDL-32EX520)
BX420-Series HDTV, available in February
- Full HD (1080p) picture quality with CCFL backlight
- Five HD Inputs to connect multiple HD devices
- USB input for photo, music and video playback
- Scene select customized picture and sound settings
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Screen sizes include 46-inch (KDL-46BX420), 40-inch (KDL-40BX420), and 32-inch (KDL-32BX420)
BX320-Series HDTV, available in February
- High Definition (720p) picture quality with CCFL backlight
- Five HD Inputs to connect multiple HD devices
- USB input for photo, music and video playback
- Scene select customized picture and sound settings
- Ambient Light Sensor
- Screen sizes include 32-inch (KDL-32BX320), and 22-inch (KDL-22BX320)