Check out Our Entire Set of Sony Photos from CES 2011

During CES we had the wonderful opportunity to float around freely and really lose ourselves in technology heaven. Having been there for the first time both personally and professionally for this site, it was really something that’s hard to describe. Between the sheer amount of new products, old products, lights, music and sounds from different presentations, you would at times need just a few minutes to just refocus on what it is that you were trying to do. In our case, that meant covering Sony and offering you news and information on their current and up coming products. The following are some of the pictures that we captured along the way.

[Flickr]

Sony Introduces 27 New Bravia Models for 2011, Most with Internet and 3D Built In!

During CES, Sony made it apparent that they want to give their Bravia lineup a refresh across the board and pack them with features not found on other sets. This is in part, the evolution of the Bravia televisions that began their internet connectivity over two years ago and the 3D expansion that Sony started a year ago. Now for their 2011 lineup, a whopping 27 new models across 9 lineups is being released. 22 of the models will be gaining full internet TV connectivity (only the 5 starting models don’t gain this feature) while the top 16 models will be getting transmitter free 3D built in. Some of the internet TV services will Sony Music Unlimited Streaming Service and Video on Demand ; Qriocity, as well as Netflix, Pandora, HuluPlus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle, Blip.tv. Other features to set the Bravia lineup apart from others will be Skype connectivity for select devices which with a Sony 720p camera (CMU-BR100) will give you access to any other user out there with Skype. Having played with the feature during CES, I can happily report that the features works effortlessly and smoothly.

While in middle of watching a show, if somebody contacts you while you are logged into your Skype account via your Bravia set, a small notification will appear on the TV which you can then choose to accept or decline the call. Once accept, your TV show will get muted and reduced to the bottom corner and the video call will go live, full center on the screen. Here, you will also have full Skype functionality, meaning you can call other numbers and connect to any other Skype enabled device.

Bravia Television with Skype, Live!

Sony also debuted the XBR-HX929, their new flagship model with some great industry firsts. Besides having the built in 3D, 720p Skype calling and  internet TV functionality, Gorilla Glass will be making it’s way into the model as the new screen, allowing for thinner, lighter, and stronger screen material. Like it’s predecessor, full-array local dimming LED backlight is back with Sony’s new Bravia engine, the X-Reality PRO Engine which has been built from the ground up to offer better color and image accuracy. To top off all these features, Sony is also introducing what they call MotionFlow XR960. Those who are familiar with MotionFlow will know that first we started off with 120hz and higher end TV’s later gained 240hz to match the quality of Plasma TV’s by reducing the ghosting effect that LCD televisions can have and this can be more apparent with 3D content. Now the XBR-HX929 will offer 960hz, almost quadrupling previous offerings and having witnessed it, it’s damn impressive. The XBR-HX929 will come in a 65-inch (XBR-65HX292, which is available in August 2011), 55-inch (XBR-55HX929), and 46-inch (XBR-46HX929) and will be out in April.

Bravia Monolithic Design

Hit the jump for the full press release and spec offerings of the 9 new model lineups from Sony, as well as additional pictures.

 

Sony Ditches 3D Transmitter Bar on all 2011 Bravia Televisions

During CES, I had the pleasure to have some great conversations with different Sony engineers and get their takes on different products and features from Sonys many current and future offerings. In the mix of all the many different product launches and 27 new Bravia models from Sony, I both noticed something interesting and later confirmed something that seemed to have gotten missed by almost all other outlets. Sony has ditched the $50 3D transmitter bar on all of their 2011 3D TVs. With the current model of Bravia’s in the market, only the high end model, the LX900 offers 3D built in with no transmitter bar where the rest of the series like the HX and EX were dubbed 3D ready, meaning that you could buy a 3D transmitter bar and give it 3D. But with all 2011 Bravia models, 3D will be built in no transmitter bar needed. What’s even more amazing is when you take in the fact that 16 of Sony’s 2011 Bravia’s will be 3D, starting with models as small as 27-inches which will place them well under the $1,000 price and in the price range of many consumers.

Improvements to this year’s 3D models include panel drive enhancements that deliver quicker response time helping to reduce crosstalk, 5:5 pull down for a more realistic cinematic movie experience, built-in 3D emitters on all 3D models.
Expanding the 3D content users can view, the new BRAVIA 3D capable models can display 3D images taken with Sony’s new Cyber-shot cameras like the DSC-WX9 via USB input.

Sony to Buy IMAX? (Updated)

Rumors over the last week have been pointing to the buy out of IMAX theaters by Sony Corp. With the big launch 3D had during 2010 and 2011 promising to bring 3D to more devices, both professional and consumer, the move does make sense. Especially if you consider that IMAX plays a big roll when it comes to 3D movies, a venue that Sony’s movie division; Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures can take great advantage of. Still, it’s not like upcoming 3D movies from Sony like The Green Hornet, The Smurfs, Men In Black 3D and the Spider-man reboot wouldn’t have been shown in 3D without IMAX. But with a chain of 3D theaters under its belt, Sony can take advantage of the screens and offering and not only use its own 4k 3D projectors which are considered some of the best, but to also hold events to show off 3D to consumers like the upcoming Lakers game. With Sony using their own equipment in the mix, Sony can make sure that the 3D experience is at the highest quality and wow audiences the proper way, in order to have them buy in the 3D experience, something that currently consumers are mixed about. But alas, if you were looking for  CES announcement to confirm or deny it, you will be disappointed though the two companies will continue collaborate on the upcoming 3D channel.

Update:

Based on the rumor, IMAX stocks have hit a 52 week high of $32 per share though they are now trading back to their normal value of $27, due to the lack of any announcements between the two companies.

Check out our Photos from the CES 2011 Sony Press Conference

Head over to our Flickr Page to check out pictures from the CES 2011 Sony Press Conference. Expect a lot more details overviews of products, offerings and pictures from the Sony Booth to come as we attend our second day at CES.

We’re at CES 2011! Follow our Live Blog! (updated with pictures)

We’re finally here at CES 2011! Follow our blog for live updates as they happen! We are equipped to the throat with iPhones, iPads, Macbook Pros, and an array of cameras and a Sprint 4G card to help bring it all to you. Got questions? Post them here, or on our Facebook and Twitter page!

2 MacBook Pros, 2 iPads, 2 iPhone 4s, Flip HD, Sony HX5, Sprint 4G Card

5:12:

Finally got our 4G card to get proper signal!

5:13:

Sony is talking about their 3D Product Roadmap. Sony is showing a very futuristic headset with full 3D viewing. Imagine Geordi from Stark Trek: TNG

5:15:

There will be a Sony Portable Blu-ray player with 3D and 5.1 Surround sound.

5:17:

Sir Howard Stringer is back on stage.
Sony wants all of their TVs to be web connected.
Nearly 180 Million US users watch video online.
In 2011, more than 65 Million web-based TVs will be sold.

Sony President and CEO, Sir Howard Stringer

5:20

TV is redefined because of the Web.

Kaz Hirai will be on stage soon to talk about Qriocity.
3D and Web TVs will be successful, just like Color TV, Blu-ray and High Definition TVs were first met with criticism and now are successful standards.

5:24:

By 2013, Sony will be the number Consumer Electronics provider in the United States.

Hit the jump to follow our Live Feed

Sony Alpha A77 at CES 2011, E-Firmware Update Soon?

Sony has recently been going around and showing off its prototype Alpha, dubbed “Advances Model”, though it wouldn’t be a hard stretch to assume from its features and designs that this will indeed by the Sony Alpha A77. Rumors put it that the camera will be officially unveiled at CES 2011 and on sale sometime after that. Building off the translucent mirror technology that Sony has used in its A55 and A33, the A77 is said to have full HD video mode, recording in AVCHD. Furthermore, expect an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, as Sony is noting that it will be “far more powerful than the a55,” with goals to target “serious enthusiast photographers.”

Now for all you NEX owners (and I hope to be one of them by CES), Sony is looking to release a new firmware update mid October to bring “autofocus support to A-mount lenses used on E-mount cameras, aperture control in video mode and customizable keys.” In order to give users even more flexibility, Sony is looking to introduce a total of 10 new A-mount lenses by 2012 and is said to be looking for some partners to offer even a more extensive lineup. More options can never hurt, right?