Sony Launches New Blu-Ray, TV and Home Theater Lines

At its dealer line show in Las Vegas this week, Sony unveiled new Blu-ray players, networked Bravia HDTVs, A/V receivers and home theater systems.
The four new Blu-ray Disc devices include a stand-alone player with Wi-Fi capability for easier BD-Live access and Blu-ray Disc home theater systems with S-AIR wireless audio.

The BDP-S360 ($300) and BDP-S560 ($350)  stand-alone players and BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W BD home theater systems deliver full HD 1080/60p and 24p True Cinema output, decode advanced audio codecs. They ship this summer.

Styled to match the BDP-S360 and BDP-S560 with a black gloss exterior design, the HT-SS360 ($350, available in May) component home theater system is an integrated A/V receiver supporting full HD 1080p video and high-resolution audio.

The new 5.1 channel Blu-ray Disc home theater systems are the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. The BDV-E500W features integrated S-AIR wireless audio capabilities, which can transmit audio up to 164 feet from the main system to wireless rear speakers for simple surround sound or up to 10 individual S-AIR AirStation audio devices (sold separately) throughout the home. The BDV-E300 model is S-AIR ready so users can add optional modules, also sold separately. Both systems include Sony’s Digital Media Port, which adds control and connectivity options for music playback through various accessories. The BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W ship in June for about $600 and $800.

Sony bolstered its BRAVIA LCD HDTV line-up with the W-series, an economy line of HDTVs that deliver the same interactive functionality as the latest Z5100 and XBR9 models, according to the company.
The 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 and 40-inch KDL-40W5100, available this spring, feature Motionflow120Hz technology and the BRAVIA Engine 3. Both technologies help to deliver a smoother, sharper, clearer picture, according to the company.

Designed to match the W5100 series models, the new HT-CT500 3.1 channel sound bar (available in June for about $500) and supports latest advanced audio codecs.

The new A/V receivers include the flagship STR-DN1000 receiver (available in July for about $500), features a new piano black gloss designed to match the BDP-S360 and BDP-S560  Blu-ray players. It includes four HDMI and three component inputs, analog connections to upscale sources to near HD-quality, and S-Air technology, according to the company.

Other receivers, all available later this month, include the 7.1 channel STR-DH800 and STR-DH700 ($300), the 5.1 channel STR-DH500 ($200), and the STR-DH100 ($150).

The three new home theater systems – the DAV-HDX587WC, DAV-HDX589W (both available this month at $430) and DAV-HDX285 (available this month at $300) – clock in at 1,000 watts each and include integrated five disc DVD/CD changers.

Sony also introduced two portable DVD players, the DVP-FX730 and DVP-FX930, available this month for about $130 and $190.