Want to Be a Sony Blogger?

Hey all Sony followers, fans and just those who enjoy Sony quality and design. Sony is offering a very interesting and exciting opportunity to become a Sony blogger at SonyStyle and snatch a couple of amazing prizes (like Sony’s XPERIA X10, woot!?) as well as travel to South Africa to attend the FIFA 2010 World Cup ™ soccer games. Sounds like a fun opportunity for you? Here is what you need to do:

• You’ll want to tell us in 200 words or less why you should be the Sony Style X10 Blogger (deadline to apply is 11:59 PT on May 7, 2010)
• Ten (10) finalists will be selected to receive a Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X10 phone, PSPgo and FIFA Soccer 10 game
• Beginning May 17, 2010 the ten (10) finalists will then duke it out by blogging for a week on topics such as Sony/Sony Ericsson, soccer and travel to South Africa

Not too bad, huh? Thanks Gina at SonyStyle for an amazing opportunity. Way to jump start a new beginning in a new Sony blog.

Check out more details here and don’t miss the opportunity. Read the fine print as well as it is only open for the US residents.

Sony’s Monolithic Design Exhibition At Milano Salone del Mobile

Sony has opened the doors to its much anticipated exhibition “Contemplating Monolithic Design” at Milano Salone del Mobile, presenting the latest in Sony’s creativity. Exclusively for this exhibition, Sony designers have worked with Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby to explore, through conceptual archetypes, the extension and integration of electronics, with furniture and architectural design. Visitors are offered a glimpse of how pushing the boundaries of technology and design could shape the living room of the future.

The seed for this exhibition was Sony’s new design concept, Monolithic Design. The concept of this new design, seeking only what is essential, leads us to consider the sense of presence that products bring to a space. This ideal has the potential to change the face of future home entertainment in the context of interior design. The exhibition at Milano Salone del Mobile intentionally pushes the boundaries of the core concept of Monolithic Design and serves to elevate this design language to the next level. The result is an experimental vision symbolising a deeper integration of product within contemporary lifestyles.

Kaz Ichikawa, project leader, Sony Creative Center commented, “For this exhibition we wanted to present a vision of what can be achieved through consumer electronics design and an integration with furniture and home architecture. The exhibition offers visitors the chance to experience a journey through the pursuit in finding the definitive balance between making a statement yet working in harmony with surroundings. We have presented this in five areas, each are experimental works in progress that illustrate varying scenario’s representing Sony’s vision of how products can integrate with contemporary interiors. It is extremely exciting for Sony to be displaying such forward-thinking and thought-provoking conceptual ideas on such an international scale.”

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby said of the exhibition, “Our thinking was to create abstract objects for the everyday living environment, to show suggestions of how the Sony technologies might appear in our lives. We found it most interesting to explore abstracted, pure forms, each one representing a different area of the living space. We have used simple raw materials, since these seemed a strong partner for the great complexity of the microtechnology that they were paired with. In forming and resolving our ideas we came to four new archetypes that to us represented all the possibilities of the new Sony technologies in the home.”

The setting for this experiential revelation is an anechoic chamber; filled with sound absorbing cones to create a noiseless space. Anechoic spaces allow for a keen sense of hearing, our vision becomes sharper, leading us to tune in to the reality of the things around us. We invite the visitors to focus their senses on the new realm unfolding around them, conveyed in the five areas of archetypes.

Area 1: Icon (The essence of Monolithic Design)
In this space Sony presents an installation representing the essence of Monolithic Design at its purest and its most symbolic level. The object is set, in a monumental style, into a slab of slate, representing the dynamic, elegant presence of a form, which stands quiet and calm, yet penetrates the earth and air of its entire environment.

Area 2: Insight (Sound and light in a single object)
Visitors in area two will experience a demonstration of how sound and light may integrate and coexist in interior spaces. Owing to the development of Sony’s unique speaker drive system, vertical drive-technology and proprietary digital signal processing technology, speakers can be now integrated to LED lighting to maintain the personalized decor. Here the archetypes apply materials such as cultured marble, wood and organic glass that fits comfortably within multiple home environments.

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The harmony of the glow radiating from the light with the sound emanating from the omni-directional speaker producing 360° acoustic field embodies a new archetype.

Area 3: Intimate (Personal visual sound field)
An exercise in the essential. Pairing a television with near-field speakers yields a private sphere of entertainment that offers a soundstage with impressive presence. In this personal space, we can immerse ourselves in audio and video content without disturbing others or being distracted. Within the space stand a stool, television and stand, and near-field speaker and stand, creating a new personal experience.

Area 4: Integrate (Visual sound furniture)
Area four offers a variant on Monolithic Design expression, with an intelligent connection to furniture and interior space. The mechanical aspect of television or audio systems is neatly incorporated in this archetype to express a new face in furniture. Here, the archetype creates audio without imposition of a mass of imposing technology. The material was made by stererolithography, a 3D printing process providing a pattern and unique structure which have been uniquely designed to achieve acoustic transparency.

Area 5: Install (Architectural furniture integrated with sound lights)
This area connects all elements of light, space and sound. Experimental products and furniture populate this experiential space of an abstracted living room. The essential pieces of a speaker, lights and television do not dominate any space, yet their powerful simplicity is immediately apparent.

In the quest for Monolithic Design, Sony limited the focus to essential elements, however, as the diverse examples on display show – from lighting to furniture to architecture and living space – the potential to inspire pieces that blend seamlessly into many settings is unlimited.

‘Contemplating Monolithic Design’ by Sony is open for public viewing from 14th to 19th April in the impressive space of Officine Stendhal at Via Stendhal 35 in Milano, Italy.

NAB: Sony’s HDR-CX550V Handycam Goes Pro With HXR-MC50J Bundle

The HDR-CX550V Handycam camcorder announced back at CES 2010 is outfitted with a professional-quality wide angle Sony G Lens and an “Exmor R” CMOS image sensor for superior low-light performance. Sony has realized many enthusiasts are using these camcorders in the field, and are set to offer a cool bundle called the HXR-MC50J this July that give it greater flexibility for aspiring filmmakers. Items in this add-on kit include a lens hood, external microphone, and a NP-FV70 high capacity battery.

Other key specifications of the hardware itself include 1080i HD video recording, 12-megapixel images, 64GB embedded Flash memory, 10X optical zoom, Optical SteadyShot, and built-in GPS receiver. There’s also an incredible 3.5 inch LCD screen that is capable of 921k colors. Not too shabby.

Picture courtesy of AV Watch.

NAB: Sony To Offer Professional 3D Monitors This Fall

At NAB 2010, Sony showed off two professional grade high performance 3D monitors in 24″ (LMD-2451TD, pictured above) and 42″ (LMD-4251TD) sizes. In recent years, digital technologies for stereoscopic 3D cinema production and live shooting have progressed rapidly, and the market for 3D entertainment is undoubtedly growing. However, people grow tired very quickly of lackluster 3D and desire sophisticated presentations.

The true magic within these monitors are the unique ChromaTRU color matching technologies; they also support full HD (1920×1080) resolution, and is basically a killer LCD with IPS panel and a wide viewing angle. With an optional dual stream HD-SDI interface, these monitors support signals including 1080/59.94i, 1080/50i, 1080/24PsF, and 1080/23.98PsF formats. They can also be used as 2D monitors, and should be available in September.

These professional monitors incorporate a micro-polarizer 3D filter attached to the LCD panel, and are supplied with circular polarizer 3D glasses. Wearing these lightweight 3D glasses, users can enjoy smooth, uninterrupted viewing of multiple monitors.

Pictures courtesy of AV Watch, further specs within Sony brochure (pdf).

How To Fix The Battery Life On The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10

Recently I had the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 in my possession for about three weeks. The phone is truly outstanding as SE’s first Android device, and has some features that really shine in comparison to the competition. The design is also just so stunning, and reminds me of the Monolithic Design concept we’ve seen with Sony’s other products. However, after using the phone daily, it became obvious that there was a big problem – the battery life. The battery was draining way too quickly, even in standby mode. I tried some application management programs, and so forth, but it still seemed less than what I’d hoped for.

After reading the topic “X10 Power Usage” (16 pages and counting) at XDA Developer forums I quickly realized I wasn’t alone. The discussion within is very interesting and many culprits are identified, such as the obvious like Wi-Fi, but other oddities such as the pre-installed Moxier loading by itself. I’d noticed that too on my test version of the XPERIA X10.

There was also the matter of Data Sync within the Settings – it seems that having it update often for things such as Mail (or GMail) is making a big impact; try turning it off from Auto update. Try changing the Update frequency (Settings > Online Service Accounts > {ServiceName} > Update Automatically) of all services to Every Hour. And of course, Android programs like JuiceDefender, JuicePlotter, and Advanced Task Manager help out greatly.

I also read this helpful comment:

Using an application that stops several services on startup. I use startup auditor and disable moxier services, Timescape, face recognition…etc.

Using an application that disables the APN while the screen is off and therefore sincyng in the meanwhile. There are lots of such applications, data on demand works for me and is free.

Cycling the battery a few times from discharge to full charge. This has made truly a difference.

Using 2G most of the time rather than 3G. (I don’t have to do much, at work I’m in a dark spot with 2G coverage only).

All these measures combined, give me more than 20-30 hours of operation while at the beggining I could hadly get 8.

We also hear from twitter user RMMaurice that TaskPanel is a better alternative to Startup Auditor.

There was hope that the latest firmware version, R1FA016, that has slipped out to some around the world and pre-installed for others, would fix this, but it merely improves keyboard accuracy and other issues that were present. I found changing the keyboard style to the Android one was also helpful.

Please leave your tips in the comments.

PlayStation Sub-controller Officially Titled “Navigation”

Well after a recent FCC filing and then confirmation from Sony themselves, the sub-controller as it has been known so far was given a new name: Navigation Controller.

Hopefully as E3 is right around the corner, Sony has a few tricks up their sleeve to showcase some new tech alongside the PlayStation Move ensemble.  All eyes are sure to be on Sony’s press conference to see what they have in store.

So it would appear that “You are the Navigator”. Ok, sorry about that. I had a flashback to Max for a brief second. I can’t be the only one right?

NAB: Sony’s New PMW-320 XDCAM EX Camcorder

The expanding family of Sony’s XDCAM EX video products now includes two shoulder-mount camcorders that deliver new levels of creativity and flexibility for solid-state digital production. The previously announced Sony PMW-350 2/3-inch CMOS memory camcorder is now available in a ½-inch version, the PMW-320.

“Since it was first introduced, Sony designed the XDCAM EX series to be flexible enough to grow and expand as our customers’ production needs change,” said Bob Ott, vice president, Sony Electronics’ broadcast and professional audio/video products business. “These new products redefine solid-state production, with improvements achieved in features, performance, and ergonomics.”

Here is a video of the new XDCAM EX line from Sony Professional Europe:

Both camcorders have three Exmor full HD 1920×1080 CMOS imagers, and are studio-configurable, with timecode in/out, genlock in, and HD-SDI and HDMI out. The PMW-350 camcorder features a DVCAM recording and playback as an option; with both features offered as standard on the PMW-320. Users can choose between the lens-packaged models, PMW-350K and PMW- 320K ($14,800), or versions without lenses, PMW-350L or PMW-320L ($12,800). To enhance editing interoperability with Sony’s XDCAM HD 422 camcorders, both the PMW-350 and PMW-320 camcorders feature 1440×1080 recording mode at 35Mbps.

NAB: Sony’s SRW-9000PL Professional Camcorder Has 35mm Imager And PL Mount

Sony is unveiling the newest addition to its CineAlta line of high-end acquisition systems: the SRW-9000PL camcorder. The new model expands the capabilities of Sony’s previously announced SRW-9000, adding a 35mm imager and PL mount to increase its flexibility and offer shooters more image creation options.

“Demand for digital shooting with a 35mm size sensor is rising for both motion picture and prime-time TV drama productions, two areas where our F35 has had great success,” said Chris Marchitelli, senior manager of CineAlta and Production Systems at Sony Electronics.

“This new model’s S35mm one-chip CCD sensor and PL lens mount are similar to the F35, so it combines the SR portability of the 9000 with the high-end optics of the F35, giving DPs an incredibly powerful and versatile tool for creating any ‘look’ they need.”

The SRW-9000PL offers full RGB image capturing (without color sub-sampling), ultra-wide dynamic range (over 12 T-stops), variable speed (SR Motion) with speed ramp capability, S-Log and HyperGamma capability. The camcorder is capable of 4:2:2 10-bit recording at 1080/23.98PsF, 24PsF, 25PsF, 29.97PsF, and 1080/50i, 59.94i. It can also record 4:2:2 1080/50P as standard configuration. The range of option boards developed for the SRW-9000 (2/3-inch version) can also be used with the SRW-9000PL (S35mm version) for additional performance and functionality.

• The HKSR-9001 HD-SDI expansion board adds dual-link HD-SDI outputs and an extra AUX input port, which works as an HD-SDI audio input for providing connectivity to an external audio multiplexing device. This allows users to multiplex up to 12 channels of audio to the HD-SDI input. The latest firmware version of the HKSR-9001 also provides 3G HD-SDI output capability.
• The HKSR-9002 picture cache board enables the camcorder to capture and record images with variable speed (SR Motion capability) from 1 to 50 fps. With this board, the camcorder can continuously record up to three seconds of images while the camcorder is in stand-by mode. When the record button is pushed, the stored images are recorded to HDCAM SR tape and the camcorder can continue recording in real time.
• With the HKSR-9003 RGB 4:4:4 processing board, the camcorder offers full-bandwidth digital 4:4:4 high-definition RGB recording and output capability. The option also offers S-LOG Gamma, essentially a “digital negative,” allowing users to tailor their images during post-production in the same way they would in a film-based work flow.

Both the SRW-9000 and the SRW-9000PL will be available with an upgrade path to Sony’s next-generation high-speed memory recording system. In addition, Sony will also offer a 35mm upgrade kit (HKSR-90PL) for the SRW-9000 2/3 inch imaging system. The SRW-9000PL camcorder and the HKSR-90PL are planned to be available in the fall, with suggested list pricing of approximately $125,000 and approximately $60,000 respectively.

(press release, pdf)

NAB: Sony Debuts $3,850 Professional 7.4-inch OLED Monitor

Sony is bringing the stunning OLED technology that revolutionized consumer displays to its line of professional monitors. The new PVM-740, available this April for $3,850, is the first field display to use an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel with Sony’s unique Super Top Emission technology to efficiently deliver superb high contrast, high color images, even in ambient light.

The 7.4-inch high-resolution (960 x 540 pixels) portable monitor can fit a range of professional monitoring applications, including studio editing, ENG and EFT production, OB trucks, and even research and development. The versatile new monitor is also ideal for use in 3D camera rigs with its flip mode.

The display panel creates smooth gradation from the dark to the bright portions of scenes such as a sunrise or a sunset. The PVM-740 offers outstanding high-contrast images – for example, the deep black of a night scene can be accurately displayed and the black portion of an image is not raised even in a low-illumination edit suite. Its blur-free, quick response to fast motion is perfect for sports or camera monitoring during panning and text scrolling.

The monitor can flip a picture horizontally or vertically without frame delay. This feature is useful during 3D image acquisition using a 3D rig camera with a pair of 2D monitors. The monitor can be connected to the camera systems directly without need for an external signal converter, making system integration simpler.

Its picture contrast is greater than a CRT display, is less affected by ambient light, allowing clear images to be viewed even in strong sunlight. For further protection, the optional VF-510 ENG kit provides a viewing hood, carrying handle, and connector protector.

An AR coating provides protection from scratches and enables a high transmission rate of the internal light source to keep the picture as bright as possible, while keeping reflection from ambient light to a minimum. As a result, when used in bright lighting conditions, high contrast is still maintained even in dark areas of the picture. Sony’s unique 10-bit panel driver and ChromaTRU technologies work effectively to emulate colors and gammas of CRT monitors, and to support broadcast standards (SMPTE-C, EBU, and ITU-R BT.709).

The new monitor also adds DC/AC operations, a convenient control panel with luminous and assignable buttons, a camera focus function, a wave form monitor, 8-channel audio level meter, a variety marker setting, and native scanning capabilities.

The PVM-740 monitor is also equipped with a Sony’s unique feed-back circuit system. This system works to monitor the emitted lights all the time, and feed the monitor-result back and adjust the white balance. It also ensures color and gamma stability.

The PVM-740 is 3.8U high and half-rack wide. Using the optional MB-531 mounting bracket with a 10-degree-forward and 10-degree-backward nonstop-tilt capability, two units can be installed side by side in a 19-inch EIA standard rack. With 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch screw holes on its base, the PVM-740 can be installed in a camera system on a pedestal, for example.

The PVM-740 can display a center marker and aspect markers, and the brightness of these
markers can be selected from either gray or dark gray levels. Users can also select a gray matte to
fill the outer area of the aspect markers.

A unique native scan function reproduces images without changing the input signal’s pixel count – mapping the pixel of the input signal on the panel pixel-to-pixel. For example, when an SD signal is input, the monitor reproduces the image at picture sizes of 646 x 487 pixels in 480i and 480p, and 768 x 540 pixels in 575i and 576p. When an HD signal is input, the PVM-740 displays a center portion of the HD image.

The PVM-740 is equipped with standard interface connectors: a composite video, a 3G/HD/SD-SDI, and an HDMI interface.

It accepts most SD or HD video formats. For extra mobility, it incorporates various video interfaces as standard, including composite, SDI interface for SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI, and HDMI interface. With the 3G-SDI interface, it accepts 1080/50p and 1080/60p formats, which is compliant with the SMPTE 425 standard, transmitting up to 4:2:2/10-bit 1080/60p and 1080/50pvideo data using one SDI cable. As sports and live production move toward a 1080p system, this single-link 3G-SDI system can be an ideal solution.

HDMI connectivity further expands the monitor’s potential applications. For example, the PVM-740 monitor can connect with professional video systems such as Sony’s XDCAM HD,XDCAM EX, NXCAM, and HDV series. Consumer video products such as Blu-ray Disc and digital cameras can also be connected, ideal for Blu-ray video authoring or digital photo image previews.

(press release, pdf)

NAB: Sony Updates HD Production Switchers

New production switcher announcements have become a tradition for Sony at NAB, and this year’s line-up features two new models that offer high performance at each end of the product chain.

The MVS-8000X (picture courtesy of AV Watch), available this spring, is the latest in Sony’s MVS switcher family, which has become the standard in live and control room production. The new MVS model provides a bridge from 2D 720P and 1080i high-definition production to the growing need for 1080P/59.94 3Gbps and 3D stereoscopic production capability. The DFS-900M is an entry-level, multi-format (SD/HD) switcher perfect for regional broadcasting, small remote productions, houses of worship, government and education use.

“These new switchers were developed and built using experience gained over a decade of designing and delivering market-proven systems and as a result we enjoy a well-earned reputation for leadership in high-definition production switching,” said Chris Marchitelli, senior manager of CineAlta and Production Systems at Sony Electronics.

The MVS-8000X is multi-format and fully scalable up to 5ME and 200 input/100 output, including dedicated interfaces for DME at 3Gbps 1080P/59.94. The switcher’s 3D-on-3G mode enables the full performance of 5MEs and simplified operation for 3D production. In 3D 1080i/720P mode, complex link settings are not necessary since 2D and 3D signal sources can be assigned to crosspoint buttons, enabling flexible production of 2D/3D sources. If the left and right signals are reversed, users can exchange signals easily through the switcher’s menu display. The Digital Multi Effects of the MVS system can adjust depth for 2D graphics using a newly supported Parallax menu.

The MVS-8000X processor (1080i/720P) incorporates eight keyers with digital video resizers, border generators, and advanced chroma key, all as standard; and an advanced frame memory system, including 16 channels of still and clip recording and playback, available as an option. Also available are format converters, including up-, down- and cross-conversion for both inputs and outputs; and color correction, featuring RGB and six-vector correction modes. The MVS-X offers powerful MultiProgram2 technology, which allows splitting a single ME to two Mix/Effect sections. This enables 5ME systems to perform with the equivalent capabilities of 10ME, with four keyers for each ME.

The DFS-900M, available late summer, is a multi-format HD and SD production switcher available in either 1M/E or 1.5M/E configurations, selectable by panel choice. It features a 3RU compact processor with optional redundant power supply, expandable up to 24-inputs and 12-outputs of HD/SD-SDI, or optional input/output for Analog and DVI. It also offers 4 keyers (Chroma key standard) + 2 DSK, up to 6 channels of 3D DVE (including warp), 4channels of frame memory ( video and key pairs), and up to 2 sets of multi viewer outputs that can display 4, 10, or 16 screens.

(press release, pdf)