Hands-on With Sony’s Glasses-free 3D Portable Blu-ray Player

Sony had many interesting demonstrations of upcoming/concept glasses-free 3D technology at CES 2011. An interesting character in that group was the little “Glasses-free 3D Portable Blu-ray Player,” which allows you to spin 3D movies anywhere, without glasses.

The specifications are pretty straightforward for its small size, as it sports a normal 10.1″ LCD at 1366×768, which can play HD at that resolution. The 3D effect is not as bad as you would think. After spending several minutes watching the various demo footage I was slightly impressed. There was dimensionality around objects, but it wasn’t anything mind blowing. When the character (in the photos below) was walking around the forest I could feel the layers of scene around her, and the trees seemed authentic at certain points. At other points it was lackluster. I think it will still be a really unique device that could appeal to those who have Blu-ray 3D movies.

Could it also be a product that entices someone to get into Blu-ray 3D? Hard to tell. If I had the money to throw around I might get it for the family. Maybe if I traveled a lot.

Would you buy a product like this?

The styling on top of this Blu-ray player was radical and embossed with a high gloss, carbon-fiber ribbon top with a lush shade of subdued neon blue. It, like many other products for Sony at CES 2011, represented even bolder style experimentation than previous generations. There is no doubt this device would attract attention. And fingerprints.

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Hands-on With Skype For Sony BRAVIA Devices

One great new feature added to 2011 BRAVIA devices (TV, Blu-ray players, etc) is the embedded Skype application.

The camera (CMU-BR100) used for Skype isn’t built into the television, and is sold separately. You can video call anyone with Skype, even on mobile devices, or make voice calls while watching TV.

It’s been puzzling as to why it took Sony so long to launch video chat for their TVs, as Samsung and other manufacturers launched Skype for their sets back at CES 2010.

We spent some time with Skype for BRAVIA at CES 2011, and our impressions are mixed. The version we saw was still in prototype form, but seemed very close to the final product.

The CMU-BR100 camera module itself is very small, and the shape somewhat reminds me of the Microsoft Kinect. It is definitely far smaller and lighter than the Kinect, though. Video quality maxes out at 720p resolution, which is on par with the competition. The camera has an array of four microphones as well. There is a flap at the bottom that is also made out of rubber, which I assume helps prevent the camera from slipping off smooth surfaces.

The actual video quality of Skype for BRAVIA was mediocre, and didn’t even feel like 720p. There was problems with sharpness and also jagged blocks were evident during movement. To be fair, though, I must remind you the demo I witnessed was a prototype. There’s also the fact that in Las Vegas during CES, and nearly all Internet connections are completely overloaded so that also had a significant impact on quality. I assume the final version, on a good broadband connection, will look and feel like 720p quality.

We will be following up with Sony to see what the price of the CMU-BR100 will be and if the camera is backwards compatible with 2010 BRAVIA devices.

We shot many pictures of the service in action, including: contact list, profile view, on-screen call notification, video call interface, tools menu, and several settings menus.

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Sony Brings a New Blu-ray Player & Home Theater System Line up for 2011

Today Sony released a new line up of Blu-ray disc players, introducing four stand alone models (BDP-S780, BDP-S580, BDP-S480, and BDP-S380) and three integrated home theater systems (BDV-E780W, BDV-E580, and BDV-E280), as well as a 5.1 channel home theater audio system (HT-SS380).  All of the models play back DVD, CD and SACD discs in addition to Blu-ray Discs.

The company also introduced its first portable Blu-ray Disc player, BDP-SX1000, which features a 10.1-inch WSVGA screen.

The high end model BDP-S780 brings a number of new features to the market like Skype videoconferencing, HomeShare Wi-Fi Network compatibility as well as Super Bit Mapping borrowed from previous ES Blu-ray player.

Sony’s BDP-S780 Blu-ray Disc player is Blu-ray 3D capable and compatible with DVDs, CDs, and SACDs.  The model features built in Wi-Fi wireless (802.11n) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) as well as an Ethernet jack for easy access to BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE™.

Compatible with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) devices, the model serves as a DLNA client and allows you to wirelessly share digital photos, music, and video media from your PC using your home network.  It also includes a front USB input for convenient access to photo, music, and video playback.  The model is also compatible with Sony’s new HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speakers.

The player also has Skype™ embedded.  When connecting a USB TV camera, purchased separately, users can enjoy free widescreen Skype-to-Skype video calls with friends and family from the comfort of their living rooms.

The model also features an Entertainment Database Browser, using Gracenote™ technologies, that allows users to browse details like actor and production information from a Blu-ray disc and access related content found on BRAVIA Internet Video content.

Users with an iPhone®, iPod touch®, or Android™ mobile device can control Sony’s entire Blu-ray line-up using a free application that can be downloaded from the app stores.  The updated Sony “Media Remote” app allows the mobile device to function as a remote control that includes the ability to access a Blu-ray Disc’s details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for additional video clips online.  With an Android phone, consumers can also use the app to control their Sony Blu-ray and Bravia products with their voice.  The app is also compatible with select new BRAVIA HDTVs announced today.

With the press of a button, the BDP-S780 can up convert 2D content to simulate 3D and improves standard definition and web video quality with Sony’s IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling technologies.

It also includes Super Bit Mapping, Smoothing, and Chroma Processing technologies which deliver smoother color gradation when connected via HDMI.

Building on industry leading fast load times, the model features an improved start up and disc loading performance.  When the quick start feature is turned on, the start-up time is quicker and disc loading is faster than previous models.

Also new to Sony’s Blu-ray Disc player line is the BDP-S580 Blu-ray Disc player featuring built in Wi-Fi (802.11n) with WPS.  Other features found on this model include:

• Full HD 1080p playback
• Blu-ray 3D, DVD, CD and SACD compatibility
• IP Content Noise Reduction
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE functionality
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• DLNA Client and photo, music, and video playback
• Photo, music, and video playback via front USB
• HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speaker compatible
• “Media Remote” (iPhone/iPod touch/Android BD Remote Control application)
• Quick start and loading
• Available in March for about $200

Rounding out the line, other new Blu-ray Disc players include:

BDP-S480 Blu-ray Disc Player

• Full HD 1080p playback
• Blu-ray 3D, DVD, CD, and SACD playback
• Wi-Fi-ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE functionality
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• DNLA Client and photo, music, and video playback
• Photo, music, and video playback via front USB
• HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speaker compatible
• “Media Remote” (iPhone/iPod touch/Android BD Remote Control application)
• Quick start and loading
• Available in March for about $180

BDP-S380 Blu-ray Disc Player

• Full HD 1080p playback
• DVD, CD, and SACD playback
• Wi-Fi-ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE functionality
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• Photo, music, and video playback via front USB
• “Media Remote” (iPhone/iPod touch/Android BD Remote Control application)
• Quick start and loading
• Available in February for about $150

Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems

Sony’s new Blu-ray Disc home theater line feature three models that are Blu-ray 3D capable and all offer access to Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video and BD-LIVE™ technology.

The flagship BDV-E780W is a full HD 1080p 5.1 channel 1000 watt Blu-ray Disc home theater system that features built-in Wi-Fi (802.11n), wireless rear speakers, 2-way front speakers that can deliver a wider audio sweet spot ideal for family viewing and an improved subwoofer.

The model also features a universal remote, as well as the “Media Remote” control app available for iPhone/iPod touch and Android devices.

It includes Sony’s Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote® technology to access disc cover art, actor, and production information, as well as IP Content Noise Reduction technology and Precision Cinema HD Upscaling to improve standard definition and web video quality.

Serving as a DLNA client, the model is compatible with DLNA devices and includes a front USB input for photo, music, and video playback and is compatible with Sony’s new HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speakers.

The model also comes with an iPhone/iPod dock and offers two HDMI inputs and will be available in May for about $600.

Other new Blu-ray Disc home theater systems include:

BDV-E580 Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System

Available in March for about $500

• 1000 watt, 5.1 channel home theater system
• Blu-ray 3D, DVD, CD, and SACD playback
• Two HDMI inputs
• Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11n) with WPS
• BRAVIA Internet Video
• Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote technology
• USB and DNLA Client and photo, music, and video playback

• HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speaker compatible

• “Media Remote” (iPhone/iPod touch/Android BD Remote Control application)
• iPhone/iPod touch dock included
• Quick start and load

BDV-E280 Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System

Available in April for about $400

• 1000 watt, 5.1 channel home theater system
• Blu-ray 3D,DVD, CD, and SACD playback
• Two HDMI inputs
• Wi-Fi-ready (USB wireless LAN adapter sold separately)
• BRAVIA Internet Video
• iPhone/iPod touch dock included
• Quick start and load

Portable Blu-ray Disc Player

Sony’s new BDP-SX1000 is the company’s first portable Blu-ray Disc player.  The 10.1-inch wide, WSVGA model plays back both Blu-ray and DVD discs, as well as USB media.
It features 180-degree swivel display, five hour battery life from the built-in, rechargeable battery and offers built-in speakers and a headphone output.
The model will be available this spring for about $300.

Home Theater Audio System

Sony also announced the HT-SS380 5.1 channel home theater audio system with Blu-ray Disc player matching design.  The 1000 watt model includes three HDMI inputs and one output featuring an HDMI repeater (3 inputs/1 output), stand-by pass through, 3D pass through, and audio return channel allowing the television to send audio signals back to the unit for playback.

The models ships with an iPhone/iPod dock included for payback of audio, video, and photos.

The HT-SS380 will be available this spring for about $350.

Top Ten Sony Insider Stories Of 2010

2010 was an incredible year in many ways for Sony as a brand, its social media team and Sony Insider’s role in that circle.

Every year we like to share the top ten stories that received the most hits on the site. This year’s list is rather interesting because it signals to me Sony Insider, while it has great coverage of news, has also become an informative tool for consumers when they want to learn more (and purchase) Sony products. We also noticed that many stories from 2009 are still receiving healthy traffic.

I hope we can do an even better job of being a source of news, reviews and everything else Sony in 2011. We will be following up this post with another list of our favorite memories of 2010, and our thoughts on what Sony needs to do in 2011. Happy New Year!

Thanks for reading!

#10 – Sony Shows Off Prototype Flexible Electronic Paper Display

September 14th – Every year in Japan, Sony holds a special Dealer Convention that shows off the latest products and a glimpse of what is coming. The event, held this year in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has always been interesting as sometimes reveals products and prototypes that Sony hasn’t even announced yet. While the big focus at this year’s Dealer Convention was 3D products, there was also a small exhibit showing a very exciting development that could one day be used in future Sony Reader devices.

#9 – Sony Wearable Walkman NWZ-W250

April 12th – Sony Europe announced a new and improved Sony Wearable and Water Resistant Walkman in their W series. The Sony NWZ-W250 is actually water resistant, something that its cousin W202 has had issues with. You also get a new look, a new stand and of course Sony acclaimed superb sound. NWZ-W252 is offered in a 2GB of storage in the USA and 4 Gb to store your techno or whatever music you like to work out to.

#8 – Our leak of the new Sony Reader eBook devices

August 12th – The fall season in the USA always brings an update to Sony Reader devices, and we were the first to deliver concrete information about the new models – PRS-350 and PRS-650. Sony has been under pressure in the E-Book Reader product category as they face increased competition from rivals Apple (iPad), Amazon (Kindle), Barnes & Noble (Nook), and a hodgepodge of other companies.

#7 – Inside Job Movie Exposes The Truth Behind American Financial Crisis

August 24th – Inside Job is a documentary from Academy Award nominated filmmaker, Charles Ferguson (“No End In Sight”), and is the first film to expose the shocking truth behind the economic crisis of 2008. The global financial meltdown, at a cost of over $20 trillion, resulted in millions of people losing their homes and jobs. Through extensive research and interviews with major financial insiders, politicians and journalists, Inside Job traces the rise of a rogue industry and unveils the corrosive relationships which have corrupted politics, regulation and academia.

Narrated by Academy Award winner Matt Damon, the Inside Job “cost over $20,000,000,000,000 to produce.” Be sure to also check out the Inside Job official website and Facebook page.

#6 – Sony Officially Starts Selling Playstation Products In Vietnam

January 19th – Sony Computer Entertainment Asia announced that the company has formally started PlayStation business in Socialist Republic of Vietnam, making the one of the world’s popular computer entertainment systems and services available to the PlayStation fans and consumers in the country.

#5 – New Sony VAIO F Series Encountering Buzzing Or High Pitched Whine Issue?

January 21st – According to dozens of forum users at Notebookreview.com, apparently owners of the powerful Sony VAIO F Series VPCF112FX/B, VPCF11JFX/B, VPCF11MFX/B and VPCF1190X CTO were experiencing an odd high pitched whine or buzzing sound (aka whining) while using the laptop. The issue caused several consumers to call Sony for support, but they were unable to provide a fix over the phone – this led to several of the laptops being returned, exchanged, and so forth. However, after observing the forum topic it seems that the problem resides within the microphone built into the laptop itself, and with a few simple clicks this issue can be temporarily resolved. Sony eventually provided a full fix for this issue.

#4 – Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Battery Life Revealed

January 22nd – The XPERIA X10, also known in Japan simply as Xperia, came to the massive wireless carrier DoCoMo yesterday amid great reception. However, what’s truly odd about this 1Ghz, 4 inch screen Android phone is that the battery life figures have been relatively unknown up to this point. Even Sony Ericsson’s global site has never listed the battery life figures in its specifications. This left many curious as to how long it could actually last.

#3 – Hands-on With BD Remote – The Sony iPhone/iPod Touch Remote App

January 10th – One of the most overlooked announcements by Sony at CES 2010 was the new iPhone/iPod Touch application called “BD Remote” that is compatible with all 2010 Sony Networked Blu-ray Players. Well I guess it wasn’t that overlooked after we published a nice hands-on with the interface.

#2 – How To Fix The Battery Life On The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10

April 13th – The XPERIA X10 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. This post originated before a firmware fix that corrected some problems, and visitors left comments with other tips.

#1 – Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 vs. Apple iPhone 4 Specs Comparison

Sony Ericsson’s major device for AT&T in 2010 was the XPERIA X10. With specifications straight out of Star Trek, is one of the most advanced devices ever released by Sony Ericsson. However, the new iPhone 4, despite its shortcomings, has set the bar in smartphone functionality that is nearly unmatched by other devices. We put the XPERIA X10 (specs courtesy Sony Ericsson) head to head with the iPhone 4 (specs courtesy of Apple) in a detailed specifications comparison.

Screenshots From Music Unlimited Powered By Qriocity

Music Unlimited, powered by Qriocity, is a cloud-based music service by Sony that allows consumers to access millions of songs for a small subscription fee. Major labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI Music as well as leading independent labels and major publishers worldwide are on board for a combined initial offering of over six million songs (with promise to expand over time).

Content can be played on a variety of devices, including “Sony’s 2010 (and surely 2011) models of network-enabled BRAVIA TV, Blu-ray Disc player, Blu-ray Disc Home Theater system, PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system as well as VAIO and other personal computers. It will also become available on a wide range of Sony’s portable devices, as well as on Android-based mobile devices and other portable devices.”

Music Unlimited sure seems like an interesting alternative to Pandora and other streaming solutions, but then again it isn’t free. Hard to tell if it can beat my trusty Wunderradio, though.

Prices are reasonable, coming in with Basic (￡3.99 in the U.K. and 3.99 Euros in Ireland) and Premium (￡9.99 in the U.K. and 9.99 Euros in Ireland) options. There’s a load of features in the premium service, such as Top 100 channels for many genres, personal playlists, ability to listen to songs on-demand, and more. It also adapts to your listening habits and offers better music through analyzing your collection, ratings, and so forth.

The service is currently only available in the UK and Ireland, but will come to the USA, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and New Zealand “during 2011.” I would image it will be all over CES 2011.

We have some high resolution screenshots of Qriocity Music Unlimited courtesy of Sony global press. I think the images are worth looking at (in addition to our initial coverage of the Music Unlimited launch) and show how the service looks on the PS3, BRAVIA devices, and even the player built on their website, music.qriocity.com.

The Music Unlimited interface for web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, IE, etc) look pretty polished for its first version. You can see here in the channel view a rather coherant interface. Controls are at the top, including repeat or random options, and the ability to like/dislike. I would like to see larger, easier to use like/dislike buttons. Other controls include volume, search, previous track, next track and pause. Below that is the album art, and recommendations as well as Music Sync, which allows you to add your music collection and listen across all supported devices. Nice.

Then we have the channel listing itself, where you see a varity of genres, including tabs for premium, genre, SensMe, and Era. I love the option of Era, that means you will see channels such as 1940, 1950, 1960, etc..

Then there is the interface for BRAVIA products such as TV’s, Blu-ray players, home theater systems, etc which is not as glamorous as the PS3 version, but is functional across the board. The interface is consistent with the Qriocity Video service. I like the “How It Works” touch..

The channel listing in Music Unlimited for BRAVIA Devices.

Here is a stunning (and resized) 1080P grab of Music Unlimited’s album view for PS3, which is also displaying high resolution album covers and an excellent looking, easy to use interface. This would be nice to have on for a party.

The following image is a taste of the menus in Music Unlimited full of gloss and reflection in the PS3 version.

The Music Unlimited channel selection screen on the PS3, showing many genres. We can see already thatt they will have Jazz, Rock, Dance & House, Pop, Latin, Blues, Punk, Electronic, Alternative, Rap, R&B, Reggae, Classical, and New Age just like the website.

Sony Optiarc Unleashes A 12X Blu-ray Disc (BD-R) Drive

Sony Optiarc America has revealed its next-generation half-height internal Blu-ray Disc (BD) rewritable drive (BWU-500S/BD-5300S) for after market computer enthusiasts. The specs are pretty impressive with the ability to write single BD-R media at up to 12X and dual layer BD-R media at up to 8X speeds, recording a full 25GB disc in about 10 minutes. The 12X recording speed can be used with 6X compatible BD-R media.

The new drives can record up to 50GB of data for random access storage and backup on BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs, or up to 220 minutes of high-definition 24M bps MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video on a BD-R/RE 50GB disc. The drives also record standard 4.7GB DVD+/-R discs at up to 16X speeds, 8.5 GB DVD+/-R Double/Dual layer at up to 8X, DVD+RW at up to 8X, DVD-RW at up to 6X, CD-R at up to 48X, CD-RW at up to 24X, and support DVD-RAM recording at up to 12X speeds.

The internal drives feature a Serial ATA (SATA) interface and standard 5.25-inch form-factor for easy installation inside a desktop PC. They also incorporate intelligent monitoring for consistent recording, and adjusting read-speed technology which enhances smooth playback.

The BWU-500S retail branded model comes with CyberLink’s Media Suite 8 software for capturing, authoring, editing, backing up, viewing high-definition personal content and playing back Blu-ray Disc movies including 3D Blu-ray movies. Also included in the retail box is one 25GB Sony BD-R blank disc.

Interestingly enough I found both versions (retail, OEM) of the drive on Google Shopping. The BWU-500S was $167, and the BD-5300S was $139 at the time of this writing.

Hulu Plus Is Live, Coming To Sony PS3, HDTV’s, Networked Devices

Hulu Plus (which just exited private beta and went public today) is progressively becoming available for many Sony devices that have the BRAVIA Internet Video platform. The popular video website is making a rapid expansion onto hardware to follow suit with Netflix, who has profited greatly from device integration. Sony is bringing the $9.99 a month streaming Hulu Plus TV subscription service to all of its 2010 networked Blu-ray Disc players, Blu-ray Home Theater Systems, SNP-N100 Network Media Player and the Dash.

Next week, Hulu Plus will also be available for all PlayStation 3′s, giving more than forty million gamers the opportunity to try out legalized streaming TV on their PS3. The combination of Netflix and Hulu Plus, at 9.99 each, could be the $20 bill that can could one day kill cable/satellite. Sony is also touting the fact that the PS3 will have Hulu Plus before the XBOX360, which is not slated to have the service until early next year.

Will Hulu Plus take off? It’s hard to tell – the content is great, relevant, and high quality, but even the paid $9.99 service still has advertisements.

Regardless, Sony is pulling out all the stops by piling on dozens of content providers into their machines. I feel that Sony has stepped up their game in the last year with IPTV, recognizing the value proposition, and taking a lead in some instances. It’s pretty amazing that Hulu Plus, Qriocity (Video/Music), and Bravia Internet Video are coming to PS3′s very soon, which gives the PS3 access to all of that great content, but also Netflix, the PlayStation Video store, etc.

We’ve pinged one of our contacts with specifics as to when and what Sony devices are getting Hulu Plus. Here’s what he said is compatible so far:

Any TV compatible with the old BIVL (BRAVIA Internet Video Link) box and all of our 2010 connected BRAVIA models including –

LX900, HX909, HX800, NX800, NX810, NX700, NX710, EX700, EX710…

Sony Internet TV & Sony Internet Blu-ray Player Revealed at NYC Event

Today was a big day for Sony – the launch of their first TV with a full Internet browsing experience. The newly redesigned SonyStyle.com homepage revealed all the juicy information regarding Sony Internet TV line up and Sony Internet Blu-ray player NSZ-GT1.

Both TV and the blu-ray player come with a very handy PS3 controller-inspired remote control (NSG-MR1) featuring QWERTY keyboard and ability to control other Sony devices (AMP, BD, TV). The TV line up as we reported earlier consists of 4 models (24″, 32″, 40″ and 46″) and its core OS is based on Android and come 2011 a flood of all kinds of Apps will be available from the Marketplace.

Currently Sony Internet TVs are preloaded with popular apps like Pandora, Netflix, YouTube, Sony’s owned Qriocity, Twitter and many others. Multitasking while watching TV is a major feature which Sony calls Dual View allowing you to watch live TV in a smaller window while you can fire up the Chrome browser or any other app to check on the latest score or tweet about your experience. It’s interesting to note that Sony pioneered a similar feature in its Locationfree products LF-X1/5/11 where you could browse the net (on a very limited basis though) and have a small window open with the content which can be dragged around the screen of the portable TV tablet.

All Sony Internet TVs will share the following features:

• Google TV built-in Google TV built-in
• Seamlessly search across your television & Internet for content
• Surf the web while watching TV using Dual View
• Upgradeable Google TV platform
• Download apps from Android Market (coming in early 2011)
• Superior processing power with Intel Inside
• Easy-to-use RF QWERTY keypad remote with integrated optical mouse
• Link to select mobile phones (coming this fall)
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• Four HDMI inputs

Sony Internet Blu-ray disc player  NSZ-GT1 looks pretty impressive and will be a great add on for those of you who do not wish to buy yet another TV as the BD player shares all the same features above except it has 2 HDMI inputs/outputs and will transform your current HDTV into full fledged Google TV! I have pre-ordered one and will give it a spin hopefully this coming Monday. I am really surprised that the Blu-ray player does not include support or any mentioning of 3D playback. So we may assume that another gen of Sony Internet TVs and blu-ray players in 2011 will be adding that feature that Sony is pushing.

Sony will be aggressive in its marketing and has released its first commercial which you can view below.

Another nice surprise is Sony Internet TV products will be available at local SonyStyle stores this weekend and are also available for pre-orders at SonyStyle.com. Best Buy will be selling these at the end of the month on or around October 24th.

Read the whole press release here and navigate through SonyStyle.com to learn more about these exciting newcomers!

Sizes And Pricing for Sony Google TV Family Leaked

Note from Editor: Our pricing information was wrong. We explain it further here.

Many of our readers out there are pretty excited about the Sony Google TV. We’ve written about it nearly a dozen times and it’s basically a television with an Intel processor and the ability to fully surf the web (including flash sites). There is other compelling features in the service, including access and search video services and direct integration with select service providers. Some of you may secretly cross off days on the calendar till its debut on October 12th. However, your bank account also wonders what the hit will be when you fold on the impulsive desire to get that Internet TV in your bedroom or your den.

Did you notice our title said Sony Google TV family? Yes, that’s because there will be a few models initally available to choose from. It looks like Sony will be offering 4 different Internet TV’s – 24′, 32′, 40′, and 46′ models:

• NSX-24GT1
• NSX-32GT1
• NSX-40GT1
• NSX-46GT1

As far as pricing of these Sony Google TV, get ready to shell out $1299.99 for the 32′ (NSX-32GT1), $1499.99 for 40′ (NSX-40GT1) and $1899.99 for 46′ (NSX-46GT1). Unfortunately, pricing info was unavailable for 24GT1 model, however we assume it should be under one grand.

In related news, the widely discussed Sony Internet TV Box, NSZ-GT1, was listed on an internal website and mentions an eject button, WLAN module, and an included HDMI cable. Considering this information, its logical to assume that the eject button is an appropriate mechanism for what we believe is an included Blu-ray player in the device.

CEDIA 2010: Sony Booth Pictorial/Video

The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) is a global trade association of companies involved in the electronic systems industry. Founded in 1989, it has 3,500 members who specialize in home automation, networking, communication, security, lighting control, HVAC and entertainment systems. The organization influences public policy, provides referrals, promotes better business practices, educates members and provides other benefits. CEDIA hosts an annual trade show, the CEDIA Expo, to allow exhibitors to showcase the latest technological advances to industry professionals.

CEDIA Expo has been held in Atlanta, GA (my home town) for the last several years, and will transition to Indianapolis next year.

Sony had a healthy presence at CEDIA 2010, offering a robust booth experience that demonstrated their latest products in home theater receivers, Blu-ray, 3D gaming, 3D photography, LCD TV’s, and projectors. Sony’s big announcement during the show was the VPL-VW90ES, which is a $9,999 Sony ES 3D HD Projector With 240Hz. We also did a hands-on With Sony AV Receiver Remote App on an iPad, which was really cool.

On a side note, I was hoping to see some kind of demo for Google TV, but apparently it remains confidential until its October 12th unveiling in NYC.

Here is a video of various footage we caught during our time at Sony’s booth during CEDIA 2010, including VP of Television Chris Fawcett and VP, Home Audio and Video Brian Siegel talking about Sony’s refreshed Home Audio and Video lineup:

Here is our gallery of pictures taken at Sony’s booth during CEDIA 2010:

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