LAS VEGAS, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- (CES Booth #14200) -- Sony Electronics
today unveiled a variety of Blu-ray Disc(TM)-based products, offering a host
of new high-definition entertainment possibilities.
U.S. product introductions will begin this spring and gather momentum over
the summer with the introduction of a home player. BD technology will also be
included in VAIO(R) computers, aftermarket computer drives and recordable BD-R
(write-once) and BD-RE (rewritable) media.
Sony expects the Blu-ray Disc format to emerge as the standard in HD video
performance and flexibility packaged in a convenient five-inch optical disc.
The format features a robust 25GB single layer and 50GB dual layer capacity,
making it ideal for feature length motion pictures with tons of extra feature
material -- all in full 1080p high definition -- along with the multimedia
possibilities of Java-enabled interactivity.
"Blu-ray Disc technology is the final piece needed to complete our vision
of the high-definition world," said Hideki "Dick" Komiyama, president and
chief operating officer for Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony's first Blu-ray Disc home player, model BDP-S1, will be available in
early summer and features 1080p full HD video output for brilliant HD imagery
and also DVD upscaling to 1080p. This initial BD player features a
sophisticated design and exceptional build quality with rigid beam
construction as well as finely tuned audio and video parts and circuits.
The company's RC series VAIO(R) desktop computer will combine Blu-ray Disc
recording technology with high-octane performance, allowing aspiring HD movie
makers and other videographers to shoot their creation with a high-definition
camcorder. Using Sony's VEGAS software users can edit high-definition footage
then archive and share it on Sony high-capacity BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs
or on traditional DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW discs, capitalizing on flexibility in
storage, playback and recording. RC series desktops will be available with the
drive in early summer.
As VAIO expands its line of digital home products Blu-ray Disc drives will
be progressively integrated.
Sony also announced that a Blu-ray Disc aftermarket drive for personal
computers is also expected to be available this year, and will support
25GB/50GB BD-R/RE discs, as well as DVD+R/+RW, and CD-R/RW recordable media.
This drive will be bundled with consumer-level BD recording software and
accessories for creation of High-Definition home video and data Blu-ray Discs.
Beginning in the spring, Sony will begin selling a 25GB single layer BD-R
and the BD-RE recording media. Dual layer 50GB capacity recordable media will
follow in the subsequent months. Recordable Blu-ray Discs utilize Sony's
AccuCORE(TM) technology offering superb archival and reliability, scratch
guard protection and temperature durability.
Sony's BD road map comes full circle by partnering the new home BD player
with either a 1080p capable SXRD(TM) or BRAVIA(TM) LCD high-definition
television.
Helping to support the BD players entering the market, Sony Pictures Home
Entertainment division will be launching 20 titles on BD-Rom discs, spanning
from recent hits to classic favorites.
Sony Computer Entertainment's PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment
system scheduled for launch this year will also adopt BD-ROM disc as its
medium.
Editor's Note: News releases and digital images with captions are
available at http://www.sony.com/news. For information regarding the nearest
Sony authorized dealer or service location, your readers can call 1-800-222-
SONY.
"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.sony.com/news
CONTACT:
David Migdal, +1-201-930-7394,
David.Migdal@am.sony.com, or Aaron Levine, +1-858-942-8036,
Aaron.levine@am.sony.com, both of Sony Electronics Inc.
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