SONY extends its flatscreen tv leadership with expanded lineup of plasma tv and LCD models

Introduces Company's First Integrated High-Definition Flat-Panel Plasma and Grand WEGA Rear Projection LCD Models

Experience the dynamic evolution and expansion of Sony's 2003 flatscreen, fixed pixel device models. Sony today unveiled a broad portfolio of flat panel plasma tv and LCD models under its popular WEGA® brand, with technological innovations that set the industry standard in advanced television picture performance.

Leading the transition to HDTV, the company also announced its first fully integrated XBR® Plasma WEGA™ models, as well as XBR Grand WEGA™ LCD-based rear projection models. The Plasma WEGA lineup also includes a new XS series, upping the total to nine new fixed pixel TV models for 2003. These new models also incorporate Sony's proprietary WEGA Engine™ technology, a fully digital processing system that significantly enhances picture quality.

"We are seeing tremendous demand for flatscreen and fixed pixel devices in the television arena," said Tim Baxter, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics' Visual Network Products Division. "We expect to continue our leadership position with the industry's most versatile product selection and hot, technical innovations and design."

Fully Integrated HDTV Plasma WEGA Models

Leading the new Plasma WEGA lineup are three flagship XBR series models (KDE-42XBR950, KDE-50XBR950, KDE-61XBR950), including the new 61-inch screen size with a built-in ATSC tuner for access to over-the-air high definition broadcasts, as well as Clear QAM tuning for access to digital terrestrial and unscrambled local digital channels from many cable service providers.

In addition to the WEGA Engine system, the new XBR plasma models incorporate a re-engineered plasma panel driver LSI, which integrates the Digital Component Processor for greater color contrast range and sharpness, resulting in brilliant and crisp images. The new sets have sleek, floating screen design, and the 61-inch XBR model also features removable speakers for flexibility in custom installations.

For digital imaging enthusiasts, convenient JPEG and MPEG1 file playback is available via the Memory Stick® media slot found on a new slimmer Media Receiver Unit (MRU), a convenient set-top component for easy connection to any video and audio source. The MRU houses both i.LINK® and DVI-HDTV digital interfaces for receiving and displaying copy-protected high-definition programs.

The dazzling visual experience is further enhanced by a twin surround system (Virtual Dolby®, TruSurround® SRS®), steady sound (BBE) and a TOS link connection, which provides rich, multi-channel surround sound with applicable over-the-air ATSC or digital cable (Clear QAM) broadcasts for high performance audio.

The KDE-42XBR950 (1024 x 768 resolution), the KDE-50XBR950 (1365 x 768 resolution) and the KDE-61XBR950 (1365 x 768 resolution) Plasma WEGA models will be available this fall for about $9,000, $13,000 and $20,000 respectively.

Presenting New XS Series Plasma WEGA Television

Responding to the fast growing plug-and-play plasma category, the XS series Plasma WEGA models offer a step-up solution to the industry leading all-in-one TS series. Featuring an attractive new design, the new 37-inch screen size model, KE-37XS910 (1024 x 1024 resolution), and the 42-inch KE-42XS910 (1024 x 1024 resolution) unit incorporate many of the XBR series' features, including the re-engineered plasma panel driver, WEGA Engine system, Memory Stick media playback, DVI-HDTV connection and twin surround audio system for an unforgettable plasma experience.

The KE-37XS910 and the KE-42XS910 Plasma WEGA models will be available this fall for about $6,500 and $7,500 respectively.

"We are vigorously expanding the plasma display market," added Baxter. "Our new XBR Plasma WEGA sets are everything you wished a flatscreen can be, one that delivers superb high definition picture performance without sacrificing style, and the XS series provides a more affordable, yet stunning plasma experience."

The extended line of Plasma WEGA family also includes the TS2 models, KE-32TS2 and KE-42TS2 available now for about $5,000 and $7,000, respectively.