Audio Video News

Despite tumbling prices on flat-panel LCD TVs, especially in the U.S. and Europe (great for us consumers, awful for Sony stockholders), Sony is forging ahead and bringing out a pair of new additions to its "S" series line of LCD HDTVs. The new sets add larger screen sizes - 32 inches (KLV-S32A10) and 26 inches (KLV-S26A10) - to the existing lineup which already includes LCD flat-panels from 15 to 23 inches in diagonal.

Sony says the new models "provide outstanding picture quality and are a great value for those consumers yet to embrace HDTV." Both panels feature resolutions of 1366 x 768 and include Sony's Dynamic Picture processor circuitry along with CineMotion Reverse 3:2 Pulldown technology. A light sensor automatically adjusts the picture settings based on the amount of ambient room light. (Tip: if you want a cheap way to impress your non-tech-savvy friends, cover and uncover the light sensor with your thumb and watch them as they "ooh" and "aah".)

The audio package features a digital amplifier, SRS WOW and SRS TruSurround audio effects, plus two speakers. Inputs include HDMI, component, PC, composite, and S-video. Wall-mounters will be pleased to discover that both HDTVs are all-in-one designs with mounting holes compatible with VESA-compliant brackets.

The new KLV-S32A10 ($2,000) and KLV-S26A10 ($1,500) are available now.

In late June, Sony announced the availability of three new Grand WEGA 3LCD rear-projection HDTVs - the $3,500 KDF-E60A20 (60-inch), $3,000 KDF-E55A20 (55-inch), and $2,800 KDF-E50A10 (50-inch). The larger models are now joined by the 42-inch KDF-E42A10 ($2,300). Each model provides 1280 x 720, native 720p resolution.

Sony's June announcement included a statement concerning data from industry-info tracker NPD Techworld which showed Sony's Grand WEGA high-definition micro-display HDTVs accounted for an average of 37.1 percent of all the micro-display-based (DLP, LCoS, 3LCD) HDTVs sold uring the previous six months.

No information was provided on Sony's LCD flat-panel HDTV sales standings.