LAS VEGAS – Consumer electronics giant Sony is focusing on a ‘beyond Blu-ray’ strategy that will enable users to share content wirelessly throughout the living room and throughout the home.
At the Consumer Electronics Show, Sony unveiled a new Blu-ray line that features access to online entertainment, Wi-Fi, Blu-ray 3D playback and compatibility with its new HomeShare network speakers for wireless multi-room audio streaming throughout the home.
A spokesman for Sony at the event explained users can now turn their iPhone, iPad and Android devices into extensions of the TV experience, becoming remote controls, as well as providing information on what viewers are looking at. For example, a music video will yield what information is available plus the option to do a search online or via Twitter.
The full HD 1,080p new Blu-ray Disc line includes four standalone models (BDP-S780, BDP-S580, BDP-S480 and BDP-S380) and three integrated home-theatre systems (BDV-E780W, BDV-E580 and BDV-E280), as well as a 5.1-channel home theatre 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.
‘Connected’ vision
When connected to broadband, all models offer access to more than 40 free and premium movies, video and music services through the BRAVIA Internet Video platform, including Sony’s Video On Demand and Music Unlimited, powered by Qriocity, as well as Netflix, Pandora, HuluPlus, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker Internet Radio, Crackle and Blip.tv.
Video On Demand powered by Qriocity is a premium video-streaming service with instant access to Hollywood blockbusters, and Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity is a cloud-based, streaming music service which gives music lovers access at any time to a constantly expanding catalogue of more than 6m global music tracks from major labels.
More from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas:
Canon goes ‘cinematic’ with breakthrough HD camera
First look at Logitech’s Google TV platform
Panasonic unveils Android tablets and console-free gaming
Microsoft reveals ‘connected tissue’ for future of gaming
Samsung’s BK Yoon: smart TV revolution to dominate to 2020
Dell reveals new 7-inch Streak plus Venue smartphone
New Dolby technology converts stereo to surround sound on PCs
Alcatel-Lucent wins CES 2011 design award
First look at Google’s new Chrome OS netbook
Revealed – next-generation tablet PCs running on Atom
Sony Ericsson reveals Android 2.3 Experia arc
Skype founders’ on-demand music service hits the US
RIM BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablet gets public preview
Motorola Mobility debuts new Android devices at CES 2011
Ballmer reveals CES vision of Windows on any device
Samsung reveals ‘Wi-Fi only’ version of Galaxy Tab
Windows 8 to run on Intel and ARM platforms, Microsoft says
Intel reveals silver bullet to save Hollywood
1m PCs are being shipped daily – Intel’s Otellini
Consumer electronics market vying for US$1trn mark in 2011
Angry Birds launched for Windows PCs on Intel apps store
Amazon reveals Kindle apps for Android and Windows tablets
PriceGrabber reveals localisation apps for iPad and iPhone
First look at Logitech’s Google TV platform
Panasonic unveils Android tablets and console-free gaming
Microsoft reveals ‘connected tissue’ for future of gaming
Samsung’s BK Yoon: smart TV revolution to dominate to 2020
Dell reveals new 7-inch Streak plus Venue smartphone
New Dolby technology converts stereo to surround sound on PCs
Alcatel-Lucent wins CES 2011 design award
First look at Google’s new Chrome OS netbook
Revealed – next-generation tablet PCs running on Atom
Sony Ericsson reveals Android 2.3 Experia arc
Skype founders’ on-demand music service hits the US
RIM BlackBerry 4G PlayBook tablet gets public preview
Motorola Mobility debuts new Android devices at CES 2011
Ballmer reveals CES vision of Windows on any device
Samsung reveals ‘Wi-Fi only’ version of Galaxy Tab
Windows 8 to run on Intel and ARM platforms, Microsoft says
Intel reveals silver bullet to save Hollywood
1m PCs are being shipped daily – Intel’s Otellini
Consumer electronics market vying for US$1trn mark in 2011
Angry Birds launched for Windows PCs on Intel apps store
