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SONY ELEVATES THE STANDARD FOR 3D HOME THEATRE

WITH NEW ES AV RECEIVERS AND BLU-RAY 3D PLAYER

Company Supports Specialty AV Channel With Focused Distribution Strategy

In addition to Sony’s latest 3D capable BRAVIA^® HDTVs, the new ES components represent the best audio and video quality Sony has to offer. Designed with custom installers in mind, ES models integrate seamlessly with multi-room, third-party control systems.

“By focusing on seamless integration with custom home theater control partners, Sony is working to deliver products that support the custom and specialty retail business like no other manufacturer,” said Brian Siegel, Vice President of Sony’s Home Audio and Video Business. “Because Sony is involved in every stage of the 3D ecosystem, specialty dealers and installers can rest assured that our A/V components leverage that deep expertise to deliver the most technically advanced experience possible.” He further stated: “Sony’s value proposition in the 3D world is we’re the only ones that can provide everything from actual content creation to in-home and in-theatre experience.” The new ES products (and more to come), said Siegel, are designed to prove that Sony is “completely committed to the specialty channel.” The ES distribution change "will help reinvigorate" the specialty and custom channels, reward those installers and specialists "who have been loyal to Sony for many years," and provide an opportunity for ES to expand its custom/specialty dealer base, said Siegel. Calling the ES line “mass aspirational products,” he said, “We can promote to a mass audience that we continue to innovate––that we put products out there that are not available readily, that people have to aspire to.”

Focusing on the needs of custom home theatre installers, Sony’s ES line represents an enthusiast-level A/V experience featuring some of the company’s most advanced technology.  The value of the products is best demonstrated by dealers and integrators qualified to engage an advanced consumer audience. To that end, the company is focusing its distribution strategy to include only specialty A/V retailers and custom installers. ES products will no longer be offered for sale online or through telesale transactions. This was refreshing news to this long-time advocate for companies to support dealers with demo capabilities. I have longed preached the slogan “demo or die,” and this is the reality in today’s high-end marketplace. Without demo dealer support there will be no high-end and Sony’s new policy recognizes this. Sony’s new policy contrasts with other A/V companies who continue to broaden their distribution channels in an effort to realize “quick” revenues. These channels include any mass-market channel that will sign up. But with Sony the company is narrowing the availability of its new ES products, offering the high-end line only to qualified “demo-capable’ specialty retailers and custom installers. These will include the Magnolia division of Best Buy and independent specialty dealers who are fully qualified to properly demonstrate these products to consumers. Sony will continue to use distributors to fulfill shipments to ES-approved dealers and installers, and Sony will continue to manage the dealer/installer accounts centrally. The new policy prohibiting Internet sales will begin with the new 2010 models. This will allow time for inventories of previous ES models to be sold out through Internet channels. Under the new policy, ES dealers aren't allowed to sell online but can continue to use the Internet to promote ES and educate consumers about ES advantages.

Sony also announced that it is changing its pricing structure for ES, moving away from the unilateral pricing of its SURE program to MAP pricing. The move, the company says, will enable the integration channel more flexibility in the way it prices jobs involving extensive integration and service, and allow Sony to more effectively enforce its minimum advertised pricing structures. The ES products will no longer be available online, nor will they be sold in Sony Style stores.

Before covering the specific product features of the new ES receiver line, it is important to provide the perspective that Sony Corp. brings to this launch. Sony believes that 3D is the future of home entertainment. Unlike all the other companies in the A/V space, Sony is uniquely poised to take advantage of 3D because they are involved with 3D at the creation level, both through its Sony Pictures division and Sony Image Works, whose talents have been employed on more 3D motion picture projects than anyone else, including such films as Beowulf, Polar Express, Alice In Wonderland, G-Force, and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. Sony’s press event included an extensive tour of Sony Studios in Culver City, California, where most of the company’s 3D work takes place, from production to post-production and DVD and Blu-ray mastering.  It was evident that Sony wants to ensure that the performance bar for 3D is not set low. The capabilities of Sony’s 3D Technology Center were highlighted during the day’s event as well as Sony’s capabilities to create immersive 3D soundtracks. I personally have not witnessed another company with the depth and width of facilities and experience to deliver on the opportunities that 3D technology presents. Not only did we meet with Sony Pictures Technology President Chris Cookson, but we were treated to the 3D creation process during a session with Buzz Hayes, Sony’s Stereosocpic 3D Producer.  We were allowed to witness a portion of an extensive three-day training course on 3D filmmaking and post-production, which Sony Pictures provides at no cost to industry professionals. The course educates cinematographers, directors, and other filmmakers on how to work in 3D using real sets and Sony 3D cameras and equipment. Buzz Hayes covered with our group the four primary parameters involved when working in 3D: the “interaxial distance” or space between the two camera lenses to create the depth perspective, the “convergence” of the cameras to determine the focus of each shot, the creative use of “lighting and focus” to lead the viewer’s eyes in the scene, and “vergence accommodation” to control the variations in distance focusing so as not to cause eye discomfort. I hope to write a feature on Sony’s 3D Technology Center soon.

Because Sony is involved in every stage of the 3D ecosystem, specialty dealers and installers can now “partner” with Sony to leverage the company’s deep expertise to deliver the most technically advanced experience possible. Sony wants to work with “demo-capable” dealers to motivate people to “aspire” for higher performance products and home theatre experiences. And Sony recognizes that the advanced product features of its new ES receiver line require demo and education to fully appreciate the inherent performance capabilities.

A/V Receivers With Custom Control

During the press briefing, Sony’s ES Product Manager Amy Lloyd, explained the multi-room features of the new ES receiver line. Sony’s 2010 ES A/V receivers feature IR input jacks and two-way serial control. They also offer control over IP which allows installers to easily integrate the receivers into the leading home automation systems including Control4^®, Crestron, AMX^®, Savant, Ultimate Remote Control, RTI, and others. Sony has worked closely with leading control companies and is a Control4 Certified Partner, an AMX Device Discovery Partner, Crestron Integration Partner, and a Savant Excellence in Audio and Video Partner.

The new models offer 3D pass-through and flexible multi-room features. They can connect to a home broadband network through an Ethernet port offering easy access to digital photos, music and videos from Digital Life Network Alliance (DLNA^®) sources. They also function as an Ethernet hub featuring four ports that connect other network devices.

Additionally, the Ethernet connection provides access to both Shoutcast^® Internet Radio and Rhapsody^® Music Service, and offers easy access to firmware upgrades via the Internet. The STR-DA5600ES model also functions as a DLNA Live Audio Server that can stream music to other DLNA clients.

Users with an iPhone^® or iPod^® touch device can control the models using a free app that transforms your mobile device into a full ES receiver remote. The app features zone control, full GUI menu, and Sony’s Quick Click remote function which allows users to control source components (such as Blu-ray Disc player, set-top box) in the main home theatre room to be controlled from a second zone.

The STR-DA5600ES and the STR-DA4600ES offer the ability to distribute audio and video to multiple rooms via the second HDMI output and video to a second zone via CAT5 output. They can both also up-scale all sources to 1080p in the main zone and 1080i in a second zone via the Faroudja chip^® ensuring a consistent, sharp picture. The connected video zones feature a high-grade, icon-driven menu system that allows for simple device and content navigation. In addition, all the receivers allow pass through of audio and video signals via HDMI even when the receivers are in standby mode.

All three models feature Digital Cinema Auto Calibration (DCAC) with Automatic Phase Matching (APM). Without changing the front reference loudspeakers, APM corrects for phase differentiation between front, center, and surround loudspeakers, ensuring an ideal sound stage regardless of loudspeaker type. The STR-DA5600ES also offers DCAC EX which includes loudspeaker relocation, not only adjusting for the distance but also the angle of the listening position to create an optimal listening environment. The particular calculations are performed using a supplied microphone and built-in tone generator.

The receivers also feature Sony’s innovative new HD Digital Cinema Sound^® that was developed together with Sony Pictures Entertainment. Incorporating high-mounted front loudspeaker placement, HD DCS was designed to transform and replicate both the sound quality and acoustics of a movie theatre in the home environment creating an unmatched home theater experience. Such a loudspeaker configuration is not actually used at Sony Pictures dubbing stages but the studio is experimenting with a different 7.1-channel theatrical layout in their dubbing stages.

All of the models support 1080/24p video signals and x.v.Color™ and Deep Color™ video codecs, as well as all advanced audio formats (Dolby^® Digital Plus, Dolby^® TrueHD, dts^® Master HD, dts^® ES, Dolby^® Digital EX, Dolby^® Pro Logic IIx and eight-channel Linear PCM). They also feature audio return channel allowing network content originating from the television to be played through the receiver without additional cables.

The models feature Sony’s Digital Media Port™ for simple connection to an iPod and other digital music players, and are both XM^® and Sirius^® ready.

The 7.1 channel network multi-room STR-DA5600ES AV receiver features a 130-watt power amplifier x7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) With six HDMI 1.4 inputs (five rear, one front) and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs, the model will be available this September for about $2,000.

The 120-watt x7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) STR-DA4600ES features four HDMI outputs and two switched or simultaneous HDMI outputs.  It will be available this August for about $1,500.

The 100-watt x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, .09 percent THD) STR-DA3500ES features four HDMI output and will be available in August for about $1,100.

The company also added the 110-watt STR-DN2010 network 3D capable model to its receiver line up.  The model will be available in August for about $800.

ES Blu-ray 3D Player With iPhone/iPod Control

Available next month for about $400, Sony’s BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D player features an IR input on the back panel for easy integration with a variety of control systems. It also offers built in Wi-Fi (802.11n) for easy access to Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Sony’s new premium video service, Qriocity.

Also, users with an iPhone or iPod touch device can control the player using the free “BD Remote” app available from the Apple App store. The app, which will also be available soon for Android™ devices, allows the hand-held to function as a remote control and displays Blu-ray Disc details such as jacket artwork, actor, and production information as well as search for related video clips online.

The ES Blu-ray 3D player also features Precision Cinema HD upscaling and decoding of the latest HD audio formats.

ES Quality

All Sony ES products are supported by a five-year limited manufacturer warranty, a ninety-day advanced exchange program (two to three day expedited replacement unit), and a dedicated installer support line to San Diego-based CEDIA trained product experts.

The models will be available through authorized Sony ES dealers and custom installers across the country. For further information on the products, please visit www.sony.com/es.

3D Projector

A black-cloth covered prototype non-ES 3D projector was demonstrated during the press event. There was no information provided except that at release the project will output 1080p (the demo was 720p). The Sony executives were non-committal as to availability, though I suspect the projector will likely be launched at September CEDIA EXPO event in Atlanta.

Model Specifications:

STR-DA5600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver

Available in September for about $2,000

·      130 watt  x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD

·      DCAC EX Speaker Auto-Calibration with Speaker Relocation (distance and degree) and Automatic Phase Matching (APM)

·      3D pass-through

·      Integrated four port Ethernet switch

·      Second zone CAT5e output

·      DLNA Client and Live Audio Server

·      iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application

·      Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)

·      On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)

·      H.A.T.S. clock synchronization for HDMI and DSD

·      Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI

·      Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR

·      PC set up manager

·      Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

·      Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

·      Dolby® TrueHD and dts® HD Enhanced audio codecs

STR-DA4600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver

Available in August for about $1,500

·      120 watt  x7 @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD

·      3D pass-through

·      Integrated four port Ethernet switch

·      Second zone CAT5e output

·      DLNA Client

·      iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application

·      Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)

·      On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)

·      Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI

·      Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR

·      PC set up manager

·      Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

·      Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

·      Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs

STR-DA3600ES 7.1 Channel Network Multi-room AV Receiver

Available in August for about $1,100

·      100 watt  x7  @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, .09% THD

·      3D pass-through

·      Integrated four port Ethernet switch

·      DLNA Client

·      iPhone / iPod Touch remote control application

·      Quick Click feature for multi-room source control (with iPhone/iPod touch app)

·      On-screen graphical user interface with overlay (main and second zones)

·      Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices

·      Control system integration via control over IP, RS232 or IR

·      PC set up manager

·      Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

·      Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

·      Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs

STR-DN2010 7.1 Channel Network AV Receiver

Available in August for about $800

·      110 watt  x7  @ 8-ohms, 1kHz, 1% THD

·      3D pass-through

·      Integrated four port Ethernet switch

·      DLNA Client

·      iPhone/iPod touch remote control app

·      On-screen graphical user interface

·      Wireless second zone audio (S-AIR™ multi-room capability)

·      Standby pass-through of audio and video via HDMI connected devices

·      Audio Return Channel for TV audio over a single HDMI cable

·      Shoutcast® Internet Radio and Rhapsody® Music Service

·      Dolby TrueHD and dts HD Enhanced audio codecs

BDP-S1700ES Blu-ray 3D Player

Available in August for $400

·      Full HD 1080p single-disc Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, SA-CD player

·      Blu-ray 3D capable

·      BRAVIA Internet Video and Sony’s Qriocity

·      IR input jack on rear panel for easy control system integration

·      Built-in Wi-Fi  Wireless (802.11n) with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)

·      Entertainment Database Browser with Gracenote™ technology

·      BD Remote (iPhone/iPod touch and Android remote control – free app.)

·      Photo/music/video playback via USB and DLNA

·      DVD upscaling to 1080p with Precision Cinema HD Upscaling

·      Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio™ decoding

·      Built-in 1GB Memory

Tags: - equipment - - Sony Electronics - - ES Elevated Standard - - 3D - - home theater receivers - - Blu-ray Disc player - - 3D Projector - - Specialty Retailer -