Audio/Video Buzz: HDTV News ... Sony KDS-R70XBR2 HDTV

Although some may argue that there's already too many HDTV choices available (just take a stroll around your nearby big-box retailer and you'll see what we mean...), making it even more confusing for most consumers to make a decision, we think that it's a good thing.

Besides, who wouldn't want better High Def?

Anyhoo...here's the buzz about Sony's new XBR-2 series of HDTVs:

The successor of the highly-acclaimed XBR-Series, Sony’s flagship Grand
WEGA XBR Series projection televisions carry on the legacy of its predecessor.
Equipped with the same SXRD technology, the XBR2-Series picture captures
movement with unprecedented accuracy, and the Advanced Iris function provides
superior contrast (up to 10,000:1).

The XBR Series has WEGA Engine HD video processing technology for refined
high definition picture quality. The XBR-Series now offers a detachable speaker
design on the 70″ model, and includes three HDMI inputs (1080p) for uncompressed audio/video interface between TV and compatible external components. Bigger,
brighter and better than ever, Sony’s Grand WEGA SXRD XBR2 Series provides the full HD 1080p experience with stunning detail, film-like images, and crisp, smooth motion.

With the KDSR70XBR2, Sony offers a television capable of delivering a
“film-like” image with exceptional clarity, industry-leading contrast ratio, and
unsurpassed color reproduction. The development of the SXRD panel allowed Sony
to achieve this objective through a reflective display technology that’s totally
different from traditional micro display devices. With 0.35 micrometer
inter-pixel spacing and a 92 percent panel fill factor, SXRD boasts the highest
pixel density possible for unprecedented picture brightness and clarity, coupled
with world-class black level and color stability.

The KDSR70XBR2’s optical engine features three separate SXRD panels — one
each for red, green and blue. All three colors appear on-screen simultaneously
for greater stability and accuracy. So color is consistently vivid, flesh tones
remain lifelike and flicker is never a problem.

SXRD technology is the latest display technology developed by the legendary
television engineers at Sony to meet and exceed the demands of a high definition
image at its full 1080 line resolution. Digitally transmitted high definition
signals can contain over two million individual detail points that need to be
displayed accurately and rapidly. SXRD displays those two million detail points
per SXRD panel accurately since the three SXRD panels actually contain enough
pixels to fully display a 1080 line picture without interlacing it. SXRD has the
speed to create a smooth, film like image with a blistering 2.5 ms response
time, which exceeds the demands of even the most rapidly moving high definition
images. And SXRD creates highly accurate, natural colors because the three-panel
design displays all the colors, all the time.

WEGA Engine HD Video Processor is the latest generation of Sony’s exclusive
WEGA HD Engine fully Digital signal-processing path. It includes video
processing functions that are designed to improve overall picture quality. The
WEGA Engine HD has similar functions to the WEGA Engine — a green, blue, and
white color enhancer circuit for a vivid image, digital MPEG noise reduction
circuit to reduce annoying MPEG artifacts, and the digital contrast enhancer
circuit to deliver crisp and vivid images with high contrast. The WEGA Engine HD
adds the following: DRC-MFv2.5–Sony’s exclusive video signal processing that
improves video signals to a realistic and clean picture quality according to
signal types, CCP-XA–generates high purity, high signal-to-noise ratio and
enables the generation of wide bandwidth and stable digital component signals,
IFP2–has functions that optimize contrast and remove noise in the signal to
reproduce video with little noise and blur.

The Advanced Iris function is a special Sony function designed to improve
Contrast expression especially in darker scenes. The Advanced Iris function is
enabled by using either one of two modes, Auto and Manual. The Auto Mode has two
settings designed to work best with video content such as movies that vary
between bright scenes and dark scenes. Auto 1 is for programs that have a wide
range of brightness from scene to scene. Auto 2 is for programs that have less
variation between brightness levels from scene to scene.

If you’re a cable subscriber, the KDSR70XBR2’s CableCARD slot provides you
with access to digitally encrypted cable channels without the need for a set-top
box. The CableCARD, which is provided by your cable TV provider, is inserted
into the TVs rear panel CableCARD slot. After the service is activated by your
cable TV company, the card replaces the need for an external box.

Designed for maximum versatility, Sony’s Grand WEGA XBR line is equipped
with a comprehensive range of input interfaces. The HDMI (High-Definition
Multimedia Interface) is the first industry-supported, uncompressed, all-Digital
audio/video interface. HDMI technology supports enhanced or High Definition
video, together with multi-channel Digital audio to provide matchless image and
sound reproduction. The PC input (D-Sub 15) offers easy connection to your PC,
allowing you to use your high resolution Grand WEGA XBR TV as a computer
monitor.

Considering the remarkable picture quality, its audio has a lot to live up
to. And it does. Sony’s top-of-the-line audio delivers powerful, rich, detailed
soundscapes that fully complement the screen. With MTS Stereo decoding and SRS
TruSurround XT, you’ll get outstanding stereo sound as well as virtual surround
sound.