Sony expands connected BRAVIA HDTV line with new W-Series

While these three weren't quite ready for CES, they're still being debuted in Las Vegas alongside Sony's new Blu-ray devices. The W-Series, as with the recently announced BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 models, is fully equipped with an Ethernet jack and a Yahoo!-powered widgets engine. Consumers who bite on the 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 or 40-inch KDL-40W5100 can expect easy access to Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Sony Pictures content, etc. The new family also includes Sony's Motionflow 120Hz technology, DLNA compatibility, a USB port for loading up external media, BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC), four HDMI inputs and the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. As expected, each one sports a 1080p panel, and while pricing details are still sorely missing, the trifecta should hit retailers later this Spring. Full release is after the break.

SONY DEBUTS MORE NETWORKED BRAVIA HDTVS

Models Extend Line-up Featuring "BRAVIA Widgets" and Other Connected Features

LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2009 – Bolstering the recently announced 2009 BRAVIA® LCD HDTV line-up, Sony Electronics today announced a series of additional networked models with full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive (1080p) resolution. This new W-series adds an economic HDTV option, while delivering the same interactive functionality as the recently announced BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 models.
The networked models feature an Ethernet connection so the sets can directly access Sony BRAVIA Internet Video content using an existing broadband connection. The service offers one of the largest selections of free and premium movies, TV shows, sports, music and more from an array of partners like Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube®, Yahoo!®, Sony Pictures, Sony Music and many others.
BRAVIA Internet Widgets, provided by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, expand and personalize the experience by allowing you to interact with your favorite Internet content like Yahoo News, Video, Finance, and Flickr® while watching TV shows. Track your favorite sports team, check your stocks, and share photos with friends and family as you watch television.
The 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 and 40-inch KDL-40W5100 (diagonal) models feature Motionflow™ 120Hz technology for improved sharpness and detail in fast-moving images. They also feature Sony's BRAVIA Engine™ 3, which delivers a crystal clear picture even if the content isn't perfect.
The W-series models are Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) compliant, enabling easy access to digital photos, music and video stored on a PC or other DLNA server using the XMB® interface and the TV's remote control. They also offer a USB input for displaying digital photos or playing digital video and audio files from compatible USB storage devices.

In addition, these models feature:

• 24p True Cinema™
• XrossMediaBar™ (XMB)with enhanced 3D favorites menu
• Internet powered TV Guide Onscreen

• BRAVIA Sync™
• BRAVIA Link Compatibility
• 4 HDMI inputs
• Single PC, component, composite and S-video inputs

Designed to match the W5100 series models, the HT-CT500 3.1 channel sound bar supports features an integrated AV receiver supporting full HD 1080p video and the latest advanced audio codecs. This sound bar theater system will be available this June for about $500.
The new KDL-52W5100, KDL-46W5100 and KDL-40W5100 networked televisions will be available this spring direct through www.sonystyle.com and Sony Style stores, as well as authorized retailers nationwide and military base exchanges.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 8:15PM]

err, its almost as big as youtube, who surprising?? :S not so really...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 8:31PM]

uhhhh... what?

[PorkchopFlavoredCupcake Posted Mar 2nd 2009 9:16PM]

I think that what Tommo was trying to say is that this news makes him feel so big that he's ready to surprise us with it by showing us on Youtube, but then he says he won't. Tommo's such a tease.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 9:22PM]

cool Ethernet and yahoo widgies...

[fourthletter Posted Mar 2nd 2009 9:33PM]

Dat's a HUGE bitch.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 9:54PM]

wouldnt it make sense to choose wireless-N instead of ethernet? 1 step forward, 5 steps back.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 10:10PM]

This is the W "Budget" line which is supposed to be cheap. 802.11n would be much more costly than Ethernet to implement

[Ma2T Posted Mar 3rd 2009 10:47AM]

@ Game_playa. The W series is not the "Budget" line, it's just after the Z/X. It's mid if anything.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 10:18PM]

it wont fit in my room..

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2009 10:35PM]

this is the set i was hoping sony was going to announce! i'll pay for 120hz, but not 240hz. i'm willing to pay a small premium for yahoo widgets. slim dark bevel (looks nearly identical to z series from 2008). bravia engine 3 is a nice bonus.

[phez Posted Mar 3rd 2009 2:19AM]

I'm confused ... can I still watch TV on this?

[Extinction Posted Mar 4th 2009 1:21AM]

How about bringing these features to PS3?