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PS3 Slim sized up: smaller, deeper, no Linux or PS2 compatibility
120GB PS3 Slim 160GB PS3 80GB PS3 Product code CECH-2000A CECH-Pxx CECH-Kxx / CECH-Lxx Price $299.99 $399.99 $299.99 Color Matte Black Piano Black (Glossy) Piano Black (Glossy) HDD 120GB 2.5-inch SATA 160GB 2.5-inch SATA 80GB 2.5-inch SATA Dimensions 11.42 x 2.56 x 11.42 in. 12.75 x 3.86 x 10.8 in. 12.75 x 3.86 x 10.8 in. Weight 7.05 lb. 11 lb. 11 lb. Power 250W 280W 280W Vertical Stand Optional ($24) Not necessary Not necessary Compatibility PSOne PSOne, Linux PSOne, Linux PS2 compat? No No No BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC) Yes No No Bundle Wireless DualShock 3 controller Wireless DualShock 3 controller, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, PAIN downloadable game voucher Wireless DualShock 3 controller At this point, would-be PlayStation 3 buyers have two options: wait until next month to get the ultra-hip PS3 Slim model for $300, or plop down that same figure now for its chunkier older brother. As far as we can tell, unless you're absolutely dying to load Linux or another OS on top of the console, or have some strong aversion to matte finishes, there's really no incentive to purchase one right now without a more drastic price cut -- or if you're really lucky, perhaps you can find one of the older, discontinued models that can still play PS2 games.
Sony unveils slimmer PS3: $300, lands in September (updated!)
Hardly a surprise, but Sony got on stage today at GamesCom and confirmed what we've all known deep down in our hearts: the new, slimmer PS3 is really real. It'll be out in the first week of September (September 1 in North America and Europe, September 3 for Japan), and will retail for $300 (or 300 Euro, or 29,980 Yen). It's smaller and lighter, has a 120GB HDD, and packs "all the same features" of the regular PS3 while consuming 34 percent less power and taking up 32 percent less space. Existing PS3 SKUs have their prices dropped a hundie apiece tomorrow in anticipation, so be sure to grab a space heater while you've still got a shot -- though we're not sure why you'd pay $300 for an 80GB PS3 when you can wait a couple weeks and get 120GB in a cuter package. A couple pics of the unveil are after the break. The new 3.0 firmware will be released concurrently with the PS3 slim, which should provide a breath of fresh air for existing machines. Other new features of the PS3 slim include BRAVIA Sync, which allows you to control the PS3 XMB over HDMI through your BRAVIA TV remote, and System Standby to shut off the PS3 when the BRAVIA TV is off. Sony also claims this new machine will run more quietly than existing PS3 systems, which is good news for people who like to watch movies or have conversations in the general vicinity of their game console. There's also a Vertical Stand, which will retail for $24. Not so awesome is Sony's removal of the Install Other OS feature... farewell, Linux. We hardly knew thee. Update: We've got press shots! Check 'em all in the gallery below, and be sure to pore over that to-scale comparo pic up top. There's one from above as well, which reveals that the new model is actual "deeper" than the PS3 fat. Update 2: Video! Our main man Jack Tretton talks up and shows off his spanking new slim PS3 after the break. We've also got a full rundown of the specs for your perusal, and added some new information above.
HDMI founders to finally rally around single CEC standard
Back in March, we called for HDMI members to put aside their differences and unify around a single HDMI-CEC standard. According to Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, LLC, that movement is about to begin. While speaking to CE Pro at CEDIA, the bigwig confessed that the HDMI founders (Hitachi, Panasonic, Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson and Toshiba) have finally agreed to team up on a "unified CEC plan." If executed, the result would mean that HDMI-CEC-enabled VIERA plasmas could be controlled in unison with HDMI-CEC-enabled Sony receivers, and the whole VIERA Link / BRAVIA Sync / Anynet+ / AQUOS Link garbage could finally be disposed of. Mr. Venuti also claimed that there would "probably be an announcement at CES 2009," so we'll be keeping an ear out in around 100 days.[Image courtesy of AVReview, thanks Lindsay]
Sony introduces X4500- and W4500-Bravia series LCD HDTVs in Europe
Not content to leave its recently-announced V4500 LCDs to fend for itself in the European market, Sony has brought backup in the form of the X4500 and W4500 Bravia models. The X4500 series is available in 40-, 46- and 55-inch sizes and features a "floating" design that should compliment the optional colored speaker covers quite nicely, thank you. Meh -- we're personally more enthusiastic about the locally-dimming LED backlight, DLNA support and the sheer number of speakers packed into the cabinet (eight on the 55-inch model, six on the smaller ones). We're also curious to see Sony's "IB Reduction" in effect, combined with interlaced backlight dimming that promises to reduce motion blur without introducing flicker. The W4500 series seems like a modest step down the Bravia ladder and is available in 40-, 46- and 52-inch sizes. The W4500 series also has DLNA and LED backlighting with IB Reduction, but no mention of local-dimming. Full press release and more pics after the break.[Via Broadcast Newsroom]%Gallery-29499%EDIT: The W4500 models do not have an LED backlight.
Sony intros STR-DG520, STR-DG720 and STR-DG820 AV receivers
Sony's got a new trio of AV receivers to get your work week started, and we'll hit 'em up in order of least fancy to most. The entry-level STR-DG520 (5 x 100-watts) packs a two-in / one out HDMI switcher with 1080p24 pass-through, Digital Cinema Auto Calibration, Cinema Studio EX processing and the company's Digital Media Port. Moving on up, the STR-DG720 (7 x 100-watts) includes a three-in / one-out HDMI repeater, 1080p24 / x.v.Color support, the ability to accept multi-channel HD audio as well as eight-channel Linear PCM and BRAVIA Sync to boot. The flagship STR-DG820 steps things up even further with four HDMI 1.3 inputs and one output, Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, Cinema Studio EX and Neural-THX Surround processing and a 7 x 100-watt amplifier. Check the read link for more details on each, but you'll be forced to take a stab of your own at pricing.Update: These were a European announcement. USers already had 'em. %Gallery-25901%
Sony introduces BRAVIA V4500 LCD HDTVs in Europe
Look out world, er, Europe, as Sony is debuting a new trio of LCD HDTVs in your neck of the woods. The BRAVIA V4500 line consists of a 26-, 32- and 37-inch model, each of which posses a WXGA (1,360 x 768) panel and the company's own BRAVIA ENGINE 2 technology. You'll also find a 33,000:1 contrast ratio on the smaller two, and the whole lot packs 178-degree viewing angles, BRAVIA Sync and a built-in HD tuner for snagging DVB-T / DVB-C signals where available. There's also the Picture Frame Mode for turning your set into a digital art canvas (USB port included for image viewing), and the three HDMI inputs ensure that your PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and hacked up Atari Jaguar won't be fighting for sockets. Unfortunately, mum's the word on a price / release date. %Gallery-22140%
Sony breaks out 2.1 BRAVIA DAV-F200 home theater system
Truth be told, we knew this gem was waiting in Sony's pocket, but it finally came clean and made things official over in Europe. The 2.1 BRAVIA DAV-F200 home theater system features S-Master digital amplification, which delivers a potent 135-watts of power to each speaker (including the subwoofer). The firm also threw in its S-Force Front Surround technology to help convince your mind that 2.1 is really 5.1, and as for the integrated DVD player, it plays nice with MP3 / photo / DivX discs, too. Better still, the unit includes 1080p upscaling over HDMI along with a built-in USB port for listening to WMA / AAC files, and there's even optical / coaxial digital inputs for other external sources. Regrettably, there's no word on a price nor US availability, but we can say for certain that those across the pond can claim their own this June.[Via Pocket-lint]
Sony's Bravia F-series is no wallflower
Sony Japan just announced their Bravia F-series of thin LCDs. We're talking 46-inches with just 7.4-cm of non-protruding, wall-mountable goodness when these go live in Japan on March 25th. Available in 1080p resolution ¥400,000 (about $3,700) 46-inch and ¥290,000 ($2,685) 40-inch configurations or a ¥200,000 ($1,852) 32-inch model offering 1,366 x 768 pixel resolution. Each set features Sony's 120Hz Motion Flow tech, a 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 24p True Cinema mode, Bravia Sync HDMI control, Bravia Engine 2 processing, and a bevy of jacks including 3x HDMI, 2x S-Video, 3x composite and yes, Ethernet. Sony's 2.4GHz Bravia Link remote allows the controller to be used without pointing it directly at the set. More Sony sets on the way in a few. %Gallery-16586% [Via Impress]
Sony refreshes Bravia line with 17 new models, Digital Media Extender
Sony's CES event is just finished, but they can't wait to give details on all 17 of the new Bravia LCD models. Falling into six different model lines (three pictured here), Sony has sprinkled its Digital Media Extender tech liberally throughout the releases, future technology and Bravia Link is an option down the road for all. The top end models consist of the KDL-40Z4100 and KDL-46Z4100, with new Bravia Engine 2, 120Hz image processing, x.v. Color, WCG-CCFL and 10-bit panels. The Z-series also throws in USB ports, DLNA connectivity and Bravia Sync HDMI control. Sony's got more HDTVs and we've got more specs (no prices, sorry!) so check after the break.
