InternetVideoLink
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Sony's COO says no new OLED TVs in 2010, BRAVIA Internet Video Link is coming to PS3
Want to blast some BRAVIA Internet Video Link content from your PS3 to your million-inch Sony-built 3D OLED TV this year? Well, you're half in luck. Sony's bringing the Internet Video Link service to the PS3 (which seems to us to provide little that isn't already possible on the PS3, but who are we to judge?) but won't do any new OLED TVs this year. The problem is, naturally, cost, but hopefully 2011 will bring better things in sizes larger than 11-inches -- LG won't have a 30-incher until 2012 at least, and that seems too long to wait. Sony COO Stan Glasgow, in his interview with Sony Insider that turned up these nuggets, also is refreshingly non-bombastic about 3D. He points out that Sony's doing 3D-capable TVs for essentially zero price differentiation, with separate glasses and emitters that can be bought after the fact, and calls the 3D channel rollout "complex." But who knows, perhaps he's just never seen enough of Taylor Swift in 3D to know what he's missing?
Sony brings Yahoo! widgets to 1080p ZBR9 / Z-Series HDTVs
No surprise here, but Sony's making darn sure it's not left behind in the connected HDTV arena by introducing seven new sets that all look to the Yahoo! Widget Engine to pull down Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Slacker and other web-based content right on one's HDTV. Proudly dubbed Bravia Internet Widgets, the functionality will come bundled in with the firm's ZBR9 lineup (comprised of the 52-inch KDL-52XBR9, 46-inch KDL-46XBR, 40-inch KDL-40XBR90 and 32-inch KDL-32XBR9) as well as the 52-inch KDL-52Z5100, 46-inch KDL-46Z5100, and 40-inch KDL-40Z5100. All seven sets tout 1080p panels, BRAVIA Sync, four HDMI inputs, an Ethernet jack and a cute Energy Star 3.0 sticker to boot. Gear up for TV 2.0 (or are we up to 3.0?) to land this Spring.
Slacker radio added to Sony BRAVIA Internet Video Link
If you've found yourself dumbfoundedly staring at your Bravia Internet Video Link-equipped HDTV thinking "when am I going to see some Slacker radio up in this piece?" -- you're in luck. Sony announced today that it would be bringing the streaming service to users of the company's $300 hardware add-on free of charge, allowing music hounds to grab "millions" of songs on over "100 individually programmed genre music stations" in CD-quality audio. The service joins other streaming content like YouTube and Amazon, and will be available immediately. So... why are you still reading this?[Via ZatzNotFunny]
Hancock streaming home to BRAVIA HDTVs ahead of Blu-ray release for $9.99
Tired of watching Amazon Video on Demand, Dailymotion and YouTube videos on your BRAVIA Internet Video Link? Coming through on its promise to send Hancock to Sony HDTV owners first, Sony Pictures is offering the flick (in 720p or 480p, depending on bandwidth) for $9.99 starting October 28 through November 10, and even throwing in a free Blu-ray copy after it's released November 24. We'll have to wait and see if the Hancock At-Home Premiere is a one of a kind promotion (note: the stream is "valued" at $29.99) or a regular benefit to owning a BRAVIA and accompanying $299 add-on, but we can't help thinking this would be alot more interesting if it were offered over the PlayStation Network.[Via Sony PR]
Amazon Video On Demand officially live on BRAVIA Internet Video Link
We knew good and well it was coming, but Sony finally spilled the beans on bringing Amazon Video On Demand to BRAVIA Internet Video Link users. For folks with compatible Sony BRAVIA televisions equipped with the optional BRAVIA Internet Video Link, they can now tap into "tens of thousands of premium movies and TV shows," and additionally, they can now stream high-definition content from Dailymotion and other providers at no additional cost. Huzzah!
Amazon Video on Demand store open for business via Mac, PC; open beta on Sony HDTVs
It's official, Amazon has moved Unbox-replacement Amazon Video on Demand out of beta for Mac and PC users, while confirming rumors the still-in-beta BRAVIA Internet Video Link service is open to all Sony HDTV owners. The streaming option (you can still download and watch via Unbox on PC or TiVo, and no matter how they're purchased, content is added to the Your Video Library accessible from the web or IVL) gives Amazon that critical buy-now / watch-immediately element some other online stores lack, for its library of 40,000 licensed movies and shows. Prices start at $1.99 for single episodes of TV shows and at least $2.99 for movies -- with savings available on season passes, now all we need to keep an eye on is the bandwidth meter.
Amazon Video on Demand for BRAVIA Internet Video Link open for business?
Amazon's latest video delivery service is apparently live for Sony Bravia Internet Video Link-equipped customers. A reader reports that after a rather low key system message and reboot the Amazon Video on Demand logo added itself to his streaming options, joining YouTube and other providers available since the $299 add-on launched back in April. Amazon's website still lists shows it as being in beta, but they're probably just too busy with Home or those HD TiVo downloads to bother dropping a line. Anyone else noticing a new option on the XMB lately?[Thanks, Jared]
Sony delivers Hancock via Bravia Internet Video Link, ahead of DVD & Blu-ray
Forget YouTube over Bravia Internet Video Link, Sony plans on making the dongle relevant this winter by releasing the blockbuster Hancock for viewing to anyone who has the device hooked up to their Sony HDTV. This debut will happen before the flick hits shelves as a DVD and makes for an interesting end-around VOD services, competing movie delivery boxes or any thorny MPAA proposals. Unfortunately its exposure is limited to those with Bravia TVs, a good Internet connection and the $299 device, and willing to pay an as-yet-unspecified amount for the privilege. We're also still waiting to hear the details of Sony's PlayStation 3 based movie network, but we wouldn't be surprised if Hancock -- like Click, James Bond and Talladega Nights before it -- pushes multiple Sony platforms at once.[Thanks, Tyler]
Sony's DMX-NV1 Bravia Internet Video Link now available
Remember that Sony Internet Video Link for Bravia TVs that we told you about way back in February of 2007? Well apparently the $299.99 units have hit stores, and are now available for your purchasing pleasure. If you'll recall, the pricey boxes allow you to stream internet video, music, and light content (like weather and traffic) into your television via the company's familiar Xross Media Bar interface. Of course, you'll be dropping a pretty big chunk of change on something with fairly limited use, but hey... it's your money.[Via Zatz Not Funny!]
Sony fleshes out details and pricing for Internet Video Link
Sony announced last month that they would be releasing products including their new Internet Video Link capabilities, which will allow users to stream free standard and high-definition content through their broadband connections directly to the television, bypassing any set-top boxes or computers. Providers will include AOL, Yahoo!, Sony Pictures, and Sony BMG music, along with user generated videos and RSS feeds. Now we've got more detail on the IVL box, along with a glimpse at the first sets to support it. Apparently the unit will display its wares in Sony's XMB Xross Media Bar format, as seen on the company's PSP and PS3 consoles. The IVL module will be sold separately for $300 starting in July, and it attaches to the back of a "majority" of Sony's 2007 BRAVIA sets -- currently including the new KDL-46S3000, KDL-40S3000, KDL-32S3000, KDL-26S3000, KDL-46V3000, KDL-40V3000 and KDL-32XBR4 LCDs, and the KDF-37E3000, KDF-50E3000 and KDF-46E3000 micro-displays. Looks like a regular ol' USB plug will do the honors, and the IVL saps power from the TV while sipping internet off of an Ethernet plug, so added cable clutter will be fairly minimal.
