Audio

Sony Announces a Monster 7.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver (STR-ZA3000ES)

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 15, 2014 | 3 comments

Announced at CEDIA, Sony is looking to take the world of 4K by storm with the STR-ZA3000ES. Leading the company’s high-end ES receivers, the ZA3000ES offers 4K input and output, 7.2 channel (110W), and an 8-port Giga Ethernet Hub to ensure all your home theater needs are met. Yes, there is still even good-ol component in for those looking to rock older devices. In addition to high-end specs, Sony also wanted to make the ZA3000E3 both highly functional and aesthetically pleasing. Beyond great specs, Sony has incorporated a clever front magnetic faceplate that covers the otherwise endless array of buttons which are needed to initially set up a device of this caliber.

After the jump you can find some more details on the Sony STR-ZA3000ES, including additional pictures from the front/rear showing off all the buttons and inputs.

Meet the Sony 7.1 Surround Soundbar (HT-ST5) With Nine Independent Speakers

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 4, 2014 | 1 comment

As much as Sony would like it, not all of us are able to jump into a X900B 4K TV series that take away the need for a soundbar, thanks to the built in Magnetic Fluid Speakers. The solution? A sound bar, of course. At IFA, Sony unveiled the HT-ST5, a ‘premium’ sound bar that offers 380 watts of 7.1 surround sound. All that power is pushed through seven digital amps and nine independent speakers. If this sounds like your kind of device, we have more details after the jump.

6 Sony Products Win ‘Best’ at EISA 2014 Awards

by Jonathan Nolan | Aug 19, 2014 | 0 comments

The European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) is the largest editorial multimedia organization in Europe, and this year they 6 Sony products were top of the class in their categories to win outright.

Last year Sony won 5 ‘best’ awards, including for the best tablet of the year award. This year the Xperia Z2 Tablet collected the same award, proving in a young category of product innovation, tablets, that Sony has got all the ideas right.

So slim, so classy, so slick – the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is undoubtedly an EISA winner.

Sony has given a secret to why their products succeed, read on to know what it is (and the other winners!)

Sony Wireless Subwoofer SWF-BR100 Tech Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Jul 4, 2014 | 0 comments

Earlier this week, we revealed to you the release date and price point of the Sony Wireless Subwoofer SWF-BR100. Giving you the ability to rid yourself of one more cable, the BR100 can prove to be a great addition to your home theater setup, assuming your TV is compatible. If you fall in that camp, after the jump, we’ve placed together the Sony Wireless Subwoofer SWF-Br100 tech specs for your reading pleasure.

While it might be dry, it has all the info you’re looking for like dimensions, speaker power, and input/output specs.

Sony Wireless Subwoofer (SWF-BR100) Gets Price & Release Date

by Sohrab Osati | Jun 30, 2014 | 9 comments

At CES 2014, Sony debuted the SWF-BR100, a wireless subwoofer that is designed to accompany Sony’s 2014 W and X series televisions. With the majority of the XBR fleet and W-series televisions now out in the market, we began to wonder if Sony was still planning on releasing the BR100. Now, we’ve learned the fate of the powerful 100W subwoofer and the price tag it carries.

Meet the Sony Wireless Subwoofer (SWF-BR100)

by Sohrab Osati | May 16, 2014 | 0 comments

Announced at CES 2104, the Sony Wireless Subwoofer (SWF-BR100) is designed to accompany Sony’s 2014 W and X series televisions. Featuring a 100W digital amplifier in a cabinet that is constructed from 18mm thick medium density fibre, the SWF-BR100 adds meaningful bass with nearly no setup and no cables. From there, the sub wirelessly syncs with compatible Sony TVs and allows for easy manipulation of settings like sound level, cutoff frequency, and phase via the TV screen. For those looking for an easy solution and a subwoofer that they can place anywhere in their house, the BR100 might just be what you’re looking for. That is, if you’re also in the market for a 2014 W or X series Sony television.

The above video gives you a quick glimpse of the wireless subwoofer in action during CES 2014.

iF Design Awards Celebrates 26 Sony Products

by Jonathan Nolan | Mar 4, 2014 | 0 comments

Sony has proven itself once again in design terms, with no less than 26 of its products earning the seal of approval from the iF Design group, with three products earning a gold award. In individual company achievements, Sony ranked the third highest awarded company, ahead of rivals Apple and LG.

iF is an international group that recognises excellence in product design. It is their aim to “strengthen public awareness of design” and their logo has been an illustrious global standard of design for over sixty years. This year’s event took place on February 28th in Munich, Germany.

It probably surprises few that Sony would do well with awards for design. The company has always raised the bar with iconic and effortless designs with current class-leaders in the Xperia Z2, the PlayStation 4 and the luxury X9000A Bravia TV line to name but a few.

Read on to find out which Sony products earned gold and which two awards come at a bittersweet time.

Sony 3rd Quarter Financial Results: PS4, Xperia Strong, TV Divest, PC Sold

by Jonathan Nolan | Feb 6, 2014 | 9 comments

The financial results for the past three months of Sony Corp. were released today, forecasting a net loss of 110bn yen ($1.1bn) for the financial year ending March. This a revision downward from a previous prospect of 30bn yen profit.

The company reported a significant boost to sales and operating income, lifting the stock price. PS4 and Xperia smartphone and tablet sales were strong, as expected. All segments reported increased year-on-year sales and operating revenue, except for devices.

Sony has bit the bullet and sold of it’s PC business and is pushing out the TV division to a wholly-owned subsidary. This leads to impairment charges and write-offs with 5,000 job cuts planned before the end of the 2014 financial year. The PC business is sold to Japan Industrial Partners Inc. to “enhance the autonomy of the business”.

Read on the for full story.

Sony Discounts 2013 4K XBR TVs to Make Room for 2014 Models

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 31, 2014 | 2 comments

If you’re looking to get into 4K but want to save a little bit of money then right now may be the best time to act. At CES 2014, Sony announced three new lines to their 4K XBR series, the XBR-X950B, XBR-X900B, and XBR-X850B which will be released in Spring 2014. To help make room for the new models, Sony is placing a rather nice sale on their 2013 line of 4K XBR televisions which includes the XBR-X900A and XBR-850A. So what do the new prices look like? Lets talk numbers, after the jump.

Investor Ratings Agency Moody Cuts Sony Stock Grade to Junk; We Discuss the Company’s Outlook

by Jonathan Nolan | Jan 28, 2014 | 8 comments

On Monday this week the Japanese branch of the investor ratings agency Moody reduced Sony Corp. stock from Baa3 to Ba1, leading to a tumble in the stock price.

This news has produced mixed reactions. Moody’s report predictably targets falling PC demand and the troubles that the TV division has had. Fortunately, these areas form a smaller part of Sony’s operating revenue than only a few years ago thanks to years of cost-cutting measures and a reorganisation that targeted higher growth-potential areas such as smartphones, tablets and the gaming sector. Additionally, newer streams of income have been sourced in insurance and medical devices.

What exactly did Moody’s evaluation take issue with?

Sony Life Space UX: Technology At Your Fingertips (video)

by Allegra Osati | Jan 15, 2014 | 0 comments

Life Space UX: the concept room from Sony that has everyone talking.

On Tuesday, the first official day of CES 2014, we were able to get a good look at the Life Space UX concept in the live demo room in Sony’s extensive booth. Did you miss CES? Do a digital walk-through of the concept room by watching our video of the experience! You’ll be ooh-ing and aah-ing before you know it.

Sony_Life_Space_UX_2

The line in the picture only appears when captured on film and not present to the human eye.

Life Space UX is an experience made up of four separate concepts – and each one will change the way you look at things. By now you’ll have heard of Sony’s 4K Ultra Short Throw projector – but it’s what they’ve done with it that will blow your mind. Three of the four devices in the Life Space UX room utilize the short throw projector. First, there’s the two ceiling lights with a short throw projector inside – it will turn your ceiling into a screen that you can show anything on, from a movie to your computer desktop. Pair that with the short throw projector they’ve hidden inside a lamp alongside some camera sensors that turn your dining table (or floor, or any other flat surface) into a touch screen, and you’ve hit the ground running towards having a tech-filled home that will wow your guests and allow you to video chat at breakfast to bring out the Tony Stark in you. Before we move on to the other two concepts, check out our full walk-through of the room after the jump.

Prototype Sony 4K Media Server Displayed at CES (video)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 11, 2014 | 1 comment

When Sony announced their 84-inch 4K television over a year ago, it also brought with it the Sony 4K Media Server to the market. In order for 4K television sales to take off, content is required and that’s something that traditional broadcast won’t likely offer for some time. Enter the Sony 4K Media Server which acts as your gateway to 4K media via the internet. Currently, Sony offers over 150 4K titles on its media server and that list is expected to grow substantially as more films and shows begin to convert to the new format. While the original design of the FMP-X1 4K Media Server was bold, Sony is taking a more traditional approach with a reduced footprint its second generation counter part which can be seen, after the jump.

Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector Demo (video)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 8, 2014 | 0 comments

At CES 2014, Sony introduced a new concept dubbed Life Space UX. The theory goes that technology needs to transform and better mold into one’s lifestyle. One part of this is for products to blend in better in the home and instead compliment any decor while offering a technological benefit as well. The Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector is a device that fits within this vision. At its core, the device is no different than any other projector with the added benefit of 4K. What makes the device unique though is its capability to be so close to the wall while still being able to cast a 147-inch display. From there on, its unique design helps it blend in without sacrificing any quality. A video demo can be found after the jump.

Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector Not As Large as it Seems

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 8, 2014 | 4 comments

When the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector was revealed, many (including) us marveled at its design aesthetics and 4K picture quality which can be displayed up to 147 inches. From first glance, it’s obvious that Sony took a radically different approach to designing it and that’s due to their new Life Space UX, which aims to improve technology’s ability to complement any decor and stand out less, giving way to the experience. Originally, it was believed that, because of this achievement, including 4K and alternative design, the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector housed a large form factor but after some digging, we’ve learned that the size is a function of design with other components mixed in as opposed to a form factor that is meant to disguise a bulky set of components.

The breakdown of the design and hidden compartments awaits you after the jump.

Sony Unveils New 4K Projectors Starting at $15k, HD Projectors for $4k

by Sohrab Osati | Sep 27, 2013 | 0 comments

While it’s only been recently that TV manufacturers have begun to push past the 65-inch screen size in prices that most consumers can afford, home theater enthusiasts have been enjoying screens in access to 120-inches thanks to projectors. Thought of as the pinnacle of a proper home theater, projectors can help bring a cinema quality to your viewing experience like no television. Sony is no stranger to this market, providing consumer and professional projectors that are likely utilized in your local theater, especially if they offer 4K films. Now, Sony has unveiled their latest home projector fleet, ranging from HD, all the way up to 4K with a price that can fit anyones budget, kind of.