Sony adds budget W5100 TVs with Internet access
updated 10:40 pm EST, Mon March 2, 2009
Sony BRAVIA W5100
Uncharacteristically launching TVs outside of CES, Sony on Monday night unveiled the BRAVIA W5100 series. The refresh is a deliberately lower-cost option that brings the same Internet features as the Z5100 and XBR9 but without the expensive panel technology. Any W5100 set can access Flickr and news widgets through Yahoo's industry-wide interface when connected over Ethernet. They can also tap into Amazon VOD, YouTube or Sony's internal movie and music services to stream video.
The line is kept simple with just 40-, 46- and 52-inch screen sizes, all of which get Sony's third-generation BRAVIA imaging engine, 120Hz panels, DLNA media sharing and USB ports. Four HDMI jacks provide the primary video connections on the TVs. They ship in spring with official prices to be set closer to launch.
Backing the W5100 series, a matching HT-CT500 sound bar will give the sets 3.1-channel virtual surround along with a built-in receiver to route both audio and video. It shows in June for $500.
