Sony intros 240Hz Bravia HDTVs with RFID tech
updated 04:45 pm EST, Mon March 2, 2009
Sony HDTVs with RFID tech
Sony has recently announced the upcoming release of two new series of Bravia HDTVs in Japan, the W5 and F5, with the majority sporting 240Hz panels. They center on a FeliCa RFID tag reader built right into their remotes that lets owners pay for Video on Demand and other multimedia purchases using their cellphones. The W5 TVs are available in 52-, 46- and 40-inch models, while the F5s can be had in 46-, 40- and 32-inch sizes. All have full 1920x1080 high-definition resolution, except for the 32-inch KDL-32F5, which tops out at 1366x768 pixels and has a 120Hz panel.
The W5s feature a dual digital tuner, with both BS110 and CS reception in their native country; the F5s have only one digital tuner. All new TVs have a new bezel, with the entire set just 85mm (3.34 inches) thick. All have a 3,800:1 contrast ratio thanks in part to the third-generation image processing Bravia Engine, save for the KDL-32F5 set, which makes do with a 3,000:1 ratio. A pair of 10W speakers is integrated into each TV.
Connections on all six TVs are identical and include four HDMI inputs, two D5 inputs, two composite inputs and one each for S-video, VGA and PC audio (3.5mm headphone jack) inputs. Outputs consist of a single optical audio, analog audio and headphone jack. For viewing files from external sources, there is a USB port, while an Ethernet port allows Internet access. Sony's XMB interface makes navigating menus a relatively familiar process for PlayStation 3 and PSP owners.
The HDTV sets will become available for sale on April 24th, with prices ranging from the equivalent of about $1,650 for the 32-inch KDL-32F5 to $4,635 for the 52-inch KDL-52W5. [via Impress]
