Sony unveils massive TV in SA
2012-11-22 09:27
Johannesburg – Sony unveiled an 84 inch 4K Ultra High Definition Bravia LCD television on Wednesday in Sandton.
The television, which has a 213.5cm screen, will cost consumers R279 000.
The price of the television includes a Skype camera, 10 pairs of 3D glasses, a Blu-ray player, television stand, installation as well as free delivery.
Bravia's 4K LCD panel comprises approximately 8.29 megapixels, four times the resolution of Full HD standard, and incorporates “4K X-Reality PRO”, Sony’s super-resolution high picture quality engine optimised for the 4K television.
This engine is capable of reproducing a variety of content with different resolutions, such as HD digital broadcasts or Blu-ray discs content, into stunningly crisp, high-quality images with 4K resolution.
Cinema experience
“This television re-defines image quality. The super-high resolution and large screen size ensure a picture experience that is close to reality, 4K is a massive jump in resolution and image quality even when compared to so-called full high definition displays,” Andrew Fraser, senior brand manager for Sony South Africa, told News24.
"Viewers will not be bothered by the pixels, and notice instead that images are breathtakingly realistic and beautifully clear with the wide 60° viewing angle, even if they sit as much as half the distance to the screen, as compared to when viewing full HD."
With this 4K television you can recreate the cinema experience at your home with the largest, highest resolution picture Sony has ever produced on a television.
The 4K TV brings you closer to the entertainment experience, challenging the old-fashioned idea that people shouldn't sit close to a television screen because with this 4K television you only have to sit 1.5m from the screen to experience the full effect.
The television also boasts with a 10 speaker sound-system with subwoofers.
Although there are no native 4K content available in SA, consumers can upscale any HD content to 4K.
According to Fraser the picture quality and picture contrast sets the 4K apart from other televisions.
Relationship
PlayMemories Studio, a special PlayStation 3 software, also enables users to organise and playback high resolution photographs with ease and comfort on the TV.
"When buying a television consumers must firstly look at the picture quality. They must also check the television with the correct settings in the store because televisions are usually shown brighter in stores.
"The second thing consumers must look at is the design of the television. Thirdly, they must look at the audio capability and fourthly if it can connect to the internet."
Fraser said when consumers buy a television it is a long term relationship and it is important that they look at these factors and do their homework.
He said the most important factor is still the picture quality, and that Sony offers this to consumers with the new TV.
According to him, Sony will look at making affordable 4K televisions for consumers but can't say when this will be on the market.
Sony has been involved in building the 4K content viewing and creating environment in the professional field, from rolling out its 4K digital cinema projectors to movie theatres throughout the world, to preparing a range of production equipment, including the flagship CineAlta “F65” camera capable of shooting 4K content.
Sales
In the consumer electronic field, Sony has released the VPL-VW1000ES home theatre projector for family use which has been favourably received.
On the question who he thinks will buy this expensive television, Fraser said "definitely consumers who want the best picture quality".
Although he couldn't give an exact number of how many televisions have been pre-sold in SA, he said they already sold 40% of their estimation and are confident that they will hit their targets.
The television will be available in stores in SA by next week and customers who pre-ordered their 4K televisions will receive it during the first week of December.
Stores that will stock the 4K television includes Sony centres in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban.
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