Sony Connects With 4K TV
7 Jan, 2015 By: Stephanie Prange
LAS VEGAS — At its booth during the Consumer Electronics Show, Sony Electronics showcased its new line of 4K Ultra-HD televisions, designed to enhance image quality and provide expanded access to content, in an even thinner form. The new XBR X900C series features a new ultra-thin floating style, making it Sony's thinnest TVs yet with edge-to-edge viewing.
The new models range in size from 43 inches to 75 inches and analyze and upscale to 4K resolution, providing the best image quality, regardless of the image source, according to Sony. The thinnest model measures 0.2 inches thick at its thinnest part, according to the company.
"With content being sourced from broadcast, Blu-ray, DVDs or even low-resolution internet videos, we designed these televisions to upscale to 4K resolution so that consumers can get the highest-level viewing experience possible," Toshi Okuda, Sony Electronics deputy president, said in a statement.
The televisions support Google's Android TV operating system, allowing them to stream video, function as a gaming device and provide enhanced features such as voice-enabled searching through a remote equipped with a microphone. With access to Google Play, consumers can connect their smartphone or tablet to their television. Additionally, Google Cast provides users with greater connectivity by enabling them to cast content from devices in a similar way as is done with Google ChromeCast.
In a demonstration front and center at the booth, presenters showed the crowd how to locate Internet games and video with the Sony remote, cast personal photos to the TV and even search topics via Google by speaking into the remote's microphone. They touted the system's partnership with Netflix through the Sony Video Unlimited 4K service. The companies are working together to provide an enhanced Internet TV viewing experience for consumers with new features including TV Instant On, Fast APP Resume and Fast Video Playback. Other content partners include Amazon Instant Video, Ultraflix and Toon Goggles. Sony's 4K content lineup includes more than 1,300 movies, hit TV shows and other 4K titles.
Additionally, the new 4K TV lineup is ready for the latest 4K spec "HEVC" and "VP9," which can receive 4K distribution services and YouTube in 4K, according to Sony.