Home Theater

Sony Xperia Sirius D6503 (Xperia Z2) to Include 4K Video Recording and 15-Megapixel 16:9 Photos?

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 10, 2014 | 4 comments

It’s widely believed that in the coming months, Sony will announce the Xperia Sirius (D6503) Android smartphone. While there is still a lot that we don’t know about this phone, including what it’s final name will be (though it’s likely that this will be the Xperia Z2), one thing is clear: Sony is looking to further push the capability of photo and video in mobile. Thanks to leaked screenshots, it seems that the Xperia Sirius D6503 will give photo fans a few things to be happy about, including the ability to manually adjust photo and video settings alongside Sony’s ‘Superior Auto’ mode which will take the best picture possible. But that’s not all.

Sochi Winter Olympics to Utilize Over 70 Sony HD and 4K Cameras, 500 Professional Monitors

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 6, 2014 | 0 comments

The Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics is set to kick off tonight, exclusively on NBC where the network giant will utilize Sony’s range of HD production technology for its coverage. This is the 8th consecutive Olympics that Sony has provided support for NBC but the inclusion of 4K will make it a first. To help capture every moment, NBC will utilize over 70 Sony HD and 4K professional camcorders. Specifically, NBC will use the XDCAM, HDC, HSC and HXC-100 models for their 1080p HD coverage while the Sony F55 will provide native 4K footage. Just last week, the NFL tapped Sony for their HD expertise where Sony professional cameras were used to capture HD and 4K coverage of Super Bowl XLVIII. But that’s not the only Sony equipment that’s making its way to Russia.

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.

Fox Will Use Six Sony 4K Cameras to Help With Super Bowl, Broadcast Still Limited to 720p

by Sohrab Osati | Feb 2, 2014 | 6 comments

Making it a first for the NFL, Fox will be using six Sony 4K cameras to capture the Super Bowl later today which will see Peyton Manning crush the Seahawks (yes I had to get that in there). Specifically, Fox will be utilizing the Sony F55s and F65 by placing two on the sidelines, two on the goal lines, and two on the end lines to enhance the networks “Super Zoom” feature. Traditionally, Fox has relied on their cameramen to zoom in on a specific action or event by using the cameras optical lens. With the extra resolution that 4K has to offer, Fox will instead be able to crop what they need, insuring that no play or detail will be missed with just a wide shot. Jerry Steinberg, Fox’s senior vice president of operations:

It allows us to do an electronic zoom and maintain resolution

Steinberg went on to say:

It’s all about the clarity of the replay and giving viewers the best possible look at a play, and that’s what we can do with these cameras. Since we’re starting with such a high-resolution image, we can zoom in multiple times on a shot and still get a completely clear picture with zero pixel degradation. You see everything in extreme detail, in fact with an extra amount of detail you wouldn’t see in a traditional replay.

Does this mean that those with a 4K set can catch the live event in 4K?

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 Handycam FDR-AX100 Preview, “4K for $2K” (video)

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 9, 2014 | 6 comments

One of the surprises from CES 2014 was the announcement of the Sony 4K Handycam FDR-AX100. What makes this Handycam special is that it’s the first consumer camcorder that offers 4K recording that fits in the palm of your hand. As with any high-end consumer camcorder from Sony, you get an array of features that include 5.1 surround sound, 14.2-megapixel back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R CMOS sensor and Wi-Fi/NFC for easy sharing and pairing with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app for iOS and Android which can remotely control the device.

While all those features are nice, what makes this camera special is its ability to record in 4K Ultra HD images (3840 x 2160 pixels) and fit in the palm of your hand with a price tag of $2,000 come this March. As Sony CEO Kaz Hirai joked, the motto for the Handycam is “4K for 2K.” After the jump, our video preview awaits you.

Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector Specs and Price Range Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 9, 2014 | 2 comments

One of the biggest surprises from Sony during CES 2014 was the Life Space UX concept which is meant to take technology beyond a piece of tech and instead beautifully incorporate it into your lifestyle. While still in a concept stage, one of the products from this vision, the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector, will be coming to fruition this Summer. Previously, we gave you a demo of the 4K projector that’s able to cast a 147-inch screen from just 27 inches away. Despite pictures, the Ultra Short Throw Projector is smaller than it appears as there are multiple parts that make it.

Now with some more digging, we’re able to give you the Sony 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector specs and price range.

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 4K XBR-X950B Tech Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 7, 2014 | 4 comments

If you want an overview from the 2014 Son 4K television fleet, then be sure to read our previous coverage which helps give you an overview of the XBR-X950B, XBR-X900B, and XBR-X850B. In this article, we break things down and look at the tech that help make the TV what it is. After the jump, the Sony XBR-X950B tech specs await you.

Sony 4K XBR-X850B Tech Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 7, 2014 | 0 comments

While 4K is the next big thing in the living room and here to replace traditional 1080p HD, Sony knows that consumers won’t flock to it if the price is too high. To that end, the company wisely expanded its XBR series into three lines which include the XBR-X850B, XBR-X900B, and XBR-X950B. This line represents a good, better, best scenario for the native 4K televisions that Sony offers. Previously, we’d give you the tech specs for the XBR-X950b, and XBR-X900B. After the jump, you can find all the tech specs for the XBR-X850B which comes in a variety of sizes which include 49-, 55-, 65-, and 70-inches.

Sony 4K XBR-X900B Tech Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Jan 7, 2014 | 0 comments

During its CES 2014 press conference, Sony announced three new 4K television series which make up the XBR line. This includes the XBR-X950B, XBR-X900B, and XBR-X850B. Previously, we’ve given you an overview of the entire 4K XBR fleet and dished out all the tech specs to the flagship XBR-X950B which comes in an astonishing 85-inch size and a more manageable 65-inch. After the jump, we’ve put together the XBR-X900B tech specs, designed for the home theater enthusiasts who don’t want to take out a loan the size of a car payment but demand the best in video.