Sony expands connected BRAVIA HDTV line with new W-Series

While these three weren't quite ready for CES, they're still being debuted in Las Vegas alongside Sony's new Blu-ray devices. The W-Series, as with the recently announced BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 models, is fully equipped with an Ethernet jack and a Yahoo!-powered widgets engine. Consumers who bite on the 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 or 40-inch KDL-40W5100 can expect easy access to Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Sony Pictures content, etc. The new family also includes Sony's Motionflow 120Hz technology, DLNA compatibility, a USB port for loading up external media, BRAVIA Sync (HDMI-CEC), four HDMI inputs and the Xross Media Bar (XMB) interface. As expected, each one sports a 1080p panel, and while pricing details are still sorely missing, the trifecta should hit retailers later this Spring. Full release is after the break.

SONY DEBUTS MORE NETWORKED BRAVIA HDTVS

Models Extend Line-up Featuring "BRAVIA Widgets" and Other Connected Features

LAS VEGAS, March 2, 2009 – Bolstering the recently announced 2009 BRAVIA® LCD HDTV line-up, Sony Electronics today announced a series of additional networked models with full HD 1920 x 1080 progressive (1080p) resolution. This new W-series adds an economic HDTV option, while delivering the same interactive functionality as the recently announced BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 models.
The networked models feature an Ethernet connection so the sets can directly access Sony BRAVIA Internet Video content using an existing broadband connection. The service offers one of the largest selections of free and premium movies, TV shows, sports, music and more from an array of partners like Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube®, Yahoo!®, Sony Pictures, Sony Music and many others.
BRAVIA Internet Widgets, provided by the Yahoo! Widget Engine, expand and personalize the experience by allowing you to interact with your favorite Internet content like Yahoo News, Video, Finance, and Flickr® while watching TV shows. Track your favorite sports team, check your stocks, and share photos with friends and family as you watch television.
The 52-inch KDL-52W5100, 46-inch KDL-46W5100 and 40-inch KDL-40W5100 (diagonal) models feature Motionflow™ 120Hz technology for improved sharpness and detail in fast-moving images. They also feature Sony's BRAVIA Engine™ 3, which delivers a crystal clear picture even if the content isn't perfect.
The W-series models are Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) compliant, enabling easy access to digital photos, music and video stored on a PC or other DLNA server using the XMB® interface and the TV's remote control. They also offer a USB input for displaying digital photos or playing digital video and audio files from compatible USB storage devices.

In addition, these models feature:

• 24p True Cinema™
• XrossMediaBar™ (XMB)with enhanced 3D favorites menu
• Internet powered TV Guide Onscreen

• BRAVIA Sync™
• BRAVIA Link Compatibility
• 4 HDMI inputs
• Single PC, component, composite and S-video inputs

Designed to match the W5100 series models, the HT-CT500 3.1 channel sound bar supports features an integrated AV receiver supporting full HD 1080p video and the latest advanced audio codecs. This sound bar theater system will be available this June for about $500.
The new KDL-52W5100, KDL-46W5100 and KDL-40W5100 networked televisions will be available this spring direct through www.sonystyle.com and Sony Style stores, as well as authorized retailers nationwide and military base exchanges.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 2:43PM]

That brings us up to seven different Sony LCD-TV series for the 2009 model year. If there's a logic in introducing so many different models, I'd like to hear it. I'd prefer to see half as many models released less often, but have them thoroughly tested and tweaked before they unleash them on the public. The ability to update the firmware of a product after it has been released is a great advantage for the consumer to keep their unit up-to-date, but it has also allowed hardware manufacturers to rush their products out the door without complete real-world testing. I've had four different firmwares on my Sony LCD and seven for my Sony Blu-ray player in the past year -- outrageous.

That being said, this W-series, if it tests well, uses a good panel, and the 240hz tech of the Z and xbr series doesn't pan out to be all that -- the W should be a good option for those who want the look of the xbr9 without paying the premium.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 3rd 2009 3:37PM]

Almost as bad as the 8 firmware updates to my BD-P1400 since its release... sigh.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 20th 2009 7:57PM]

Can someone confirm that these units do not support the DivX or MP4 codecs?

[(Unverified) Posted May 4th 2009 12:23PM]

46-inch KDL-46W5100 (bought in 2009). It doesn’t play out all “avi” files being hooked up to PC through PS3. It’s looking like there are not all necessary codecs in it.