There have recently been reports from Japan that Apple has plans to release their much awaited television sets in three sizes primarily. The smallest being a 32″ flat panel, followed by a 42″ or 43″ model and finally the largest one, which is a 55″ model. The question that popped into everyone’s mind was why Japan is involved here? The answer to this, as far as rumors go is that Apple is probably going to tie up with one of the Japanese TV giants in their debut venture into the world of television manufacturing. Whether it is going to be Sony, Panasonic or Toshiba, we are not aware of at this time. Another source reports that the famed Siri application which is now used by the iPhone 4S, is going to be used in these new TV sets, enabling them to be voice controlled as well. What is expected by everyone in the upcoming Apple TV is the use of the ARM A6 chip (successor to the A4 chips used now in iPhones and iPads). This of course will raise the bar for other companies and once again, rumor has it Korean giants like Samsung and LG are also getting ready for the competition with ARM powered OLED TVs of their own.
With Apple about to enter the TV market with their innovative designs and techniques, Sony seems to be all set to bring a new type of television to the market as well. In the words of Sony’s Chief Executive Howard Stringer during his breakfast with The Wall Street Journal, “There’s a tremendous amount of R&D going into a different kind of TV set.” and he also acknowledged that he is aware of Apple’s possible venture into the world of television manufacturing. Mr. Stringer further stated, “”We can’t continue selling TV sets. Every TV set we all make loses money.” Although this confirmed Sony’s intentions in the near future, he did not reveal anything as to the nature of the innovations that Sony wishes to bring in with their new breed of televisions. After losing billions in the TV business over the years and since it became official last week when they declared this year’s losses themselves (largely owing to the Tsunami and earthquakes in Japan in March), it really seems to be a mandatory step for Sony Televisions Inc.
If you want a giant television set that also helps you to surf the internet, then it does not get any bigger (at the moment) than the Sony Bravia KDL-65HX925. The Full HD Sony TV comes with standard Sony features like Intelligent Peak LED backlighting and MotionFlow XR960 to ensure just the adequate levels of contrast along with frame to frame motion capture that makes motion blurring a thing of the past. The X-Reality Pro Engine, built-in 3D emitters and panel drives with improved speed, all come together harmoniously to produce sharp, vivid images both in 2D as well as 3D. The KDL-65HX925 sports Sony’s Monolithic Design and that as usual, makes the television set look quite appealing. A welcome addition is the Gorilla Glass that is used to protect the screen from all harm; a good thing to have for something you pay a heavy amount for.
The highlight is of course ability of the KDL-65HX925 to act as a door to the world of internet. Just hook it up with a Wi-Fi connection or connect it via the Ethernet port and you will have access to Style.com, Daily Motion, Video Detective and YouTube to name a few. The Skype option is also there, but you will need a compatible Sony camera and a microphone to make video calls through Skype though. In addition to all of these, you will of course have access to Bravia Internet Video platform. Since it has improved a lot since last year, it can now be used as a competent video and music portal. The largest internet TV looks all good and ready to take on the market.
Sony, Samsung, Vizio and LG have all released local dimming sets in the last few years. Sony has implemented the technology in their top of the line models over the last couple of years and while they come at a high price, they do provide some of the best picture quality of any LCD TVs. Their 2011 follow up to last year’s HX909 series is the Sony Bravia XBR-HX929 series. It is available in 46-inch, 55-inch and 65-inch sizes as follows:
Sony XBR-46HX929 – 46 inches model
Sony XBR-55HX929 – 55 inches model
Sony XBR-65HX929 – 65 inches model (currently available at Amazon with an introductory price of $5,999.99)
The Sony XBR-HX929 has been found to be one of the best-performing LED-based LCDs up to date, as it contends satisfactorily against the leading plasmas in the market. It symbolizes the zenith of LCD picture quality.
The EX720 is the highest model in Sony’s Bravia 2011 EX Essential series. It is also their least expensive series to include 3D. The EX720 uses Edge LED backlighting and is available in 32”, 40”, 46’, 55” and 60” sizes.
