The LocationFree TV is a portable broadband LCD television system that consists of a screen and Base Station. The Base Station transmits video content to its dedicated, wireless, touch-panel screen. This makes the unit very portable.
Sony's show at the Hilton Hawaiian
highlights portable broadband TVs
Just when you have that wireless broadband connection set up at home, Sony Electronics comes along with another "lifestyle" product that allows you to watch television just about anywhere.
Sony dealers got a peek at a slew of new fall products at the Hilton Hawaiian Village today. A big draw is the electronic giant's two Location Free Portable Broadband TV models, according to Sony officials who say we've entered "the broadband age of mobile lifestyles and high-speed network connectivity."
The LocationFree TV, for instance, is a portable broadband LCD television system, that no longer has to be confined to your living room. Models will be available in 12.1-inch (LF-X1, $1,500) and 7-inch (LF-X5, $1,000) screen sizes, each with a Base Station. The Base Station transmits video content to its dedicated, wireless, touch-panel screen. Using Sony's first dual-band wireless systems, these two models deliver stable video and audio signals without interference from 2.4 GHz devices like microwave ovens and cordless phones.
The LocationFree TVs also can deliver personal video content from the Base Station through secured device authentication and encryption technology, to the wireless monitor in Wi-Fi HotSpots and Ethernet ports in hotels, airports and other sites.
The Dual RW DVD Recorder with high-capacity hard-disk drive (RDR-HX900). Users can record and store up to 204 hours of shows to watch later, or burn on to any format DVD. It becomes available in November for about $1,000.
The TVs also have high-speed broadband Internet capability. When the Base Station and the wireless monitor are connected to the Internet, users can access the Web, exchange e-mail and shop online using an on-screen keyboard. Both units allow users to use their existing Internet access.Other highlighted products included the CableCARD, allowing for reception of digital cable programming without a cable box; Dual RW Home DVD Recorders; new widescreen VAIO notebooks; Hi-MD MiniDisc Walkman records allowing up to 45 hours of music on one disc; new DVD Camcorders; and five-megapixel digital cameras.
Here are some details:
>> Five-megapixel Cyber-shot digital camera (DSC-F88): The F88's compact, all-metal body is fitted with an internal Carl Zeiss Vario Tessar 3X optical zoom lens that allows it to rotate 300 degrees for flexibility. The camera's rotating ability makes it perfect for hard-to-get, low-angle candid shots and above-the-head, close-up shots during crowded events. About $450; available in July.
>> Dual RW DVD Recorder with high-capacity hard-disk drive (RDR-HX900): A Dual RW compatible recorder with a high-capacity 160 GB hard disk drive and an advanced on-screen TV program guide, is designed for the sophisticated DVD enthusiast and time shifter.
Utilizing Sony's leadership in the dual compatible DVD category, the RDR-HX900 gives users a wide selection of recording and viewing choices, and incorporates several picture improvement technologies for outstanding picture quality whether viewing or creating DVD recordings.
For simple and precise screen navigation, it includes an easy-to-use interface and allows recording via off-air antenna, cable, or satellite receivers.
Users can record and store up to 204 hours of favorite TV shows to watch later, or burn onto any format DVD. Available in November for about $1,000.
>> DVD Recorder/VCR combo (RDR-VX500): People with large VHS collections can now make digital archives with Sony's new DVD Recorder/VCR combo which offers format flexibility with DVD+RW/+R/-RW/-R recording compatibility. In addition, this unit allows transfer from DV/Digital8 Camcorder tapes to DVD discs via an i.LINK connection. Available in October for about $600. (An entry-level recorder, the RDR-GX300, will be available in July for about $500.)
For more information go to www.sony.com .
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