Inspecting gadgets Men look forward to the annual Sony Expo with a combination of glee in anticipation of all the new gadgets, and disappointment with the inevitable realization that neither the dollars nor the space are available for all the electronics they think they need.
The annual Sony Expo's tech toys
will make anyone droolBy Tim Ryan
tryan@starbulletin.comNevertheless, men can dream and you'll see them hovering over products, staring wistfully while comparing specs and mouthing words like "pixels" and "plasma screens" at the Sony Expo 2002, which ends tomorrow at the Ala Moana Hotel.
And what would a Sony Expo be without the robotic toys that seem to get better every year. The AIBO Entertainment Robot (ERS-311/312) has hit its all-time low at $850, but does anyone really need an artificial dog with a friendlier face, that can take digital pictures and possesses a 75-word vocabulary?Count on a few takers due to America's love affair with electronics.
According to a survey commissioned by online superstore buy.com, 32 percent of people surveyed said they would like a digital camera for Christmas, while 16 percent prefer a cell phone, and 13 percent want Santa to deliver an MP3 player.
According to NPD Intelect Market Tracking, the fastest growing consumer electronics categories during the 2000 holiday season were personal video recorders, DVD players, home-theaters, digital cameras and cellular phones.
So in the spirit of the season, Sony introduced this week a number of goodies ranging from the AIBO to an $8,000, 42-inch plasma screen television only 3 inches thick that can be hung on a wall and display a digital picture when you're not channel surfing.One of the coolest items is the Airboard, a 10.4-inch LCD panel that allows the user to access television, email, Internet, DVD and other gadgetry anywhere in the home through "WiFi" wireless transmissions between a base station and monitor, $1,000.
Here are more new offerings:
Camcorders
>> Digital Handycam camcorder (DCR-TRV730): Features a mega-pixel CCD imager that allows users to take high quality digital still images. The device even plays back analog tapes from old video libraries, $1,000.>> Mini DV Handycam Camcorder (DCR-PC9): Super-compact, this weighs a pound and an ounce. Digital video, MPEG video and digital still images can be easily loaded onto a PC through a Universal Serial Bus (USB), $1,300.
Personal computers
>> VAIO Digital Studio PC with Giga Pocket Prsonal Video Recorder (PCV-RX490TV): A TV, DVD recorder and PC all-in-one. With a DVD drive and a built-in TV tuner, users can watch TV or DVD movies. Video content can also be saved and exported from the hard drive onto a DVD using DVD-RW technology, about $2,500 after a $100 mail-in rebate.>> VAIO Notebook PC (PCG-R505TS): The notebook offers combines a DVD and CD-RW drive in a notebook PC docking station for a powerful portable computer and home entertainment system, $2,200.
>> CLIÉ Handheld (PEG-N710C): The first Palm-powered handheld to offer an embedded digital audio player and a high-resolution color screen, $500.
>> Digital Relay Drive (CRX10U/A2): A portable CD-RW burner connects to a PC or Mac computer through a USB port. It burns CDs quickly and easily, and functions as a stand-alone CD and MP3 player, $300.
>> Digital Photo Printer (DPP-SV77): For consumers looking to process high quality photo prints at home, but don't want to purchase a full PC system. With its built-in 3.2" color LCD monitor, users can view, edit and enlarge images on the printer's fold-up screen, without connecting to a PC or TV monitor. Users can even create captions and drawings on the finished photo by using a stylus on the LCD screen, $500.
Televisions
>> Hi-Scan Widescreen Rear-Projection Television (KP-51HW40): Compatible with high-definition and progressive-scan DVD signals for excellent picture quality. The set incorporates DRC and CineMotion circuitry that converts standard NTSC broadcast signals to near HD-quality. The resulting images are vivid and clean; free from ghosting that can haunt standard broadcasts, $3,500.>> "Table-top" Hi-Scan Rear-Projection Television (KP-43HT20): 43-inch flat-screen; nearly as good as high definition, $2,500.
>> High-Definition TV (KDP-65XBR2): This 65-inch rear-projection HDTV can receive all 18 ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee) formats, and display high-definition content. Enhancements include a CineMotion process that minimizes distortions so what you see is what a director intended. A new coating prevents screen glare and reflection, $6,000.
>> SuperTheater Flat-Panel Plasma Monitor (PFM-42B1): The 42-inch diagonal Sony screen with polished silver frame (also in charcoal gray) and roughly 3-inch deep cabinet. The plasma monitor showcases detailed images from DVDs, cable and satellite TV, and high-definition broadcasts. The plasma monitor can also switch from horizontal to vertical position, doubling as a digital picture frame to showcase digital photography or computer artwork, $8,000.
>> Direct-View High-Definition TV (KD-34XBR2): The 34-inch set can receive all 18 ATSC formats, and upgrade standard broadcast signals into near high-definition quality. Users can simultaneously view high definition programming side-by-side with standard TV broadcasts, $4,000.
Digital cameras
>> Cyber-shot digital still camera (DSC-P5): Offers a 3X optical, 6X digital zoom lens and a 3.34 megapixel CCD for clear photos. Also allowing users to capture extended video and sound clips, $600.>> Cyber-shot digital still camera (DSC-S75): A14 bit A/D converter allows detailed shots, particularly with highlights and shadows; an AF illuminator light briefly illuminates subjects to ensure quality photos in total darkness within 10 feet; 3.3 megapixel resolution, a 3x optical zoom, $700.
Car audio
>> XM Satellite Radio (DRN-XM01): Sony's XM Satellite Radio Receiver receives up to 100 satellite radio broadcasts of digital quality music. Sony's transportable device has plug 'n' play capabilities, allowing users to play satellite radio in the car or the home, $129 to $399.
Home audio/video
>> Super Audio CD Player (SCD-CE775): SACD players are becoming a popular item in home theater systems. This five-disc changer with multi-channel playback capabilities provides optimum sound performance for SACDs, CDs and CD-R/RW discs. It offers many features including 32-track-programming and jog dial control for easy track selection, $350.>> Advanced A/V Receiver (STR-DA3ES): Designed to enhance the multi-channel home theater experience with 100 watts of power in six channels and Dolby Digital sound. It offers realistic digital surround sound, $1,000.
>> DVD DreamTM System (DAV-C700): An easy all-in-one solution for home entertainment needs. Features five-disc, DVD/CD player and 6-speakers-including a subwoofer and digital amplifier, $700.
>> Super Audio CD Player (SCD-XA777ES): This multi-channel, SACD/CD player has six independent digital-to-analog converters, one for each channel, to deliver audio quality that is as close to the real music as you can get. The player also has a newly developed optical system, with two independent lasers to optimize the performance of SACDs, CDs and CD-R/RW discs, $3,000.
Home theater
>> Cineza Home Entertainment Projector (VPL-HS1): Features high-definition capability, SideShot projection and a Memory Stick media slot. The portable Sony Cineza (pronounced Sh-in-eh-za) projector offers a screen size of 60- to 150-inch viewing area, $3,000.
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