Sony gets official with XBR6 / XBR7 / XBR8 HDTV lineup
Sony XBR8
Sony in an afternoon announcement updated its high-end BRAVIA XBR line with three new set ranges that it hopes step up the quality of its TVs across the board.The XBR8 series starts with 46- and 55-inch sets that are Sony’s first to include LED backlights: the lighting not only provides a more even and color-accurate image but builds in local dimming that shuts off unneeded lights in darker areas, giving a major boost to the contrast ratio. The two sets also sport Sony’s updated BRAVIA Engine 2 PRO for rendering the image, 120Hz panels to improve the picture in fast movement, a hooks for the BRAVIA Internet Link adapter, and a media port for connecting iPods and other media players.
Sony XBR7
Each of the XBR8 models has four HDMI 1.3 connectors with deep color support, dual component jacks, a PC input, and Ethernet for pulling Internet data and updates. Sony has yet to supply a final price for these or the other sets in the lineup but expects a launch for the entire line in the fall.
Sony XBR6
At the base of the new updates, the XBR6 line has also been expanded beyond the sizes available in the initial January lineup to include 40-, 46-, and 52-inch models. These use Sony’s more familiar “floating glass” look and have a hidden chin-mounted speaker; all the new sets still use a more typical 60Hz panel but have Sony’s characteristic swappable front bezel that allows use of more exotic colors such as brown or red.
