sony sxrd displays slim down, get major upgrades

I’m a big fan of Sony’s SXRD display technology, with its excellent contrast and fine (virtually invisible) pixel structure, and I’m really excited to hear about these new models.

Sony’s new A3000 series features three new displays, a 50-inch (KDS-50A3000), a 55-inch (KDS-55A3000) and a 60-inch (KDS-60A3000). These models are about 20 percent slimmer than the previous A2000 series. Sony also revealed two new sets in the XBR line, the 60-inch (KDS-Z60XBR5) and the 70-inch (KDS-Z70XBR5 – shown above), which are a whopping 40 percent thinner than the last generation models.

Among the other new features, the displays offer 120Hz frame refresh rates and xvYCC color technology for a much wider color range than the prior displays. The sets all feature Sony’s Digital Media Extender technology for adding on additional accessories, such as their BRAVIA Internet Video Link device for downloading video content. One important point: although they all have a native 1080p display resolution, the A3000 models will only up-convert non-HD content to 1080i, while the XBR models will up-convert to 1080p resolution.

While the XBR models don’t even appear to have visible speakers (maybe they’re hidden in the case?), the A3000 will offer interchangeable speaker grilles in four colors: Burgundy Red, Metallic Silver, Satin Black and Cacao.

The KDS-50A3000, KDS-55A3000 and KDS-60A3000 models will launch this August for about $3,000, $3,300 and $3,500, respectively. The KDS-Z60XBR5 and KDS-Z70XBR5 ship this fall for about $5,000 and $6,000 respectively.