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Sony line show 2004: New products from Sony Back to intro

Sony's 2004 TVs   Sony line show 2004
By John P. Falcone (February 25, 2004)
For 2004, Sony is taking its home-video offerings to the next level. All non-flat-panel HDTVs come equipped with the next-generation HDMI interface and are CableCARD ready, so they can be plugged directly into compatible digital cable systems without a separate box. For help with all these acronyms, check out our HDTV Glossary.
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY PRICE SPECS WHAT'S COOL ABOUT IT
Sony KD-30XS955
Sony KD-30XS955



August 2004

$1,400

30-inch CRT HDTV; Super Fine Pitch screen; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


The 30-inch version of the KD-34XS955.

Sony KD-34XBR960
Sony KD-34XBR960



June 2004

$2,200

34-inch CRT HDTV; Super Fine Pitch screen; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; Super DRC video processing; MID-X PIP image driver; Memory Stick slots


This year's flagship FD Trinitron WEGA model adds HDMI and CableCARD compatibility to our highest-rated HDTV, the Sony KV-34XBR910.

Sony KD-34XS955
Sony KD-34XS955



August 2004

$2,000

34-inch CRT HDTV; Super Fine Pitch screen; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


The successor to last year's highly rated Sony KV-34HS510, this model doesn't have the top-notch video processing of the KD-34XBR960, but it's otherwise identical.

Sony KD-36XS955
Sony KD-36XS955



October 2004

$1,900

36-inch CRT HDTV; Super Fine Pitch screen; 4:3 aspect ratio; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


Like its predecessor, the Sony KV-36XBR800, this 36-inch version of the KD-34XS955 features the squarish 4:3 aspect ratio.

Sony KDF-42WE655
Sony KDF-42WE655



September 2004

$2,800

42-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


The smallest of Sony's 2004 Grand WEGA LCD RPTVs features built-in HD tuners, CableCARD compatibility, and an HDMI interface.

Sony KDF-50WE655
Sony KDF-50WE655



September 2004

$3,000

50-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


This 50-inch version of the KDF-42WE655 succeeds last year's highly rated Sony KF-50WE610.

Sony KDF-55WF655
Sony KDF-55WF655



September 2004

$3,700

55-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


The 55-inch version of the KDF-42WE655.

Sony KDF-55XS955
Sony KDF-55XS955



September 2004

$4,000

55-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


This is the step-up version of the KDF-55WE655.

Sony KDF-60WF655
Sony KDF-60WF655



September 2004

$4,000

60-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


Meet Sony's 60-inch Grand WEGA, the update to last year's KF-60XBR800.

Sony KDF-60XS955
Sony KDF-60XS955



September 2004

$4,400

60-inch LCD rear-projection HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


This is the step-up version of the KDF-60WE655.

Sony KDP-51WS655
Sony KDP-51WS655



September 2004

$2,100

51-inch rear-projection CRT HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


Rear-projection CRT TVs still offer the best bang for the buck, as this affordable 51-incher proves. It adds HDMI and CableCARD compatibility to last year's KP-51WS510.

Sony KDP-57WS655
Sony KDP-57WS655



September 2004

$2,400

57-inch rear-projection CRT HDTV; 16:9 wide-screen format; integrated ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuner; CableCARD compatible; HDMI interface; 2:3 pull-down; Memory Stick slots


The 57-inch version of the KDP-51WS655.

Sony KE-42M1
Sony KE-42M1



June 2004

$5,000

42-inch plasma TV; 852x480 EDTV resolution; 2:3 pull-down; HDMI connection; NTSC tuner


Sony's least expensive new plasma offers an HDMI connection and updated video processing but no CableCARD or integrated ATSC/QAM tuner.

Sony KLV-23M1
Sony KLV-23M1



November 2004

$2,300

23-inch LCD flat-panel TV; 1,366x768 resolution; 2:3 pull-down; HDMI connection; NTSC tuner


The 23-inch version of the KLV-32M1.

Sony KLV-32M1
Sony KLV-32M1



November 2004

$4,500

32-inch LCD flat-panel TV; 1,366x768 resolution; 2:3 pull-down; HDMI connection; NTSC tuner


The company's 32-inch LCD flat panel adds an HDMI connection and boasts HD-capable resolution but lacks a CableCARD or integrated ATSC/QAM tuner.



Sony TVs Sony TVs
Twelve--count 'em--sparkling-new
HDTVs.

Sony handhelds Sony handhelds
Three brand-spankin'-new Sony
CLIEs.

Sony home theater Sony home theater
New Sony DVD recorders and
Dream-series package systems.

Sony digital cameras Sony digital cameras
Sony's shooters for 2004.

Sony portable audio Sony portable audio
Sony's latest MP3 players and
accessories.

Sony camcorders Sony camcorders
Digital8, MiniDV, and DVD
camcorders on the way.

Sony computers Sony computers
This year's laptops and the debut of
a hot desktop PC.

   


Associate Editor John P. Falcone covers home-theater products for CNET Reviews.