Extra-wide LCD and Blu-ray Disc Technology Make for a Powerful HD Experience
SAN DIEGO, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony today unveiled the VAIO(R) FW
notebook -- a multimedia PC that displays HD movies the way they were meant to
be seen.
Part of a series, the VAIO FW notebook comes in multiple configurations,
including a premium and a standard model. The premium model plays Blu-ray
Disc(TM) high-definition content like movies in full 1080 HD resolution when
connected to a compatible HDTV. It can also record, store and play back
personal content on high-capacity BD media.
Weighing a little over six pounds, the FW notebook features the world's
first 16.4-inch display, which combines the benefits of a slightly larger 17-
inch widescreen with the smaller "footprint" of a 15.4-inch model.
The display is ideal for Blu-ray Disc movies. Since many HD films are
shot with a 16:9 aspect ratio, the unit's extra-wide LCD is constructed with
the same dimensions. This minimizes the black bars that typically appear,
letting you view movies in their intended format.
The extended workspace also lets you view two full websites at once or
compare two documents side-by-side without tabbing back and forth.
Combined with Sony's patented XBRITE-HiColor(TM) LCD technology on select
models, the display delivers razor-sharp details, bold colors and glare-free
viewing.
For those who prefer to watch content on a big screen television, the unit
also has an HDMI(TM) output connector so you can connect to a high-definition
TV set for a larger viewing experience.
"This PC is a multimedia masterpiece thoughtfully crafted to help
consumers enjoy the full excitement of HD," said Mike Abary, senior vice
president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics. "It's a shining
example of how cutting-edge technologies can be brought together to unlock a
world of high-definition entertainment."
The notebook is powered by new Intel(R) Centrino(R) 2 technology, the
chipset designed for sizzling performance, instant system responsiveness and
energy efficiency. Select units come pre-installed with the Windows Vista(R)
Ultimate operating system.
The series comes with three entertainment software applications. Offerings
include VAIO Movie Story software -- an easy way to produce your own high-
quality home movies, VAIO MusicBox software -- a fun way to enjoy music based
on your mood, and Click to Disc/Editor software -- for easy DVD/BD video-
editing and creation.
The model also includes VAIO Media software, a DLNA-enabled media sharing
application that lets you wirelessly stream content stored on your PC
throughout your home network. Movies, music and digital still images can be
streamed from the notebook to a PLAYSTATION(R) 3 or VAIO Home Theater PC that
is connected to a TV for big-screen enjoyment.
The PC is equipped with plenty of slots, ports and jacks, including a
Memory Stick(R) media/SD card slot, three USB ports, an i.LINK(R) IEEE-1394
port, microphone and headphone jack, and a 34mm ExpressCard(R) slot making it
easy to transfer files from external devices.
With the notebook's integrated Wireless-N technology, also known as
802.11n, you can wirelessly surf the web, e-mail and stream HD content with
greater range and reliability than ever before when connected to a compatible
hotspot.
Most FW models are Energy Star 4.0 compliant and incorporate such eco-
conscious features as powder coating, which is a painting technique that is
solvent-free. Sony also recycles old PCs (http://www.sony.com/recycle).
Available in titanium gray and powder white, the FW standard model starts
at about $1,000, while the FW premium will go for around $1,750. The VAIO FW
series will be available online at http://www.sony.com/pr/fw. They will also
be sold at Sony Style(R) stores and select retailers around the country
starting later this month.
SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.
Jon Piazza of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-310-498-5254, jon.piazza@am.sony.com;
or Caitlin McCabe of Ruder Finn, +1-646-220-2261, mccabec@ruderfinn.com, for
Sony Electronics Inc.
