At the Consumer Electronics Show 2011 in Las Vegas earlier this year, Sony previewed its new line of BRAVIA LCD televisions, and the company has now announced that they will be released at the end of April.
The most fascinating aspect of this new line is the deep integration with a wide range of Internet services. Users can experience television socially by viewing comments from Facebook, Twitter, or Nico Nico Douga. There is also a trove of content to dive into as well, like the "BRAVIA Net Channel" or Sony's own Qriocity distribution platform where you can find the latest movie titles in standard or high definition, or even 3-D (although 3-D glasses will be required). The line also features Skype functionality, enabling you to participate in video chat over the Internet, even while watching TV. The Sony camera and microphone unit is sold separately however.
The TVs utilize Sony's X-Reality Pro, which is a two-chip digital video processor that brings a better, smoother picture quality and improved noise reduction. According to Sony, even lower resolution Internet content can be improved by referencing a database of "ideal" signal patterns. The series will include the company's MotionFlow tXR960 technology as well, which creates a sharper and clearer picture, minimizing the blurred effect that often occurs with rapid camera movements. The new BRAVIAs will also use Corning's Gorilla Glass, which results in a much lighter and thinner, but still stronger screen.