Christopher

The Sony STR-DH710 7.1-channel 3D capable home theater A/V receiver is pretty sweet for $299, and can be found for even less on Amazon. With 6 HD inputs (3 HDMI and 3 component), you can take full advantage of all your high-definition components including a Blu-ray Disc player or PS3 system. Everything you hear will sound as close to the master recording as possible with Dolby TrueHD and dts HD decoding technologies. This receiver also features wireless 2nd zone audio capabilities, which allows you transmit wireless audio in up to 10 additional rooms via optional S-AIR accessories. Plus, you can access all of your HDMI connected devices without having to power on the receiver thanks to standby pass-through. Here is a shot of the top portion of the highly rigid chassis: Sony also thoughtfully used high quality, lead-free solder that is very environmentally friendly, and Sony has noted that it may deliver more natural tones and rich texture to sound. View the full article

Sony UK is starting their 3D ad campaign with quite an interesting commercial delivered entirely in 3D. And forget those old cardboard 3D glasses to watch the spot: the commercial requires the new 3D glasses that use advanced Active Shutter technology to deliver full High Definition 3D. Sony’s 3D TVs use a Frame-sequential display method which is based on BRAVIA High Frame Rate technology to display different frames consecutively to your left and right eye. The Active Shutter glasses with liquid crystal lenses receive a signal from the TV via the 3D sync transmitter and close one of the lenses in a fragment of a second so only one eye at a time sees the relevant Full HD picture. The result is a real sense of depth which can be seen from a wide viewing angle without the flickering you get from some other types of 3D glasses. Highlighting what you could see in 3D if you had it definitely gets your attention as soon as the commercial starts. It’s also a nice way to get the TV and the PS3 in the ad in one take. Take and look for yourself and sound off in the comments about what you think. View the full article

Sony is adding discounted and free PSP titles with it’s current promotion. Saving money on games is a good thing, and Sony’s new PSP promotion allows you to do just that.

One of Sony Online Entertainment’s most anticipated games finally has a release date window. IGN is reporting that DC Universe Online will be available sometime in November. In the days leading up to E3, you expect more details to be come available on a variety of titles, and SOE is leading the charge. At a recent event to showcase the title, the news was released while they were showing off their newly polished E3 demo. What makes DC Universe Online unique is the way you interact with characters.

Wipeout HD, Super Stardust HD and Pain are getting the 3D treatment in less than two weeks.

Sony has reached a milestone, and to celebrate, they are giving away 3D Televisions. Sony Computer Entertainment Japan is reporting a significant milestone — 5 million registered PSN users. Along with that 5 million user milestone, PSN users have also downloaded 110 million pieces of digital content. To celebrate, starting on June 3 through June 30 th, gamers will have a chance to participate in completing a quiz in an attempt to win 1 of 5 3D Bravia KDL-46LX900’s SCEJ will be giving away. It doesn’t stop there.

Hey guys, I wanted to share a gem I came across with you all who own PlayStation 3 and recently read the news posted on our blog regarding new VAIO P being able to interface and control your PlayStation 3. I have tested the software and it works like a charm on my VAIO TZ and VAIO X and frankly my guess is it would work just fine on any Bluetooth enabled computer, not only VAIO (but again it is my guess, so test it out at your own risk and post in comments). All you need to do is download a piece of software called Remote Keyboard with PlayStation 3 , run the Wizard that will register your notebook with with PlayStation 3 and Vola! you are ready to rock your PS3. Your touchpad becomes a mouse pointer if you use a browser and your navigation arrows will help you jump through the various PS3 XMB menus. Of course the biggest perk is the keyboard use, so you can relocate yourself to PlayStation HOME and start chatting with the help of your keyboard easily. Anyways, head over here and get your software and have fun with your PS3! Hopefully Remote Play which is another piece of software will be available soon as well. Here is a shot of the screen once you exit the software: View the full article

Hey guys, I wanted to share a gem I came across with you all who own PlayStation 3 and recently read the news posted on our blog regarding new VAIO P being able to interface and control your PlayStation 3. I have tested the software and it works like a charm on my VAIO TZ and VAIO X and frankly my guess is it would work just fine on any Bluetooth enabled computer, not only VAIO (but again it is my guess, so test it out at your own risk and post in comments). All you need to do is download a piece of software called Remote Keyboard with PlayStation 3 , run the Wizard that will register your notebook with with PlayStation 3 and Vola! you are ready to rock your PS3. Your touchpad becomes a mouse pointer if you use a browser and your navigation arrows will help you jump through the various PS3 XMB menus. Of course the biggest perk is the keyboard use, so you can relocate yourself to PlayStation HOME and start chatting with the help of your keyboard easily. Anyways, head over here and get your software and have fun with your PS3! Hopefully Remote Play which is another piece of software will be available soon as well. Here is a shot of the screen once you exit the software: View the full article

The long rumored Premium PSN service has been confirmed to exist by none other than the Sony Computer Entertainment Europe President. Andrew House Previously written about on the web and by us here the subject has been one of speculation since Kaz Hirai stated it was something that was being considered. Sony Computer Entertainment Europe President Andrew House answered a few questions from users on the Official UK PlayStation Blog. Not surprisingly, one of those questions had to do with the PSN: Will PlayStation Network become a paying service? I can assure you that the current PSN as you know it will remain a free service. It is something that our competitors don’t offer and something that shows our loyalty to the PlayStation Community. However, Kaz Hirai stated a few months ago that we were looking at a premium service to sit alongside the current free service and that objective has not changed. You’ll learn more about it very soon. While not providing a great deal of details it does confirm that the service exists, that the current PSN as we know it won’t change, and that has the support of the SCE Chairman Kaz Hirai which would imply a big initiative. A lot of speculation has been made about exactly what services would be included (DLC, free PSN titles, cross-game chat), but with with E3 17 days and 16 hours away (yes I am that excited), it won’t be long until we find out. View the full article

In an interview with Gamasutra, Rob Dyer SCEA’s Senior Vice President of Publisher Relations discusses a wide variety of industry topics as they relate to the Sonyverse. Specifically he gave his on thoughts on

Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that programming from HBO, the premium cable television network, is available starting today in the USA on the PlayStation 3 (PS3), making it the first gaming system to offer HBO original television programming. “The HBO library of premium original content is a perfect example of how PS3 has become the most content rich entertainment platform in the living room,” said Peter Dille, senior vice president, marketing and PlayStation Network, SCEA. “When you combine the iconic programming from HBO with the existing TV, film, live sports and original programming available on PlayStation Network, our customers have access to the content they want, when they want it, at home or on the go with the PSP.” The following popular shows from the award-winning cable network are available on the HBO section of PlayStation Store (navigate to the HBO section by selecting TV Shows> Networks> HBO), with more titles and additional seasons to be added each week: True Blood (season two in addition to season one) Big Love (seasons one through three) Entourage (seasons one and two) Eastbound and Down (season one) Multiple seasons from HBO signature shows such as The Sopranos, Sex and the City, The Wire, Rome, Da Ali G Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Flight of the Conchords. “We’re extremely pleased to offer our premium programming on Sony Computer Entertainment’s PS3 system,” said Henry McGee, president, HBO Home Entertainment. “This premier gaming system will offer an exciting new way for consumers to purchase HBO’s award-winning programming.” “HBO’s innovative and popular programming rounds out Sony’s premium TV content offering and enables consumers to enjoy an even wider array of award-winning mini-series and episodic content,” said Michael Aragon, general manager, Global Digital Video Distribution and Operations for Sony Network Entertainment. View the full article

ModNation Racers (PS3, PSP), developed by United Front Games and Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (San Diego), brings an entertaining twist to classic kart racing, while empowering players of all levels to fully customize and design their entire racing experience. The second title in PlayStation’s PLAY, CREATE, SHARE series, ModNation Racers allows players to not only enjoy developer-made content, but unleash their imagination with easy-to-use editing tools to generate customized tracks, karts and characters that can be uploaded and shared with the ModNation community via PlayStation Network. ModNation Racers’ user-friendly creation tools feature a simple interface and a robust menu of options to trick out tracks, karts and drivers with a variety of accessories. If players are not feeling creative, ModNation Racers also features a Story Mode with a humorous narrative and a wealth of pre-made characters, karts and over 25 tracks to try. Here’s a video review courtesy of IGN: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> “We continue to deliver on the success of PLAY, CREATE, SHARE movement with ModNation Racers as the next title in the series started by LittleBigPlanet,” said Scott A. Steinberg, Vice President, Product Marketing, SCEA. “Combining deep customization with solid kart handling, and online multiplayer options, ModNation Racers brings a creative and interactive kart racing experience to life. It’s a breath of fresh air in the kart racing genre only available on PlayStation.” ModNation Racers’ single-player career mode tells the tale of Tag, an inexperienced racer given the opportunity to compete in the world famous ModNation Racing Championship. Players with the PS3 system will dive into the ModSpot, the game’s central hub, showcasing each game mode including career, online, creation, and more. In the ModSpot, players can check out the community’s top Mods and Karts, enter Hot Lap tournaments, play the Top Tracks voted on by the community, and socialize with other racers. ModNation Racers also delivers Career Central mode leading players to beat the computer and unlock more content for creation. Players of all ages will keep coming back for more ModNation Racers with an infinite number of customizable possibilities for cars and drivers. Players can CREATE unusual and unique racers by resizing character features such as eyes and ears, applying different skin designs and colors and trying on different apparel options. With kart creation, players can choose between dozens of body types, from school buses to sports cars and customize with an array of parts, ornaments, decals, and paint jobs. In just minutes players can build a track or spend hours perfecting it with the same tools the developers used to design the game. By simply driving, players build a track that is laid out behind them. Players can create tunnels, bridges and hairpin turns as well as alter the terrain and morph the land to form mountain ranges, lakes, and more. With auto-complete, players can finish their track at any point during the building process and instantly populate it with obstacles and scenery. Whether a player builds a track covered in weapons or a narrow road for pure racing, the depth of track creation in ModNation Racers truly offers players a unique racing experience. ModNation Racers features multiplayer options for both the PS3 and PSP systems. The PS3 system version includes split-screen racing with up to four players offline and two player split-screen online. Players also have the option to go online and battle against 11 other players on the PS3 system version. The PSP system version allows up to six players both online and offline. Through PlayStation Network, players can SHARE their creations with the rest of the world and interact with the community on the platform by uploading racers, karts and tracks online for others to experience. View the full article

Handycam is a Sony brand used to market its camcorder range, and was launched twenty five years ago in 1985 as the name of the first Video8 camcorder, replacing Sony’s previous line of Betamax-based models. The name was intended to emphasize the “handy” palm size nature of the camera, made possible by the new miniaturized tape format. This was in marked contrast to the larger, shoulder mounted cameras available before the creation of Video8, and competing smaller formats such as VHS-C. Sony has continued to produce Handycams in a variety of guises ever since, developing the Video8 format to produce Hi8 (equivalent to S-VHS quality) and later Digital8, using the same basic format to record digital video. The Handycam label continues to be applied as recording formats evolve, into realms such as HD video recording (1080i) and large capacity hard disk drives (240GB) and flash media (64GB) with incredible features. What is your favorite Handycam model or memory? " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> Let’s take a look at some notable Sony Handycam Camcorder Features, according to Sony’s Handycam 25th Anniversary Website (entire contents of site are below): Chapters: The Beginning Of Handycam 25 Years Of Handycam The Small Size Of Handycam Handycam Image Stabilization Handycam Design The Sound Of Handycam The Beauty Of Handycam Handycam Is Easy To Use The Beginning Of Handycam The Handycam begins with the CCD-M8, introduced in 1985. The Beta video cassette, the predecessor to the 8-millimeter video format, was intended for use in integrated camera/recorder devices right from its inception. In the early 1980’s, when shoulder-supported video cameras weighing more than two kilograms were the norm, the size of the next generation was decided on first with the condition that the camera must be operable with just one hand. Since the 8-millimeter cassette was one quarter the size of the Beta cassette, the camera should be reduced in size by a comparable amount. That line of thought led to a final size that was equivalent to two Beta cassettes. With this demanding size requirement as a goal, the CCD-M8 became a reality only after much trial-and-error development. In addition to being the first camcorder to break the one-kilogram weight barrier, the CCD-M8 was also the first to emphasize easy operation. The user had a choice of three focus settings and two white balance settings, and then it was just a matter of pressing the record button to shoot. It was record-only device, and playback was to be handled by a separate playback deck. The “one-button” concept introduced in the CCD-M8 led the way for the significant advancements in automation technology that followed. 25 Years Of Handycam The flagship HDR-CX550V model, released in 2010 on the 25th anniversary of the Sony Handycam, inherits outstanding features and performance acquired through two and a half decades of evolution. convenient, practical features such as “active” image stabilization that works effectively even while zooming, an Intelligent Auto mode that automatically determines which of 90 possible scene settings are ideal for the scene you’re shooting, and one of the highest performance lenses available in the field – Sony’s 29.88mm G Lens (35mm equivalent for movie shooting) – deliver not only excellent image quality, but an unprecedented shooting experience in wide angle as well. And users who want maximum creative capability will be delighted by a range of new manual features, including aperture priority and shutter speed priority modes. Despite the impressive list of features and functions provided by the HDR-CX550, it features a remarkably compact design that is at the same time solid and substantial, befitting its role as the representative of 25 years of Handycam evolution. The Small Size Of Handycam It is sometimes necessary to adopt a new system in order to record the best possible image quality. In such cases, the first model is likely to be relatively large and be designed to serve the high-end market. The second model, however, will retain the same features in a significantly smaller, easy-to-use design. Size comes first. To miniaturize to suit Sony customers’ needs, they design from the outside rather than the inside. The first Handycam, the CCD-M8, was designed from the outset to be about the size of a Beta videocassette. That size goal was attained, and a weight of only one kilogram was achieved for the first time. By setting and relentlessly pursuing specific miniaturization goals, impressive size reduction has been achieved in the Handycam line. The CCD-TR55, released in 1989, was widely known as the “passport-size Handycam” based on the concept of travel. It was designed to be small enough to fit in a handbag and be taken anywhere. Here’s a weird advertisement I found for the TR88 from ‘89: " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> A miniature drum mechanism had already been developed for the preceding product, the CCD-V88, but further miniaturization was necessary using the same basic technology and newly developed miniature lens. One problem was that the CCD-V88 had a number of protrusions that made it seem large, which were eliminated by implementing an internal microphone for the first time ever. The problem of mechanical noise being picked up by the microphone was overcome by applying noise-canceling construction methods. Miniaturization means higher circuit density, which can lead to heat buildup within the device. These and other problems were effectively overcome, resulting in groundbreaking miniaturization in “passport size” Handycam that successfully popularized the travel-camera concept. The same approach to miniaturization was applied in the DCR-PC7, the successor to the first DV camcorder, and in the HDR-HC1, the second-generation Hi-Definition camcorder. Handycam Image Stabilization Image stabilization has become an indispensable feature in both still and video cameras. The evolution of image stabilization technology in Handycam camcorders goes back 18 years. Hand shake is a fundamental problem when shooting video, and camera manufacturers have come up with a variety of ways to reduce it. One method adopted by another manufacturer was electronic compensation based on image recognition. This type of electronic compensation became so popular that image stabilization was expected in all video cameras thereafter. However, it suffered from a few drawbacks, such as not working while zooming, and sometimes misunderstanding subject movement for camera shake. The first image stabilization system incorporated in a Handycam employed a prism in front of the lens, the angle of which was minutely adjusted to compensate for shake. This was Sony’s optical active prism stabilization system, introduced in the CCD-TR900. The active prism system was subsequently employed in high-end models as well, but was quite large and not suitable for use in compact models. A new type of electronic image stabilization was there fore adopted in order to maintain the compact dimensions and light weight of the Handycam line. Electronic compensation was added to the existing specialized gyro sensor that was being employed to directly detect shake, and the resultant system was introduced in the compact CCD-TR2. Image stabilization was then required for still images captured by compact models as well as moving images. To effectively achieve that requirement, a compact lens with an internal compensation element was devised to allow lens-shift stabilization (DCR-TRV900). In 2003, the New Torino (Turin) Project was kicked off, with the goal of achieving even greater image stabilization performance before the Torino Olympics. Research was focused on reducing the size of the active prism system so that it could be implemented in home video camcorders. This resulted in the development of a dedicated microprocessor (BONOBO) and a new precision optical stabilization lens system that were released in the HDR-UX7. The name of the project was changed, and it became a permanent operation that pursued image stabilization development full time. A major advancement was achieved in the HDR-XR520/500 with an Active Mode that provided improved stabilization at the wide end of the zoom range, and allowed stable images to be shot while walking with the camera. Once shooting while walking became possible, the rolling shake caused by body sway while walking became an issue. A gyro to dedicated to roll detection was added, and roll compensation was achieved by using the BIONZ image processor. This system was released in the HDR-CX520/500. Handycam Design Sony product engineering defers to design, and design is never compromised solely to satisfy engineering criteria. Design and ease of use are both refined to the highest possible degree. The same applies to Handycam design. Handycam is specifically designed for handheld shooting, but the way that has been implemented has been modified over time with the introduction of new technologies and features. The compact Handycam made it possible to shoot handheld, in contrast to its bulkier shoulder-supported predecessors. This made it necessary to find the most practical, comfortable position for the viewfinder for that style of shooting. The viewfinder extended from the side, toward the rear of the camera, and is a location that remains standard to this day. When LCD viewfinders were introduced, it was necessary to modify the way tehy were mounted for optimum viewing. At the time it was normal to hold the camera with both hands while viewing the LCD, but by placing the LCD screen in a flexible flip-out panel it became possible to shoot comfortably with one hand while viewing the screen, significantly enhancing ease of use (CCD-TRV90). The next goal was to make the camera slim enough to fit in a pocket. This resulted in a thin vertical design in which the lens and flip-out panel do not overlap. The Sound Of Handycam One of the major differences between still and moving images is sound. When a video is played back, the sounds of the city or friends talking help bring the original moments back to life. Great care is taken to ensure that Handycam camcorders offer the best possible sound. The best-selling passport size CCD-TR55 had monaural sound. Stereo sound was a development goal for the second-generation passport size CCD-TR75. Because of the compact size of the camera, the spacing between the left and right microphones was too close to achieve effective stereo sound. This problem was overcome by using the time difference between the sound arriving at the two microphones and by giving the microphones more directional pickup characteristics. Another problem that had to be overcome was that nearby sounds would interfere with sound from a distant subject. The solution was to once again use the time difference between the microphones to implement a “zoom microphone” function that was linked to the camera’s zoom lens (CCD-TR900). When DVD disks were adopted as a recording format, the 5.1 channel sound capabilities of the medium were too appealing to ignore. In order to provide even more realistic, spacious sound to match the video images, more microphones were added and precise computation of the time differences between those microphones made it possible to deliver stunning 5.1-channel surround sound in the DCR-DVD403. The evolution didn’t stop there. In the HDR-SR12, further refinements in computation capability made it possible to achieve 5.1-channel zoom microphone operation linked to the lens. The Beauty Of Handycam A lens that precisely captures the scene. The image sensor – the camera’s electronic “eye” that converts the light captured by the lens to electronic signal. The processing engine that generates the final image from the signal supplied by the image sensor. Handycam image quality is dependent on these three basic components. Development of CCD image sensors was initiated in 1970, and after overcoming countless problems and obstacles, the cutting-edge CCD sensor was implemented in the very first Handycam, the CCD-M8. The fact that “CCD” became a part of the product name attests to the important role this advanced component played in establishing the Handycam line. As semiconductor production technology advanced, CCD sensors gradually became smaller: starting at 2/3 type and progressing to 1/2-type, and then 1/3-type. The general understanding throughout the industry was that the performance of CCD sensors would inevitably decline as the size was reduced, but Sony firmly believed that performance could be maintained or even improved despite the miniaturization. That belief came to fruition when the CCD-TR75, implementing a 1/2-type precision CCD in a camcorder the size of the CCD-TR55, proved to be a huge success. But as further miniaturization of CCD image sensors was pursued, power consumption became a problem to the point that it became necessary to adopt a different structure that had superior power characteristics: the CMOS image sensor. Dynamic range limitations were overcome, and the CMOS sensor became more widely accepted. In 2007, Sony developed the original Exmor CMOS sensor which by converting the analog electronic signal to digital format within the sensor chip itself, it achieved significant reductions in both noise and power consumption. Then came the back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor that achieved twice the sensitivity of conventional miniature sensors, allowing high quality video to be captured even in low light (HDR-XR520/HDR-XR500). The history of image sensors is also the history of man’s quest to shoot the most beautiful, vibrant images possible. At the same time, it is generally understood that image quality is largely influenced by the recording format. Image resolution is limited by the format used. The first Handycam used 8-millimeter videotape. But as CCD performance improved, the limitations of the recording format became a bottleneck. An improvement was achieved by switching from metal tape formulations to vapor-deposition Hi8 tape that offered the highest recording density at the time. The next step was direct recording of digital video data to DV tape. The first consumer camcorder to use the DV format was the DCR-VX1000. Miniaturization progressed rapidly, resulting in the first and highly acclaimed DV-format passport-size camcorder: the DCR-PC7. The DV format was further refined in the HDV format that allowed Hi-Definition recording. Camcorder recording quality had leapt to a new level. Capable of 1080i Full HD movie recording, the HDR-HC1 was the industry’s smallest digital Hi-Definition camcorder at the time, and became a massive hit. Currently the AVCHD format provides ten times the resolution of 8-millimeter video. But that level of performance was not attained in one leap. It has taken time and the numerous small steps outlined above. Handycam Is Easy To Use Deciding what to shoot and how to shoot it has always been up to the shooter, but in order to make it easier to achieve outstanding results it was necessary to make the camera capable of automatically optimizing shooting parameters to match the subject. It was particularly important to ensure that faces were captured properly. Emphasis was placed on face-detection performance with the goal of producing the world’s first face recognition system for video shooting. Although the production schedule was extremely tight, the BIONZ image processing engine made it possible to effectively detect faces. The problem was, what to do next? Sony was ahead of the competition in providing variable skin color, focus, and brightness parameters. We also assigned a higher video bit rate to the face area, effectively suppressing noise that can occur around the facial outline. The overall result was face detection performance that was good enough to be incorporated in the HDR-SR12: the world’s first camcorder with face recognition. And then, while shooting movies of his one children, one of Sony’s engineers had the idea that it would be great if he could capture photographs of their smiling faces at the same time. Hardware design was initially considered, but the solution was more quickly achieved via software design. The Smile Shutter feature was first released in digital cameras, and then in video cameras in the form of a Dual Rec feature that allows simultaneous recording of moving and still images. In this contest, the Smile Shutter feature made it easy to capture the most natural, charming smiles. Current Handycam camcorder include an Intelligent Auto (iAuto) that is capable of discerning four elements – face, scene, shake, and indoors/outdoors – and automatically selecting the ideal shooting parameter settings from 90 possible combinations so that optimal quality can be easily achieved in just about any situation.a View the full article

Sony Ericsson has officially signed the new lease for its new Americas headquarters in Atlanta. The office, located in the Terminus 200 Building in the Buckhead section of Atlanta, will be the hub for the company’s regional operations in North America and Latin America as it delivers an exciting new portfolio of phones to the marketplace. Approximately 180 employees will be based in the facility, including executive teams, sales and marketing staff, and operations. The company’s regional headquarters facilities were formerly located in Research Triangle Park, N.C. and Miami, FL. The support that Sony Ericsson received from both the state and local economic development teams helped facilitate the decision to relocate to Atlanta. Since Sony Ericsson’s operator partner AT&T is based in Atlanta, there will also be opportunities for stronger collaboration. “Atlanta is an ideal location for Sony Ericsson’s new regional headquarters, and we look forward to immersing ourselves in this vibrant community,” said Anderson Teixeira, president of Sony Ericsson Region Americas. “Access to impressive office space and a diverse pool of talent, combined with close proximity to AT&T, and easy access to Latin America, make Atlanta an obvious choice for relocation. This move will also encourage even stronger collaboration with our partners as we launch innovative and exciting new products in this market.” “Sony Ericsson’s arrival in Georgia epitomizes our state’s emergence as a base for technology innovation,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. “We are excited that a leader in mobile technology is creating a significant number of jobs to generate opportunities for the Atlanta region’s strong pipeline of talent for the technology sector.” Sony Ericsson was represented in the transaction by Jones Lang LaSalle working with Cousins Properties, Inc. to complete the terms of the lease for the company’s new headquarters. Terminus 200, owned by Cousins in partnership with Morgan Stanley, is a 25-story, 564,000-square-foot tower of Class A office space, retail, and restaurant space located at the intersection of Peachtree and Piedmont roads in the Buckhead office submarket. View the full article

Sony Australia has announced the release of a Billabong special edition VAIO W, available in Australia this June at $749SRP. The funky “Imperial Lime” colored lid has splashes of lime green, blue, and black and is the first product collaboration between Sony and Billabong. The notebook comes with Billabong content, including images and video from a new TV series featuring a selection of Billabong’s key surfing athletes. And if your wondering, the color scheme is taken from Billabong’s 2010 Summer board short range destined for retail stores in Australia this July. Kent Tanigaki, VAIO Marketing Manager Sony Australia, said the product collaboration with Billabong highlighted the focus by both brands on the development of relevant product for the youth market. “The average age of notebook users is getting younger as they are increasingly used in schools and universities.” Tanigaki said. “Teaming up with Billabong, the world’s leading action sports and lifestyle company, on this new VAIO notebook is a fantasytic way for us to create a product that really appears to a younger tech savvy audience. Like Sony, the billabong name commands huge respect all around the world and the VAIO W series Imperial Lime will connect with fans of both brands. Together we chose the Imperial Lime design for our first join product because it utilizes bold colors and a story that will resonate with Billabong’s audience.” The specs of this netbook are pretty appealing to. It has a Intel Atom N450, which has hyperthreading and runs Windows 7 Starter. I have a VAIO W myself and upgraded it to Windows 7 Professional after installing 2GB of RAM. It runs the Aero theme like a dream and the display is quite crisp. It’s a shame however that the right shift key is smaller than usual which can be a minor irritant. The isolation keyboard keys are always nice to use. Nonetheless, as I said before the 10.1 LED backlit widescreen display (1366×768) can’t play 1080P video on YouTube, but is still very strong. I can run Photoshop, Office 2010 and other applications you wouldn’t really think to run on a netbook with relative ease. It’s mostly due to the aforementioned 1.6GHz Intel processor. It also has a huge 250GB hard drive, which is really quite insane for such a small laptop. And finally it has an Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, and good quality built-in webcam and microphone that’s useful for Skype or even recording lectures. View the full article

The official introduction of the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 (APS-C) interchangeable-lens cameras rocked the photography world last week with its slick design, thin exterior and light weight. How can it not be droolworthy when the first version packs so much power in practically the same (body) size as a point and shoot camera? The feedback to Sony’s new camera system was overwhelmingly positive, and many found the NEX system to be better in specifications and appearance than competing interchangeable-lens cameras from Samsung, Panasonic and Olympus. Please also read our informative post, “The Lenses Of The Sony NEX.” The new NEX (E-mount) interchangeable lens cameras have a wide range of accessories including stylish body cases, external optical viewfinder for easier subject framing, stereo microphone for video shooting, and rechargeable battery packs. The all encompassing Accessory Kit (ACC-FWCA), seen above, allows you to carry your camera with you wherever you go. Includes a battery, wrapping cloth, cross-body style shoulder strap and lens cap holder. The AC Adapter (AC-PW20) provides your camera with an uninterrupted power supply for extended indoor shooting and viewing, and can be used worldwide (100-240V, 50/60Hz). Be sure your camera is always ready to capture the shot with an additional rechargeable battery (W series, NP-FW50, 1080mAh). It’s compact and lightweight, and provides extended movie/photo shooting. Sony has also given NEX users the option of buying a Stereo Microphone (ECM-SST1), which records crisp, clear audio and makes your videos more impressive. It’s compact, and easy to carry and powered directly from the camera. You mount it on the Smart Accessory Terminal, and has user-selectable audio coverage for single speaker or group conversations. From SonyStyle: Compose your shots with more accuracy using an optical viewfinder. Designed for use with your α NEX-3 or NEX-5 camera, the FDA-SV1 viewfinder offers a great alternative to composing your shots on the LCD. This optical viewfinder with all glass lenses provides clear and sharp images even in the corners. There’s also multi-coating on the glass to reduce reflections. Don’t think Sony would release such a fancy camera without a LCD Protection Cover (PCK-LH1EM). This hard transparent cover keeps the LCD of your camera free from unwanted scratches, dust and debris. This could be a must-have for those of you carrying your camera around in active use situations. Also available is the more conventional easy to apply LCD Screen Protector (PCK-LS1EM). This transparent film is anti-reflective for better viewing the LCD under direct light, and protects the screen from dust and scratches. Exclusively for NEX-5 is the Black (LCS-EMB1A/B), White (LCS-EMB1A/W), and Brown (LCS-EMB1A/T) genuine leather Body Case, which makes it easy to enjoy the portability of the NEX series in style. It can be used with compatible lens jacket and shoulder strap. Here is the alternative NEX-3 version of the Black (LCS-EMB2A/B), White (LCS-EMB2A/W), Red (LCS-EMB2A/R), and Brown (LCS-EMB2A/T) genuine leather Body Case, which makes it easy to enjoy the portability of the NEX series in style. It can be used with compatible lens jacket and shoulder strap. Next up we have the genuine leather Lens Jacket for the NEX-5, available in Black (LCS-EML1A/B), White (LCS-EML1A/W), Red (LCS-EML1A/R), Brown (LCS-EML1A/T) which is a color-coordinated lens jacket that makes it to enjoy the portability of the NEX-5 in style. It protects your lens from scratches and dust, and is suitable to use with the SEL16F28 lens. Alternatively there is a genuine leather lens Jacket for the NEX-3, available in Black (LCS-EML2A/B), White (LCS-EML2A/W), Red (LCS-EML2A/R), Brown (LCS-EML2A/T) which is a color-coordinated lens jacket that makes it to enjoy the portability of the NEX-3 in style. It protects your lens from scratches and dust, and is suitable to use with the SEL16F28 lens. And finally, we have the shoulder strap available in Black (STP-XH1/B), White (STP-XH1/W), Red (STP-XH1/R) and Brown (STP-XH1/T). View the full article

Google has detailed a new Sony TV during the Google I/O conference, officially called Sony Internet TV (official site). This will be the most advanced TV ever released by Sony to date, and was built in collaboration with Google and Intel as previously reported. The TV will be based on the current monolithic design influenced Sony BRAVIA NX800 (shown above), and will most likely come in 46″ and 52″ screen sizes – although we would not be surprised if it only came in one size. Here are some screen shots from today’s presentation (additional coverage at engadget, gizmodo, and the sony blog): As you can see, they have integrated Google search into television, called Google TV, and will soon extend the service to Sony BRAVIA TV’s and Blu-ray players that will come to market this Fall. Google TV is built on Android 2.1, has Google Chrome and a full version of Flash 10.1. You can search for programs, schedule recordings, or use the search to go to your favorite TV station. They have also shown off an Android remote (on an Android phone) that allows flawless voice search for TV programs. Google TV also allows you to watch programs in a picture-in-picture format – e.g. a small screen to the right plays your TV station in an overlay on top of the browser. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> The NYT is reporting “Google Moves to TVs With Help From Intel and Sony“: Howard Stringer, chief executive of Sony, the ailing Japanese electronics giant and the third-largest maker of flat panel televisions in the United States market, appeared on Google’s stage to say Sony would build Google’s software into a line of its high-definition Bravia televisions that connect to the Internet, as well as some of its Blu-ray players. Intel will provide its Atom processors for the devices. It has spent billions developing those chips over the last few years in a high-stakes push to crack the market for consumer electronics. Devices running Google TV will also be able to run applications written for Android phones, and will feature Google’s Chrome Web browser, which would allow consumers to surf the Web from their television sets. Logitech, a maker of peripheral devices for computers like keyboards, mice and webcams, will manufacture a set-top box running Google TV, called the Buddy Box, which will allow people to get Google TV without having to buy a new television. However, the real power play is that the TV will support the Android Store and most likely support the upcoming

The PlayStation Network as we know it might be changing in a big way by the time E3 rolls around. Rumors have been circulating across the web for quite some time that Sony might, at some point, offer a premium version of the PSN. If reports are to believed, that may just be the case. According to VG247, a “highly placed source” (from where is not defined) informed them of Sony’s plans to leverage the PSN to increase revenue. Here are the highlights: Cost of the service to be less than $61 dollars US 1 free PSN game a month from a

Sony Computer Entertainment Europe [sCEE] has announced a partnership with leading online film library MUBI, to bring to PS3 a new service that will break open the world of independent, international and classic cinema, and introduce PS3 owners to movies outside the mainstream. MUBI will be a free, downloadable application that gives PS3 owners the key to the ever-expanding film library of MUBI – an incredible online ‘cinemateque’ for movie lovers, packed to the rafters with acclaimed independent, foreign and classic films to stream on demand. This autumn, PS3 users will have access to a treasure trove of celluloid curated by experts – so that even non-experts can enjoy what might otherwise take a lifetime to discover. MUBI will offer more than 300 films at launch from directors from Audiard to Zeferelli; and they’re all going to be available to stream directly to your PS3. You’ll get to discover movies you never dreamed about, watch your choice of films whenever you like, and talk about the ones you love with your friends. So how will it all work? First, you download the free MUBI application from PlayStation Store. Then, you open it up and start watching – it’s really that easy. Next, you look around in amazement. You find festival gems, classics, famous independent releases and art-house flicks. You discover the work of world-famous directors like the Coen Brothers and Tarantino alongside Latin American directors and restored shorts from the most obscure of archives. You’ll spot free-to-watch movies alongside pay-per-view movies that you can rent for a week – and you’ll be tempted by the thought of an all-you-can-watch monthly subscription. You find exclusive online premieres, Oscar-winners, Palme D’Or winners, collaborations with international film festivals, and so many other choices you might not know where to start. But MUBI offers a whole community of film loving fans so that help is always at hand. ">" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"> This is cinema for cinema lovers – a movie service that takes you beyond the mainstream and deep into thousands of views of our world through different lenses – all streamed straight to your PS3 to turn your living room into your own private cinema. MUBI for PS3 will be launched this autumn initially in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Iberia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux, Nordic countries, Australia and New Zealand. Prepare to dim your lights and enjoy the main feature. View the full article

The Karate Kid is an upcoming 2010 martial arts film remake of the epic 1984 film of the same name. Directed by Harald Zwart, the remake stars Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith) and Jackie Chan. Principal photography for the film took place in Beijing, China; filming began around July 2009 and ended on mid October. The Karate Kid will be distributed by Columbia Pictures theatrically in the United States on June 11, 2010. Unlike the 1984 movie, The Karate Kid, the 2010 remake does not feature the modern interpretation of karate, which is from Okinawa. Despite its title, the new film focuses on a boy learning kung fu in China. Chan has told interviewers that film cast members have been referring to the movie as the Kung Fu Kid, and he believes the film will only be called The Karate Kid in America, and The Kung Fu Kid in Asia. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> The plot bears many similarities to the original Karate Kid film, with some notable differences. Twelve year old Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) is the most popular kid in Detroit until he and his single mother (Taraji P. Henson) move because of a pivotal career change made by his mother. In their new home of Beijing, Parker falls for a young school student named Mei Ying. Both children find it hard to form a solid friendship with each other because of their cultural differences and because Ying’s father does not approve of their relationship. To make matters worse, this attraction makes him the enemy of the infamous bully leader, Cheng, who gives Parker the nickname of ‘The Karate Kid’ due to his severely limited knowledge of Karate, hence the title of the film. With the bullies constantly throwing him to the ground, and with no one else to turn to, the outlook for Parker’s new life looks bleak until he meets Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), who makes a deal with the bullies’ kung-fu master that if they let Dre train they can fight Dre in the upcoming tournament. A quirky mentor and a kung-fu master in secret, Mr. Han teaches Parker kung-fu through unconventional, yet effective techniques to help make life in his new home an easier affair and hopefully stand up to the bullies. It involves training in places such as the Great Wall of China. The entire plot eventually builds up to a grand finale with Dre Parker battling against Cheng and his allies in a large scale Martial Arts Tournament. " />" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"> The film will contain homages to the original film, including a variation on the famous fly catching scene in which Chan’s character ends up swatting it instead of using chopsticks; the theatrical trailer shows this scene with the original movie’s theme “You’re the Best” playing. View the full article

Lin Yu Chun (Chinese: 林育羣; pinyin: L

Nobuyuki Oneda (pictured far right) currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Sony Corporation and has been its Corporate Executive Officer since 2004. He is primarily responsible for Corporate Planning and Control, Accounting, Tax, Finance, Investor Relations, and Disclosure Controls. On June 18th, he will retire and current Deputy CFO, Masaru Kato, will assume Oneda’s place as Chief Financial Officer. Oneda joined Sony on April, 1969 (at the age of 24) and has served many positions in the company throughout his tenure, including Senior Vice President, Head of Transformation 60, Corporate Planning & Control, Accounting and Information Systems of Sony Corp. Here is some of the other titles he’s held in Sony throughout the years: Jun 2004 – Oneda served as Sevenior Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer of Sony Corporation Feb 2004 – Oneda served as Officer in charge of Corporate Planning and Control, and Accounting of Sony Corporation 2003 – Oneda served as Senior Vice President, Executive Officer of Sony Corporation 2002 – Oneda served as Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Network Application & Content Service Sector of Sony Corporation and Corporate Senior Vice President of Sony Corporation 2000 – Oneda served as Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer of Sony Electronics Inc. and Group Executive Officer of Sony Corporation 1999 – Oneda served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sony Electronics Inc. (a U.S. subsidiary of Sony Corporation) 1996 – Oneda served as General Manager, Corporate Planning & Control Department of Sony Corp. View the full article

The highly anticipated prequel to Kingdom Hearts now has a release date. Square Enix has revealed that Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is set for release in North America on September 7th exclusively on the PSP. Adding an outstanding voice cast of Mark Hamill (most excellent), Willa Holland, Jesse McCartney, Leonard Nimoy and James Woods along with exclusive content included just for the North American release Square gives a much needed boost to the PSP library. To accompany the release, a limited edition Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep PSP Entertainment Pack will be available on release day from Gamestop: ?Mystic-Silver? PSP-3000 system KINGDOM HEARTS Birth by Sleep on UMD (Universal Media Disc)* Movie (to be announced) 4GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Until September 7th arrives, in the interim, enjoy the trailer below: View the full article

The official introduction of the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 (APS-C) interchangeable-lens cameras rocked the photography world last week with its slick design, thin exterior and light weight. How can it not be droolworthy when the first version packs so much power in practically the same (body) size as a point and shoot camera? The feedback to Sony’s new camera system was overwhelmingly positive, and many found the NEX system to be better in specifications and appearance than competing interchangeable-lens cameras from Samsung, Panasonic and Olympus. After the smoke clears from the excitement of a new product announcement, it is inevitable that questions start to arise. One of the most important questions is – what type of lens are available for the NEX cameras? This camera uses E-mount lens, which is an entirely new system – its important to note that Sony will offer a E-mount to A-mount converting adapter, which allows you to use your previous A-mount lenses with this new camera. This is a huge sigh of relief for many of you photographers out there who have expensive lenses and were worried that they would have to reinvest their money in a whole new system. The hit won’t be so big with this adapter. Here is a picture of the adapter (LA-EA1), which includes a detachable tripod attachment: Now that we got that out of the way, lets take a look at the official first generation NEX lenses and attachments: Here’s the 16mm Wide-Angle Lens (SEL16F28). Stylishly designed to match the camera, it’s a portable and versatile lens that’s perfect for both movies and photos. It’s light, compact and easy to carry. This lens has smooth, quiet AF operation and you can expect exceptional low-light performance. Next we have the 18-55mm Zoom Lens (SEL1855). This is great zoom lens for everything from scenic photos to snapshots and formal portraits. The SEL1855 excels in shooting at slower shutter speeds. We’re also impressed with the fact that its one of the first lenses to have built-in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, which was usually a feature found in a camera, not the lens. Don’t think Sony would launch a new camera system without a 11x Telephoto Zoom Lens (SEL18200). It’s a wide-range zoom that covers virtually all shooting situations and features performance optimized for movie capture as well. The lens is light, compact and easy to carry and has smooth and quiet operation. There’s also an advanced Active Mode for steadier movie shooting. The high quality and sleek designed E-mount Ultra Wide Converter (VCL-ECU1) offers excellent depth of field and exaggerated perspective, instantly expanding your photographic horizons. It attaches easily and securely to the front of the lens and is designed for use with the SEL16F28. The high quality and sleek designed E-mount Fisheye Converter (VCL-ECF1) captures dynamic dramatic images with curvilinear distortion, exaggerated perspective and extreme depth of field. It attaches easily and securely to the front of the lens and is designed for use with the SEL16F28. View the full article

Sony has refreshed its Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX memory cards, delivering the fastest data transfer speed when compared to other Sony Memory Stick media. The HX boasts rapid transfer speed of up to 30MB per second, increasing the convenience for consumers who often need to transfer large files of AVCHD movies and high quality RAW-JPEG files. With HX, users can copy a three hour movie in FX mode to PC only in 17 minutes, while with current Memory Stick PRO Duo, standard model, it takes 69 minutes (Transfer time may vary depends on the measurement condition). Ideal for Handycam, Cyber-shot or α DSLR users, the Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX serves the storage needs of consumers who enjoy capturing high resolution images and HD videos with its large data capacity up to 32GB. For α DSLR photo enthusiasts, the HX also enhances burst shooting, so consumers can afford to shoot more pictures in one minute without missing any key shots during shooting compared to using any SD Memory Card now available in the market. With the new HX, consumers will additionally enjoy free bonus software for download, including Memory Card File Rescue and x-Pict Story for Memory Card. Keeping users’ memories safe, the Memory Card File Rescue software will allow users to recover their important photos, music and movies that they have accidentally deleted — in a few simple steps. Empowering the more creative users, the x-Pict Story for Memory Card software is able to create distinctive, original movies from their family photos for example, that can be easily created and shared their memories with family and friends. View the full article