Any News on Sony TV lineup for 2008

[NigelF]

I can't recall if there was any announcement at CES regarding 2008 TV models from Sony and I can't find any details on WHFSV website either except for portable Bravia's.

Any ideas what's cooking in Sony's Kitchen ??

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well sorta - Sony has a trade show going on at the moment at its Brooklands HQ, but sort of forgot to invite us. Yes exactly.

One of our Stuff colleagues went and yes there are some new tellies inbound - but they're covered by an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), so we can't tell you about them yet, much though we'd like to in a fit of pique at not being invited to see them for ourselves.

Meanwhile, I think Messrs Melville and Clough - and yes, that does sound like a firm of solicitors in a 1950s Ealing comedy - are planning a visit to have a looksee soon, having finally got Sony to relent and lift the flap of the tent so we can have a peep.

As soon as we can tell you, we will...

 

[Clare Newsome]

... and that will certainly be by April 3rd (sooner for subscribers), as we've a rundown on all the big-name TV ranges (plus reviews of a couple of new-season sets) in the May issue that comes out that day.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]they're covered by an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), so we can't tell you about them yet,[/quote]

Since just about anything that has a plug on it (unless it comes in white, avocado or pink) does the rounds in Japan and the States before arriving here, whats the big deal?

I thought Melville and Clough were funeral directors.

 

[Clare Newsome]

[quote user="david1997"]
Since just about anything that has a plug on it (unless it comes in white, avocado or pink) does the rounds in Japan and the States before arriving here, whats the big deal?

[/quote]

Definitely not the case for TVs - different broadcast systems (Freeview, soon Freesat sets), different screen sizes (we don't get the ultra-big TVs), different features (US already well into IPTVs, for example: our broadband system isn't fast or widespread enough for that yet)....

 

[Andrew Everard]

These days it seems we can't be told about anything without some PR person waving an NDA form.

In recent months we've been asked to sign an NDA covering products we'd already seen at a show in the States, and just had an email extending the NDA date on some new kit we were shown at the Toshiba show the other week. Don't panic, it was just new laptops!

The best NDA story to date was the pan-European event in Japan where you had to sign the NDA before you were let into the press conference, and all the various countries' PR people were responsible for ensuring 'their' journalists had signed.

Except the French journalists didn't, as the embargo date was just after their magazines came out, and they didn't want to be scooped by the Germans. Honestly...

As a result, we sat through a long product presentation, during which photography wasn't allowed, only to be told at the end that the NDA no longer existed following some frantic behind the scenes PR squawking. But no, we wouldn't be allowed to take pictures of the products we'd just seen. And now the factory tour...

You couldn't make this stuff up...

 

[Andy Clough]

NDA or no NDA, Mr Melville and I will take plenty of notes when we're finally allowed inside the Sony tent next week.

 

[Anonymous]

So if no journo signed a NDA, the product would get Zero publicity. Time for a bit of unity amongst the publishers then?

Its the one(and only)part of your job i don't envy.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andy Clough"]NDA or no NDA, Mr Melville and I will take plenty of notes when we're finally allowed inside the Sony tent next week.[/quote]

Good man, Clough.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="david1997"]I thought Melville and Clough were funeral directors.[/quote]
They create quite a stir in Teddington when they go out for lunch together...

 

[Anonymous]

Wondered what that smell was in the 'Tied End'.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well with the end tied it all tends to back up.

The Tide End Cottage, BTW...

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]The Tide End Cottage, BTW... [/quote]

As I clicked the 'post' box.... must have been thinking of something else.

 

[Matt_B]

Whens the NDA end date?

 

[Anonymous]

32" wise (what I am interested in) there seems to be a couple of new models:

Sony KDL32W4000 - Full HD to compare against the new panasonics (lzd80 and lzd85) - Expected May - £825 approx

Sony KDL32V4000 - HD Ready - 3 HDMI - Expected June

Sony KDL32U4000 32" - HD Read - 2 HDMI - Expected July

This is what I have managed to find out so far - but not official so could change.

 

[NigelF]

Here is the link to Sony Singapore with new lineup for 2008

http://www.sony-asia.com/pressrelease/asset/240056/section/regionalpressreleases?site=hp_en_AP_i

http://www.sony-asia.com/pressrelease/asset/240056/section/regionalpressreleases?site=hp_en_AP_i

It's a pity Sony UK treats WHFSV as second grade customer, while on the other hand WHFSV treats them like exclusives showering them with 5 stars whatever they throw at them. I was shocked that they were not even invited on the show to demonstrate new lineup and asking for NDµ's for something which is already published on worldwide web.

Anyway that's Sony UK ! the new lineup looks georgeous specially the 40W4100 and X4100 range wondering when will WHFSV get their hands on these new sets for review. Probably will go bankrupt buying themselves all these goodies

 

[Andy Clough]

[quote user="NigelF"]WHFSV treats them like exclusives showering them with 5 stars whatever they throw at them[/quote]

No we don't:

Sony DAV-DZ630 4 stars (Feb 08)

Sony DAV-DZ830 3 stars (July 07)

Sony DAV-LF1H 4 stars (Feb 07)

Sony BDP-S300 4 stars (Mar 08)

Sony DVP-FX810 2 stars (Mar 07)

Sony BDP-S500 4 stars (Mar 08)

Sony STR-DG710 3 stars (Dec 07)

Sony STR-DG910 4 stars (Nov 07)

I could go on. And FYI, it looks as if we'll finally get to meet the product managers and see the new product line-up at Sony HQ next week. Fingers crossed!

 

[NigelF]

Hi Andy,

No offense I was referring to TV reviews and more critical towards Sony UK for not treating WHFSV as they deserved. Also no objections on TV reviews they rightly deserved their star ratings.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="NigelF"]more critical towards Sony UK for not treating WHFSV as they deserved[/quote]

To be fair, I don't think it's a deliberate policy on Sony's part...

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andy Clough"].... it looks as if we'll finally get to meet the product managers and see the new product line-up at Sony HQ next week. Fingers crossed!

[/quote]

Just been perusing some specs of these TVs which you aren't allowed to tell us about. My current TV is a Sony CRT which is over 10 years old and still going strong but will finally face the chop later this year. The forthcoming Z4100 in 40" and 46" flavour certainly look the business as far as spec is concerned - I would be very interested to see some first look reviews and expected on sale dates - do you think they will make next months issue?

Hopefully Sony will release some better Blu Ray players as well as the current crop all seem a bit 'beta version' - can't believe thay take so long to load up a film!! (reminds me of my tape drive for my old VIC-20)

Loving the forum by the way - some great information for keeping tabs on all the latest tech which seems to change ever more rapidly.

 

[Matt_B]

taken from another site - its in dutch but specs are in english

Some more info:

They have some super hi-res photos as well

also mini brochure (dutch):

Mini Brochure

full brochure:

 

[Anonymous]

So Sony will no longer offer a 32" 100hz LCD?

 

[Andy Clough]

For everyone's info, still waiting to get a date back from Sony as to when we can visit the various product managers to discuss their 2008 product ranges.

Sent another email today, but looks like it might now be after Easter. And still no date on when the NDA ends.

 

[Anonymous]

Is anyone aware if Sony will be releasing a new 37" lcd in the near future? Might prove to be the answer to my problems choosing a new tv.

 

[Anonymous]

These are the 17 new TVs announced back in January at the CES show - exact model names and specs may end up being different by the time they lauch over here (and not all may come this way). If you look at the names its fairly obvious what sizes they will be and if you google each model name you will find further specs out there on t'interweb. I'll be looking forward to WHFSV reviews later this year myself as I'll be looking to buy then although I am veering towards a Pioneer plasma at the moment.

Z Series

KDL-46Z4100

KDL-40Z4100

W Series

KDL-52W4100

KDL-46W4100
KDL-40W4100

V Series

KDL-52V4100

KDL-46V4100
KDL-40V4100

XBR Series

KDL-37XBR6

KDL-32XBR6

N Series

KDL-26N4000

KDL-32N4000
KDL-37N4000

M Series

KDL-19M4000

KDL-26M4000
KDL-32M4000
KDL-37M4000