Premier Mounts X series manual What is BLU-RAY?

Page 10

8 CUTTING EDGE

It is commonly recognised that all the major TV networks must broadcast in digital – what is commonly called digital television (DTV). But what is often not known is that each major TV network is obliged to broadcast at least 20 hours of HDTV content a week (although most broadcast more).

If you want to know what shows are broadcast in HD they are listed on Digital Broadcasting Australia’s website (www.dba.org.au).

“If you want to watch a program, be it sport, current affairs or drama, in HD,” explains Colley, “the TV broadcast has to be in high definition, the set-top box or built-in tuner must be high definition and the TV must have a resolution that can display high definition (720 lines minimum). Many flat panel TV’s simply don’t have a suitable resolution screen to see the benefit of HD pictures.”

While all Sony BRAVIA TVs have a resolution suitable for HD (720 lines minimum), the new X Series and SXRD models can boast Full HD resolutions of 1080 lines. As well, the new BRAVIA V and X Series have HD digital tuners built in so there’s no need for a separate set top box.

It is also now possible to record programs in HD. Earlier this year, Sony released a couple of digital video recorders (DVRs) that can record, in HD, programs that are broadcast in HD.

SVRHD900

(SVRHD900, pictured below left, with a 250GB hard drive for $1499 and SVRHD700 with 160GB for $1299). The recorders also feature twin tuners. This means you can record two separate HD programs at the same time or watch one HD program while recording another. Of course they can also record programs that were broadcast in standard definition as well.

The Full-On HD experience

Digital Television is not the only source of HD content. There are others, which Sony is perfectly placed to take advantage of.

The movie studios will be releasing HD versions of its blockbuster titles. Sony, for instance, plans to put out an HD version of The Da Vinci Code From there, it won’t be long before there’s a steady stream of titles available in HD.

Films such as these will rely on a new video disc format called Blu-ray, which supports high definition. Blu-ray discs can hold up to five times (50GB) what a traditional DVD can. It is this extra capacity that allows movie studios to fit an entire HD movie onto a single disc.

“However, we must not forget that the screen is not where the HD experience ends. Sure the high definition pictures will blow you away,” says Colley, “but sound is 50 percent of t movie experience and there’s no place wh

is more important than when you’re liste a blockbuster with thumping, earth-shatt sound effects. HD is not just the screen, i whole package. Sony offers numerous ho

VGNAR18GP

WHAT IS BLU-RAY?

With an appearance similar to that of a DVD or CD, Blu-ray is the next-generation video disc format, developed jointly by Sony and other leading consumer electronic, computer and content providers.

Blu-ray was created to record, playback and burn-to-disc high defi nition (HD) video. One Blu-ray disc can hold up to five times that of a traditional red-laser DVD, or up to 50GB on a dual-layer disc, because the greater precision of the blue-violet laser allows more data to be stored in less space. This allows an entire HD movie, such as The Da Vinci Code, to fi t on a single disc.

Sony is releasing a range of Blu-ray players and burners, and will also equip its new PLAYSTATION®3 console with Blu-ray. The format has the support of more than 170 allied companies worldwide, including the world’s biggest computer manufacturers and electronics makers plus the major Hollywood movie studios. It will equip us for the next generation of home entertainment.

Image 10
Contents NEW Full HD Bravia LCD TV Page Contents Insider Com Spend Wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, PSP Full throttle WHAT’S HD-READY? What is BLU-RAY? Cutting Edge Gettingshot a great Snapshot Loading Which ONE? Memories Solutions Easy BUY Guide Chill out Camp Holiday Sony Australia Privacy Statement