Digital Trends

Philips

Philips launched a new line of LCD displays at CES that feature the company's proprietary Ambilight technology, Clear LCD, and PixelPlus3. All of the new LCD and plasma TVs will be in 32-in. through 50-in. screen sizes and become available between May and July 2006. Prices range from $2,299 for a 32-in. LCD display to $3,999 for a 50-in. plasma model. All of these models will be Digital Cable Ready featuring CableCARD. Also, Philips will be expanding its MiraVision Mirror TV line to include both 32-in. and 42-in. LCD monitors—sans tuners. Philips will be adding two new plasma HDTVs in both 42-in. and 50-in. screen sizes. Both models will feature Philips's improved two-channel Ambilight or Ambilight Surround at either $2,999 or $3,999. http://www.philips.com/

Philips Ambilight Surround

Click here for a video of the Philips Ambilight Surround Plasma in action

Sony

Sony had numerous announcements and offerings at CES. First, Sony will be shipping six new Bravia LCD TVs in screen sizes ranging from 32-in. to 46-in. between now and May, with prices starting at $1,299. Sony also unveiled their VAIO Digital Living Room System:  XL-2 PC head unit with optional XL-1B disc changer. According to Sony, this is a new standard in digital content management, as it allows the user to conveniently control all of your media, from photos to recorded HDTV shows. The XL-2 includes dual NTSC and one ATSC tuner and a massive harddrive, along with an optional 200-disc CD/DVD changer.

Sony XL-2 Digital Living Room System

Sony also had four Blu-ray Disc offerings at the show as well. Their stand-alone BD player (BDP-S1) will be available this summer, providing a full 1080p resolution. Sony will also offer an external Blue-ray Disc computer drive that will support both 25GB and 50GB BD Media, featuring 2X BD recording capability. Sony will also offer blank BD Media. The other BD product will be PlayStation3, which is expected to be out during the spring—I'm thinking May (to coincide with E3, which is held in LA in May). While pricing is unavailable for PlayStation3, the rumors on the show floor were around $600.

Sony BDP-S1

Sony also announced several new products in all categories including HTiBs, DVD players, digital cameras, and portable audio. One of Sony's most interesting new products was their Portable Reader System, is a compact eBook-type item. It can hold up to 80 books in its internal memory, and can hold more through an optional MemoryStick or Secure Digital flash memory card. Its rechargeable lithium-ion batteries will last for about 7,500 page turns. http://www.sony.com/