Sony Redefines Home Entertainment with the World's First HDTV Powered by Google TV

The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
NEW YORK, October 12, 2010 - Furthering the company's leadership in the connected TV space, Sony today introduced Sony Internet TV, powered by Google TV -- the world's first television with the ability to watch HDTV, enjoy apps, and browse the Internet seamlessly on one device.
The combination of Sony's hardware and engineering expertise and Google's understanding of open software provides a unique user experience, merging multiple content sources in one easy-to-use interface. From broadcast to streaming video from the Internet, Sony Internet TV offers the ability to quickly search and watch content from wherever, whenever.
"Sony Internet TV is the world's first HDTV that combines the big-screen impact of television and full Internet search to deliver an unrivaled entertainment experience," said Mike Abary, senior vice president of Sony's Home Division. "Finally, you can seamlessly search your favorite TV programs and web sites on the same screen, at the same time."
"We are very proud to be the pioneers of this new entertainment category by delivering the world's first true Internet TV experience," added Bob Ishida, senior vice president, corporate executive, and president of Home Entertainment Business Group, Sony Corporation. "Sony Internet TV creates value by introducing new and compelling ways to enjoy a variety of content."
Featuring both integrated television models and a Blu-ray Disc™ player, Sony Internet TV is powered by Google TV.
It is built on the Android platform, runs the Google Chrome browser and includes a powerful Intel® Atom® processor offering the ability to quickly search across Internet and television content for easy access to entertainment and information.
The models also feature Dual View, allowing users to watch television while tweeting about what they're watching, checking their fantasy football scores, or finding related content on the web.
They also deliver a truly personalized entertainment experience with the ability to bookmark content for easy access and add applications from the Android™ Market (coming in early 2011). The models feature Sony's premium streaming service "Video On Demand powered by Qriocity™" as well as pre-installed apps including CNBC, Napster, NBA, Netflix, Pandora®, Twitter, and YouTube™.
The intuitive hand-held RF QWERTY keypad remote incorporating an optical mouse makes it easy to navigate content, type in search terms, and control the TV's user interface. Additionally, select mobile devices such as an Android phone, can control the TV with an app that will be available for download from the Android Market later this fall.
Built-in Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to home broadband networks to access web content. Additionally, Sony Internet TV is ready for the future and is fully upgradable through system updates.
Sony Internet TV easily connects to select HD DVR devices from Dish Network to include previously recorded content in the search results and control DVR functionality from the set's user interface.
Sony Internet TV Line
Featuring four LCD HDTVs with Google TV built-in, the Sony Internet TV line includes the 24-inch class NSX-24GT1 ($599.99), the 32-inch class NSX-32GT1 ($799.99), the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 ($999.99), and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 ($1,399.99).

Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player
The Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc™ player with Google TV built-in, NSZ-GT1 ($399.99), also allows users to enjoy all of the powerful features of Google TV on their existing HDTV.

Sony Internet TV and the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player are currently on pre-sale at SonyStyle online store and BestBuy. They will be available for purchase at Sony Style on October 16 and at Best Buy shortly after.

Sony Internet TV product images can be found at http://news.sel.sony.com/en.

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SONY AND CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL TO BRING NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN 3D WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY TO BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION

Sony Corporation (Sony) and Conservation International (CI) have teamed up to bring compelling wildlife photography in 3D to over 14,000 delegates at the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) taking place over the next two weeks in Nagoya, Japan. The 3D images can be viewed at the "Sony 3D Kiosk" in the CI booth located at the Nagoya Congress Center.

Since 1995, CI and Sony have worked together to make global biodiversity accessible to audiences worldwide. This year, in addition to digital cameras, camcorders and editing equipment, Sony provided CI with NEX-5 interchangeable lens digital cameras with 3D capabilities to enable CI photographers to capture some of the first-ever 3D images. "We are proud that Sony's cutting-edge imaging technology is playing a meaningful role in CI's work surrounding the conservation of biodiversity by delivering rare photos and video footage of this beautiful planet to people all over the world," said Hidemi Tomita, General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sony Corporation. "We are confident that Sony, and particularly our 3D technology, will further contribute to the field of biodiversity conservation."

"We are thrilled to have Sony bring Conservation International's wildlife photography to life with their amazing 3D technology," said Yasushi Hibi, Vice President for Asia Policy for Conservation International Japan. "This new technology serves both as a tool for scientific documentation and as a means of raising awareness amongst viewers by vividly portraying the natural environment Conservation International aims to protect."

Using Sony's 3D technology, CI's President Dr. Russ Mittermeier and photographer John Martin traveled to Suriname's Central Nature Reserve - a protected area of the country that has rarely, if ever, been visited by humans in modern times. While there, Martin was able to photograph dense rainforests, often difficult to portray with traditional photography, in 3D significantly improving the image viewing experience. Because the forests of Suriname play an important role in mitigating the effects of global climate change, CI and Sony hope that bringing these 3D images to the conference will inspire attendees to support the conservation of biodiversity all over the world.

Sony's 3D technology was also used to capture still images of Brazil's biologically diverse area of Pantanal. The Pantanal is the world's largest wetland and has the highest concentration of fauna in the Americas. CI sent Brazilian photographer Luciano Candisani, who has a long history of working in the open plains of the Pantanal, to experiment with how 3D could portray life in the region with a fresh perspective. As COP10 attendees will see, the results are captivating. Sony and CI will continue to explore how 3D photography and video can help achieve conservation results.

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Sony commercializes world's first^*1 16.41 Megapixel "Exmor R™" back-illuminated CMOS image sensors for mobile phones

The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
October 7, 2010, Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation (hereafter, "Sony") today announced the commercialization of two new "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS image sensors with dramatically improved photographic performance including significantly high sensitivity and low noise. In addition, Sony will launch two new lens modules equipped with these image sensors, which also include the smallest and thinnest*1 model for mobile phones. This is also the first time that "Exmor R" is commercialized for the use in mobile phones.
*1 As of October 7, 2010
Lens modules: "IU081F" (left), "IU105F2" (right)
"Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS image sensors:"IMX081PQ" (left), "IMX105PQ" (right)

Model NameShipment date (Plan)Sample priceType 1/2.8 16.41 effective megapixels
back-illuminated CMOS image sensor
"IMX081PQ"Type 1/3.2 8.13 effective megapixels
back-illuminated CMOS image sensor
"IMX105PQ"Type 1/2.8 16.41 effective megapixels*2
Lens module "IU081F"Type 1/3.2 8.13 effective megapixels*2
Lens module "IU105F2"*2 Based on the effective pixels of the image sensor

"IMX081PQ" is world's first*1 type 1/2.8 back-illuminated CMOS image sensor which realizes 16.41 effective megapixel resolution, and adopts the industry's smallest*1 unit pixel size of 1.12µm. "IMX105PQ" is a type 1/3.2 back-illuminated CMOS image sensor which realizes 8.13 effective megapixel resolutions for higher sensitivity and adopts a unit pixel size of 1.4µm. By embedding these highly sensitive sensors into mobile phones, including those without camera flash, users can capture high quality photos and videos even in low light settings.
Furthermore, Sony will commercialize "IU081F" and "IU105F2" compact auto-focus lens modules which include the two new "Exmor R" back-illuminated CMOS image sensors. These down-sized modules are suitable and efficient for mobile phones with relatively limited space and are equipped with high performance lens which maximize the image sensors' respective performances. "IU081F" is the industry's smallest and thinnest*1 auto-focus lens module (W10.5 X D10.5 X H7.9mm) and is equipped with the 16.41 effective megapixel*2 CMOS image sensor. "IU105F2" adopts the 8.13 effective megapixel*2 CMOS image sensor, and belongs in the industry's smallest and thinnest*3 size class (W8.5 X D8.5 X H5.67mm).
Through its proprietary fine pixel fabrication process technology, Sony will proactively continue the development of "Exmor R" which adopts the 1.12µm unit pixel size for mobile phones. Accordingly, Sony aims to address customer demand by providing appropriately small lens modules especially for smartphones with large displays and limited space for components.

About the realization of high resolution
"IMX081PQ" is world's first*1 type 1/2.8 back-illuminated CMOS image sensor which realizes 16.41 effective megapixel resolution, and adopts the industry's smallest*1 unit pixel size of 1.12µm achieved by the fine pixel fabrication process technology. In theory, when a unit pixel size is made smaller, there are also some issues such as color mixture among smaller unit pixels. Sony solved this problem by implementing a unique formation of photo diodes optimally designed for fine pixel structure to realize a CMOS image sensor with high resolution, high sensitivity and low noise.

About manufacturing
Since 2009, Sony has been mass producing "Exmor R" for Digital Still Cameras and Digital Video Camcorders on wafer lines (with diameter of 200mm) at Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation's Nagasaki Technology Center. At the end of 2010, Sony plans to start the mass production of "Exmor R," including those for mobile phones announced today, at Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation's Kumamoto Technology Center, on cutting-edge wafer lines (with diameter of 300mm). Sony already announced (September 1, 2010) the investment of approximately 40 billion yen in Kumamoto Technology Center to increase production capacity for CMOS image sensors.

About Back-illuminated CMOS image sensor "Exmor R"
Sony first announced the development of "Exmor R" on Jun, 2008. "Exmor R" has been incorporated in Sony's digital imaging products since 2009, and its use in other products has continued to expand. "Exmor R" CMOS image sensor features Sony's independently developed back-illuminated structure, realizing significantly higher sensitivity as well as lower noise. In this back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, light is directed onto the silicon substrate from behind, allowing light to be used with a level of efficiency not possible with conventional front-illuminated structures.

CMOS image sensor with the world's first*1 16.41 effective megapixel resolution for use in mobile phones. ("IMX081PQ")
--adopts formation technology used to create industry's smallest*11.12µm unit pixel Realizes high sensitivity and low noise through back-illuminated structure.
Adopts Sony's proprietary "Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique", providing each column within the sensor with its own A/D converter, achieving high frame rates of 15 frame/sec (in all-pixel scan mode) and Full-HD video taking capability.The industry's smallest and thinnest*1 lens module equipped with CMOS image sensor, lens and auto-focus functions in which the pixel structure and lens are optimally designed. ("IU081F")Approximately twice as sensitive as a conventional front-illuminated CMOS image sensor by combining back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and bright lens with small f-number. ("IU105F2")Equipped with 28mm wide-angle lens (35mm conversion) which is convenient for daily shooting.

4672(H)×3512(V)
16.41M pixelsDiagonal 6.5mm (Type1/2.8)
square pixelDiagonal 5.76mm (Type 1/3.2)
square pixel3-wire serial communication, I2C, serial data output, supports flexible input clock

Focal length (35mm conversion)

Based on the effective pixels of the image sensorCompared to CMOS image sensor with the same pixel count as of October 7, 2010Dimensions show width and depth excluding flexible printed circuits"Exmor™" and are trademarks of Sony Corporation.

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HID Global and Sony to form Alliance to <br> Create Contactless Smart Card Readers for the Global PC Market

Jointly Developed Global Laptop Reader Platform Will Include
Sony FeliCa™, HID Global iCLASS®, NFC and Other Widely Deployed Contactless Technologies

IRVINE, Calif. and TOKYO - October 11, 2010 - HID Global, trusted leader in solutions for the delivery of secure identity, and Sony Corporation today announced they have entered into a Memorandum of Intent for a strategic partnership to jointly develop an embedded contactless smart card reader platform for the global PC marketplace. The jointly developed platform will be designed specifically for laptop manufacturers and will encompass Sony and HID Global contactless solutions and a broad range of other widely deployed technologies while supporting specific regional and application needs.

The new embedded reader platform will support Sony's FeliCa contactless card technology, HID Global's iCLASS credentials, as well as other broadly adopted technologies. Furthermore, the reader solution will support applications based on Near Field Communication (NFC). Goals for the joint development, including a complete reference design and comprehensive developer support, are focused on minimizing product development requirements and speeding time-to-market schedules for PC manufacturers. Plans are in place to provide details and availability later this year.

"We are pleased to be working with Sony to develop a major new laptop-based reader platform for the contactless smart card market," said Dr. Tam Hulusi, senior vice president at HID Global. "This partnership leverages Sony's industry-leading contactless smart card reader IC experience with HID Global's widely deployed RFID technology for access control systems, extending the value proposition for contactless smart card credentials to the PC."

"HID Global is an ideal partner in Sony's drive to expand the use of contactless smart card reader technology, worldwide," said Izumi Kawanishi, Senior General Manager with Sony's FeliCa Business Division. "This partnership is an important element in our program to extend FeliCa and NFC technology into new markets in the U.S. and around the world, across a broad range of platforms ranging from cards to mobile phones and, now, laptop computers."

Deployed in Asia for more than ten years, Sony's FeliCa technology is used in approximately 67 million mobile phones in Japan, and more than 315 million FeliCa card chips have been shipped for transportation, electronic money and other applications, worldwide. FeliCa has been the basis for transportation access and merchant communities where customers can easily and rapidly purchase goods and services. This year, FeliCa's PC reader, which is also embedded in the remote-control unit of a TV, has exceeded 10 million units shipped. FeliCa microchips combine processing, storage and communications functions and comply with NFC standards. They provide a fast, convenient and secure all-in-one solution platform for multiple applications, including electronic pre-paid transactions, access, interactive signage and membership or loyalty rewards systems.

HID Global's iCLASS smart cards and readers deliver the convenience, affordability, reliability and versatility of proximity technology while enhancing security through encryption and mutual authentication. iCLASS technology for the jointly developed HID Global and Sony smart card readers will also be securely delivered via HID Global's Trusted Identity Platform™ (TIP) , which enables all end points in a system or network to be validated so that identity transactions between them can be trusted at any time, on demand.

HID and Sony are now discussing details of the partnership and finalizing a definitive agreement. With this partnership, HID Global and Sony will further expand their product solutions to increase the benefits and convenience of contactless applications globally.

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Regarding Transfer of Sony's Commercial Digital Photo Business to Dai Nippon Printing

1. Outline of the Agreement

Sony shall transfer all of its active business accounts from throughout the world, with regard to its professional digital photo printer business, to DNP. The transfer of a portion of Sony's employees involved in the aforementioned business to DNP is also planned to accompany the agreement.

2. Purpose of Concerned Business Transfer

DNP commenced the manufacture of Dye-Sublimation Print Media* in the latter half of the 1980's. It currently supplies this print media for the printing of digital images taken by digital cameras and mobile phones with built-in cameras to professional printers used in photo stores and large retailers throughout the world, in addition to consumer printers.

The dry-printing method in which the photo printing of digital images is processed without the use of liquid developers as in dye-sublimation printing, has become increasingly prevalent, and the introduction of new applications such as photo books has expanded the means by which consumers can enjoy printing images. Following the conclusion of the agreement, DNP shall be able to succeed Sony's global customer base, thus enhancing efforts to strengthen and expand the company's digital photo printing business in this growing market.

While Sony has operated its professional digital photo printer business, employing the thermal transfer dye-sublimation method, for instant photo printing and photo IDs since 2001, it has decided to concentrate its efforts on select businesses that will enable it to further enhance the future competitiveness of its professional solutions business.

With regard to its professional printer business, the company shall now specialize in the medical-purpose segment, and continue efforts to strengthen the business.

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Sony to expand 35mm large format sensor camcorder lineup<br> "NXCAM" HD camcorder under development, featuring E-mount lens system

Already a key player in the 35mm digital cinematography business with the highly acclaimed "CineAlta" F35 and SRW-9000PL for high-end digital cinema production, Sony has just strengthened its lineup in this category with the recent PMW-F3 announcement. In addition to this, with this new "NXCAM" HD camcorder now (still under development), Sony looks to further strengthen its position in the entry-level segment by providing an affordable yet highly capable professional solution for many applications including independent film, music video and corporate communications all looking for the cinematic look.

This "NXCAM" HD camcorder under development will be equipped with a Super-35mm equivalent sensor, a widely used film stock size in the film industry that is perfectly designed for capturing motion picture. This new sensor will have extraordinary performance in terms of picture quality and sensitivity, and is able to create rich "Bokeh" effect (beautifully defocused image) that is perfect for artistic story-telling in motion picture.

Thanks to the adoption of the E-mount interchangeable lens system that is identical to the "a" series NEX-5, 3 and "Handycam" NEX-VG10, the E-mount lenses will be compatible with this new professional camcorder. In addition, a very short flange back distance (the distance between lens mount surface and sensor surface) let various "a" A-mount lenses be mounted via a mount adaptor (LA-EA1). Furthermore, it is also possible to attach many other lenses using third-party mount adaptors*1. With such flexibility, users will be able to experiment with various creative expressions by exploiting the characteristics of different optics.

*1: Not all types of adaptors and lenses are guaranteed.

The recording format for this new HD camcorder will be AVCHD, a widely supported format by many non liner editing software vendors and the same format as HXR-NX5 "NXCAM" camcorder.
There is also a plan to implement 1080p (60p / 30p / 24p*2 or 50p / 25p) recording modes.
(MPEG4-AVC/H.264 compression will be used for these modes.)

*2: 59.94p / 29.97p / 23.98p respectively.

"NXCAM", "a" and "CineAlta" are trademarks of Sony Corporation.
"Handycam" is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation.
"AVCHD" is a trademark of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation

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