Sony Sneak Peek I: 2010 Theatre Systems

Sony’s range of 3D-capable home theatre-in-a-box systems will be released here ahead of its 3D TVs (which will be demonstrated in its Style stores from April 1).

The Bravia Theatre Systems will go on sale in May, for prices that have still to be disclosed.

Of the five new models, three will offer 3D Blu-ray playback, Bravia Internet Video, DLNA, HD audio decoding and S-Air wireless connectivity.

But each Blu-ray model, from the 850W BDV-E370 to the 1000W BDV-E870 and BDV-E970W, will be compatible with 3D Blu-ray discs only when a firmware upgrade is offered for downloading later this year.

The online Bravia Internet Video content will include what Sony calls “exclusive IPTV channels and video websites”, including YouTube. But it’s not clear if in this market, where IPTV has been limited by data caps, broadband speed and licensing issues, the service will extend beyond what Sony’s PR machine calls “a range of entertaining and informative video clips”.

Meanwhile, the plug-and-play S-Air speaker system will be an optional extra with the BDV-E370 and BDV-E870 but standard with BDV-E970W, simplifying rear speaker setup with wireless connections.

There also will be two new DVD Theatre Systems that can upscale DVD movies to near-HD quality: the DAVTZ210 (above), which will offer 600W RMS power output through five satellite speakers; and the DAVDZ610 (below), with 1000W RMS power output and two tallboy speakers.