SONY Launches BRAVIA Family in One Utama

"Sony... are you ready to launch BRAVIA V400 & S400 Series?"

"On the mark..."

"Get set..."

"Go!"

"Kababoommmm!"

Redefine realism and experience true-to-life picture quality of Sony’s Bravia Full HD LCD televisions as Sony Malaysia expands its industry-leading LCD television range with the new Bravia V400 and S400 series.

The new Bravia V400 and S400 series, including Full HD models from the 40-inch onwards, offer new and improved features such as Bravia Engine 2, Intelligent Picture and MPEG Noise Reduction to enhance the image quality from standard definition sources.

The Bravia V400 and S400 series feature Sony’s ‘Draw the Line’ concept — designs inspired by the horizon where beautiful images float above it.

The new V400 classic black exudes an impeccable sense of grandeur as it fits seamlessly into every living hall.

In addition, the V400 series 32-inch model comes in blazing red, pure white and elegant brown. The S400 series on the other hand arrives in several playful and vibrant colours for its 20-inch LCD television. The available colours include youthful green, charming pink, refreshing blue, cheerful orange and sleek silver.

“Sony continues to be a forerunner in the LCD television market by delivering more Full HD models that feature cutting-edge technologies such as Bravia Engine 2 and Intelligent Picture,” said managing director of Sony Malaysia Naoi Sudo (centre in above picture) during the launch of the new Bravia V400 and S400 series at One Utama shopping centre yesterday.

“Combined with Sony’s trademark stylish design and attention to details, such as sound quality and convenient connectivity, we seek to once again deliver the ultimate home entertainment experience through our new Bravia V400 and S400 series,” added Mr. Taku Taguchi (pix above - he is not singing karaoke with Celine Dion), General Manager, Product Marketing Division. He said the launch of the new Bravia V and S series offers even more options and wider range of Full HD models for customers to choose from as the company continues to cultivate the development of this market.

The Bravia Engine 2 is a fully digital picture-enhancement engine that leverages Sony’s advanced algorithms to portray vibrant, crisp images that remain true-to-life. Redefining seamless connectivity, the new Bravia V400 and S400 series are equipped with Bravia Sync technology and three DHMI input outlets for hassle-free connectivity with entertainment devices like the Sony Handycam, Blu-ray disc or digital video disc players and home theatre systems, regardless of people’s needs.

For that ultimate entertainment ambience, the Bravia V400 and S400 series also come with new S-Force Front Surround that expands the listening area to deliver amazing virtual surround sound with just the in-built television speakers. Together with 24P True Cinema technology that incorporates the 24-frame-per-second film-motion imaging standard, the Bravia V400 and S400 series recreate an authentic theatre experience right in the comfort of your home.

Sony unveiled the V400 and S400 series at a roadshow in One Utama Shopping Centre. Held at Highstreet on the ground floor until 13 July, the roadshow showcases the BRAVIA Full HD line-up and range of BRAVIA Home Theatre products. Sony also launched its sony Time Promotion Booster at the same time, offering more promotions and packages to commemorate Sony’s 20 years in Malaysia.

V400 Series Prices
46”: RM7,499
40”: RM5,499
32”: RM2,999

S400 Series Prices
40”: RM4,999
37”: RM4,299
32”: RM2,499
20”: RM1,799

For more information, kindly log on to www.sony.com.my.

Panasonic Aims to Sell More TVs with Viera

There were two events i attended yesterday (2nd April), namely launching of Panasonic Viera plasma TV and MWg PDA. This is one of the events, which the news i abstracted from The Star - Starbiz (page B6, Thurs, 3 April).

From left: Tony Endoh, Panasonic AVC Japan group manager of visual display business group Ken Shimizu, Panasonic AVC Japan group manager of AVC product Mark Kobayashi and Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd assistant general manager of digital audio visual products Liew Choon Wah at the Viera TV models launch.

PETALING JAYA: Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd has launched 11 new models of Viera plasma and LCD televisions and is targeting to sell more than 40,000 large-screen TV sets by year-end.

Managing director Tony Endoh said the demand for flat-panel TVs was rising fast, while those measuring 37 inches and above would make up more than 50% of total current TV sales.

“We target 30% domestic market share in this category (37-inch or more flat-panel TVs),” he told reporters after the launch of the Viera models yesterday.

The new models included the TH-42PV8H and TH-42PV80H, priced at RM4,899 and RM5,199 respectively, while LCD model TX-37LX80MK was tagged at RM3,999. The prices of other models will be released later.

Endoh said its TV sales division, which sold 30,000 units, contributed 8% to the group’s revenue for the financial year ended March 31, 2008 (FY08).

The division accounted for 35% of the group’s audio-visual division turnover, he added.

On the outlook for the electrical and electronic market, he said price competition would pose a challenge this year when more products were introduced to the market.

However, the market was still positive despite the current global slowdown as well as the escalating oil prices and current political situation, he added.

According to Endoh, the demand for TVs in FY08 totalled 168,000 units. Currently, Panasonic’s local market share for plasma and LCD TV is about 46.8% and 20% respectively.

Panasonic would invest RM54mil in advertising and RM170mil for promotion in FY09, he said, adding that RM10mil would be spent to promote Viera TV.

Meanwhile, the group, which recorded turnover of RM1.46bil in FY08, was targeting sales of RM1.55bil in FY09, he said.

Panasonic has about 700 outlets in Malaysia.