Sony Bravia HX929 Firmware Available, New Features Abound

The top of the line Bravia XBR929 sets are barely hitting the store shelves (a few lucky owners are already posting their impressions on the AVS Forum), and a new and quite feature-filled juicy firmware update popped up on Sony Support site. The following enhancements will be available to your new set.

This software update (version PKG3.121AAA) provides the following benefits:

Adds the ability to use the Skype® online calling service

Adds the “What’s New” feature

Media Remote (Software keyboard, Full / Simple Remote and Shake Track ID)

VAIO® Remote Keyboard

Media Remote (text by voice)

Audio Theatre Control Widget

WMV/WMA Codec for DLNA / USB

3D on IPTV and USB for NX and above

Improves performance and stability of IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) features.

Note: IPTV allows you to enjoy HD (High Definition) programming from the Internet on your BRAVIA television that is connected to a broadband Internet connection.

Sony Memory Stick Gets a Speed Boost of Up to 50 MB/sec

Sony Europe announced that the well known and preferred media by Sony is getting even faster in transferring and recording your AVCHD videos and what not. This new Memory Stick is getting a longer title (PRO-HG Duo HX) it seems like every time we see a new evolution. I guess by the time we see a 128 GB Memory Stick it will have quite a title (how about this one Sony – Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX HD Super HighVision XGX).

Joking aside, the memory media will be suitable for the upcoming 3D camcorders as well as new NEX  as well as Cybershot cameras.

Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX with up to 50MB/sec transfer rates

· New HX Engine technology for fast, reliable data transfers

· Faster than UHS-I SD cards used with devices by Sony

· Available in 8/16/32GB capacities

· Ideal for high-speed burst shooting with DSLR, Full HD movies and 3D imaging

· High reliability with 10 year warranty

· Includes free File Rescue and x-Pict Story™ software

· Same price as previous Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX models

Press Release:

Now photographers can fully exploit the high-speed, high-resolution shooting potential of the latest digital cameras and camcorders from Sony.

The range-topping Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX now boasts blazing data transfer speeds of up to 50MB/sec1. 1.6x faster than previous Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX cards – and available at the same price – it’s quicker than today’s fastest commercially available UHS-I SD cards when used with devices by Sony.

This phenomenal performance makes new Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX an ideal shooting, storage and data transfer solution for demanding digital imaging users.

Available in capacities from 8GB to 32GB, the fastest-ever Memory Stick is optimised for sustained burst shooting with today’s high-resolution DSLR, SLT and interchangeable lens cameras.

Teamed with the NEX-5 ultra-compact camera by Sony, the card can capture 190 JPEG images in one minute in high-speed burst shooting mode. That’s well over double the rate of 80 images/minute using a standard Class 4 SD card. The high performance of Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX also makes it ideal for recording Full HD and 3D movies with the latest Handycam® camcorders. For more information please see the HX Memory card file which is attached to this release.

Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX makes post-shooting file transfers and back-ups faster, too. Copying a 32GB AVCHD movie file to your PC2 takes just 11 minutes. That’s more than twice as quick as transfers using today’s fastest SDHC cards.

These significant improvements are made possible by new HX Engine that’s been specially developed by Sony. This intelligent flash memory controller enhances data transfer efficiency and error handling for quicker, more stable read/write performance with large files.

For maximum peace of mind, the card’s high reliability is backed by a 10-year warranty by Sony.

Available from www.sony.net/memorycard for registered Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ HX owners, File Rescue recovers accidentally damaged or deleted files. With a 90% successful recovery rate3, it’s an essential utility to help restore precious data including JPEG photos, MPEG or AVCHD video and MP3 music files4.

Also available as a free download to registered owners, x-Pict Story™ software helps anyone create memorable photo slideshows. This friendly package combines your favourite photos and music with beautiful visual effects to create professional-looking presentations. Integration with Picture Motion Browser software makes it quick and easy to upload slideshows to sharing sites like YouTube™.

The Japan Earthquake – Through Children’s Eyes

Almost one year ago today, the Japan Earthquake and successive tsunamis ravaged the Tohoku region, devastating much of the eastern coastline. For months, we were glued to the news, to YouTube videos, to tweets and blog posts that gave us a personal, inside look into what happens during, and after, such a catastrophic event.  As we think back to one year ago, images of destruction and unrelenting waves of sea, sludge, and sadness come to mind.  However, as the receding tides revealed the full extent of the damage, incredible strength, unity, optimism and hope emerged from the debris.

In November 2011, eight months after the tragedy, Italian photographer/sociologist Giacomo Pirozzi traveled to the region as part of the “EYE SEE” program, an ongoing collaboration between Sony and UNICEF, to conduct photography workshops with 27 local children – helping them learn how to capture and tell their remarkable stories through the power of imagery. While the subject of their work is the same event portrayed in the coverage we’ve all seen, their images convey a very different perspective, as we see Japan through the eyes of its children struggling to make sense of what happened to them.

The “EYE SEE” program began in 2006 to teach children faced with difficult circumstances how to express themselves through photography. By providing the right tools and training, the children learn not only how to capture, caption, and share their experiences, but also how to cope with the emotional and physical hardships they face as they look to brighter futures ahead. This year, Giacomo worked side-by-side with children from the Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures in Tohoku – the places most directly impacted by the disaster – to help them begin the healing process, one frame at a time.

Headphones Tear Down: Taking Apart the XBA Earbuds

Their new Balanced Armature in-ear headphone series has been heralded by audiophiles  for the incredible sound resolution. Nothing beats hearing how good they sound firsthand, except maybe tearing a pair apart to show you exactly how cool the technology is!! Their SGNL by Sony team had the chance to meet a member of the headphones team where he showed us the inside guts. We get to see the super small drivers, magnesium housing and more. Get ready to geek out.

New DSLR Camera Announcement: the Sony A57

Sony Electronics announced the new A57 DSLR camera, the successor to the popular A55.  The noticeably larger A57 includes a wider array of creative options than previous models in the A-mount line. Users can still enjoy features like up to 12 frames per second and full HD video at 60p, 60i or 24p frame rates but also variety of creative modes including Auto Portrait Framing, a world’s first technology.

The A57 includes technology from some of the other Alpha DSLRs. It has a 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor® APS HD CMOS sensor along with a latest-generation BIONZ® engine, which was developed for the A77 and A65 cameras, so you know that its processor is powerful and can handle a lot of image data. The BIONZ® engine also gives the A57 a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000, which means low light photos are a snap to capture (pun intended).

The A57 also shares the A65’s 15-point AF system with three cross sensors delivering fast, accurate TTL phase detection autofocus. The newly enhanced Object Tracking AF keeps your subject in sharp focus – even if something (or more likely, someone) crosses in front of it momentarily and blocks your shot.

Fan of photo apps like Instagram and Hipstamatic? The A57 has in-camera Picture Effect modes including Pop Color, HDR Painting, Miniature Mode and more.

The new A57 will be available this April with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens for $800. It will also be offered as body-only for about $700 (both prices exclude tax).