Sony Begins Pre-Sales of BRAVIA 3D HDTVs

Sony announced on Wednesday that its 3D capable BRAVIA HDTVs are now available for pre-sale at Sony Style stores. Its new integrated Blu-ray 3D devices will hit retail shelves in July. Also, the company released a free firmware update that activates Blu-ray 3D capability for the previously announced BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 Blu-ray players and the BDV-E570 and BDV-E770W home theater systems.

Sony's BRAVIA line-up includes the 3D integrated BRAVIA XBR-LX900 HDTV, which features a built-in 3D sync transmitter and two pair of active shutter glasses and the 3D ready BRAVIA XBR-HX909 and KDL-HX800 series 3D ready models (3D sync transmitter and glasses sold separately). The line features screen sizes including 40, 46, 52, 55, and 60-inches and ranges in price from around $2,100 (KDL-40HX800) to about $5,000 (XBR-60LX900).

If you purchase and register one of the new 3D BRAVIA models, you will receive a Blu-ray 3D copy of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" as well as Blu-ray 3D "Deep Sea". The sets will also include a PlayStation Network voucher allowing 3D BRAVIA purchasers to download stereoscopic 3D gaming experiences on the PlayStation3 PS3 System (sold separately). The titles include PAIN (partial game) and MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (demo) and full game downloads of WipEout HD and Super StarDust HD.

For more details and pre-orders, visit www.sony.com/bravia or Sony Style retail stores.

Sony announced a new Blu-ray 3D player as well. Available in July for about $300, the BDP-S770 features built in Wi-Fi (802.11n) for access to Sony's BRAVIA Internet Video platform and Qriocity. Sony's existing BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 Blu-ray players can be upgraded to play Blu-ray 3D with a free online firmware update that is now available. The update also adds Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compatibility to the models.