Sony Europe Press Release

Aug 15, 2005 - Sony Europe Scoops Prestigious Consumer Electronics Awards for HD Camcorder & Projector, Photo Printer & Car Navigation System
   
Berlin, 15. August 2005 - Europe’s premier consumer electronics awards organisation – the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) – has selected Sony Europe as recipient in four key categories. These EISA awards recognise the significant process that Sony has made in terms of harnessing new generation High Definition (HD), miniature and mobile electronics, integrating them into consumer equipment and creating revolutionary new consumer propositions and possibilities that were previously impossible.

The EISA 2005 – 2006 categories awarded to Sony include European High-End Camcorder (HDR-FX1), European High-End Projector (Sony QUALIA 004), European Mini Printer (DPP-FP50) and European Navigation System (KPNC9950). The awards will be presented at the EISA Gala Event in Berlin on 1 September 2005.

Sony Qualia 004
An EISA Award is one of the highest accolades available in the European consumer electronics industry, indicating the expert opinions of more than 50 of the continent’s leading Audiovisual and Electronics journalists and opinion formers. Speaking of his delight at winning these awards, Chris Deering, President Sony Europe, emphasised the strategic importance of R&D investment that made it possible for Sony to develop these new generation consumer products. “Sony deeply appreciates the honour of receiving these awards, which pay tribute to our engineers and designers” , remarked Deering. “It is the passion of the engineers and designers that drives our mission for Sony to deliver unmatched customer enjoyment through digital excellence in the growing fields of Hi Definition TV, Digital imaging and navigation.”

In making the awards, the judging panel explained their decision in each category. Their comments are listed below:

European High End Camcorder of the Year - SONY HDR-FX1E

Sony Camcorder HDR-FX1
“Why merely watch High Definition movies on your plasma or LCD screen, when you can go out and shoot your own? That dream becomes a reality with the arrival of Sony’s top-flight HDR-FX1E camcorder. Numerous aspects of this design echo the sort of features and performance demanded by professionals: control over shutter speed, exposure, colour temperature and neutral density filters. Yet this wealth of options does not command a vast price, and certainly does not require Spielberg levels of skill to operate. Selection buttons lie easily to hand, or users can just select the fully automatic mode. High Definition has never been so easy!”

European High End Video Projector of the Year - SONY QUALIA 004
“The QUALIA 004 projector is one of Sony’s most outstanding accomplishments yet. Its stunning levels of technology and design promise to deliver for home users the kind of high-resolution picture which, until now, has never been seen outside top-flight cinemas. The QUALIA 004’s three SXRD panels, and 700W Xenon lamp, render at full resolution an amazing 1920 x 1080 image – equivalent to more than 6 million pixels. With DVI and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interfaces, the QUALIA 004 is ready and waiting for future High Definition TV and DVD formats. The price tag is unashamedly high – but quality never comes cheap.”
 
European Mini Printer of the Year - Sony DPP-FP50

Sony printer DPP-FP50
“The Sony DPP-FP50 digital printer provides a quick, discreet way to generate instant prints from digital cameras, at home or on the move. Its dye-sublimation technology (YMC + lamination) allows rapid production of good-quality 10x15 cm prints at 300dpi resolution. There’s also a useful TV connection option, via which users can edit pictures, remove red-eye effects, prepare personal calendars and add text. It is possible to produce digital prints at lower cost, but not with the same levels of speed and convenience.”

European Mobile Navigation System of the Year - SONY KPNC9950
“Sony’s KPNC9950HC1 is the world’s first combination of a concealed DVD navigation system and a 1-DIN dashboard CD head-unit. This head-unit delivers extremely high-resolution navigation graphics notwithstanding its compact size, thanks to the oversized LCD-TFT display (with 32,000 colours) that dominates the front panel. It is the perfect platform for Sony’s unique ‘Map By Turn’ guidance concept, which provides an innovative combination of classic arrows and detailed 3D maps. By increasing functionality and reducing physical size, Sony has provided a real car navigation innovation.”