Sony to launch wireless Blu-ray players
First two models to arrive in May
By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 3/3/2009
MARCH 3 | Sony will bow its first wireless BD Live Blu-ray Disc set-top player, the $350 BDP-S560, in May.
Sony's BDP-S560 will be priced at $350.
The model is one of four new Blu-ray hardware devices Sony will roll out this year. Also set for a May launch is the new $300 BDP-S360 entry-level BD Live set-top, which will encompass a wired broadband connection.
Both the BDP-S360 and the BDP-S560 will be outfitted with external ports compatible with USB flash storage drives.
“The demands of today’s home theater go beyond pristine picture quality, and our new Blu-ray Disc product line offers a breadth of technologies that deliver an amazing entertainment experience,” said Chris Fawcett, VP of marketing for Sony Electronics’ home product division. “Consumers don’t want a living room cluttered with wires, and the new Blu-ray Disc product lineup breaks down the wireless barriers of the past.”
Samsung was the first manufacturer to announce a wireless BD Live Blu-ray player at January’s Consumer Electronics Show. Street dates and pricing haven’t yet been made available.
On deck for June from Sony are two new 5.1 channel BD Live Blu-ray home theater systems, the BDV-E300 and BDV-E500W. The higher-end $800 BDV-E500W features wireless audio capabilities. The lower-end $600 BDV-E300 requires optional add-ons, sold separately, for wireless audio.
