Sony to Ship Internet-TV Device in July

[BGonaSTICK]

Sony Electronics has announced that the Bravia Internet Video Link module - which will stream free, Internet-based video to new models of its HDTV sets - will ship in July and sell for about $300.

Sony also unveiled seven Bravia HDTV sets that will be compatible with the device. Sony’s initial partners for the Bravia Internet Video Link include Time Warner’s AOL, Yahoo, Sony Pictures Entertainment and its Grouper video-sharing site and Sony BMG Music.

“Internet-video popularity has reached an all-time high, but until now, there was no easy way to bring it into the living room,” Randy Waynick, senior vice president of Sony’s Home Products Division, said in a prepared statement. “The Bravia Internet Video Link seamlessly streams Internet video content to your TV the way it’s intended - free of any additional charge.”

The Bravia Internet Video Link module attaches to the back of Sony’s TVs via a universal-serial-bus cable and connects to an existing broadband Internet service through an Ethernet port.

The device will be supported by Sony’s Bravia S-series flat-panel LCD line (KDL-46S3000, KDL-40S3000, KDL-32S3000 and KDL-26S3000) and the new KDF-37E3000 micro-display, which will ship this spring. Other Bravia models supporting the module include the new V-series and XBR flat-panel LCD line (KDL-46V3000, KDL-40V3000 and KDL-32XBR4) and the E-series micro-display line (KDF-50E3000 and KDF-46E3000), shipping this summer.

Sony announced the Bravia Internet Video Link last month at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, Apple’s Internet-content-to-TV device, Apple TV, will begin shipping in mid-March, slipping a few weeks from its original February ship date. Apple TV is also priced at $300.