NEWS: Sony goes 1080p with new home cinema systems

Sony's four new home cinema in a box systems now include full 1080p upscaling to make the most of DVDs on large-screen TVs, have been styled to match the company's Bravia TV range, and have enhanced Bravia Sync connectivity to simplify system remote control.

And when you get to the top of the range, you can even have wireless rear speakers, using a new radio-based technology in place of the infrared of past Sony systems.

All the systems also offer Sony's Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration to give automatic set-up, and the company's DM Port connection, to which various adapters can be attached to interface with various portable devices such as Walkman players and phones, iPods and Bluetooth/wi-fi systems.

There's also a USB port for music playback, a Dialogue Enhancer to make speech more intelligible at low volumes, and Portable Audio Enhancer to make the most of compressed music.

The entry-level model is the DAV-DZ260, which offers a claimed output of 850w and uses compact speakers and a subwoofer, while the step-up model, the DAV-DZ560, uses larger standmount/wallmount speakers for the front left/right channels and is compatible with an optional wireless rear speaker system using Sony's new S-AIR technology.

The DAV-DZ660 uses the larger speakers all round, and the range-topping DAV-DZ860W (left) has the same configuration, but comes with wireless rear speakers as standard.

All four models will be available in the next couple of months.

Andrew has written about audio and video products for the past 20+ years, and been a consumer journalist for more than 30 years, starting his career on camera magazines. Andrew has contributed to titles including What Hi-Fi?, GramophoneJazzwise and Hi-Fi CriticHi-Fi News & Record Review and Hi-Fi Choice. I’ve also written for a number of non-specialist and overseas magazines.