Press Release

September 4, 2008

Sony's wired AV receiver serves as a hub for multi-room high definition entertainment

TORONTO – Sony today introduced a new ES A/V receiver with a CAT5e port, allowing it to provide high-definition video to a second room.

The STR-DA5400ES model offers second room high-definition video and audio distribution via CAT5e wiring. The CAT5e output provides an inexpensive option in sharing HD video in a second room.

"High-definition and other digital content is no longer limited to the living room and Sony's new ES receiver has been designed to be the hub of this change in entertainment options," said Abraham Cherian, Product Manager for Blu-ray, Home Audio & Video, with Sony of Canada Ltd. "Backed by 25 years of expertise, Sony's new ES product not only delivers high quality audio and video, but offers the ability to connect new types of entertainment while distributing them throughout the home."

Designed to provide the highest audio and video performance, the new receiver is fully compatible with Blu-ray Disc™ by supporting 1080/24p video signals and the latest audio formats (Dolby® Digital Plus, Dolby® TrueHD, DTS® High Resolution Audio and DTS® HD Master Audio). The receiver adds a second Faroudja® DCDi Cinema™ chip allowing all standard definition video sources to be up-scaled to 1080p in the main room (zone 1) when connected via HDMI™. The second Faroudja DCDi chip upscales standard definition video content in a second room (zone 2) to 1080i. This latest chassis innovation ensures an outstanding picture no matter where you are watching your content. It also supports x.v.Color and Deep Color.

The dual Faroudja DCDi Cinema chips also allow Sony's XrossMediaBar™ (XMB)-inspired graphical user interface to be shared in both the main and second room for easy navigation and control of content. The Faroudja chip can also blend the onscreen GUI over 1080p sources via HDMI and provide picture-in-picture monitoring of another room or second room (zone 2) source.

The model decodes Direct Stream Digital (DSD) audio sources such as that from Super Audio CD players, and feature Sony's D.L.L. (Digital Legato Linear) audio scaler. The proprietary technology works much like a video scaler, analyzing standard definition (compressed) audio signals like MP3 audio files and upscales them to 192 KHz resulting in higher quality audio.

Dual Digital Media Ports adds control and connectivity options for music playback through more than one accessory, including an iPod® cradle, a Network Walkman™ cradle, a PC client device and a Bluetooth® adapter (each is sold separately). The models are also Sirius® and XM Connect-and-Play™ ready and offers RS-232C, 12 volt triggers and IR repeaters for custom installation solutions.

Other features include Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration for simple surround sound setup and BRAVIA® Sync™ for Theatre for easy synchronization of compatible home theater components.

The STR-DA5400ES 7.1 channel receiver has a 120-watt amplifier x 7 (8 ohms, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 0.09 percent THD), six HDMI inputs with Direct Stream Digital and two HDMI outputs. The model's CAT5e port allows it to distribute high-definition video to a second zone. It also offers audio distribution to three zones and picture-in-picture for monitoring of multi-zone output or an external video source.

The model will be available in October for about $2,000, online at sonystyle.ca, and at authorized retailers nationwide.

About Sony of Canada Ltd.
Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in High Definition. Sony provides end-to-end solutions through products that include the market-leading Blu-ray Disc™ players, BRAVIA® televisions, Cyber-shot® digital cameras, Handycam® Camcorders, VAIO® computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video conferencing and many more products that deliver the true entertainment experience.

Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with a portfolio that includes electronics, music, movies, games and online businesses.

With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, approximately 1,200 employees support a network of more than 500 authorized dealers and 80 Sony Style retail locations across Canada. Sony Canada is proud to support the communities in which it operates through corporate sponsorships of organizations that include the Make-A-Wish® Canada, the United Way of Canada and Earth Day Canada.

For more information contact:
Candice Hayman
Sony Canada Public Relations
(416) 718-5048
Candice_hayman@sony.ca

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