Sony Unveils World's First Blu-Ray Notebook Computer

Sony today took the wraps off the world's first Blu-ray Disc enabled notebook computer -- the VAIO® AR which will be available this summer.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060516/LATU007)

Part of a series, the VAIO AR comes in two different configurations: Premium and Standard. The AR Premium version plays Blu-ray Disc high-definition content, so you can enjoy movies in full 1080p HD resolution. The notebook has a17-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) widescreen display and uses Sony's XBRITE Hi-Color™ LCD technology.

For those who prefer to watch content on a larger screen, the AR model also has an HDMI™ connector and included cable that connects to high-definition televisions for a larger viewing experience.

In addition to supporting HD playback, the VAIO AR notebook is a multimedia powerhouse with the capability to record high-definition camcorder content to Blu-ray Discs. Now aspiring moviemakers can shoot, edit and burn their HD creation on a PC -- all in native 1080 resolution.

Using an extensive suite of dedicated software applications, you can also edit high-definition footage and share it on Sony high-capacity BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs (up to 50 GB) or on traditional DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW capitalizing on flexible storage, playback and recording.

"The VAIO AR has the ability to capture, edit and record in HD on a notebook PC right out of the gate," said Mike Abary, vice president of VAIO product marketing at Sony Electronics in the U.S. "Combined with unsurpassed storage capability our new Blu-ray Disc enabled notebook computer offers users with limitless creative possibilities."

Luxuriously designed and powerfully equipped, the AR Premium is available in a high gloss, piano-black finish with silver trim and an illuminated VAIO logo. It also has the latest Intel® Centrino® Duo mobile technology for processor-heavy multi-tasking and high-definition video editing.

Let Me Entertain You

Packed with a host of entertainment features, the AR will ship with Microsoft® Windows® Media Center Edition 2005 and includes a built-in standard-definition NTSC TV tuner (select models) and onboard TV controls, so you can watch and record live television.

The AR Premium also incorporates an NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7600 graphics card featuring 256MB dedicated video memory. It is ideal for handling high-definition content, television broadcast and DVD playback and bringing gamers closer to the action. The AR series also incorporates a camera and microphone allowing users to chat online with friends and family.

The AR Standard model will start at about $1,800, while the AR Premium Blu-ray Disc enabled model will go for about $3,500. The Premium model will be shipped with the Sony Pictures Entertainment Blu-ray Disc release, "House of Flying Daggers," providing a high-definition experience on the PC right out of the box.

The VAIO AR series will be available online at www.sonystyle.com and at Sony Style® stores or select retailers around the country.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060516/LATU007
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN3
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: Sony Electronics Inc.

CONTACT: Jon Piazza of Sony Electronics Inc., +1-858-942-3825,
jon.piazza@am.sony.com; or Jory White of Ruder-Finn/Switzer, +1-415-249-6760,
whitej@ruderfinnswitzer.com, for Sony Electronics Inc.

Web site: http://www.sonystyle.com/