Sony launches DAV-DZ home cinema systems

BRAVIA-friendly set-ups

25 February 2008 12:02 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Sony has announced its new range of DAV-DZ BRAVIA Theatre systems, each unsurprisingly styled to match the look and feel of the latest Bravia TVs.

To increase the appeal of a Sony-branded home cinema set-up, the new systems use Bravia Sync, an enhanced version of BRAVIA Theatre Sync, to give greater control of the overall system using a single remote control.

In addition, by using Sony's digital media port, the DAV-DZ systems can also connect your portable and wireless music devices such as mobile phones, Walkman and other MP3 players, Bluetooth devices and home Wi-Fi networks.

Sony's Digital Cinema Auto-Calibration claims to ensure a fast, simple and automatic multi channel surround sound set up: using a microphone supplied, DCAC measures the position of the speakers and listeners within your room, then sets up the system to give the very best sound wherever you it.

The new Bravia Theatre DAV-DZ systems:

DAV-DZ260: Available in March, the Bravia Theatre DAV-DZ260 offers DVD upscaling, a total output power of 850W and compact satellite speakers.

It will play DVDs, DVD+/-R/RW discs, CDs, SACDs, DivX and MP3/JPEG files from disc (as well as Windows Media Audio and AAC2 via USB), and has optical and coaxial digital inputs.

HDMI and Scart video outputs are provided, and there's a front-panel analogue input for portable audio devices and a headphone socket.

DAV-DZ660: The DAV-DZ660, available from May, uses identical large standmount/wall-mount speakers for the four main channels (front left/right and surround left/right), plus a matching centre speaker.

Ready to be used with Sony's S-AIR wireless rear speaker system, which will be available as an optional extra, the system offers a total output power of 850W, and will play and upscale DVDs, DVD+/-R/RW discs, CDs, SACDs, DivX and MP3/JPEG files from disc (plus Windows Media Audio and AAC2 via USB), and has optical and coaxial digital inputs.

HDMI and Scart video outputs are provided, and there's a front-panel analogue input for portable audio devices and a headphone socket.

DAV-DZ860W: At the top of the range and launching in June, the DAV-DZ860W has all the features of the other new Bravia Theatre models, but offers 1000W total output, and comes with Sony S-AIR Wireless rear speakers, 32-bit digital sound processing, and a "Sports Mode".

Pricing not revealed, the systems will be available via the usual on- and off-line channels.