Sony launches HES-V1000 Home Entertainment Server

Sony has unveiled what they are calling an innovative solution for organising collections of digital movies, music and photos in a stand-alone device - the HES-V1000 Home Entertainment Server.

The unit features a full HD 1080p 200-disc Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD changer (196 12cm BD/DVD/CDs and four 8cm BD/DVDs) and 500GB hard disc drive that can store up to 137 hours of video, 40,000 songs or 20,000 digital photos.

The device is Sony’s first Blu-ray Disc-capable component other than a VAIO notebook or optical PC drive that can burn content to Blu-ray Discs, as well as DVDs.

The HES-V1000 unit offers Sony's x-Application that includes x-Pict Story HD and x-ScrapBook photo slide show so users can create customised photo presentations with the click of the remote.

When the apparently easy to set up system is connected to the internet via Ethernet or an optional wireless adapter, it accesses CD, DVD and Blu-ray metadata for discs in the device so will offer artwork and film and track content info.

As well as playback for music stored on the hard disk drive, it has the ability to wirelessly stream music with a router to other devices, including Sony’s CPF-IX001 wireless music player and other Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) compatible wireless devices, such as the PS3 select VAIO notebook computers.

Connectivity comes in via S-video, composite, audio and HDV/DV (i.LINK) inputs, as well as HDMI with BRAVIA Theatre Sync, component, optical, coaxial and analog outputs.

The unit also features Memory Stick media inputs, Secure Digital cards, CompactFlash media and xD-Picture Card flash memory readers.

The HES-V1000 Home Entertainment Server will be available in the States in October for about $3500.

With only 183 Blu-ray discs available in the UK we're not sure when this will see a UK release.