Bravia (brand) explained

Bravia
Label1:Owner
Data1:Sony Group Corporation
Label2:Type
Data2:mainly LCD, LED & OLED HDTV
Label3:Retail availability
Data3:2005–present
Label4:Menu interface
Label5:Predecessor
Data5:Sony WEGA
Label6:Related articles
Data6:HDTV
Sony
Label7:Production
Data7:Tokyo, Japan
London, England
Mexico City, Mexico
Sydney, Australia
New York City, United States
Shanghai, China
Hong Kong, China
Singapore
Istanbul, Turkey

Bravia (stylized as BRAVIA) is a brand of Sony Visual Products Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony, and is used for its television products. Its name is a backronym for "Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture". All Sony high-definition flat-panel LCD televisions in North America have carried the logo for BRAVIA since 2005. BRAVIA replaces the "LCD WEGA," which Sony used for their LCD TVs until summer 2005 (early promotional photos of the first BRAVIA TVs still bearing the WEGA moniker).[1] In 2014 (on the part of Sony President and CEO Kazuo Hirai's plans to turn Sony around), BRAVIA was made into a subsidiary rather than simply a brand of products.

BRAVIA televisions and their components are manufactured in Sony's plants in Mexico, Japan, and Slovakia for their respective regions and are assembled from imported parts in Brazil, Spain, China, Malaysia, and Ecuador. Principal design work for BRAVIA products is performed at Sony's research facilities in Japan, in the research and development department at the Sony de Mexico facility in Baja California, Mexico, and at the Sony Europe facility in Nitra, Slovakia.

The brand was also used on mobile phones in North American, Japanese, and European markets as of 2007.[2]

Product range

See main article: List of Sony BRAVIA televisions.

TVs

In May 2013 Sony introduced their first 4K BRAVIA TV models smaller than X900 from late 2012. In May 2015, Sony launched their first lineup of Android television Bravia models, which allows users to easily access content from services like YouTube, Netflix and Hulu as well as install apps and games from the Google Play Store. Noteworthy for being the first Android TV available,[3] [4] Sony's Android TVs are now integrated with the Google Assistant for controlling home automation and voice commands.[5]

In September 2016, Sony announced that TVs older than 2012 will lose access to YouTube.[6]

Sony introduced their first 4K Ultra HD OLED Android TV under the BRAVIA brand, named as the A1E in January 2017[7] with an X1 Extreme processor.[8] The A8F was the next OLED TV introduced by Sony at CES 2018.[9] [10] At IFA 2018, the A9F with an X1 Ultimate processor was unveiled.[11] [12] In 2019, Sony introduced newer version 4K OLED models, A8G and the Master Series A9G, followed by the A8H in 2020. For 2021 Sony offered the world's first cognitive intelligence TVs with its latest XR A.I. Cognitive Processor in the new A80J and Master Series A90J.[13]

Accessories

In April 2007, Sony launched the BRAVIA TDM-IP1,[14] a docking cradle to permit playback of audio and video hosted on an Apple iPod on a BRAVIA model television.

Current accessories available include a Skype camera (CMUBR100) and Wi-Fi adapter (UWABR100).[15]

Sony Bravia Internet TV and Video

Sony Bravia Internet Video first became available in late 2009 on Internet enabled Bravia TV's, later becoming available on Sony Blu-ray and home theatre systems. The original Bravia Internet Video was built around Sony's XMB interface and had several streaming media partners including: Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Yahoo!, Netflix and Sony Video (Qriocity).[16] 2011 saw a revamp of Bravia Internet Video, with a rework of the interface and an added Skype capability.

Sony Bravia Internet TV is the first TV to incorporate Google TV, currently only available in the US. It plans to revolutionize IPTV.[17]

XBR8 is a series of Sony BRAVIA LCD High Definition Televisions. They were released into the US marketplace starting in September 2008.

The 46- and 55-inch models of the XBR8 series features an RGB LED backlight system which Sony calls Triluminos. The new backlight system is claimed to provide a truer and higher color spectrum and allows this series of televisions to rival plasma displays in terms of dark blacks. This model also marked the debut of Sony's new video processor, the BRAVIA Engine 2 Pro. The display panel uses ten-bit processing and offers the 120 Hz MotionFlow technology.

The XBR8 line offers two screen sizes; the 46" (KDL-46XBR8)[18] was released on September 29, 2008. The second model, the 55" (KDL-55XBR8)[19] became available for order in October 2008.

In the United Kingdom, recent Bravia Televisions also include YouView built in, which gives users access to an interactive EPG in addition to on-demand services from the BBC and ITV incorporated into a single search menu.[20]

Green TV

For sale in Japan on July 30, 2008, Sony's green product, a new flat-panel 32-inch TV for ¥150,000 (US$1,400; €900) BRAVIA KDL-32JE1 offers ecological consumers the advantage of 70% less energy consumption than regular models with same image quality. For consumers who rely on electricity generated from carbon dioxide emitting sources, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions totaling 79 kilograms (174 pounds) a year.[21] [22]

Mobile phones

Sony uses a BRAVIA image processing engine in high-end mobile devices produced by its Sony Mobile Communications, starting with the Xperia arc model in 2011. Subsequent flagship models of Sony's smartphone range such as the Xperia S, and Xperia Z use enhanced versions of the BRAVIA engine.

In addition, BRAVIA brand phones have been produced by Sony/Sony Ericsson. BRAVIA brand phones are able to watch 1seg terrestrial television.

FOMA SO903iTV (Released in June 2007)

FOMA SO906i (Released in June 2008)

FOMA SO-01C (Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc) (Released in March 2011)

U1 (Released in December 2009)

S004 (Released in May 2010)

S005 (Released in November 2010, successor of S004)

Internals

The LCD panels within BRAVIA TVs are manufactured by Sony Corporation with a special architecture. Since 2010, the high end Bravia LX, HX and selected NX series use a 10th gen Sony Bravia ASV panel. The 8th gen SPVA panel from Sony LCD continue to serve other midrange and budget Bravia models.

Many Sony televisions with USB connectivity run Linux.[23]

Upgrading and maintenance

The software can be upgraded via a USB type A interface labeled "DMEx / service only" and via the Internet for later models.

2006–2007 models may be updated using a memory stick or USB. Depending upon the country and TV standard the tuner may need a service device to update it.

It appears that units manufactured through November 2005 for sale in Asia and North America containeda software bug that prevented the device from powering up/down after 1200 hours.[24] A free upgrade is available.[25]

Uses and features

Region locking

Sony TVs sold in 2019 and earlier are region locked, which limited apps and media to be playable only in the same region that the TV was purchased from. However, as of 2020, with the release of the H series BRAVIA TVs, this is no longer the case, and any language can now be selected.

Language table

The two letters after the Sony TV codename in the build number denote the region.

List of supported languages for 2019 and earlier Sony TVs!Language!Native Name!JP!UC!SA!EU!PA!CN!HK!TW
AfrikaansAfrikaans
አማርኛAmharic
العربيةArabic
অসমীয়াAssamese
AzərbaycanAzerbaijani
БеларускаяBelarusian
БългарскиBulgarian
বাংলাBangla
BosanskiBosnian
CatalàCatalan
ČeštinaCzech
DanskDanish
Deutsch (Österreich)German (Austria)
Deutsch (Schweiz)German (Switzerland)
Deutsch (Deutschland)German (Germany)
Deutsch (Liechtenstein)German (Switzerland)
ΕλληνικάGreek
English (Australia)English (Australia)
English (Canada)English (Canada)
English (United Kingdom)English (United Kingdom)
English (India)English (India)
English (New Zealand)English (New Zealand)
English (Singapore)English (Singapore)
English (United States)English (United States)
Español (España)Spanish (Spain)
Español (México)Spanish (Mexico)
Español (Estados Unidos)Spanish (United States)
EestiEstonian
EuskaraBasque
فارسیPersian
SuomiFinnish
Français (Belgique)French (Belgium)
Français (Canada)French (Canada)
Français (Suisse)French (Switzerland)
Français (France)French (France)
GalegoGalician
ગુજરાતીGujarati
हिन्दीHindi
HrvatskiCroatian
MagyarHungarian
IndonesiaIndonesian
ÍslenskaIcelandic
Italiano (Svizzera)Italian (Switzerland)
Italiano (Italia)Italian (Italy)
עבריתHebrew
日本語Japanese
Қазақ тіліKazakh
ខ្មែរKhmer
ಕನ್ನಡKannada
한국어Korean
КыргызчаKyrgyz
ລາວLao
LietuviųLithuanian
LatviešuLatvian
МакедонскиMacedonian
മലയാളംMalayalam
МонголMongolian
मराठीMarathi
MelayuMalay
မြန်မာBurmese
Norsk bokmålNorwegian Bokmål
नेपालीNepali
Nederlands (België)Dutch (Belgium)
Nederlands (Nederland)Dutch (Netherlands)
ଓଡ଼ିଆOdia
ਪੰਜਾਬੀPunjabi
PolskiPolish
Português (Brasil)Portuguese (Brazil)
Português (Portugal)Portuguese (Portugal)
RomânăRomanian
РусскийRussian
සිංහලSinhala
SlovenčinaSlovak
SlovenščinaSlovenian
ShqipAlbanian
Српски (ћирилица)Serbian (Cyrillic)
Srpski (latinica)Serbian (Latin)
SvenskaSwedish
KiswahiliSwahili
தமிழ்Tamil
తెలుగుTelugu
ไทยThai
FilipinoFilipino
TürkçeTurkish
УкраїнськаUkrainian
اردوUrdu
O’zbekUzbek
Tiếng ViệtVietnamese
中文 (简体)Chinese (Simplified)
中文 (香港)Chinese (Hong Kong)
中文 (繁體)Chinese (Traditional)
IsiZuluZulu

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sony UK: KDL-V40A12U . Sony UK . Sony UK . 6 April 2024.
  2. Web site: FOMA Spring 2007 Gallery: SO903iTV . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090901124426/http://www.nttdocomo.com/features/fomaspring2007gallery/so903itv.html . 2009-09-01 . 2007-08-09 . NTT DoCoMo.
  3. Sony Electronics Offers Extensive 4K Ultra HD Home Entertainment Solutions with New 2015 TV Lineup.
  4. Web site: Sony's Android-powered 4K TVs and new soundbars are coming in May. 20 April 2015.
  5. Web site: Smart Home Features: Smart TV Apps, Internet, Streaming & More. en. 2018-10-26.
  6. http://www.myce.com/news/sony-removes-youtube-app-50-bravia-smart-tv-models-80354/ Sony removes Youtube app from 50 BRAVIA smart TV models - Myce.com
  7. Web site: Sony Unveils its Latest Products at CES 2017. Sony Global - Sony Global Headquarters. en. 2018-10-26.
  8. Web site: Sony starts rolling out its XBR-A1E OLED TVs sooner than expected - and cheaper too OLED-Info. www.oled-info.com. en. 2018-10-26.
  9. News: Sony at CES 2018: what was announced. Preston. Dominic. Tech Advisor. 2018-10-26. en-GB.
  10. News: Sony Announces New OLED and LCD 4K HDR TV Series with Refined Picture Quality and Enhanced User Experience. Mynewsdesk. 2018-10-26. en.
  11. Web site: Sony A9F MASTER Series OLED 4K Ultra HD High Dynamic Range (HDR) Smart TV (Android TV). Sony. en-US. 2018-10-26.
  12. Web site: Sony IFA 2018 News and Live Stream Product Announcements Sony US. www.sony.com. en. 2018-10-26.
  13. Web site: BRAVIA XR–World's first TV with cognitive intelligence. Sony. 2021-09-14.
  14. Web site: Sony introduces BRAVIA TDM-IP1 iPod dock . Engadget . 2007-04-15 . 2007-05-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070522124842/http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/04/03/sony-introduces-bravia-tdm-ip1-ipod-dock/ . dead .
  15. http://www.sony.com.au/productcategory/tvp-accy-internet-tv-accessories Sony Accessories
  16. Web site: Sony Unveils Blu-ray Decks, Bravia IPTVs - 2009-03-03 03:00:00 | TWICE . 2011-11-13 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406113225/http://www.twice.com/article/233925-Sony_Unveils_Blu_ray_Decks_Bravia_IPTVs.php . 2012-04-06 .
  17. http://www.cnet.com.au/sony-google-tv-hands-on-339306569.htm Sony Google TV, hands on
  18. Web site: Cheap Flat Screen TV 2014 – Best Buy for the Money. 12 January 2014.
  19. Web site: Small LCD TV – Perfect TV for Every House. 21 January 2014.
  20. Web site: YouView: Overview, Setup and User Guide Sony UK. www.sony.co.uk. en. 2020-05-19.
  21. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/06/17/business/AS-TEC-Japan-Sony-Green-TV.php www.iht.com, Sony develops green flat-panel TV to woo ecological consumers
  22. http://www.gmanews.tv/story/101569/Sony-woos-ecological-consumers-with-new-flat-panel-TV gmanews.tv/story, Sony woos ecological consumers with new flat-panel TV
  23. Web site: GPL and LGPL notices for several Sony TV models . 2012-01-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111202091709/http://products.sel.sony.com/opensource/source_tv.shtml . 2011-12-02 . dead .
  24. Web site: Over 400,000 Sony BRAVIA TVs Found To Be Defective . Daily Tech . Brandon Hill . 2007-04-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930032131/http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=803&ref=y . 2007-09-30 . dead .
  25. Web site: Update My TV . Sony . 2007-04-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070427144443/http://www.updatemytv.com/ . 2007-04-27 . dead .