Government

HD For All

by John Scarcella
President, Sony Broadcast and Business Solutions Company

What does NAB - the "broadcast" show - have to do with "government"? Everything.

NAB in Las Vegas features the largest array of new technology solutions for every sector of video creation, production and delivery. As NAB's largest exhibitor, Sony annually uses the show as a platform to debut its latest new products and demonstrate its strategy for the broadening use of video for all applications. Over the years we have noticed a rapid increase in the number of government professionals who visit our booth to explore what Sony has to offer for their unique and highly specialized applications.

Last year, we came to Las Vegas with a theme of "Ride the HD Highway" with Sony, focusing on the many different routes our customers can take as they travel from standard definition infrastructures to HD-based operations.

This year, we're broadening that highway and adding new lanes under the theme, "HD for All." We remain deeply committed to supporting our customers by offering the right HD solution that fits their current needs, future plans and, of course, their budget. The past months have seen significant growth in high-definition technology, both in the consumer arena as well as on the broadcast production side. At home, more and more consumers are enjoying the quality of HDTV, with household penetration reaching15 percent in the U.S.

Government agencies have been leading the way in the transition to HD, understanding their role in demonstrating the state-of-the-art in both public and intra-agency communications. From the field to command and control, Sony HD products are already in widespread use.

The launch of the standard definition Sony XDCAM Professional Disc System has transformed production and editing for many government users into a tapeless workflow environment. In March, we began delivering the first HD products in the XDCAM line, which promise to become the choice for government, broadcast news and even cinematic production.

We're also bringing digital HD quality to the big screen. In October, Sony began deliveries of our SXRD™ 4K projector, which is already being specified for major command and control theaters in key government locations. The SXRD projectors' resolution of 8.8 million pixels is the highest resolution commercially available, with four times the pixel count of current HDTVs. With SXRD technology, we're taking video projector resolution and image reproduction to a whole new level -- wherever critical viewing is required.

These are only two examples of the diverse HD technology we'll be featuring at NAB. Together with increasing customer demand for our HDV products, high-end studio and portable HD cameras, production switchers and VTRs, it's clear that HD has arrived and will only continue to gather momentum throughout the rest of 2006.

Last year was a terrific time for Sony's broadcast and production business, as we increased our position as the market share leader in several key categories. And in 2006, we're showing no signs of slowing down.

I'm truly excited about our new product line up and I'm confident that with your valuable input and participation, Sony can help introduce HD production to all levels of government. I look forward to seeing each of you at what promises to be a great NAB 2006. If you are unable to attend, please view our exciting, new government video product offerings via our website www.sony.com/government.

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