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Slacker, Howcast added to Sony Bravia Internet Link channel line-up

Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link (or "BIVL," as we call it around here) is getting two more content partners: Slacker and Howcast. Slacker is the online streaming music service (similar to Pandora and Last.FM), while Howcast is a help and how-to Web site. Both will be available for free on the Sony IPTV accessory, which streams digital audio and video to compatible Bravia TVs. They join free channels available from YouTube, Wired, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, and CBS (CNET's parent company), among others content partners.

Unfortunately, we gave Bravia Internet Video Link low marks when we … Read more

Sony Bravia Internet Video Link lacks luster

The video-streaming product category is getting crowded. There's the Apple TV, Vudu, Xbox 360, Netflix Player, and PlayStation 3, not to mention the traditional video on-demand services from cable and satellite providers. Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link (also known as the BIVL) is fighting in the same space, but it starts out with one significant handicap--it only works with newer Sony Bravia LCDs.

If you don't already have a Sony Bravia LCD and don't want to buy one, don't worry about it, as you're not missing much with the BIVL. While it does differentiate … Read more

New modular accessories bring wireless HDMI, built-in DVD to Sony Bravia TVs

The Bravia Internet Link is getting some siblings. Sony is adding three new accessories to its product line: the Wireless Link Module (DMX-WL1), the DVD Link Module (DMX-DVD), and the Input Link Module (DMX-SW1). Like the Internet Link, the new "Link" accessories are also designed as modular add-ons to specific current and recent Sony Bravia flat-panel LCD TVs. By snapping onto the TVs backside, they should still allow for a reasonably thin profile.

The $150 Input Link Module adds four HDMI inputs to compatible Bravias, while the $200 DVD Link Module adds a "built-in" upconverting DVD player to the mix. But it's the $800 Wireless Link Module that's the highlight of the new line. The two-part system includes a wireless video transmitter and a receiver (the latter of which snaps onto the back of the TV). Put the transmitter near your equipment rack, plug in up to five HD sources (four HDMI inputs, one component), and they're wirelessly transmitted to the TV for distances up to 65 feet (according to Sony). Video sources are limited to 1080i resolution, however, and it's unclear if there's any compression or lag (the latter is a big frustration for gamers). The Wireless Link Module is scheduled to hit in October, while the other two are already available.

Are any of these worth buying?… Read more

Sony Bravia Internet Video Link now supports Amazon VOD

Sony announced on Thursday that Amazon Video On Demand, a service that offers immediate access to commercial-free and hi-def content from Dailymotion are now available through the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link. Sony says it will make tens of thousands of premium movies and shows available for you to stream onto your TV screen over the Internet.

Amazon announced Video on Demand in July as a rebranding of its Unbox service.

Amazon users can purchase or rent movies and TV shows through the Bravia Internet Video Link's interface or from Amazon's Web site and begin watching the streaming … Read more

Photos: Hands on with new TVs from Sony

After Sony's press conference at IFA trade show in Berlin, we at Crave UK took a quick look around the company's booth and snapped some of the new Bravia TVs expected to be delivered by this holiday season.

The most interesting product is the ZX1, a 9.9mm-thick LED "backlit" LCD TV, which takes a new approach to TV design, and means that there's plenty of scope to reduce the depth of the TV. This is achieved by having the backlight at the side and using some clever and top-secret jiggery pokery to diffuse and … Read more