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Sony 3D Technology Brings the Historic Masters Golf Tournament to Life

SAN DIEGO, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- When the Masters professional golf tournament tees off on April 8, guests on-site at Augusta National Golf Club and viewers at select locations around the country will be treated to a unique view of the historic grounds, through Sony Electronics' 3D consumer TV and professional camera technology.

Sony, a sponsor of the Masters' first broadcast in 3D, is outfitting hospitality suites at Augusta with its new 3D BRAVIA LCD TV sets to display a perspective never before seen of Augusta. Select Sony Style stores will also host private events on April 8 with a two-hour live broadcast from two holes being broadcast in 3D. The 3D content will also be delivered to the new "Sony 3D Experience," a consumer research center developed by Sony and CBS and located in Las Vegas within the CBS Television City facility at the MGM Grand Hotel.

To produce the 3D images, Sony HD cameras will be used in stereo pairs supplied by NEP Productions, the mobile production company for the tournament. This year's Masters represents the largest worldwide gathering of Sony cameras being used to provide HD coverage, and the 3D coverage is being exclusively switched through a Sony MVS-8000 series production switcher.

"Sony technology is a big part of the Masters' history," said Mike Fasulo, Sony Electronics executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Our professional HD cameras were used when the Masters was first shot in HD in 2000, and are now being used to shoot this year's tournament in 3D for the first time. Now with our 3D TVs coming to market soon, Sony is delivering a true, end-to-end 3D sports experience for consumers."

Comcast will use its fiber network to carry the 3D production feed to the Comcast Media Center where it will be packaged for distribution to cable systems, the official Masters web site at www.masters.com, as well as Sony 3D TV sets in the Augusta National Clubhouse and hospitality, suites and select Sony Style stores.

Well-known DP and 3D expert Vince Pace will also be working with the Sony cameras on the NEP truck. Pace and director James Cameron co-developed a 3D camera system (based on Sony cameras) that was used to shoot "Avatar," with similar rigs being deployed at Augusta.

The new Sony 3D TV sets will be in stores this summer. The LX900, which is currently on display at Sony Style stores across the country, offers integrated 3D functionality with a built-in 3D transmitter and ships with two pair of Sony's 3D active shutter glasses, while the HX900 and HX800-series are 3D capable by adding the 3D transmitter and Sony 3D active shutter glasses (both sold separately).

    Contacts:      Elizabeth Boukis
                   Sony Electronics Inc.
                   (408) 352-4593
                   elizabeth.boukis@am.sony.com

                   Tom Di Nome
                   Sony Electronics
                   (201) 930-6357
                   tom.dinome@am.sony.com

SOURCE Sony Electronics Inc.