Press Release Sony Expands Walkman Video MP3 Player Range with New Additions Latest Walkman A820 and A720 series with new enhanced features deliver superior video and audio quality Hong Kong, March 11, 2008 Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited today introduced the latest additions to its Walkman family with the new Walkman A820 and A720 series. Available in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB models, both series can store up to an impressive 62 hours of video 1 or 3800 songs 2. Featuring a large, 2.4-inch QVGA LCD screen (320 x 240 pixels) that displays up to 262,144 colours, they deliver smooth, high-resolution video playback at up to 30 frames per second combined with vibrant and accurate colour reproduction. For greater flexibility, videos and images can be viewed in either a horizontal or vertical screen orientation to suit personal tastes. Implemented for the first time, the A820 series also incorporates Bluetooth wireless technology, eliminating the inconvenience of wires while streaming tunes through devices with Bluetooth technology such as headphones, home and car audio systems. In addition, a conveniently placed button on the side of the player enables one-touch connection to these devices. Sleek and lightweight, the A820 and A720 series offer a choice of four colours (black, white, pink and gold) in a chic metallic casing. The Walkman players also incorporate four of Sony s Clear Audio technologies the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine (DSEE), Clear Bass, Clear Stereo and bundled 13.5mm EX headphones delivering superior audio with rich high tones and powerful bass notes. An extended battery life allows up to 10 hours of video playback 3 or 36 hours of uninterrupted music playback 4 on both Walkman series. The Walkman players support the open audio formats of MP3, non-secure AAC 5, securityenhanced Windows Media Audio (WMA), Linear PCM and JPEG files for photos. High quality video codecs support playback of AVC (H.264/AVC) Baseline Profile and MPEG-4 video files. With the Microsoft Plays For Sure certification, the A820 and A720 series are also 1 Approximate recording time at 384kbps for video and 128kbps for audio with the A829 and A729. 2 4 minute song recorded at 128 kbps. Approximate song capacity based on that of the A829 and A729. 3 10 hours of video playback with Bluetooth disabled (for A820 and A720 series). 7 hours of video playback with Bluetooth enabled (for A820 series). 10 hours (or 7 hours) of video playback are approximate in MPEG-4 384kbps and when the brightness of the common setting is set to 3 and sound quality is set to Normal Mode. 4 36 hours of music playback with Bluetooth disabled (for A820 and A720 series). 15 hours of music playback with Bluetooth enabled (for A820 series). 36 hours (or 15 hours) of music playback are approximate in MP3 128kbps and when all of the Equalizer and the VPT are set to None, all of the DSEE, Clear Stereo, Dynamic Normalizer and the new song pop up are set to Off, and screensaver type is set to Blank. 5 AAC format audio files that are copyright-protected cannot be played back. 1
compatible with a wide range of certified online content providers. Videos, music and other files are also easily transferred between the player and a connected computer with its simple drag-anddrop interface, or via Windows Media Player 11, which is included with the video MP3 players. Sony and Environmental Protection Sony is consistently engaged in a review of our manufacturing operations and business practices to ensure products are developed in an environmentally responsible manner. The A820 series has a longer battery life than the previous A810 series. With its lower power consumption, this leads to a reduction in the number of battery charging sessions required. In addition, recyclable paper is used to create the Walkman packaging, reducing the impact on our earth s natural resources. Colours available, suggested retail prices and launch date: A820 series A720 series Colour options A826 (4GB) Black A828 (8GB) Black, Pink A829 (16GB) - Black A726 (4GB) - Black, White, Gold A728 (8GB) - Black, White, Pink A729 (16GB) - Black Suggested retail prices HK$1,398 (4GB), HK$1,798 (8GB), HK$2,598 (16GB) HK$1,198 (4GB), HK$1,598 (8GB), HK$2,398 (16GB) Launch date April 2008 May 2008 Order Now Pre-ordering of the A820 series (A826, A828 and A829) and A820 series with Bluetooth headphones packages (DR-BT22 and DR-BT20) runs from March 12 to March 28, 2008 at all Sony Style stores, Sony Style online and Sony 24- hour telesales hotline on (852) 2345-2966. For details, please visit Sony s web site:www.sony.com.hk. Customers purchasing the Walkman A820 series or Bluetooth headphones packages will receive a premium pack including a leather pouch, a neck strap and a screen protector, for free. For customer enquiries, please contact Sony s 24-hour customer service hotline at (852)2345-2966. WALKMAN is a registered trademark of Sony Corporation. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. 2
About Hong Kong Marketing Company Hong Kong Marketing Company (HKMC), a division of Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited, provides sales, marketing and after sales services for Sony s consumer electronics products as well as broadcast and professional products in Hong Kong and Macau. For more information on Sony s products and services, please visit Sony s web site on www.sony.com.hk ### 3
Specifications Sheet for Walkman A820 and A720 Series Video MP3 Players Series A820 A720 Model Name A826 A828 A829 726 728 729 Usage Music / Video / Photo Capacity 1 4GB 8GB 16GB 4GB 8GB 16GB Memory Supported Audio Formats Supported Video Formats Supported Photo Format Display Flash MP3 / WMA 2 / AAC 2 -LC2/ Linear PCM AVC (H.264/AVC) Baseline Profile / MPEG-4 (up to 30fps) JPEG (Baseline) 4000 x 4000 pixels 2.4-inch, TFT colour display with white LED-backlight, QVGA (320 x 240 pixels), 262,144 colours Wireless Connection PC Connection Built-in Bluetooth Version 2.0 (AVRCP1.3 A2DP) Hi-Speed USB WM-PORT (22pin) -- Clear Audio Technology Power Source Charging Time Recharging Method DSEE / Clear Stereo / Clear Bass / ø13.5mm EX Headphone Built-in Li-ion Rechargeable Battery Approx. 3 hrs (1.5 hrs for 80% Recharge) USB via WM-PORT(Optional AC adapter is also compatible) Continuous Time Playback Music: Approx. 36 hrs 3 Video: Approx. 10 hrs 4 Input / Output Terminals Headphone Supplied Accessories Dimensions Headphone / WM-PORT (22pin) MDR-EX082 (supplied) CD-ROM(MP3 Conversion Tool, Windows Media Player 11, Media Manager for Walkman, Operation Guide), Headphones, Ear Buds(S/M/L), Stand, Quick Start Guide, USB Cable Approx. W51 x H93.9 x D9.3mm 4
Weight Approx. 58g 1 Available storage capacity of the player may vary. A portion of the memory is used for data management functions. 2 Copyright protected file cannot be played back on device or converted by application software. 3 Using ATRAC 132kbps music file, all sound effects, New Song Pop Up and Screensaver are turned to Off or None. Display Time is set to other than Always On. The battery life may differ depending on ambient temperature or the status of use. 4 When playing MPEG-4 384kbps. The time is an approximate when the brightness of the screen is set to 3. The battery life may differ depending on ambient temperature of the status of use. 5