New LocationFree products focus on place shifting

Continuing its focus on the concept of place-shifting, Sony has unveiled two LocationFree Base Stations (US$200 LF-B10 and US$250 LF-B20) and the US$230 LocationFree TV Box. LocationFree devices wirelessly stream television programs, movies and personally-created content to a variety of devices – including PlayStation Portable units, Macintosh and Windows-based notebook PCs, or remotely located TV sets- wherever a broadband Internet connection is available. All three products will be available in October.

“No matter if you are at home or on the road, accessing the content you want to see, when you want to see it, has never been easier,” said Hideyuki Furumi senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ IT Products Division. “The setup has been streamlined and our new models allow you to view quality video on a host of client devices.”

Featuring a lustrous black panelled, slim design that can be positioned either vertically or horizontally, the new LocationFree Base Stations are designed to integrate flawlessly into any home entertainment centre. Both work with a variety of compatible viewing devices including the previously announced LocationFree TV flat-panel LCD.

The new Base Station units also incorporate an Advanced Video Coding codec so consumers can experience quality, smoother video at less then optimal bit rates (uplink and downlink speeds of at least 300kbps required). Setup is easier as well: users simply plug the Base Station unit into a home entertainment system and follow the setup wizard to install the device registration software onto a host device.

Additionally, the LF-B20 model also serves as a wireless bridge connecting directly to an existing wireless home network. This offers flexibility in the placement of the device allowing you to place it anywhere throughout the house.

Sporting a glossy black design, the new LocationFree TV Box eliminates the need to run wiring to multiple televisions throughout the house.

Working seamlessly with a LocationFree Base Station unit, the TV Box is an industry first bringing all the content from a home entertainment center to other rooms in the house without the hassle of additional clutter.

Ideal for travelers, the LocationFree TV Box is small and easily connects to any remotely located TV so you can conveniently receive video content from your home setup. The TV Box also features an on-screen remote and a standard remote that can be used to control the device from a distance.

Pricing and Availability

LocationFree Base Stations (LF-B10 and LF-B20) will have a suggested retail price of about US$200 and US$250, respectively. The LocationFree TV Box will be available for about US$230. All three products will be available in October and can be purchased at sonystyle.com and Sony Style retail stores