Hope everyone is having a good start to the week. Here’s something which we meant to post about but somehow ended up not doing so earlier on this year. Its about Sony’s new Bravia TV range which focuses on being green, eco-friendly as well as power saving.

The WE5 offers full HD imagery, but you might not expect the eco-friendly functions that come with it. The WE5 uses 50% less power than previous models, this is due to an all new technology known as micro-tubular Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL) backlight, this digital technology offers the same picture quality for less of that much-valued commodity, your electricity.

And if that’s not enough, the WE5 also offers an intelligent Presence Sensor that detects body heat and movement in a room. This does sound a bit freaky, but say if you leave the room, an energy-saving ‘picture off’ mode will automatically kick start, leaving just the sound playing. When you come back in, it comes back on. Unfortunately, it doesn’t switch off if you fall asleep watching a late-night flick, but you can’t have everything. Maybe next time Sony?

On the technical side, the WE5 is available as a 40-inch or 46-inch set, both with the Bravia Engine 3 for improved detailing and clarity, along with Motionflow 100Hz technology incorporating Image Blur Reduction, boosting the displayed frame rate for smoother, sharper sports and fast-moving action scenes.

More info can be found in the official press release below…

Innovative new BRAVIA™ WE5 cuts energy costs, not picture quality

BRAVIA™ new WE5 ‘ECO TV’
• Full HD 1080p (40, 46-inch) LCD TV showcases Sony’s eco-innovation
• World’s first micro-tubular HCFL backlight cuts power consumption by more than 50%*
• Smart Presence Sensor switches off picture when set is not being watched
• Energy Saving Switch reduces power consumption to zero

MORE ECO FEATURES ACROSS BRAVIA™ 2009 RANGE:
• Easily accessible, energy-saving ‘Eco settings’
• Reduced energy consumption
• Space-saving design cuts transportation carbon emissions

*Compared with similar 2008 model (like the BRAVIA™ W4500 series)

Now you can cut your carbon footprint while enjoying your favourite TV shows in sparkling Sony Full HD.

For Spring 2009, Sony introduces the greenest-ever BRAVIA™ LCD television line-up. Consuming an average of 20-30% less power than last year’s BRAVIA™ range, the new line-up cuts household energy bills without compromising superlative Full HD picture performance.

BRAVIA™ WE5 ‘eco TV’

The new eco-friendly BRAVIA™ line-up is headed by the innovative WE5 series that sets new standards for energy efficiency. Packed with power-conserving features, the strikingly styled LCD TV consumes over 50% less power than its predecessor.

Available in two screen sizes (40-inch, 46-inch), the new BRAVIA™ WE5 series is one of the most energy-efficient HD televisions available.

Key to its remarkable energy saving performance is a new micro-tubular Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL) backlight that boosts efficiency without compromising superb BRAVIA™ picture quality.

The WE5 marks the debut of other energy saving innovations. It’s the first BRAVIA™ with an intelligent Presence Sensor that detects the body heat and movement of anyone sitting within normal range of the screen. If the viewer leaves the room – to answer the door or during a commercial break – the sensor activates an energy-saving ‘picture off’ mode, while leaving TV sound on. The picture turns back on as soon as the viewer re-enters the room. If no movement is detected in the room – perhaps when you’ve fallen asleep in front of the screen – the set automatically switches to standby after 30 minutes.

It’s also the first BRAVIA™ with a new Energy Saving Switch that cuts electricity bills still further. Other televisions draw a small amount of power when they’re in standby or even when switched off. Flipping a conveniently-placed switch on the WE5 turns the set off completely. Switch back on again and the TV returns immediately to its previous state. It’s a smarter, more convenient alternative to manually unplugging the TV when it’s not in use.

The WE5 includes a unique easy-to-use electronic on-screen operation manual that reduces the need for printed paper instructions.

Aside from its eco credentials, the WE5 series delivers effortless picture performance with your favourite movies, TV broadcasts and games. The Full HD 1080p LCD panel is complemented by Sony’s new BRAVIA Engine™ 3 that cleans, filters and optimises image data to reduce picture noise while boosting contrast and colour range. Motionflow 100Hz technology with Image Blur Reduction doubles the displayed frame rate for smoother, sharper sports and fast-moving action scenes.

Greenest ever BRAVIA™ line-up

Alongside the WE5, the entire 2009 BRAVIA™ range delivers remarkable energy efficiency without sacrificing vibrant HD picture quality.

Most 2009 models carry the ‘EU Flower’ an Eco-label introduced by the European Commission to certify greener, more environmentally friendly products that comply with strict ecological and performance criteria.

Eco settings on all models are conveniently grouped together for easy access via the television’s settings menu.

Reducing LCD panel power consumption, most 2009 BRAVIA™ models feature a Light Sensor that automatically adjusts backlight brightness depending on ambient room light. Complementing the auto Light Sensor, there’s a selectable power saving mode that reduces backlight illumination levels for comfortable viewing in dim light.

An ‘Idle TV’ mode functions like a PC screensaver, switching off the TV picture to conserve energy if there’s been no user activity for a preset time. It’s complemented by a sleep/timer function that switches the set to standby after a preset time: it’s a useful way of saving energy if you’re inclined to drop off during late-night movies.

PC Power Management mode switches automatically to standby if no signal is received from a connected computer for 30 seconds. It’s handy if you’ve connected the TV to your computer for some big-screen gaming action, and want to take a few minutes break without switching everything off.

What’s more, the increasingly space-saving design of 2009 BRAVIA™ models requires fewer product packaging materials. This further reduces carbon emissions during transportation.

“Sony consistently leads the way in reducing the environmental impact of its televisions and other electronic products”, says Hiroshi Sakamoto, Vice President, TV Marketing Europe. “As the remarkable WE5 demonstrates, this year’s BRAVIA™ line-up doesn’t just look and perform better than ever before. It’s an emphatic statement that Sony is serious about cutting the environmental footprint of everybody’s home entertainment experience.”

Many thanks to Mark who sent this in…