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Sony reveals first 4K content delivery will come via a home server loaned to customers

Sony reveals first 4K content delivery will come via a home server loaned to customers

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Sony 4kTV
Sony 4kTV

Massive and costly 4K televisions are a reality, but for as long as companies like LG, Sony, and Toshiba have talked about the super-high resolution sets, we've never heard a good answer for how well-heeled consumers will find 4K content. Sony has finally offered up the first solution, as the company has announced that its $24,999.99, 84-inch 4K TV will come with a "4K Ultra HD Video Player," which is really just a server with (lots of) hard disk storage on board. The company has yet to reveal a single photo or any detailed specifications of the server, but the 4K video player will be loaned to purchasers of Sony's 4K television for no additional cost. In addition to the 4K player, the TV will also come with an Xperia Tablet S to use as a remote control.

But how, exactly, does the server work? Well, it comes preloaded with 4K content from the filmmaking arm of the company, Sony Pictures, as well as some shorts of sports footage and concerts. In terms of films, only ten will be preloaded — including The Amazing Spiderman, Salt, Taxi Driver, and Bridge on the River Kwai — but Sony promises that it will continue to update the server with additional content, while some new content will come in the form of Blu-ray discs sent to the customer, according to Engadget. Additionally, the company will be gauging interest in the server for those with Sony's VPL-VW1000ES 4K projector.

In all, it's promising to see any sort of delivery method for 4K content, and Sony has delivered on its promise. However, 10 movies isn't a huge selection by any means. Sony reminds us that its 4K TV can upscale Blu-ray movies and other content, but that's hardly a solution. More promising is the vague statement in the press release that say that "more delivery solutions will continue to evolve rapidly, with further product and content announcements coming shortly." We'll be sure to keep an eye on that.