XBRITETM, X-black and Clear Bright are a marketing name trademarked by Sony which represents the latest in anti-reflective LCD screen technology (anti-reflective technology).

This technology was first introduced in early 2003 to the Japanese consumer market. It became an instant success and had a dramatic effect on the laptop market there due the image clarity of this high-gloss screen. This new anti-reflective technology produces sharper contrasting tones, colours that are more brilliant and images that are much crisper.

This new LCD screen technology first introduced to the Japanese consumer market in 2003 is not, however, a proprietary technology of Sony. In fact, Sony does not actually manufacture laptop LCD screens at all. Sony, as do most other laptop brands, procures laptop LCD screens from LCD screen manufacturers. It is these LCD screen manufacturers that manufacture this anti-reflective LCD technology. Sony merely purchases and installs both anti-reflective and typical LCDs in their Sony Vaio models. Those Sony Vaio models using anti-reflective technology are marketed under the Sony XBRITETM, X-black and Clear Bright name.

In addition, the anti-reflective technology marketed as Sony XBRITETM, X-black and Clear Bright is in fact identical to the technology being marketed as Toshiba TruBriteTM, HP Compaq BrightView as well as names marketed by other laptop makers.

All laptop LCD screens have a polarizing filter (polarizer) which is a layer of film affixed to the outermost layer of glass of the LCD screen used to filter light waves produced by the LCD screen to generate an image. The difference between a typical laptop LCD screen and an anti-reflective LCD screen is the type of polarizing filter.

The polarizer of a typical laptop screen has a rough surface or matte finish which causes external ambient light to reflect off of this polarizer at different angles (diffuses the light) thus reducing the light intensity directly reflected back to your eye. The drawback to this is image distortion, a lower contrast ratio, reduced viewing angles and eye fatigue to name a few.

The polarizer of an anti-reflective Sony XBRITETM, X-black and Clear Bright screen and its equivalents have a smooth chemically-treated surface. The chemically-treated surface of the polarizer reduces ambient light reflection by absorbing most of the ambient light instead of diffusing it at different angles. Since the ambient light is mostly absorbed instead of reflected at different angles, it does not need a rough matte finish and therefore a smooth surface can provide crisp, clear, brilliant-coloured images with the most direct light.

In general, the viewer sees light from two sources: 1) light generated by the LCD itself and 2) external light which is reflected off the surface of the LCD. The goal of anti-reflective technology is to increase the light generated by the LCD screen while minimizing the reflection of external light.

• Vibrant colours
• Sharp contrast
• Wider viewing angles
• Clearer images
• Reduced eye fatigue
• Enhanced brightness without consuming more power

The HS-Series was designed specifically for home users wanting a superior display adapted for gaming, web browsing, managing digital picture albums and watching DVDs. With these core activities in mind, special attention was given to the key areas of performance and versatility. As with every Sony product, equal care was devoted to the styling, which is distinctive and original. To ensure that buyers get the display that best suits their needs, the range includes both 17-inch and 19-inch displays, each available in standard and Premium versions. Very fast response times, task-specific brightness adjustment and digital inputs are among the many advanced features showcased by the Series.

• Size 17 inch X-black LCD 19 inch X-black LCD
• Resolution 1280 x 1024 1280 x 1024
• Number of colours 16.2M 16.7M
• Luminance 420cd/m2 450cd/m2
• Contrast (Max) 600:1 1000:1
• Response time 8ms 12ms
• Viewing angle (contrast ratio greater than 5:1) 160/160 degrees 170/170 degrees
• Type TN MVA

• Size 17 inch X-black LCD 19 inch X-black LCD
• Size 17 inch 19 inch
• Resolution 1280 x 1024 1280 x 1024
• Luminance 250cd/m2 250cd/m2
• Response time 16ms 16ms
• Viewing angle (contrast ratio greater than 5:1) 160/160 degrees 160/160 degrees
• Type TN TN

The Premium HSP-Series displays are distinguished by Sony X-black LCD™ screen enhancement and Intelligent Eco-Mode™ automatic brightness adjustment. X-black LCD delivers visibly boosted brightness, improved contrast, vivid colours and true blacks. X-Black LCD also helps reduce surface reflection from the screen, ensuring that HS-Series displays consistently deliver top quality results. With Intelligent Eco-Mode monitoring ambient lighting and adjusting the brightness for a perfect match, users are assured of an exceptional viewing experience.

Every model in the HS-Series shares the instantly recognisable ‘Rising Design’, a sculpted, one-piece styling that seems to stand unsupported on the desk.

The Rising Design concept will certainly catch the eye, but it is also highly practical. As a result, all HS-Series displays have an extra-compact footprint that will be welcome wherever space is short.

All models operate in SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024) to provide a spacious working environment for applications, wide-screen DVD and gaming.

"People do so many different things now that a really good display has to be truly versatile,” says Sharon Garner, product manager for Displays. “The great strength of the HS-Series is that it does everything well, not just some things. That’s what sets it apart."

The secret behind maintaining excellent image quality in the high-speed environment of games or during video playback is fast response time. This is why the Premium HSP-Series models offer response times up to 8ms, more than enough to keep up with the pace of the action. The Premium range also features high brightness screens rated at up to 450cd/m2* for a vibrant, lifelike display.

Another advantage afforded by the HSP-Series is digital as well as analogue signal inputs. Not only does this guarantee maximum compatibility now and in the future, it also means the very best image quality when used with a digital (DVI) graphics card.

The HS-Series consists of four models. The standard versions, designated SDM-HS75 and SDM-HS95 have 17-inch and 19-inch screens respectively. The same holds for the Premium displays, which are named SDM-HS75P and SDM-HS95P.

Screens enhanced with Sony’s exclusive X-black LCD™ technology deliver sharp contrast, increased brightness, and rich, vivid colour, all with minimal reflection from the surface of the panel. This is achieved by replacing the conventional anti-glare/anti-reflection coating applied to the screen surface with a specially engineered glare filter and a low-reflection surface layer.

The problem with the standard anti-glare/anti-reflection coating is that it works by deliberately scattering and diffusing light by covering the screen with microscopic irregularities. Unfortunately, this same diffusing process reduces the amount of contrast in the image as scattered light bleeds into black areas, making them look washed out, and colours become less saturated and vibrant. The overall brightness of the screen is also diminished and the true sharpness of focus is diluted by the scatter of light at the surface.

X-black LCD avoids all these problems by reducing glare and surface reflection without the diffusing effect of normal coatings. The difference is immediately apparent: black areas appear truly black with no hint of greying and colours seem solid and lifelike. The picture looks brighter and more vibrant thanks to the increased contrast now that the interference from scattered light has been eliminated.

Finally, the overall brightness of the image is boosted by as much as 40 per cent compared to conventional panels by a sequence of optical inserts between the high-powered backlight and the LCD screen itself. These focus and intensify the illumination passing through the LCD, visibly increasing the general brightness of the picture, ensuring that X-black LCD screens always stand out from the rest.

HS-Series displays are designed to work with both analogue and digital signals, but if the host PC has a digital graphics (DVI) capability, users can benefit from an entirely digital graphics environment. This is inherently superior to standard analogue connections because it avoids not one but two rounds of signal conversion. Standard CRT monitors operate on an analogue signal, so graphics cards are forced to convert the original digital signal they generate into analogue, which is sent to the monitor via a 15-pin VGA connector. For compatibility purposes, digital LCD panels are equipped with a VGA interface, but they must convert the analogue signal back into digital before they can use it. DVI provides a direct digital-to-digital link between host PC and display with no need for any signal conversion. This eliminates the degradation that can creep in each time the signal is re-processed, and as a consequence, delivers the best possible image quality to the viewer.

When it comes to workspace area, bigger is better for the user experience. That’s why both models have a native SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024). This yields 1.3 megapixels, or about 1.7 times as much room for applications than conventional XGA (1024 x 768), so users can view much larger documents and images without scrolling, and run applications side by side.

Sony is committed to the development of environmentally sustainable manufacturing processes. Sony displays are produced in facilities certified according to the ISO 14001 Standard for Environmental Management Systems. This ensures that they are easier to recycle, consume less energy, and are built from materials with the lowest possible impact on the environment.

Additionally, all Sony LCDs comply with ISO 13406-2, the international standard that covers many issues central to LCD technology and manufacture. These include important quality definitions limiting acceptable levels of pixel failure in the finished product.

Both the new models come with the peace of mind afforded by a three-year pan-European warranty. For further information please contact your local Sony office or Sony Communication Display Systems Europe on the Internet at www.sony.co.uk where you can always find the very latest information available.

Click here for a full list of Sony notebooks and monitors featuring X-Black® technology