Sony Europe unveils home network environment plan.

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Sony Europe has further elaborated on the company's home entertainment network strategy, unveiling at a press conference in Berlin a range of new products aimed at enabling consumers to construct

"We are creating a digital environment where the user has control," said Sony Europe President, Mike Tsurumi. "By designing products that are network-ready, easy to operate and fun to use, we are making personal communication networking accessible and enjoyable for everyone."

The new Sony products for on- and off-line personal networks include a line-up of DVD recording solutions that are compatible withmultiple DVD-Video recording formats, a new 1GB Memory Stick that increases storage capacity and data transfer rates for enabled products, plus developments in what Sony calls the four central connectivity platforms - televisions, PlayStation, mobile devices and PCs.

"Our strategy of connectivity fits well with the change in infrastructure in Europe from narrowband to broadband, including the wireless hotspots which are already gaining popularity," Tsurumi continued.

"In this new age of wide bandwidth and fast data transfer, the television will be the centre of home entertainment. As a global technology and media company, Sony is the only company that is capable of bringing both content and products to the consumer that exploit the new infrastructure and elevate their enjoyment to new levels."

Sony Europe has also highlighted a programme of customer relationship management entitled 'My Sony'. Sony's press conference comes in the wake of reports that the company is developing a powerful 'cell microprocessor' technology that could place the in-development PlayStation 3 console at the centre of home networking. ((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))