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<Press Release>
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| The following information is true and accurate at the time of publication.
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March 25, 1999
Sony Announces New CS Digital Broadcast Receiver System
for SkyPerfecTV!
Enables high-speed download of music onto MiniDisc recorder
equipped with "i.LINKTM" interface

Tokyo, Japan - Sony Corporation today announced plans to launch a new Communication Satellite (CS) digital broadcast receiver system, SAS-MS9SET, which enables subscribers to receive new data broadcast programming1 to be offered by SkyPerfecTV! in Japan. The system is Sony's first product in its "PlusMedia STATION"2 lineup and it comprises the DST-MS9 receiver and an antenna. The receiver will also be sold separately. The products will be released on the Japanese market this May.
| Model | Introduction Date | MSRP* | Initial Production |
CS Digital Broadcast Receiver Set [SAS-MS9SET] - includes DST-MS9, CS antenna - [SAN-40DK2], and installation kit | May 20, 1999 (in Japan) | 62,000 yen | 15,000 units per month |
CS Digital Broadcast Receiver [DST-MS9] - comes with AV mouse, and - remote commander [RM-J316D] | 50,000 yen | 500 units per month |
*Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
The DST-MS9 allows subscribers to receive music distribution services, which will be offered by "MusicLink", SkyPerfecTV!'s new data broadcast channel. The new receiver is equipped with an "i.LINKTM"3 interface, and by connecting the unit to Sony's MiniDisc player/recorder model MDS-DL1 via "i.LINK", subscribers to this channel will be able to choose and download their favorite music onto a MiniDisc. Because music will be distributed in ATRAC4 compression format and transferred to the MD recorder at high speed through the "i.LINK" cable, recording time is only a quarter of the normal recording time.
The receiver gives full play to the interoperability of the "i.LINK" interface, and is equipped with a function that allows it to control the MD recorder through the "i.LINK" cable connection. By simply using the "i.LINK" control panel on the TV screen, subscribers can easily turn the MD recorder on or off, play back music as well as enjoy editing capabilities such as reordering of songs and indexing titles. In addition, the receiver is capable of downloading software from satellite transmission to upgrade its functions to meet any future expansion of the data broadcasting specifications.
Main Specifications of the SAS-MS9SET
<DST-MS9>
| Reception format | Satellite digital broadcasting format |
| Receiving channels | Channels available through SkyPerfecTV! Data broadcast channels available through SkyPerfecTV! |
| Input frequency | 950 ~ 2150 MHz |
| Local frequency | 11.2GHz / 11.3GHz / 10.5 ~ 11.5GHz |
| Antenna input | CS IF75 ohm, F type connector |
| Antenna output | BS IF75 ohm, F type connector |
| S-Video output | 4-pin mini DIN |
| Video output | Phono type (X2) |
| Audio output | Stereo phono type (X2) |
| i.LINK terminal | 4-pin S200 (X2) |
| Optical digital audio out | Single |
| Telephone interface | Modular jack |
| Data output | PerfecTV data port |
| AV mouse output | Mini-jack (video/MD) |
| Modem transfer rate | 2400bps |
| Power supply | AC 100V, 50/60Hz |
| Power consumption | 15W |
| External Dimensions W/H/D | 280 X 635 X 293mm |
| Unit Weight | Approx. 2.1 kilograms |
<SAN-40DK2>
| Antenna type | Offset type parabolic antenna |
| Input frequency | 12.2 ~ 12.75 GHz |
| Reception satellite | JCSAT no.3 / JCSAT no.4 |
| Antenna gain | 32.8 dB |
| Antenna size | 40cm (minimum radius) |
| CS converter noise factor | 0.7dB (standard) |
| CS converter gain | 55±5dB |
| Local frequency | 11.2GHz |
| Output frequency | 1000 ~1550 MHz |
| Output structure | F type 75 ohm connector |
| Output VSWR | Less than 2.0 |
| Working temperature range | - 30 ~ +50 °C |
| Wind endurance | 50m/s |
| Power consumption | 2.0W |
| Reception coverage | Area from Hokkaido (excl. Nemuro and Wakkanai) to Kyushu (excl. surrounding islands) |
| External Dimensions W/H/D | 424 X 522 X 588mm |
| Diameter of mounting pole | Ø25.4 ~Ø42.7 |
| Unit Weight | 1.9 kilograms |
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, pictures and computer entertainment operations make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of over $51 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, and it employs approximately 170,000 people worldwide.
Sony's Home Page URL: http://www.sony.co.jp/
| Notes: | 1 Sony's concept of the future set top box, which will have the capability of receiving multiple digital media and distributing contents to other AV appliances, acting as the "Home Gateway" of the digital networked era.
2 Services offered on data broadcast programming may expand in the future.
3 i.LINKTM, a trademark of Sony Corporation, refers to the IEEE1394 - 1995 specification and related expansion specifications.
4 ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding) is the audio compression technology for music MD.
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"MusicLink" is a data broadcast channel that will be offered in Japan by Digital Media Entertainment Corporation on SkyPerfecTV! For more information on the channel, please contact Digital Media Entertainment Corporation:
Tel: 81-3-5210-3740
Fax: 81-3-5210-3963
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