In addition to taking steps to lower greenhouse gas emissions from its operations, Sony is developing energy-saving products and IT technologies that help reduce CO2 emissions from Sony products during use by customers.

Digital Cinema Systems
The movie industry is shifting rapidly to digital technology. Sony developed the world's first digital cinema camera, the HDW-900, in 2000, an achievement that brought dramatic changes to the front lines of filmmaking. The use of high-definition video (HDV) rather than film greatly improves efficiency on several fronts. For example, one reel of film holds only about 10 minutes' worth of action, whereas one reel of digital video allows 50 minutes of consecutive filming. Moreover, shots can be reviewed on the spot, greatly simplifying the post-production editing process, thereby making production more efficient and reducing associated costs.

Released in 2009, the SRW-9000 -- the first digital high-definition camcorder in the HDCAM-SR series -- delivers superb image quality and performance and outstanding maneuverability. The unit is approximately 60% smaller and lighter than would be the case with a comparable separate camera and camcorder and uses only about half the energy.*1

Moreover, because digital data is delivered to digital cinema-compatible movie theaters on a hard disk drive (HDD), there is no need to develop film, substantially reducing the need for water and chemicals used during the developing process. Further, whereas a single two-hour movie on film requires six reels of positive film, the same movie made with digital cinema needs only one HDD, thus increasing the efficiency of shipping and contributing to the reduction of associated CO2 emissions.
Total emissions of CO2 associated with a two-hour movie made using digital cinema -- from production of complete digital cinema package through to distribution to and showing at 300 digital cinema-compatible movie theaters across Japan and final disposal -- are estimated to be approximately 160 tons lower than those associated with a movie made using film.*2

Video Conferencing Systems
Meetings involving individuals from different locations generate significant CO2 emissions -- the principal component of which is emissions from travel. The use of video conferencing systems can greatly reduce CO2 emissions associated with employee business trips and other travel. For example, CO2 emissions associated with a single meeting involving two employees each from five cities across Japan and held using Sony's PCS-XG80 HD video conferencing system are estimated to be approximately 1.1 tons*3 lower than would be the case if the same two employees from each of the five cities were to travel to Tokyo to participate in the meeting in person. For a meeting held 24 times a year, therefore, the total annual reduction would amount to approximately 26 tons.