Sporting a 36-inch 4:3 aspect ratio screen, the KV-36HD2 offers full support for HDTV broadcasts, including the popular 480i/480p, 720p, and 1080i standards.

To our eyes the new HDTV Wega TVs were absolutely gorgeous in terms of image reproduction, though we question Sony's decision to not offer 16:9 aspect ratio tubes for this new line of HDTVs. Make no mistake, the new 4:3 Wega models can handle 16:9 broadcasts without a problem, but users will have to tolerate large black letterbox bars framing the image as it's displayed.

The impressive KV-36HD2 will go on sale for approximately $5,500 by early summer 2000.

Rear projection KWP-65HD2 HDTV: Sony's soon to be highest-end rear projection HDTV, the KWP-65HD2, offers a large 65-inch 16:9 aspect ratio screen. Full HDTV broadcast support fills the KWP-65HD2's specification list, and the massive television is expected to cost $7,000 at the time of its introduction in late summer 2000.

Sharky Extreme opinion: We actually preferred the DirecTView KV-36HD2 Wega HDTV's image quality to the leviathan KWP-65HD2's display, but there's no beating a 65-inch 16:9 screen when it comes to home theater movie reproduction. Size DOES matter.

DVP-FX1 Portable: Sony has finally answered the calls of consumers wishing the electronics giant would produce a first-rate portable DVD player as rival Panasonic has been doing for the past year.

The Sony DVP-FX1 portable DVD player will hit retail stores in March at an estimated price tag of $1,500. For that princely sum users will receive a lithium-ion battery powered DVD portable that features a sharp 7" TFT LCD 16:9 screen.

The new DVP-FX1 is housed in a magnesium alloy casing, which is designed to offer better durability in harsher conditions than the plastic casings Sony's competitors offer. In addition the DVP-FX1's battery offers a class-leading lifespan, with up to four hours of viewing per charge.

A remote control, Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS outs, and virtual surround sound round out the DVP-FX1 package.

Sharky Extreme opinion: We loved all of the new portable DVD players we saw at the show, but the best looking/feeling/viewing model we used was Sony's DVP-FX1.

Whether or not the new Sony can match the firepower of the similar-sized third generation Panasonic DVD-L75 portable with its integrated Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS surround sound decoders is unknown, consumers will likely be happy with either.