PMA 2006, Booth #4150 -- Sony Electronics is transforming static, digital images into a rich audio visual experience with the world's first dedicated photo storage unit with high- definition output.

Featuring eight slideshow styles with image transitions synchronized to pre-installed background music and high-definition video output, the new HDPS-L1 hard drive photo storage unit offers an interactive way to view and share high-resolution photos from holidays, reunions and birthday parties on a home theatre system.

"We expect all sorts of people will take advantage of this new photo storage device to rescue treasured memories buried in their computers and on memory cards, and bring them to life with its built-in slideshow feature," said Jim Leahey, general manager of peripherals and enhancements at Sony Electronics. "It finally gives high-resolution still pictures the visual realism usually reserved for motion-pictures."

The HDPS-L1 hard drive photo storage unit eliminates the effort required to organize printed photos, as it automatically sorts picture files by their creation date. It also provides the option to group images by type, such as travels and holidays.

About half the size of a typical DVD player, the device is easily incorporated into a home theatre system with standard audio and video cables that connect to a television. A wireless remote control helps "surf" through years of photos by theme or date, select slide show styles, and adjust the volume for background music.

The HDPS-L1 hard drive photo storage unit supports seven types of flash media cards -- Memory Stick(R), Memory Stick PRO(TM), Memory Stick Duo(TM), Memory Stick PRO Duo(TM), CompactFlash(R), Multi Media Card, Microdrive(R), SD Card(TM) and xD Picture Card(R) slots.

To download .jpeg or Sony RAW files to the photo storage device, simply insert any of the supported flash memory cards and press the one-touch copy button. Files can also be downloaded to the hard drive via the unit's built-in USB port. In addition to storing files, this device can write to any of the supported memory cards.

The HDPS-L1 photo storage device will be available in May for about $300 at http://SonyStyle.com, at Sony Style(R) retail stores (http://www.sonystyle.com/retail), and at authorized dealers nationwide.

HDPS-L1, Hard Drive Photo Storage Device

Specifications

Memory Hard Drive

Capacity 80GB

Video Output HD Component (720P)

Analog Component (Y/Cb/Cr)

Image Format JPEG, Sony RAW

Slide Show Back Ground Music WAV -- pre-installed

Power Source AC Adaptor

USB USB mini-B

Supported Media Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, Compact

Flash, Multi Media Card, Microdrive, SD