New At-Home Photo Printer Offers PictBridge Technology for Printer Compatibility and Multiple Flash Memory Card Slots

LAS VEGAS (PMA, Booth # M30), Feb. 11, 2004 - With digital camera sales in the U.S. now outpacing traditional camera sales, Sony Electronics is set to answer the question, "How do I share all these pictures?" with an easy-to-use, PC-free home photo printer.

The company's new DPP-EX50 PictureStation™ printer is a dedicated, at-home photo printer that, like Sony's other printers, uses dye-sublimation technology, to create durable, lab-quality prints. The model also incorporates both Memory Stick PRO™ and CompactFlash® media slots, as well as two USB ports - one in the front for connection to a digital camera or camcorder and one in the back for connection to a PC.

Photo Printing Without a Computer
Some heavy computer users will want to take advantage of the DPP-EX50 model's PC compatibility, while others will prefer to enjoy viewing, editing and printing without ever having to turn on a computer. With a supplied video cable, users can view images on a television, select which image to print and, with the press of a button, produce a print in about 80 seconds.

In addition, the DPP-EX50 model supports PictBridge™ technology, which allows users to easily transfer pictures from a digital camera or camcorder enabled with the technology to a printer with a USB cable -- without a PC or image editing software. Users of a compatible camera or camcorder can simply connect the unit to the printer via a USB cable and then use the camera's LCD display to select the image and start printing.

"Because so much of our memories are shared in the living room, it makes sense that Sony is creating a photo print station designed to work well with a TV while looking good doing so," said Brennan Mullin, marketing manager for digital photo printers at Sony Electronics' Personal Mobile and Imaging Division.

Remove Red-Eye, Get Creative
The DPP-EX50 printer comes packed with built-in editing options, such as a red-eye reduction tool. When partnered with a TV, it helps lets the consumer identify any red-eye problems to be removed and then the printer makes the correction automatically.

In addition, there are other editing tools for adjusting image sharpness, contrast, brightness and size. The printer also has built-in creative options for adding personalized messages, changing images to black and white or sepia and adding creative borders to any print.

Photo lab in Your Home
Expected to be available next month for about $180, the DPP-EX50 model has a compact, up-right design (3.25" x 7.75" x 11") that puts the photo lab neatly next to a computer or television. The printer comes in matte white, which blends nicely with any home d�cor.


Photo-Quality That Never Dies: Tear `em, Dunk `em, Rip `em
Each print is sealed with SuperCoat 2 laminate, resulting in the durability required to withstand fading, spills, moisture and fingerprints.

Ribbon and Paper - All in One Box
Another benefit of dye-sublimation technology is that the printer ribbon and the printer paper come bundled together in one box. The paper and ribbon are matched to deliver the ideal amount of color to each print for every use; when the ribbon has run out, so has the paper. The printer delivers 4" x 6", 3.5" x 5" and 3.5" x 4" print sizes. Print packs are available as follows:

3.5" x 5": Borderless snapshots contains 30 sheets for about $17;

4" x 6": Mailable postcard-size prints, with 25 sheets for about $17;

3.5" x 4": Fun print size, offering 30 sheets for about $15.