Paris gets ready for global entertainment and technology event * Doors open on 6 September for Sony's first Dream World in Europe

PARIS September 4 (PROTEXT/PRNewswire) - The Sony Dream Worldexhibition in Paris this weekend is the first event ever inEurope to showcase what Sony has to offer at the forefront ofentertainment and electronics for the broadband, connectedlifestyle.

Sony, along with Sony Computer Entertainment, Sony EricssonMobile Communications, Sony Music Entertainment and Sony PicturesEntertainment are coming together to demonstrate the true synergyof Audio, Video and Information Technology and the easy access itbrings to multimedia content, services and applications.

This fun and informative two-day event includes interactiveexhibits, products making their European debut, such as Sony'sprototype biped robot "QRIO" and the new Network Media Receiverthat conveniently streams digital content from a VAIO PC to a TVor a HiFi system, as well as a host of fashion shows, filmscreenings, live entertainment and more. My Sony, the globalcustomer personalisation programme that brings customers closerto Sony is going live and a slice of history is presented in theSony History Museum, where some of the landmark innovations Sonyhas contributed to the electronics world in the last 50 years aredisplayed.

Sony Dream World occupies an area of 7,000m2(squared) in thePalais des Congrčs in Paris and is open to the public on Saturdayand Sunday 6th and 7th September. Here are just some highlightsof what visitors have to look forward to: Tomorrow's World

Sony has long been at the cutting edge of electronics,entertainment, communications and lifestyle, and visitors willget a glimpse of what is coming next in Tomorrow's World. Thefilm quality of the future will be demonstrated in a Home Theatreset-up, including the pioneering Blu-ray Disc Recorder and thelatest WEGA displays. The PSX, merging games and electronics,mock-ups of High-Definition cameras as well as QUALIA, developedto create an exceptional emotional value, are all on display inEurope for the first time.Home Networking

In the Sony Home visitors can see the reality of thenetworked home as a family of three enjoys the connectivity of AVand IT products in a house where sound and pictures aretransmitted to each room. The new Network Media Receiver is asingle device that allows streaming of personal digital content -videos, photos and music - from a VAIO PC to the top of the rangeWEGA TV and hi-fi sound system in the Living Room for everyone toshare and enjoy. Sony's first combined PC-TV, a PC thattransforms easily into a fully functional TV, shows how theInternet and TV can be enjoyed without having to switch screens,and surfing the Internet cable free from a handheld device isachieved with the new CLIÉ PEG-UX50 handheld, integrating WiFiand Bluetooth wireless technologies together with AVfunctionality. The Igloo, also part of the Home area, is asoundproof chill-out space, where the most faithful reproductionof music, recorded in multi-channel on Super Audio CD can beenjoyed.On The Move

Lively leisure and business environments are created wheremusic, video and digital photography can all be enjoyed andshared away from home. The latest Sony dance tunes will be spunby famous French DJ's in the Club where visitors can create theirown compilations on Net MD; professional basketball players andskateboarders display their skills in the Urban Playground, wherethe latest street style technology is on show for the thrillseeking, wireless generation; mobile gaming is a must forchildren of all ages in the Playground. Sony Ericsson mobilephones are transformed into navigation panels for remote controlcar racing and motorists can play with the most enviable in-carentertainment systems in the Parking zone.Digital Imaging

Everyone is invited to try out and have fun with Sonyproducts for capturing still and moving images such ascamcorders, cameras, CLIÉ Personal Digital Assistants, mobilephones and even AIBO entertainment robots. Visitors can sharetheir footage, learn editing skills or simply take their shotshome. Exciting scenery and events are created in a number ofsettings, including the Spider-Man studio where tricks of themovie trade can be picked up, and the Charlie's Angels stage,where stunning visual effects and Angels look-alikes produceexcellent photo and video opportunities.

Those registering for Sony's new personalisation programme,My Sony, can hire a digital still camera or a CLIÉ for an hour toput their photographic skills to the test around the show.Technology in Use

Many Sony technologies are on display and in use in andaround the main exhibition zones. For example, two powerful andsecure concepts in personal data storage will be presented: MicroVault with Fingerprint Access, a 128MB USB2.0 media with agent-style fingerprint biometric identification for ultimate security,and a new 80GB portable hard disk media called Giga Vault. In theAirport Lounge Sony will have a demo WiFi hotspot, enabling wire-free access to the Internet with WLAN-enabled products such asVAIO PC's, to show how easy it is to escape the office, surf the'Net, and exchange e-mails without tripping over cables.PlayStation Experience

The ultimate in gaming is provided in PlayStation Experience,a stunning array of interactive displays, live shows anddemonstrations presented on two levels. With the opportunity totry all the forthcoming games before they hit the streets, theExperience includes Le Mans-style racing in the Throttle Area, aLounge showcasing the best in digital art, and an interactivedoom game. The Rhythm Stage will be alive with MC's, DJ's breakdancers and BMX bikers, and Lara Croft will be showing up forsigning sessions. The second level is offering gaming sessionswith up to 490 players in themed game zones called Battle, Quest,Rhythm, Stadium and Adrenaline.Live Entertainment

A host of live shows from Sony Music artists, top DJ's anddancers brings the world of Sony to life. Fashion showsthroughout the event combine couture with high technology, makinga Sony mobile device the essential accessory, whether it's a NetMD Walkman, a Cyber-shot digital still camera, a mini-camcorderor a Sony Ericsson mobile phone.

Making a worldwide debut in the robotics area is the latestAIBO robot, the ERS-7, which boasts a charismatic new design andadvanced levels of connectivity and functionality. The prototypebiped robot the "QRIO" is making its European debut, anartificially intelligent device that adapts its performance toits environment and develops skills based on sense, memory andlearning. The four-legged AIBOs are starring in a real soccermatch where visitors can pitch their skills by commanding a teamof three AIBO's from a VAIO PC which are playing against a teamof completely autonomous AIBO's.

Sony Music Artists are giving exclusive performances plussigning and photo sessions daily between 11.40am and 17.20pm.Artists appearing are Galleon, Cedric Atlan, Julie Zenatti, AnneWarin and Dadoo on Saturday 6th; and Jody, Sugar Daddy, WillyDenzey, Yannis Odua, Thibault Durand and Natasha St-Pier onSunday 7th, and each day closes with top club DJ's spinning acool selection of essential mixes.

On Saturday 6th evening in the Main Theatre Sony Picturespresents a preview screening of James Mangold's mind-bendingthriller Identity. From the director of Cop Land and Girl,Interrupted, Identity has an all-star cast including John Cusack,Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet and Rebecca DeMornay.

Throughout Dream World classical guitarist Yuji Toriyamaperforms six concerts accompanied by screenings of WorldHeritage, a film celebration of the UNESCO designated WorldHeritage sites that was produced using Sony High Definitionequipment.

Sony Dream World is the most comprehensive event Sony hasever staged inn Europe. Around a thousand people are working topull it together and there are about 2,000 Sony products on show,including nearly 200 PlayStation games consoles.Sony Dream World 2003Date: 6th & 7th SeptemberVenue: Le Palais des Congrčs, 2 place Porte Maillot, ParisEntrance Fee: EUR6, free for children under 12 years accompaniedby an adult. Sony is donating proceeds of ticket sales tocharitable causes.Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 7.00 p.m. Last Entry: 4.15 p.m.Tickets are on sale in FNAC shops, Carrefour and through theFrance Billet network under www.france-billet.com or by telephone+33 892 692 694.Also available at Virgin Megastore, Auchan, E-Leclerc, GaleriesLafayette, La Voix du Nord, Le Progrčs de Lyon underwww.ticketnet.fr, by telephone +33 892 697 073 or via minitelunder 3615 TICKETNETAbout SonyDream World

Sony Dream World is a pioneering, global event that takesplace in a different worldwide location each time. The firstDream World was in Yokohama, Japan, in September 2002 andattracted approximately 50,000 visitors during the two-day event.About Sony

Sony manufactures audio, video, communications andinformation technology products for the global consumer andprofessional markets. With its music, pictures, game and onlinebusinesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to become a leadingpersonal broadband entertainment company in the 21st century. InEurope, Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of EUR 13.88billion (yen 1,666 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31,2003, based on an average market exchange rate for the sameperiod of yen 120 to the EUR.LinksSony Dream World www.sony-europe.com/sonydreamworldCorporate Communications Europe, Sony Europe GmbH, (BerlinOffice), tel: +49 30 2575 5159, fax: +49 30 2575 5162, email:Aldo.Liguori@eu.sony.com;(London Office) tel: +44 20 7444 9720, fax: +44 20 7444 9762,email: Georges.Gerard@eu.sony.com;www.sony-europe.com/presscenter

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