Sony CSV-E77 CoCoon

Japan, Inc., Nov, 2002

This new CoCoon channel server from Sony (open price, but approx. [yen] 130,000) is a 160Gb broadband (or regular connection) hard disk recorder that allows users to record up to 100 hours (35 hours at highest MPEG2 quality) of programming based entirely on entering keywords. Launched under the mantra of "Personalize, Ubiquitous, Upgradeable," the CoCoon operates a bit like TiVo in Europe and the States, where you simply enter keyword ("ramen," for example) and the machine will search through the electronic program listings for instances of the word. It can then record everything it finds so you'll never again be without the presence of the aforementioned noodles in your living room.

If you don't really trust your own little Robocop to find the Right Stuff, you can always go manual and find what you want to record yourself. Thanks to a built-in "preference algorithm," the machine will keep an eye on your likes and dislikes and proceed to suggest programs from the EPG that it thinks might appeal to you. Like a sort of personal shopper, only for television.

No doubt in recognition of humans' risible inability even to set a comparatively primitive VCR correctly, the onscreen user interface subdivides programming into nine categories. So, uh, if we, like, dig sports man, we just have to press the right button on the remote and we're, like, watching sports. Cool! And if we can't even make that elementary level of commitment to a single channel, the new interface presents a "multi-view," indicating which programs have already started, which are live broadcasts and so on. Kinda removes the joy of channel surfing, though.

The "ubiquitous" refers to a constant, virtual presence of the server, I think, because the CoCoon can connect via Ethernet or broadband and otherwise. So, whether you're in the study on your PC of roaming the streets, you can set the machine to record what you're missing.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

More info: http://www.sony.ip/CorporateCruise/Press/200209/02-0904/