Japan: Sony Launches HD Video-Sharing

Sony said this week it has begun to allow the inclusion of HD content within its eyeVio HD Pro service. Available now only in Japan (Sony’s home base), the technology enables the posting and sharing of HD files on a dedicated video-sharing portal dubbed eyeVio. The portal itself went online more than a year ago.

Much like a computer video service akin to YouTube (but for a price), portal users also can view video clips uploaded to the eyeVio HD Pro on DTV sets by using a Sony BRX-NT1 box or the firm’s PlayStation 3 game console, in tandem with the TV set.

To post HD clips, a user must apply for an account to use the proprietary eyeVio HD Pro service online. (A paying HD member is allowed to upload no more than 500 MB.) But minimum system specs for users are pretty steep: Intel 2 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 2 GB RAM, and Windows XP SP3/Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.