Consumer surveys find Sony VCRs No. 1.

PARK RIDGE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 1996--Two independent consumer electronics studies commissioned in late 1995 concluded that Sony brand VCRs ranked highest among consumers for product satisfaction and value.

The studies, conducted by Chilton Research Services and Intersearch Corp., two leading national marketing research firms, showed Sony ranking first in every category.

Over 1,000 randomly chosen respondents were asked to rank their VCRs on a scale of one to ten for the following five categories: Overall Satisfaction, Picture Quality, Ease of Use, Reliability, and Value. With a mean score near nine in every category, Sony's VCRs came out on top, besting such rivals as RCA, Panasonic, Magnavox, Mitsubishi and JVC. Additionally, in a separate question, consumers were asked to gauge the likelihood of a repeat purchase of their present brand of VCR. Sony tied for first place with RCA and Magnavox, underscoring overall product satisfaction.

Jim Bonan, vice president Home Audio/Video Marketing Company, Consumer Products Group, was not surprised. "We firmly believe that Sony's quality is second to none, and have invested considerable time and effort to ensure this," Bonan said.

Seeking even more specific customer feedback, Sony commissioned Intersearch Corp. to pose the same questions to a group comprised exclusively of Sony VCR owners. One hundred users of the Sony SLV-780HF VCR, a fully-featured Hi-Fi Stereo VCR, ranked the model an average of 8.8 for Overall Satisfaction (ten being the maximum score) and an average 8.9 for Picture Quality, demonstrating the same level of superior quality and customer satisfaction seen in the brand survey. On the one to four scale for repeat purchase, four meaning "Very Likely to Buy Again", the same group registered a mean 3.6 response.

The Sony SLV-780HF VCR also won praise from a widely respected consumer products review magazine. In its 1996 shoppers guide, the model was lauded for its "pristine" picture recording and playback at all speeds. The editorial authorities cited Sony-developed features like AutoClock(TM) Set, Adaptive Picture Control and the Sony Shuttle Control as other good reasons to purchase the Sony SLV-780HF VCR.

"These features illustrate Sony's commitment to simplicity and ease of use, as well as uncompromising performance," Bonan said.

CONTACT: Sony Electronics

Grace Ann Arnold

201/930-7160

[e-mail]

or

Technology Solutions

Jerry Hirsh

212/696-2000 ext. 264

[e-mail]