A model poses at Sony's booth to promote its 3D TV sets in Chiba, east of Tokyo,
A model poses at Sony's booth to promote its 3D TV sets in Chiba, east of Tokyo. Reuters

Japan’s Sony Corp unveiled what is touted as the world's first tilting screen that could be set up either vertically or slotted to a six-degree backwards lean, media reports said.

The consumer electronics company has launched the Monolithic screens that are available in state-of-the-art 3D models, which start at $2,070 (1,300 pounds) for a 40-inch screen.

Media reports quoted Sony researchers as saying that a six degree lean is the ideal angle, any less doesn't make much of a discernible difference, and any more could lead to reflections from ceiling lights getting in the way.

The range of tilting screens runs to a 55-inch model priced at $4,776.

Most people don't put their televisions at waist height any more, they set them up a foot or two off the ground, The Daily Mail quoted Tim Page, Sony Europe's senior manager of technology marketing, as saying.

With more minimalist, uncluttered styles for furniture it suits the trend to site the television where it's in a less obtrusive position. Its part of a wider trend for lower level furniture, but with a conventional screen it can mean you're effectively looking down at the picture,” Page said.

Page said tilting function comes in when a viewer needs to look at the television screen square-on for an optimum image in terms of contrast and colors.

It's exactly the same as sitting in front of a laptop - you tilt the screen back so you can see it properly,” Page was quoted as saying.

Sony Japan Japan Sony