WEGA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WEGA (pronounced vay-gah) was a pioneering German audio/video manufacturer, manufacturing some of Germany's earliest radio sets. In 1975, it was acquired by Sony Corporation[citation needed], at this point, they were known throughout Europe for stylish and high-quality stereo equipment. The WEGA brand was phased out by Sony during the early 1990s.
After that, in 1996, Sony released a television line called FD Trinitron WEGA, a flat-screen television with side-mounted speakers and a silver cabinet. At its release, the television was considered revolutionary in its performance and minimalist design; the WEGA was a success in the marketplace to the point that almost every flat-screen CRT television has copied its design.
Sony marketing materials for the television state that the FD Trinitron WEGA was named after the main star in the Lyra constellation (usually spelled 'Vega' in English), and make no reference to the original WEGA firm, although many products sold by WEGA after its acquisition by Sony shared much design language with the television, notably the rather minimalist styling and silver metallic finish.
Although other European languages swap the V and W from German, WEGA is still pronounced "Vega".
Sony has also used WEGA to advertise flat-screen televisions with newer technologies than CRT. Their flat-panel LCD TVs were styled LCD WEGA until summer 2005 when they were rebranded BRAVIA (early promotional photos exist of the first BRAVIA TVs still bearing the WEGA label). Sony's rear-projection televisions, either SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display) or LCD-based, are branded as Grand WEGA.
