When Sony held a media event in New York City recently to showcase its new products, technologies and content partnerships, The Geek Weekly was there. In a swank multimillion-dollar artist's residence in Manhattan, Sony introduced seven new Bravia XBR flat-panel LCD high-definition televisions, bringing its total Bravia offering to 30 models.

Most impressive were its XBR8 1080p models -- specifically, the 55-inch KDL-55XBR8 and 46-inch KDL-46XBR8 models -- which incorporate Sony's "Triluminos" three-color LED backlighting technology for a greater color range (by aligning individual clusters of red, blue and green LEDs as compared to traditional white LED backlights).

But it was the contrast of these LCD televisions, aided by Advanced Contrast Enhancer PRO (ACE PRO) local dimming technology, that had crowds gushing over its exceptionally black scenes. In fact, Sony showcased its KDL-55XBR8 LCD television beside a comparable-sized unnamed plasma television (Actually, we peeked, and it was a Pioneer). The Sony set looked significantly blacker in dark scenes, which is no easy feat for LCD, yet retained detail and color around visible objects.

(Note: Pioneer held a similar demo a few weeks back, showing how much better its Kuro plasma TVs are against current-generation Sony Bravia LCD TVs).

The next-generation XBR8 Bravia televisions will be available by the fall, but Sony hasn't confirmed pricing details just yet.

Speaking of its Bravia TVs, Sony also announced its new content partner: YouTube, whose content will now be available through the Bravia Internet Video Link module ($300). You know, that accessory that attaches to the back of some Bravia TVs from 2007 and 2008 and gives couch potatoes access to online content from more than 20 providers.

YouTube is now the first icon on the Internet Video Link menu (accessible from the Xross Media Bar), offering television viewers 100 percent of the website's video database of many millions of titles.

We tried the service ourselves, and though you need to use a remote to patiently type a query in the search field, you can easy tag your favorite videos to view from a bookmarked list. Video and audio quality varies depending on the content your viewing, but it's recommended to watch grainier videos in a small window as opposed to viewing full-screen.

Wired and C-Spot have also joined YouTube, both offering original episodic short comedy series.

Finally, Sony also unveiled its HT-IS100 Bravia Theatre Micro System, which delivers rich and powerful 5.1 surround sound audio out of satellite speakers no bigger than a strawberry (see image). Seriously, this is crazy.

Along with these teeny speakers that are big on sound, the HT-IS100 is essentially a 450-watt audio-video receiver with integrated subwoofer, which includes three 1080p HDMI inputs for high-definition components such as Blu-ray machines, video game consoles and high-def satellite/cable boxes. Unlike its predecessor, the HT-IS100 also supports optional wireless rear speakers (requiring the $180 SA10 speaker kit). The HT-IS100 will be available this month for about $700. We're anxious to test this audio system and report the results, so stay tuned to The Geek Weekly for details.