14 DAY TRIAL // Just about every major name in the CE industry has come out with a new series of products at CES 2008, with TV sets (both plasmas and LCDs) being among the most popular announcements. So it's no wonder that Sharp has also joined this HDTVs galore, announcing quite a large number of new models in its AQUOS LCD TV series.
One of the most important developments presented by Sharp together with its new line of TVs is represented by the AQUOS Net service, which brings Internet content and remote diagnostics to AQUOS LCD TVs at the touch of a button. Furthermore, in order to connect the AQUOS to an Internet source in another room utilizing existing electrical wiring, Sharp debuts several PLC (Powerline Communication) adapters.
The first family of products we'll tackle is the AQUOS Widescreen 1080p HDTV Series ("Special Edition" SE94) which includes 65-, 52- and 46-inch screen class sizes and features the latest version of Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) panel for a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of up to 27,000:1, a response time of just around 4 ms and 176-degree viewing angles.
Moreover, the "Special Edition" AQUOS series features Sharp's proprietary 5-wavelength backlight system that provides an enhanced color spectrum, producing more vivid, deeper reds and greens. Additionally, all the units include 3 HDMI (version 1.3 with x.v.Color and 24fps compatibility) inputs as well as dual HD component terminals, all of which are compatible with 1080p signals. The 65-inch and 52-inch LC-65SE94U and LC-52SE94U models are slated for a January release ($10,999.99 and $4,199.99 respectively), while the 46-inch LC-46SE94U will be available in February for an MSRP of $3,199.99.
Next on Sharp's list of announcements is the AQUOS Widescreen 1080p HDTV LC-52D74U, which delivers full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution, a whopping 18,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio for deep blacks and crisp picture quality, enhanced Quick Shoot video circuitry for faster pixel response time of 4 ms and wide viewing angles of 176 degrees, so users can view the television from virtually anywhere in the room. Moreover, the LC-52D74U also includes Sharp's proprietary 4-wavelength backlight system, an Ethernet adapter in order to access the AQUOS.NET service, three HDMI (version 1.3 with x.v.Color and 24fps compatibility) inputs as well as two HD component terminals, all of which are compatible with 1080p signals. The LC-52D74U is supposed to arrive at some point in April for a MSRP of $3,599.99.
Furthermore, Sharp is also showcasing a LCD behemoth, namely the 108-inch Full HD 1080p model, which measures 93.9-inches (W) by 52.9-inches (H) in size (2.38 m x 1.34 m), and features Sharp's Advanced Super View LCD Panel.
After seeing these widescreen monsters, it's time to move to the opposite side of the diagonal size spectrum and talk about Sharp's smaller LCDs. Thus, the company has also announced the addition of 32- and 37-inch screen size classes to its "slim-line" D64U Series of AQUOS Full HD 1080p HDTVs, which already includes 42-, 46-, 52- and 65-inch screen size classes.
The new 37- and 32-inch screen class sizes feature the slim-line design with 25% thinner depth than previous models, deliver full 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution. The built-in ASV panel enables a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 10,000:1 and a response time of 6ms, and the device also incorporates a standard set of connectivity options, including here two HDMI inputs (version 1.3) and two HD component video inputs, all 1080p compatible, an RS-232C input for control, and a PC input so the TV can be used as a PC monitor.
The LC-37D64U is supposed to arrive in February at an MSRP of $1,599.99, while the LC-32D64U will be available in this month for an MSRP of $1,299.99.
Next in Sharp's new line-up are the widescreen 37- and 32-inch HDTV AQUOS D44 models, which share pretty much the same features with the D64U series, although they provide just a 1366 x 768 resolution, a true 16:9 aspect ratio, a 7500:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, as well as built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners. The LC-37D44U will be available in February for an MSRP of $1,299.99 and the LC-32D44U will be available in January for an MSRP of $999.99.
Finally, the company has also released a new Full HD 1080p AQUOS LCD gaming model series, the LC-32GP3U, crafted specifically for video game enthusiasts, which sports a 32-inch screen class size. The AQUOS model is available in three glossy-finish colors - black, white and wine dark red, and provides a "game mode" which optimizes the picture quality for game-playing, as well a custom-designed remote control that allows the user to quickly "jump" into the game mode, and access the side-placed terminals for easy connections to video games.
Other highlights of the LC-32GP3U include a 10,000:1 Dynamic contrast ratio, a 6 ms response time (not that great for a gaming-oriented device), three HDMI v1.3 inputs (with one on the side) as well as two HD component terminals, used for delivering resolutions up to 1920 x 1080 24 fps (frames per second).
In order to complete its line-up, Sharp has also introed the BD-HP50U Blu-ray player, which supports BD-ROM Profile 1.1, or BD Live, the latest version of the Blu-ray Disc format, and comes prepared with everything an user might need in order to enjoy their home-cinematographic experience. The device is supposed to arrive in stores at some point in the Spring of 2008, at a MSRP of around 800 US dollars.
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