14 DAY TRIAL // As mentioned time and time before, it would seem that the most important names in the CE industry have established some sort of fashion related to the launch of certain products or families of products, namely that of rolling out a huge number of models in one shot. And the latest example of this trend comes from Sharp, who has just unveiled (for now, solely on the Japanese market) no less than....20 AQUOS LCD TV models in a single day, pertaining to 3 different series (the X Series, the E Series and the D Series).
Three new models in the AQUOS X Series - world's thinnest HDTVs
According to Sharp, the 46V, 42V and 37V-inch model launched in the X-Series are the world's thinnest HDTVs, being only 3.44 cm thick in their thinnest part. Obviously, they sport a very attractive and streamlined design, but the display-related features are also quite interesting (15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios and 12-bit BDE color value rendering, as well as double-speed, 120-Hz frame rate conversion full-HD LCD technology). Furthermore, all the three new models deliver 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolutions, a brightness level of 450 cd/m2, 2000:1 static contrast ratios and 176-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles.
The three new models from Sharp's X-Series also include quite an OK sound system, capable of delivering a total of 20 Watts of audio power via the 2 x 8-cm, 4 x 3.5-cm and 2 x 2-cm built-in speakers. The three HDTVs also come packed with a pretty impressive set of connectivity options, including here HDMI, D5, S2, DVI-I inputs and monitor, headphone and digital audio outputs, among others. As a curiosity, the devices also sport an i.LINK connector (FireWire), a telephone line connector (2,400 bps) and a LAN interface (10Base-T/100Base-TX).
Four new models in the AQUOS E Series
The Japanese company's E Series has been upgraded with 4 models, namely the LC-52EX5, LC-46EX5, LC-42EX5 and LC-37EX5 (as you've probably guessed already, this means that they come in 52, 46, 42 and 37-inch flavors). The new E-Series models are also capable of providing 15,000:1 dynamic contrast ratios and 12-bit BDE color value rendering, as well as resolutions of up to 1,920 x 1,080 pixels.
Much in the same way as the models from the X-Series, the E-Series versions feature a brightness level of 450 cd/m2, 2000:1 static contrast ratios and 176-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles, as well as the same connectivity options mentioned earlier. The biggest difference (beside the external design, of course) is related to the audio system, consisting of 2 x 6.5-cm and 2 x 2-cm diameter speakers, but still capable of delivering an overall 20 Watts of audio power.
Thirteen (13!) new models in the AQUOS D Series
The D Series has received the most serious upgrade of them all, as Sharp has announced no less than thirteen new models, targeting especially those users who want to purchase stylish and attractive products that will complement the design of their own homes. For this reason, the latest addition to this family includes five color options in ten models in the 32V- and 20V-inch sizes, and three color options in three models in the 26V-inch screen size.
All the models offer 1,366 x 768 pixels resolutions, 450 cd/m2 brightness levels, 1500:1 contrast ratios and 176-degree viewing angles. The connectivity options are pretty much the same as in the case of the X and E Series, while the built-in audio systems consist of 2 x 6.5-cm and 2 x 2-cm diameter speakers. Additionally, the 32V- and 26V-inch models also feature a Side-Port Bass Reflex Speaker system that delivers bass notes, providing high audio quality even in smaller rooms.
As mentioned right from the start, these 20 new LCD HDTVs will be available for now solely in Japan (at as-yet undisclosed prices), with the rest of world having to wait probably till the second half of 2008.
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