Sharp has announced three new models to their large-screen SB series of LCD HDTV sets. The new SB models are LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U and LC-42SB45U which cover 52 inch, 46 inch, and 42 inch screen size class units (actual diagonal sizes are 52 1/32″, 45 63/64 and 42 1/64″ respectively).

All three new displays feature:

• Full HD (1920 x 1080)
• Glossy piano-black bezels
• 6ms pixel response times
• Wide viewing angles
• Built-in ATSC/QAM/NTSC tuners
• Four HDMI connectors on the LC-52SB55U, two connectors on the LC-46SB54U and three on the LC-42SB45U
• Two HD component terminals
• Dedicated PC input

As for pricing and availability:

• The LC-52SB55U is available now for an MSRP of $2,299.99
• The LC-46SB54U is available now for an MSRP of $1,699.99
• The LC-42SB45U will be available in September for an MSRP of $1,399.99

Technorati Tags: Sharp, LC-52SB55U, LC-46SB54U, LC-42SB45U, HDTV

Sharp UK has introduced two new digital TV recorders - the TUR252H and the TUR162H - with the basic difference being the storage space on these recorders.

The TUR252H features the following specs:

• Freeview+ (previously known as Freeview Playback)
• One touch recording
• 8 day TV guide
• Pause and rewind live TV
• Twin digital tuners
• Simultaneous 2 channel recording whilst watching a pre-recorded programme
• 250Gb hard drive (up to 125 hours disc capacity)
• Series recording
• Split recording
• Multiple/Alternative recording
• Subtitle recording
• Setanta Sports compatible (Subscription and CAM required)

The MSRP is £199.00 (currently sold out at Sharp’s website).

Meanwhile, the TUR162H Digital TV recorder features the following specs:

• Freeview+ (previously known as Freeview Playback)
• One touch recording
• 8 day TV guide
• Pause and rewind live TV
• No subscription
• Twin digital tuners
• Simultaneous 2 channel recording whilst watching a pre-recorded programme
• 160Gb hard drive (up to 80 hours disc capacity)
• Series recording
• Split recording
• Multiple/Alternative recording
• Subtitle recording

This system has an MSRP of £149.00 and is available.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sharp, UK, TUR162H, TUR252H, Digital TV recorders

Sharp has launched the ANPR1500H Home Cinema Rack System which combines DVD system, 2.1 channel speaker system, and television stand into a single unit. The ANPR1500H comes with an HDMI connector and supports 1080i output. Features include:

• USB host capabilities
• DVD player with support for DVD-Video, DVD-RW/R(VR MODE), CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA
• 300 Watt RMS output power
• 2.1 channel speaker system
• Gloss black piano finish
• Supports up to 46 inch LCD TV
• Supports decoding of DTS, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic
• Dolby Virtual speaker and Audistry support
• Remote control
• FM tuner
• Clock/timer/sleep function
• Supports DivX

The ANPR1500H is currently available in the UK for £599.00.

[Check it out via Pocket-Lint]

Technorati Tags: Sharp ANPR1500H Home Cinema Rack System

Sharp Microelectronics introduced two new TFT LCD panels at SID 2008 designed for use in third party applications and products. The panels are the 5.7 inch LQ057V3DG02 and the 8.4 inch LQ084V3DG01 LCD. Both panels meet Sharp’s “Strong 2″ criteria for industrial display technology which includes (quoted from the Sharp press release):

• Brightness: A minimum high brightness of 400 nits eliminates the need to add extra display backlights to compensate for high ambient light situations.
• Contrast: A standard high contrast ratio of 600:1 provides crisp images and vivid display colors.
• Temperature Range: Operation in extreme temperatures ranging from -30 degrees to +80 degrees C eliminates the need for cooling/heating methods.
• Shock and Vibration: Certifications of 60 G - 70 G shock and 1.5 G - 2.0 G vibration are for ideal for surviving even the roughest handling.

The 5.7 inch LQ057V3DG02 features Chip-on-Glass technology, has a resolution of 640 x 480 and has 18x LED backlighting for a brightness of 400 nits. The panel has a one-piece sample pricing of $175.

The 8.4 inch LQ084V3DG01 also has a resolution of 640 x 480 and delivers 400 nits of brightness from 2 x CCFL backlighting system. The panel has a one piece sample panel pricing of $300.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sharp, LQ057V3DG02, LQ084V3DG01

Do you have a Sharp AQUOS 32 inch or 37 inch LCD TV? If so, you might very well be interested in the new Sharp AQUOS AN-AR300 Rack. The AN-AR300 features a built-in amplifier and 2.1 channel speaker system. The digital amplifier delivers 2×25 watts for the stereo speakers and 70 watts for the sub. There’s also an HDMI input which allows you to connect a Blu-ray player or some other HDMI enabled device. The rack measures 911 x 428 x 470 mm and weighs 40.5 kg and will go on sale in Japan for 85,000 Yen around the beginning of August.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sharp AQUOS AN-AR300

HDMI is good.. but let’s face it.. wouldn’t it be awesome if we could just simply eradicate any wires at all in our home theater systems? Well that dream is pretty much a reality folks thanks to companies like AMIMON who are working on wireless high definition technologies. AMIMON’s technology is called WHDI and they recently partnered up with Sharp to include their technology in Sharp’s X-Series of LCD TVs.

AMIMON WHDI technology is capable of delivering wireless uncompressed HDTV at ranges of over 100 feet and through multiple walls. Sharp’s implementation of WHDI technology allows their X-Series to separate the tuner from the display. The tuner can now be connected to the display either via a traditional cable or via a wireless video transmitter. The new sets will go on sale first in Japan. The only downside thus far? The added expensive in having WHDI - about 800 dollars on top of the cost of the Sharp HDTV set. Ouch.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sharp, AMIMON, WHDI, X-series, Wireless HD

As expected by many, Pioneer announced last week that they would be ending their in-house production of plasma display panels as a way to streamline their business and shift focus from money-losing businesses to growth oriented business such as car electronics and Blu-ray products. Pioneer will continue to sell plasma displays but will now procure the panels from third party manufacturers. Pioneer is also looking into how it can procure panels that include some of their own plasma display technologies.

Pioneer also announced that they would be partnering with Sharp Corporation - with Sharp providing LCD panels for upcoming Pioneer LCD HDTV systems. The two companies would also be developing acoustic systems for ultra-thin flat panel TVs.

In the meantime, Pioneer will focus on internally developing Blu-ray disc players which it expects to grow as a business worldwide as more consumers adopt Blu-ray. On the Blu-ray recorder front, Pioneer will continue to use joint developing and outsourcing in creating new products (also working with Sharp on this front).

You can read more about the business restructuring at Pioneer here in their press release.

[Check it out via Digital Trends]

Technorati Tags: Pioneer, Sharp, LCD, Plasma, Blu-ray

AVING is reporting that Sharp plans on launching a new 120Hz 1080p LCD lineup in Japan called the AQUOS E Series. The new sets will have resolutions of 1920 x 1080, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 176 degree viewing angles, and 450 cd/m2 brightness.

The E series will come in four display sizes - 37 inch, 42 inch, 46 inch, and 52 inch. No word on pricing but these displays should be coming out in March.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Sharp, AQUOS E Series, HDTV, LCD

It certainly looks like Blu-ray is catching on in Japan - at least Blu-ray recorders! According to a study of 2300 electronic stores across Japan by the country’s Business Computer News think tank, 20 percent of DVD recorders sold in November and December were next generation DVD recorders (either Blu-ray or HD DVD). This is up from 6.1 percent back in October of 2007. Now the incredible part - 90 percent of that twenty percent share belonged to Blu-ray DVD recorders!

Not surprisingly, three of the top selling next generation DVD recorders belong to Sony with the company accounting for 60 percent of the total sales in that market. Panasonic followed up with 27 percent of sales and Sharp had nearly 10 percent of sales. Both companies of course support Blu-ray. Toshiba, the principle backer of HD DVD, had only four percent of the overall sales market.

Yes, it does appear Blu-ray is winning the High Def war finally.

[Check it out]

Technorati Tags: Blu-ray, Sony, Sharp, Panasonic, HD DVD, Japan

1080p capable LCD displays keep getting smaller as Sharp has introduced their new 32 inch AQUOS LC-32GP3U. The LC-32GP3U comes with a Vyper Drive processing mode designed to reduce screen lag times in gaming environments. Other features include 10,000:1 contrast ratio, two HDMI 1.3 inputs, support for x.v.Color (Deep Color), VGA input, and a separate subwoofer connection to add additional bass without the need for additional satellite speakers. The LC-32GP3U will be available in three colors (black, red, and white) and will sell for around $1600 dollars starting later this month.

[Check it out via Gadgetell]

Technorati Tags: Sharp, LC-32GP3U, AQUOS, HDTV, LCD TV