CES 2008: Sharp rolls out latest AQUOS HDTV ranges
As is traditional with every major electronics manufacturer at this time of year, Sharp has announced a glut of HDTVs. And like every year, they’re steadily getting bigger and bigger, with LCD now looking like it might be turning the tide in its favour at against rival Plasma technology at even larger sizes.
Sharp’s flagship model that’s coming out in the next couple of weeks in the US, is the LC-65SE94U. It’s a 65” model which boasts full 1080p HD, 27,000:1 contrast ratio and the new AQUOS Net technology that we reported earlier which is enabled by the inclusion of an ethernet port on the set. This monster LCD will cost some where in the region of $10,000. No news on when it might reach the UK though. Following later are a 52” and 42” and each is now almost a third slimmer and a touch lighter than their older counterparts.
Further down the line, there’s a 52” LC-52D74U. It is also AQUOS Net compatible and sports full 1080p HD but has a weaker contrast ratio of 18,000:1. It will be available in the US form April for $3,600
In sizes more suitable for less palatial abodes (not to mention wallets), there are the 37” and 32” D64 models. Contrast ratio is fairly standard for its size at 10,000:1, although the full 1080p resolution and price tags of $1,600 and $1,299respectively seem more reasonable as a result. They’re due out sometime between now and the end of February in the US.
Forming the lower end of the new range is the D44 series. The 37 and 32 inch models are a standard 720p resolution, with a meagre 7500:1 contrast ratio. They’re emerging on the US shelves between now and February at $1,300 and $1,000 respectively.
CES 2008 Special
Read all our coverage from the show in our CES 2008 category
