Sharp Ultra Thin LCD

Sharp today sought to prove that LCD TV technology could still rival future OLED displays by revealing a prototype AQUOS set that would overcome many of the setbacks of today's screens. Despite a 52-inch panel, the TV's advanced backlighting and panel chipset would slim the display to just 1.1 inches at its thickest point at a weight of 55 pounds -- letting buyers set the TV flush against a wall or counter where it would be impossible today. Color accuracy in the future screen will also increase, Sharp says: the screen would cover 150% of NTSC television's color gamut and would provide a 100,000:1 contrast ratio far better than any existing TV set. Even so, power consumption would actually decrease to 140 kilowatt-hours, Sharp claims.

The Japanese firm doesn't intend to manufacture the prototype display itself, arguing that the demonstrator chiefly points the way towards future sets which will use the technology. Sharp plans to release sets at the caliber of the 52-inch screen by 2010 but will gradually roll out advancements in nearer AQUOS models.

By Electronista Staff