Sharp intros QuadPixel LED HDTVs, more
updated 05:15 pm EST, Wed January 6, 2010
Sharp shows QuadPixel LED, web-connected HDTVs
At its press conference at CES on Wednesday, Sharp announced it would release LED-backlit HDTVs with new QuadPixel technology that is said to increase the number of individual color reproduced by conventional sets from 1 billion to 1 trillion. Conventional TVs use red, green and blue, but QuadPixel adds a fourth, yellow subpixel. This is said to provide richer yellows, golds and light blues, while Sharp’s X-Gen panels, which use the RGBY pixels, are also said to be more energy efficient.
The LE920 series is the top of the line, and will be available in a 52-, 60- and a 68-inch size. All are 1.6 inches think and sport a 240Hz refresh rate. Sharp promises this X-Gen panel will have the industry’s highest contrast levels. The LE820/810 series of TVs will also sport QuadPixel technology, though they will have 120Hz panels and 4ms response times. They come in 40-, 52- and 60-inch sizes. Select models will support streaming Internet content from Netflix using Aquos Net, with Twitter also compatible.
Small LEDs without the QuadPixel technology are also due, and include the 32- and 22-inch LS510, both of which can reproduce 1080p resolutions, while a 19-inch LS410 model has 720p support. All are 1.49 inches thick and ship in May and June, though there is no indication regarding prices.
Sharp also took the opportunity to announced a new BD-HP70U Blu-ray player that supports Netflix and RSS feeds. It will also be compatible with Dolby True HD standard and DTS HD, as well as BD-Live. Sharp opted to sue an anti-vibration chassis, and the player will draw 14W of power when in use, or 0.4W in standby. It will cost $500 when it ships next winter.
The BD-MPC41U 5.1-channel home theatre in a box system is also new, also receiving BD-Live support via an Ethernet port. It is rated at 1,020W, has an integrated iPod dock and will get Audyssey sound. Netflix support is ensured, with the ship date set for sometime in February. It will cost $750.
Pricing for the LE-series TVs will range from $1,800 for the 40-inch model to $3,000 for the 52-inch version, all of which are due in March. Pricing for the three LE920 models, including the 68-inch model, has not been announced, though they are scheduled for release in May.
