Coming straight out of a brand new
10G production facility in Sakai, Sharp's line of LX HDTVs (in 60-, 52-, 46- and 40-inch sizes) are all sporting the latest in LCD technology with
UV²A panels and LED backlighting. Unfortunately, like Sony, these new screens abandon the higher quality RGB LED technology of the pricey XS1 series for cheaper
white LEDs. Still, with a price of around $5,000 for a 52-inch compared to the $12,000 sticker shock of the
XS1, it's easy to see why the switch was made. Other improvements include a light sensor for auto-calibration, a six speaker (5 speakers on the 40-inch) integrated 2.1 channel sound system with "Duo Bass" subwoofer and the usual assortment of VOD and AQUOS network support in store for Japanese buyers this November. While already available on a few U.S. models expect the new tech to spread across Sharp's U.S. lineup shortly, not to mention
Sony and anyone other parties interested in a piece of the company's suddenly expanded manufacturing muscle.
[Via
AV Watch &
Akihabara News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rich @ Sep 30th 2009 4:50PM
is the LED backlight the local-dimming type?
SM @ Sep 30th 2009 10:33PM
For years, many touted Sharp as the leading edge of LCD, but lately there have been issues either with the consistency of the screens ( variable shades of black or colouration) poor black levels and then always the high prices.
This (the silly price level) is in my opinion is just another slip down the ladder overall, let alone as compared to the competition.
More importantly, many ignore the off-axis black level and color issues with all LCD’s that all of the local dimming and fast response improvements do not address and this model is no different.
I have yet to be convinced that Plasma has any challenger to picture quality (see the recent discussion in Widescreen Review)
Chance Stevens @ Oct 1st 2009 10:59AM
SM - you may be right but many people like to have the latest and greatest with all of the bells and whistles and that's why people would rather pick up an LCD over a plasma. You can get 240Hz, 1080p, internet connected, 3D ready, barely an inch thin goodness.
Plasma have comparable offerings, but just look at who's been advertising...Sony has spent a bunch of money to push their BRAVIAs and other "HDNA" products and now Samsung is doing the same to push their "LED" HDTVs. Panasonic making people aware of 600Hz subfield isn't going to save plasma.
People are convince what's in a LCD television today is better than what they used to have. Even if the blacks aren't much better than CRT (if at all) or a plasma - people don't care, especially after buy a new one. LCD manufacturers are trying to one up each other and Sharp's entry into the fray looks pretty cool. It'll just take time to see if these innovations mean more LCD sales for them and the companies they provide screens to.
Chance Stevens,
Editor, http://www.hdtvbeat.com
TTboy @ Oct 1st 2009 5:18PM
@ chance,
"...many people like to have the latest and greatest with all of the bells and whistles and that's why people would rather pick up an LCD over a plasma."
i beg to differ. people like to pick up lcds over plasmas because of all the ludicrous marketing from samsung and sony (i.e. LED tvs, contrast ratios). oh, and dont forget big box retail geek sale-boys who kept those ridiculous plasma rumors alive all these years. people still think they need to recharge their plasma cells once a year!
Rupan III @ Oct 6th 2009 4:54PM
Yes, I had a SEARS salesperson tell me that Plasma still has to be recharged every year.
I asked where you get that done, she said 'i dunno'.
Yeah, you dunno alright.
Oat07 @ Oct 2nd 2009 11:27AM
@SM:
This is the type of post that makes me mad. Plasma supporters will often say how superior the technology is, but omit the problems with the tech just like LCD supporters do. Here is a list of problems that you conveniently omitted:
1) Image retention - yes the problem with permanent burn in is solved for the most part, but users still have issues with images remaining on screen.
2) Day time viewing - some models do not have this problem, but some still due. When i look at most plasmas in a well lit store, they look horrible. Grey and washed out. I am sure once i get it home and calibrated in a poorly lit room, it will look great. This is the typr of thing that is ignored by most plasma supporters. Just like people with LCD just deal with the off angel viewing issue, people seem to just deal with this.
3) High power consumption - this one is self explanatory. When i stand in front of some plasmas, i feel like i am going to get sun burn.
These are just a few of the issues. You can't compare only the best plasmas with LCDs. You have to compare all plasmas and many still have these problems, especially some of the lower priced Samsungs.
My point is just recommending plasma to someone is not enough. The average consumer will get the impression that they can go out and buy the cheapest plasma available and it will be better than all LCDs. This is simply not true. Read some reviews of the latest local dimming sets. They have blacks that are as deep as most top end plasmas, but these facts are ignored by most plasma supporters. The Kuro is still the best TV available, but since the tech is no longer being updated this will soon be passed. Also, not all Kuro plasmas are unbeatable. Just the top end models. Right now the industries R&D budget is mostly going to LCD tech.
Rupan III @ Oct 6th 2009 5:01PM
Yeah, that new Panasonic Z is something to behold though.
The V10 is nice too. I actually wish they made that in 42in for the room i have with the windows.