Audio Video News

Ask anyone, home theater fanatic or man in the street. All agree that flatscreen televisions are the coolest thing since ice cream.

Coolest of the cool are new Aquos widescreen sets from Sharp Electronics Corporation. As part of a longterm company-wide project to remake the brand's image, Sharp has invested heavily in new technology and new designs. The yield has been substantial: Sharp is now the market leader in LCD television.

Leveraging it recent success, Sharp has expanded its flat-screen Aquos Liquid Crystal line with two new 16:9 widescreen models: the 22" LC-22SV2U and the 30" LC-30HV2U. These newest SharpVision additions have state-of-the-art "Advanced Super View" (ASV) panels with 170 degree viewing angles, a 500:1 contrast ratio, and a 16:9 aspect ratio for viewing widescreen movies in their original format.

"The Aquos widescreen models feature improved quality ASV panels, and provide today's design-conscious consumers with the high-performance and high-style televisions they demand," said Sharp senior product manager Tony Favia. Both new models have enhanced ASV panels featuring "Ultra-High Aperture TFT," a new development in LCD panel technology delivering extremely wide viewing angles and an exceptionally high contrast ratio. These new models also feature "Black TFT" coating on the panels, reducing glare and heightening brightness in strong light conditions. The new displays have been optimized for high brightness and more vibrant colors in darker environments.

The 30" LC-30HV2U boasts WXGA resolution (1280 X 768 pixels), making it capable of delivering high-definition images at 720p in 16:9 format. Detachable speakers provide high quality audio output. Clean and simple: a separate audio/video computer (AVC) system, included with the LC-30HV2U, houses component audio, video and computer (PC) inputs and outputs, reducing the clutter of cables around the panel and creating a clean, stylish look.

Its smaller sibling the 22" LC-22SV2U also allows viewers to enjoy impressive full-screen images from wide-format video, but at closer viewing distances. WVGA resolution (854 X 480 pixels) utilizes "advanced Interlaced to Progressive (I/P) conversion and enhanced 3:2 pull down" for optimal conversion of Interlaced signals to the Progressive format for the most accurate reproduction of film-based content, according to a February 22 announcement. Two speakers frame the screen on either side and produce high-quality stereo audio. Both of the new TVs have redesigned stands to make transportation and setup easy. Widescreen Aquos televisions can be placed on a wall, on a bookshelf or almost anywhere imaginable in the home.

Aquos LCD televisions have long-life back lights capable of 60,000 hours, multiple video signal inputs (Component, S-Video and Composite), and built-in cable TV tuners. Remote controls are standard. The sets also feature V-chips for parental control, and are eco-friendly in the extreme in that they consume 60% less power than comparably sized CRT direct-view televisions.

The 30" LC-30HV2U should be available through SharpVision dealers in March 2002, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $7,999.95. The 22" LC-22SV2U should be available in August 2002 for approximately $3,999.95.