Tom Norton

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CES 2013
Sharp Hops on the Ultra HD 4K Express
Tom Norton  |  Jan 09, 2013  |  0 comments
Sharp may be working on new technologies like its IGZO low power consumption LCDs for portable devices or upping the pixel count beyond the current industry goals in its gee-whiz 8K demos (see below), but it doesn't plan to be left behind in the race to 4K. It showed prototypes of its own that looked as impressive as the best versions seen elsewhere. They're expected to ship in the spring (of this year!), in both 60- and 70-inch sizes. The "Moth Eye" feature is a Sharp proprietary glare reduction technology.
CES 2009
Sharp is High on Blu
Tom Norton  |  Jan 07, 2009  |  0 comments
As with all manufacturers, Sharp announced a pile of new sets. But the BD series, available in five sizes (32-, 37-, 42-, 46-, and 52 inches) is the first we've heard of to feather built-in Blu-ray players. The three larges sizes offer 120Hz operation, 10-bit panels, and a Pure mode that selects the optimum settings for a program—including the correct aspect ratio for BDs and DVDs (if this works well, it will be a first, and a welcome one, but no claim was made that it will do this on broadcast sources). The set's cosmetics also feature a touch of blue (red was taken). The two largest models, will be available in February at $2599 (52") and $2299 (46").
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CES 2012
Sharp Packs 'Em In
Tom Norton  |  Jan 11, 2012  |  0 comments
Crowds were around the block for all of the 4K (and OLED) prototype displays at the show, including a 4K demonstration in the Sharp booth.
CEDIA 2010
Sharp Projection
Tom Norton  |  Sep 23, 2010  |  0 comments
The new Sharp ZV2-1700 is the first new 3D projector we've officially heard about at the show, but we know it won't be the last. It's a 1-chip DLP. Like the Quattron 3D sets it comes with 2 pair of active 3D shutter glasses. These are triggered not only by a IR link, but by DLP-Link as well. The latter places invisible white frames into the image periodically to trigger the glasses, which works better than the usual IR link for larger, more widely seated audiences——more likely with a projector than with a flat panel display.
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CES 2009
Sharp Proto Not Typical
Tom Norton  |  Jan 06, 2008  |  Published: Jan 07, 2008  |  0 comments

Sharp announced the construction of a new 10th generation LCD plant in Sakai City, Japan, a huge facility on 314 acres of land, 30 times the area of Yankee Stadium. The mother glass that this plant can handle will be 1.6 times the size of that produced in the current Kamayama plant. Each 10th gen mother glass can be cut into six 60" displays, eight 50", or fifteen 40", greatly increasing production efficiency.

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CEDIA 2009
Sharp Sharps
Tom Norton  |  Sep 11, 2009  |  0 comments
Sharp's new Aquos LE700U lineup includes sets at 52" (LC-52LE700U, $2800), 46"(LC-46LE700U, $2200), 40" (LC-40LE700U, $1700), and 32" (LC-32LE700U, $1100). All provide instant access to customized web-based content via Aquos Net, 120Hz operation, and claim drastically reduced energy consumption (see the following blog). They also employ full LED backlighting (not sidelighting) and claim a peak contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, which sounds remarkable given that the LED backlights do not employ local dimming.
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CEDIA 2009
Sharp Watches the Watts
Tom Norton  |  Sep 11, 2009  |  0 comments
There's a maniacal race afoot in the TV business for the lowest power consumption per inch-or the greenest set. Sharp's LE700U series is ready for the fight. The LC-52LE700U, shown here, is rated to draw 105W. In this demo, I saw it fluctuate between the roughly 98 watts shown here, on an image of average brightness, and about 150 watts. Since sets are always adjusted in show conditions for far more brightness than you'll need at home, the rating seems reasonable for normal domestic use.
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CES 2009
She Sells Sea Shells
Tom Norton  |  Jan 08, 2008  |  1 comments

New readers won’t recognize the shell-shaped speaker on the right. It’s B&W’s Nautilus, a design that dates back years. It always was more of a tech statement piece than a readily available product, but you can still get it on special order. I think I heard $40,000/pair or so.

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Sherwood Adds HDMI 1.3
Tom Norton  |  Jan 10, 2007  |  0 comments

The 2007 line of Sherwood Newcastle AV receivers tops out with the R-972 ($1499.95, summer). Offering 100Wx7 into 8 ohms, it also will accept all of the new audio formats directly through its HDMI 1.3 link and decode them internally (rather than relying on the player to first convert them to PCM). Internal Faroudja processing will deinterlace and/or scale all sources to 720p, 1080i, and 1080p, as directed. The unit also includes Audyssey MultEQ XT EQ.

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Sherwood AVR
Tom Norton  |  Sep 05, 2008  |  0 comments
This new Sherwood AV receiver has all of the requisite features, plus a new type of audio processor. Trinnov processing not only performs the usual equalization options, but is said to be able to electronically shift the source of sound from the actual physical location of the speaker to elsewhere in the room.
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