NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - July 8, 2009) -
Sharp
Electronics unveils, for the first time worldwide, AQUOS LED, an LCD TV
series that provides the ultimate in picture quality and value, offering
consumers the lowest power consumption of any available LCD TV. A new
series of LCD TVs that combines Sharp's award-winning
AQUOS LCD
technology with a Full-Array LED backlight system, the new LE700 AQUOS LED
series delivers unprecedented image quality and energy-efficient,
eco-friendly performance. This Full-HD 1080p LCD TV series, available in
52- (LC-52LE700UN), 46- (LC-46LE700UN), 40-
(LC-40E700UN) and 32-inch (LC-32LE700UN) screen class sizes (52 1/32", 45
63/64", 40", and 31 35/64" diagonal respectively), introduces a
newly-developed X-Gen Panel with advanced pixel control for extremely deep
black levels.
The
AQUOS LED
series also includes Sharp's AQUOS Net™* capability, a service that
gives users instant access to customized Web-based content as well as
real-time customer support.
"Sharp demonstrated the unlimited possibilities of LCD, bringing the first
LED back-lit AQUOS LCD TV to market last year, and we continue to advance
the category today," said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group
manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "With
the introduction of the AQUOS LED series, we are bringing consumers an
affordable display solution with superior picture and environmental
performance that provides a true value. Sharp is able to deliver a
price-competitive yet high-performance product by producing many of the key
components of the TV, including the LED components and the LCD panel."
Superior Picture Quality
The proprietary AQUOS LED system incorporates Sharp's UltraBrilliant LED
backlight technology that illuminates the TV to extremely high brightness
and contrast levels. The system includes a full array of LEDs evenly
dispersed behind the diffuser, resulting in more uniform colors and
brightness across the entire screen, as well as improved color purity for
the smoothest picture possible. Additionally, this series uses Sharp's
proprietary
next-generation Full HD 1080p X-Gen LCD panel with 10-bit processing,
designed with advanced pixel control to minimize light leakage, producing
extremely deep black levels. The
X-Gen panel also provides a wider aperture to allow more light to pass
through the panel, resulting in higher peak brightness. The panel provides
Spectral Contrast Engine MC for an extremely high Dynamic Contrast Ratio of
more than 2,000,000:1 for crisp picture quality and vibrant colors, as well
as a special dejudder feature (on the LC-52LE700UN and LC-46LE700UN) that
results in the smooth reproduction of film content.
Rounding out this premium picture, the series offers Fine Motion Enhanced
technology for 120Hz Frame Rate Conversion and a fast pixel response time
of 4ms, providing the ultimate medium for high-definition viewing, ensuring
viewers never miss a detail. For flexible room placement, the series has
impressive 176-degree viewing angles, enabling the color reproduction to
appear bright and vivid from virtually anywhere in a room.
Eco-Efficient Design
In addition to a first-class picture, the AQUOS LED series was designed to
bring overall value to the consumer, with several eco-friendly improvements
enabled by LED technology. The UltraBrilliant full array LED backlight
enables precise light output with higher luminance per watt so less power
is needed. The TV is also equipped with a system designed to lower power
consumption during use by adjusting the screen brightness based on the
level of brightness in the area of installation. In fact, this series
offers the industry's lowest power consumption of any LCD TV currently
available on the market.** The LC-52LE700UN consumes 105W, exceeding the
EPA's ENERGY STAR criteria for TVs: Version 3.0 by 68 percent; the
LC-46LE700UN consumes 90W, exceeding ENERGY STAR guidelines by 63 percent;
the LC-40LE700UN consumes 75W, exceeding ENERGY STAR guidelines by 60
percent; and the LC-32LE700UN consumes 55W, exceeding ENERGY STAR
guidelines by 52 percent.
In addition to lower power consumption, the AQUOS LED series is built to
last longer -- as a solid-state light source, LEDs generate less heat and
are more durable, leading to a longer lifespan -- an expected 100,000
hours, two thirds longer than traditional LCD TVs.
This TV series also uses eco-friendly components and uses no mercury -- LED
is a mercury-free light source. The units house fewer components with a
reduction of heavy metals, which makes for easy recycling and an overall
carbon footprint reduction.
AQUOS Net
Included in the LE700 series*, AQUOS Net is an
internet-based service that gives Sharp AQUOS customers access to
personalized information. Viewers can check everyday information with a
push of a button on the television's remote control, in either full screen
or split screen. Currently available through AQUOS Net is content from
Weatherbug to check the local forecast, NASDAQ for stock quotes, Accedo
Broadband for casual games such as blackjack and Sudoku, UCLICK to follow
daily comic strips, daily local NAVTEQ Traffic™ reports, AQUOS Gallery,
which provides users with beautiful high-resolution 1080p images of scenery
and nature, and a variety of web-based content from NBCU's broad portfolio.
Through AQUOS Net, consumers also have access to unparalleled customer
support for their television, including the ability to have dedicated
AQUOS Advantage(SM) advisors
connect remotely to their TV to assist in adjusting the TV's settings and
optimizing picture quality for the best viewing experience. This
interactive tool, known as AQUOS Advantage Live(SM), is easily accessible
from the AQUOS Net home page.
Advanced Connectivity
These Full-HD 1080p models boast an array of connection options, including
four HDMI™ (v1.3 with Deep Color) and two component video inputs, all of
which are 1080p compatible, accepting signals from Blu-ray Disc™ players
and advanced gaming devices. A true high-definition TV, each model houses
a built-in ATSC, QAM and NTSC tuner for access to DTV and analog TV
channels. The LE700 series also features an RS-232C input for custom
installations and a PC input so the TV serves a dual purpose as a PC
monitor. Additionally, Sharp's AQUOS LINK™ feature allows users to
seamlessly control compatible, HDMI-connected products using a single
remote control. The series also includes a USB photo/music player* for the
convenience of high-resolution digital photo viewing and MP3 music
enjoyment on the TV.
Availability
-- The LC-52LE700UN will be available in July for a Manufacturer's
Suggested List Price of $2,799.99
-- The LC-46LE700UN will be available in July for an MSRP of $2,199.99
-- The LC-40LE700UN will be available in July for an MSRP of $1,699.99
-- The LC-32LE700UN will be available in July for an MSRP of $1,099.99
For more information on Sharp's full line of Liquid Crystal Televisions,
contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J.,
07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP. For online product information, visit
Sharp's Web site at sharpusa.com. Become a fan of Sharp AQUOS at
www.facebook.com/SharpAQUOS.
Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp
Corporation, a worldwide developer of
one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked
multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions and mobile
communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS®
Liquid Crystal Televisions, 1-Bit™ digital audio products,
SharpVision® projection products, Notevision® multimedia projectors,
Insight® Microwave Drawer® appliances, SuperSteam™ ovens,
Plasmacluster® air purifiers and the OnEnergy™ solar system. For
more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at
www.sharpusa.com
* Except on the 32-inch (31 1/2" diagonal) screen class size
** Using On Mode Power as specified by ENERGY STAR Version 3.0
Sharp and AQUOS are registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation
HDMI, the HDMI logo and High Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks
of HDMI Licensing, LLC
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners
Contact Information: CONTACT:
Melissa Non
Crenshaw Communications
Phone: 646-484-4503
E-mail: melissa@crenshawcomm.com
www.crenshawcomm.com
Chris Loncto
Sharp Electronics Corporation
Phone: 201-529-8680
E-mail: lonctoc@sharpsec.com