Sharp Debuts Blu-ray Players, 2 Lines of AQUOS LCDs

Sharp introduced two lines of AQUOS LCDs and two Blu-ray players today on the first day of CEDIA Expo 2008.

The first new LCD line is the AQUOS D85U Series, which features 52-, 46- and 42-inch models with 176-degree viewing angles.

The 1080p LCDs have five HDMI v1.3 inputs with Deep Color and 120Hz Fine Motion Enhanced technology.

The D85U Series also employs the "Power Saving Mode," that enables active contrast and active backlight to reduce the energy of the television while in use.

These models are compliant with Energy Star standards.

Other features in the D85U Series include:

• Sharp's proprietary 10-bit Advanced Super View (ASV)/Black TFT Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine UD (Ultra Dark)
• Two component video inputs
• A built-in ATSC, QAM and NTSC tuner for access to DTV and analog TV channels
• An RS-232C input for custom installations and a PC input

The D85U Series comes in a piano black finish with a reflective, titanium outer frame. The LCDs also include bottom-mounted speakers that are concealed within in the cabinet.

MSRP:
LC-52D85U (52 inches) will be available in October for $2,599.99
LC-46D85U (46 inches) will be available in October for $2,199.99
LC-42D85U (42 inches) will be available in November for $1,899.99

D65U Series of AQUOS LCDs

Sharp is also expanding its full HD 1080p line of AQUOS LCDs with the D65U Series.

This series offers 52-, 46- and 42-inch models that feature slim designs.

The Energy Star-compliant models also offer a "Power Saving Mode" and five HDMI and two component video inputs. HDMI v1.3 is offered on the 52- and 46-inch models.

Other features:

• Sharp's proprietary 10-bit ASV/Black TFT Panel with a pixel response time of 6 ms
• Viewing angles of 176 degrees
• Two composite video inputs, one S-video, a dedicated PC input and RS-232C for system control

The D65U Series comes with a piano black inner bezel and a matching black outer frame. It also has recessed, bottom-mounted speakers.

MSRP:
LC-52D65U (52 inches) will be available in October for $2,399.99
LC-46D65U (46 inches) will be available in October for $1,899.99
LC-42D65U (42 inches) is available now for $1,599.99

BD-HP50U Blu-ray Player

The BD-HP50U is the latest Blu-ray player from Sharp. It supports Profile 1.1 and built-in RS-232C that enables management by external control systems.

The BD-HP50U features HDMI v1.3 output and x.v.Color It also supports Lip Sync to automatically adjusts audio and video signal processing times.

The player, which outputs 1080p/24fps, offers JPEG playback and AQUOS LINK for control HDMI-connected products with a single remote.

BD-HP50U upscales DVDs and supports the following audio formats: Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD and Dolby Digital Plus.

IR input allows the unit to be controlled wirelessly through a remote sensor.

The BD-HP50U is currently shipping for $449.99

BD-HP21U

Sharp is also rolling out the BD-HP21U Blu-ray player, which outputs 1080p/24Hz HD and supports Profile 1.1.

BD-HP21U, the successor to the BD-HP20U, also upscales DVDs to 1080p. It includes HDMI v1.3 with x.v.Color support and decodes the same audio formats as the BD-HP50U.

Other features:

• AQUOS LINK
• Sharp's proprietary Quick Start feature, which starts the movie in less than 10 seconds
• Outputs 7.1-channel digital audio

The BD-HP21U, which is available in a glossy piano black finish, is currently shipping for $349.99.