With a new range of ultra thin AQUOS LCDs, Sharp unveils the next generation of home entertainment technology.

London, 28th August 2008 – As a global leader in LCD technology, Sharp will be revealing its new home cinema line-up at IFA 2008. Being unveiled will be two new series of next generation LCD TVs, both incorporating 1080p HD and 100-hertz technology, and the BD-HP21H AQUOS Blu-ray player. The showstopper of last year’s event, the 108”LCD TV, will also be on display.

As explained by Tommaso Monetto, LCD Product Manager; “Home entertainment technology is moving forward at an unprecedented pace. We want to harness this and increase people’s enjoyment of bringing it into their home. This is why all our products have not only been designed with sleek modern lines and a slim-line design, but have also been engineered to be as environmentally friendly as possible.”

XS1 AQUOS Series – Ultra large, ultra slim LCD TV
Exploiting the latest in LCD technology, the new flagship series of LCDs produced by Sharp, the XS1 series, have transcended the boundaries of the modern TV. With the world’s slimmest TV body at just 2.3 cms and available in 52” and 65”, these TVs make a bold statement. Despite this, because they are so skinny, they are very light and can even be mounted on the wall.

With the technology to complement their stunning appearance, the XS1 series come equipped with a 6ms response time and an advanced contrast ratio of 10,000:1, images are crystal clear and watching anything becomes a pleasure. With a slim, detachable speaker system and five 2.1 channel speakers, sound is reproduced with complete accuracy. The XS1 is also fitted with a gallery mode, which enables images from a USB stick to be displayed in Full-HD, either as a slideshow or as an interior centrepiece.

Incorporating 100-hertz picture enhancement technology and offering Full-HD resolution of 1,920 x1,080p, the XS1 series are the next stage in LCD TV evolution.

D65E AQUOS Series – Sharp’s new premium range
This premium quality series, in Sharp’s signature slim-line, piano black finish, boasts a design packed with functionality and elegance. With a dynamic contrast ratio of 20,000:1 and a brightness of 450 cd/m2, the image clarity of this series is superb. This, combined with the built-in DVB terrestrial tuner, means that when combined with high-definition signals in 1080p format, the picture quality is phenomenal.

The D65 series also comes with High-Fidelity sound and a 10w audio output to ensure the sound quality is as crystal-clear as the on-screen image. With an environmentally conscious design which includes low-power standby and an energy-save feature to reduce power consumption, the D65 series is designed to increase the enjoyment of TV watching for the style-conscious homeowner. The 65 AQUOS series will be available in 32”, 37”, 46” and 52” models.

BD-HP21H Blu-ray player  – Sharp’s first cinema-quality Blu-ray player
Whereas many Blu-ray players on market cannot release the full potential of Blu-ray discs, Sharp’s new BD-HP21H is able to produce colourful, detailed and vibrant colour. Combined with the 24-hertz frame rate – the same rate used for cinema content, any on-screen motion is rendered as smoothly and naturally as would be expected on the big screen. Designed with a 1.1 profile and with Bonusview functionality, the BD-HP21H offers users the opportunity to take advantage of picture-in-picture and simultaneous play functions to offer a more interactive viewing experience. The BD-HP21H also has a Quick-start mode designed to reduce power consumption and a Jpeg playback feature so pictures can be viewed in High-Definition quality.

Compatible with the latest High-Definition formats, and developed to incorporate Sharp’s signature black finish and slim profile, The BD-HP21H is a beautiful match for any of the new range of AQUOS LCD TVs.

Also on display at IFA will be the world’s first solar powered LCD TV. Building on Sharp’s expertise in solar technology, this 26” model uses approximately one-fourth of the power of a 28” LCD having nearly the same screen area. With such a low power consumption Sharp is leading the way in showing how people can help reduce the world’s energy usage from their font room.

Retail availability
The Sharp AQUOS XS1 and D65 series and the BD-HP21H Blu-ray player will be available in the UK from electrical retailers October 2008.

Product Specifications:
TBC

Notes to Editors

For further information, images or products for review please contact:
James Ellerington / Claire Rayner
Brands2Life
Tel: 0207 592 1200
Email: sharp@brands2life.com
Web site: www.sharp.co.uk/presscentre (includes RSS newsfeed)

Contact details for publication
UK customer enquiries: 0800 262 958
Web site: www.sharp.co.uk

About Sharp Corporation
Founded in Japan in 1912, Sharp Electronics is a leading developer and manufacturer of electronic equipment, appliances and components for the consumer and business markets, with a key focus on high definition LCD, photovoltaic (solar electric) systems and document solutions.  It can claim one of the widest portfolios of business and lifestyle products under a single brand name in the world. On its home turf in Japan – the birthplace of technology, Sharp outsells all other brands in LCD TVs.

The Corporation employs 60,000 people, of which nearly half are employed outside Japan. It operates in 30 countries and its products are distributed to 164 countries worldwide. As of March 2008, annual turnover is in excess of Yen 3,418 billion. 

Sharp is listed on the FTSE4Good Global Index and aims to be an environmentally advanced company that balances business growth and environmental protection. To help equalize greenhouse gas emissions, Sharp focuses its extensive research and development on energy-saving and energy-creating products. 

The head office of Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd is at Stockley Park in Uxbridge, West London. The company employs approximately 220 people within its Consumer Electronics and Business Product Divisions and consolidated annual UK turnover to 31 March 2008 was £459, 957. Sharp is the world’s largest manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules and, in the UK, launched its first PV manufacturing plant in Wrexham in 2004 to support the growing PV market across Europe.

© 2008, Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd. Specifications are subject to change without notice.  E&OE.
 

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