Sharp Adds HTiBs, LCDs with Built-in Blu-ray, Sound Bars

AQUOS BD Series LCDs have side-loading Blu-ray players and four HDMI inputs.

Jan. 07, 2009 — by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Sharp certainly didn’t disappoint with its product unveilings during its press conference here at CES 2009.

We’ll start with the AQUOS BD-MPC40 and BD-MPC30 HTIBs, which both include a Blu-ray player, an amplifier, five speakers (one center, two front and two rear) and one subwoofer.

Both systems offer 720W of power and 5.1-channel surround sound. The BD-MPC40 features black wooden cabinet speakers, while the BD-MPC30 has speakers with a black synthetic finish.

Each six-channel HTIB offers Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as an FM tuner and color-coded terminals for the wires.

The included Profile 2.0 Blu-ray players output 1080p/24Hz and have AQUOS Pure Mode to automatically detect the aspect ratio of the Blu-ray title.

Other features:

• Built-in AQUOS LINK
• HDMI 1.3 output
• x.v.Color support
• DVD upscaling to 1080p

The Blu-ray players are compatible with formats including: BD-ROM/RE/R, DVD Video, DVD-RW/R, DVD+RW/R and audio CDs.

Sharp says both the BD-MPC40 and BD-MPC30 will be available this spring for $799.99 each.

AQUOS BD Series LCDs with Built-in Blu-ray Player
The 1080p AQUOS BD Series LCDs come with built-in Blu-ray players and are available in theses sizes:

• 52-inch LC-52BD80U
• 46-inch LC-46BD80U
• 42-inch LC-42BD80U
• 37-inch LC-37BD60U
• 32-inch LC-32BD60U

The side-loading slot plays Blu-ray, DVD and CD content.

“This product is a one-stop, stylish home theater and the built-in side-loading Blu-ray slot is also a space-saver for style-conscious consumers, eliminating the need for a separate box and extra cables,” says Bob Scaglione, Sharp’s senior VP and group manager, product and marketing group.

The 52-, 46-, and 42-inch models have Fine Motion Enhanced technology for 120Hz Frame Rate Conversion and a 10-bit panel for Deep Color compatibility. Those models also offer four HDMI inputs, while the 37- and 32-inch LCDs have three HDMI inputs and two 1080p-compatible component video inputs.

Sharp adds that the BD Series LCDs house a built-in ATSC and QAM tuner, as well as RS-232C and PC inputs. Pricing has not been announced.

Availability
LC-52BD80U — February
LC-46BD80U — February
LC-42BD80U — January
LC-37BD60U — January
LC-32BD60U — January

BD-HP22U, BD-HP16U AQUOS Blu-ray Players
The company’s newest Blu-ray players, the AQUOS BD-HP22U and BD-HP16U, offer 1080p output when paired with an AQUOS LCD and come with a piano black finish.

The BD-HP22U is a Profile 2.0 player and supports BD-Live, while both offer AQUOS Pure Mode and consume 19W of power in On and Standby modes.

Features of both Blu-ray players:

• HDMI 1.3 output with x.v. color and 1920 x 1080 video at 24fps
• Decoding for lossless surround-sound formats including Dolby TrueHD DTS HD Master Audio
• Audio Decoding for Dolby Digital
• JPEG viewer
• Compatibility with BD-ROM/RE/R, DVD Video, DVD-RW/R, DVD+RW/R and CDs

The BD-HP22U ($299.99) will be available in May, while the BD-HP16U will hit in March ($279.99).

AQUOS E Series LCDs
The AQUOS E Series includes E77U LCDs in 65- (LC-65E77U), 52- (LC-52E77U), 46- (LC-46E77U), and 40-inch (LC-40E77U) models and E67U LCDs in 40- (LC-40E67U) and 32-inch (LC-32E67U) models.

Each E Series LCD offers 1080p video and includes color accents at the bottom of the frame and a swivel stand.

The Energy Star-rated E77U Series features Fine Motion Enhanced technology for 120HZ Frame Rate and a 4ms response time. Connectivity includes:

• Five HDMI 1.3 inputs with Deep Color and 24p input ability
• Two component video inputs
• A dedicated PC input and RS-232 port

Both E67U models come with four HDMI inputs with 24p input capability and two component video inputs. The E67U LCDs also meet Energy Star standards and feature a copper hue at the bottom of the cabinet.

The LC-32E67U comes with gaming features that include Sharp’s proprietary Vyper Drive circuit to reduce lag time between the game console and TV.

Pricing and Availability
LC-65E77U — June ($4,499.99)
LC-52E77U — February ($2,399.99)
LC-46E77U — February ($2,099.99)
LC-40E77U — March ($1,399.99)
LC-40E67U — March ($1,199.99)
LC-32E67U — February ($899.99)

HT-SB300, HT-SB200 Sound Bars
Sharp’s new 2.1-channel HT-SB300 and HT-SB200 Sound Bars house left and right speakers, as well as one subwoofer with a slim profile that is designed for wall mounting.

The units can also be placed on a TV stand (32-inch LCD and up) with the included mounting plates and adjustable feet.

Both models feature adjustable Bass, Treble and Sub level options, dual audio inputs, right and left RCA jacks and a 3.5mm sub mini jack.

HT-SB300 adds digital audio decoding for DTS, Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro logic II, as well as Dolby Virtual Speaker to simulate 5.1 channel surround sound. It also has a subwoofer output jack.

Both models come with a remote control that can simultaneously control an AQUOS LCD, as well as a programmed equalizer and an auto On/Off function.

Pricing
HT-SB300 — April ($299.99)
HT-SB200 — January ($249.99)

XV-Z15000 1080p DLP Projector
The XV-Z15000 1080p DLP projector offers a 30,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio using a single 1080p DLP 0.65-inch chip from Texas Instruments.

Featuring a high-gloss black design, the XV-Z15000 supports widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and a full native HD resolution (1920x1080).

Other features

• A 24 Hz film mode
• 1600 ANSI lumens of brightness
• A 6-segment, 6-speed color wheel
• A powered iris switchover function for enhanced control of brightness and contrast
• Keystone Correction and auto V-Keystone Correction button to automatically activate in response to the projector’s installation angle

The projector has two HDMI 1.3 terminals with x.v.Color and a RS-232C input.

MSRP: $2,999.99 (March)

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