Sharp To Launch Wireless AQUOS, DVD Recorders

Indianapolis— Sharp will unveil at CEDIA new lines in its AQUOS LCD-TV family, including the company's first 15-inch wireless AQUOS display based on 802.11b WiFi technology.

The Sharp Wireless AQUOS (model LC-15L1U) will be easily transported from room to room without the need to disconnect and reconnect video source cables or power cords. It features a built-in three-hour battery and a wireless digital audio/video transmission system, which operates on the 802.11b wireless standard. The panel carries a $1,799 suggested retail price.

A user connects the transmitter to a video source, such as a DVD player, and the system will transmit digital wireless signals using the 2.4GHz band high-speed spread spectrum wireless protocol.

The built-in lithium-ion battery provides approximately three hours of power per charge. The LC-15L1U features a sculpted design with rounded side speakers, a built-in carrying handle and table stand, as well as a docking station.

Sharp will also unveil its latest AQUOS S2U LCD TV series including the 20-inch LC-20S2U-S, the 15-inch LC-15S2U-S and the 13-inch LC-13S2U-S. All screens conform to the 4:3 aspect ratio, and feature a bottom-mounted-speaker cabinet design.

Panel contrast ratio is listed at 500:1, and the viewing angle is said to be 170 degrees. All will accept DTV signals for display at 480p EDTV resolution. An Optical Picture Control (OPC) function automatically adjusts the brightness of the TV to the room's ambient light.

Also slated for the show is the new AQUOS Widescreen Series, which includes the 22W-inch LC-22SV6U, the 30W-inch LC-30HV6U and the 37W-inch LC-37HV6U.

All models in the new series offer widescreen aspect ratios and a new contemporary design that incorporates detachable speakers located under the screen, Sharp's proprietary Quick Shoot (QS) video circuitry for extremely fast response time, and a built-in 1-Bit digital amplifier for high-quality sound.

Resolution on the HD panels is listed as 1,366 by 768 for the 37W-inch model and 1,280 by 768 for the 30W-inch model. The 22W-inch model is an EDTV monitor (480p) with WVGA resolution.

A separate AVC System houses all inputs and controls on the two larger sizes, including DVI input, two component video inputs and a PC RGB input. All three models are available in a high-end, glossy, silver finish. The LC-37HV6U will be available in September at a $7,499 suggested retail. The LC-30HV6U will be available in October at $4,499, and the LC-22SV6U EDTV will be available in August at $2,499.

Sharp will also give showgoers a demonstration of its forthcoming DVD recording products, including the DV-SR3U DVD-RW/-R deck, and the DV-HR300 combination DVR/DVD recorder.

The DV-SR3U, which is slated to ship this month at a price to be announced, offers one-touch digital video recordings onto rewriteable DVD-RW discs or write-once DVD-R discs. While the deck records in the "dash-RW" disc format, it is designed to also playback recordings made by other decks in the "plus+RW" format, Sharp said.

The unit offers progressive output and plays back DVDs, CDs and MP3 files on a CD-R/RW.

Sharp's combination personal video recorder and DVD-RW/-R recorder uses an 80GB hard drive for 19 hours of television recording in Fine mode (Best Quality) and 106 hours in the extended play mode, the company said.

The DV-HR300U combo recorder, also uses the "dash-RW" format disc format for DVD recording, and plays "plus+RW" discs. High-speed dubbing allows 2x transfer of material from the hard drive to the DVD, and simultaneous recording/playback. The unit is VCR Plus controlled, with ilink digital interface for digital connection to a camcorder for direct transfer to DVD. The "High Speed Access" thumbnail image selection and edit functions are included on the menu guide. The DV-HR300 will be available this month at a price to be announced.