INDIANAPOLIS — Sharp used the recent CEDIA Expo to unveil two widescreen HDTV rear-projection monitors in the 61W- and 55W-inch screen sizes.
The rear-projection monitors will be some of the first CRT-based displays manufactured by Sharp. Both include a next-generation Digital Double Format Converter to upconvert analog signals to the 1080i HDTV format.
Sharp associate VP Bob Scaglione said the company’s set-top DTV decoder is now sold out and has not yet been replaced with a second-generation model. The company was not prepared to announce shipping plans on the next-generation DTV tuner unit.
Sharp plans to ship the monitors in January at suggested retail prices of $4,999 (for 61W) and $4,499 (55W). The company will also offer its previously announced rear-projection set based on Continuous Grain Silicon LCD technology.
As reported in the past issue (TWICE, Sept. 18, p. 32), Sharp will offer in February an ultra-compact LCD front projector (model XV-ZW700U) that will display Enhanced Definition TV (480p) pictures.
Other new products include a 28W-inch (LCV-28HM2U) widescreen HDTV-compatible LCD monitor panel, which is expected to carry a $14,999 suggested retail price in January.
Other LCD television models in the line include the LC-20A2U 20-inch LCD TV set ($5,999, shipping this month) and the LC-12A2U 12-inch TV set ($1,899, December). They join the currently shipping 10-inch LC-10A2U ($1,299) and 15-inch LC-15A2U ($2,299).
Another LCD introduction was the DV-L80U laptop DVD player with built-in 8-inch widescreen LCD monitor. The player, which weighs less than 3 pounds with a 3.5-hour per charge battery, will ship late this year at a $1,599.99 suggested retail price.
