CES 2010: Sharp Aquos LCD TVs get bigger, more colorful, & Netflix streaming

Jan 11, 2010 11:10 AM

Sharp's 68-inch Aquos LE920 TV
Photo: Sharp

Although the company was running 3D demos at its CES booth, the real emphasis for Sharp Electronics in TVs at the show was the launch of a new “QuadPixel” color technology that adds an additional color—yellow—to the standard red, green, and blue (RGB) primary color filters found on other sets. The four-color filter technology will debut this spring in three new Aquos LE-series LCD TV lines that use edge LED backlights.

By adding the extra color, Sharp says, a TV's color gamut can be expanded from millions to trillions of colors, resulting in more natural, truer images, and the ability to more accurately display hard-to-depict colors, such as brassy gold. The QuadPixel technology will be found in LE920-, LE820- and LE810-series Aquos models, which are ultra-thin (1.6 inches deep) models that meet Energy Star 4.0 guidelines.

Also new is the expansion of Sharp’s Aquos Net online service to include Netflix movie streaming; Vudu will reportedly be added later. Although Sharp was among the first TV manufacturers to offer Internet connectivity in its sets, this is the first time its TVs support instant movie streaming. Sharp owners can also use Aquos Net for real-time customer support.

A 68-inch Aquos
Sharp says the LE920 Series will be available in May; prices aren't final, but indications are that a giant 68-inch set will cost around $6,500, a 60-inch model about $4,100, and 52-inch set about $3,300. LE920-series sets will includes Sharp’s AquoMotion 240Hz anti-blur technology. LE820 and LE810 sets, available in 60-, 52-, 46-, and 40-inch screen sizes, use the same edge LED backlights and X-Gen LCD panel as the LE920, but use Sharp’s Fine Motion Enhanced 120Hz technology. Both the LE920 and LE820 sets have a glass panel that extends all the way to the rounded edges of the set, with a slim border around the perimeter.

The LE820 and LE810 models will be available this March. Suggested prices for the LE820 series run from $2,200 for the 40-inch set, to $4,000 for the 60-inch model. LE810 sets start at $1,800 for the 40-inch set, and run to $3,500 for the 60-inch TV.

—James K. Willcox