Sharp goes big and boastful with 52-, 46-, 42-inch Aquos LCDs

Sony schmony, Sharp's here to remind us that they too, make some compelling gear by dropping 3 new LCD panels onto the stack of smaller sets rolled out earlier this month. Each of the 52-, 46-, and 42-inch LCDs bring that 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD (1,080p) resolution you'll want at these sizes, a 450cd/m2 brightness, a "world's highest" 2000:1 contrast ratio, and "world's fastest" full-motion video response rate of 4 milliseconds -- just take those numbers with a grain of salt, as methods of measurement vary, mkay? The three sets feature two Familink compatible HDMI inputs and remote control (which is presumably like Panny's Viera Link HDMI control interface), a single DVI-I jack and dual digital/analog tuners. You can then configure each panel with either two side-mounted speakers or a single speaker under the panel which Sharp claims will produce clear, natural sound. Fine, but you'll more than likely pitch 'em in favor of your home audio system anyway. The 52- and 46-inch panels (LC-52GX1W / 2W and LC-46GX1W / 2W) should be available August 1st in Japan for ¥600,000 (about $5,125) and ¥500,000 (about $4,271), respectively, with the 42-incher (LC-42GX1W / 2W) coming a bit later in November for ¥450,000 or about $3,844 whenever these show-up Stateside.

Update: Speaking of showing up Stateside, Sharp has just revealed pricing, model numbers, and release dates for the US versions of two of these displays: both will drop sometime in October, with the 52-inch LC-52D62U going for $4,799 and the 46-inch LC-46D62U sporting a $3,499 pricetag. Not a bad deal compared to similarly-equipped units from Sony, Samsung, and the like, meaning that there's a good chance you'll spot one of 'em at a Super Bowl party next year.

[Via Impress]

[Michael @ Aug 31st 2006 9:34AM]

You know this is the first time it's dawned on me how pointless the jobs are that these women have. Here stand next to this TV and smile. They should at least give her a samurai or something in case someone tries to steal it.

As for the TV's... nice but I can't wait till these 1080p sets hit closer to the 2 grand mark.

[Smeagol @ Aug 31st 2006 9:36AM]

She could be hot, but all those layers of cloth are covering everything up. WTF! If you're going to pay a model to stand by a TV at least give them hot clothing to wear.

That TV looks interestinig too.

[Jay @ Aug 31st 2006 11:01AM]

Nice flat panel ;)

[KakaduDreamer @ Aug 31st 2006 12:12PM]

So the article didn't make it clear: does the girl come with the LCD TV? If so, you can unwrap them both from their heavy packaging as soon as you get home!

[apacit @ Aug 31st 2006 1:32PM]

"The 52 and 46-inch panels ... should be available August 1st in Japan ..., with the 42-incher ... coming a bit later in November"

What year are we talking about here? I sure would like to consider these at an after-Christmas sale!

[Aaron @ Aug 31st 2006 1:38PM]

$5000 for a 52" Aquos actually sounds reasonable considering you can buy a small car for the price of the 65" Aquos and the 57" is still over $10,000.

Any word on whether the 52" can actually accept a 1080p signal over HDMI? The LC-57D90U did not and to make matters worse, the highest-resolution PC signal you can send it is 720p. I hope they fixed that oversight in the new models.

[thejedipunk @ Aug 31st 2006 1:52PM]

I don't give a damn about the TV, just give me the girl!

[Ping @ Aug 31st 2006 2:22PM]

cute face, but for all I know, that girl could be fat... and flat, but the clothing makes her look good

[chris @ Aug 31st 2006 2:33PM]

I don't know, I think that the whole classic Geisha look is hot anyway. But then again I'm just strange like that.
And the T.V.... I wish I had that kinda money... I wonder how much they pay geeks to stand by those things... I'd take my payments in tv's.

[Perrey Z. @ Aug 31st 2006 2:55PM]

42" in Japan but not in the U.S.? what's up Sharp, where the love for United States? And will the 46" replace the 45" size? another question, will these be able to receive and display proper 1080p resolution thru their HDMI inputs?

[JC @ Aug 31st 2006 3:14PM]

Kimonos are considered formal wear.

Leave it up to a bunch of drooling juveniles to rag on a company for trying to add a little class to its release event, rather than cater to the base desires of lonely men and teens (mentally, anyway).

[Scott @ Aug 31st 2006 4:18PM]

Perry Z.,

All indications are that the 42" will also come to the US. I'm not sure why it's not listed in their press release. Yes, the 46" replaces the 45". Yes, all of these models can accept and display 1080p via HDMI.

All my information comes from people who follow this very closely at avsforum.com.

[Brian @ Aug 31st 2006 4:41PM]

For those who read this blog just for the Booth Babes:

Aving.net's "Gadget and Girl"
http://aving.net/avinggirl/

T3 Girls
http://www.t3.co.uk/t3girls