Your next Sony LCD TV may actually be a Sharp

If you'll recall, Samsung announced plans last November to expand an 8G LCD plant sans Sony -- now, Reuters is reporting that Sony is aiming to start procuring LCD TV panels from Sharp, possibly within the next business year. Apparently, the deal with Sharp would allow it to "secure enough panels to meet fast-growing LCD TV demand without heavy capital investments," and considering that Sharp is already planning to construct the world's largest LCD factory by 2010, we'd say this works out quite nicely for it, too. Needless to say, the global demand for all things LCD seems to be going nowhere but up, but here's to hoping those prices continue to head in the opposite direction for the consumers' sake.

[Blake Bowen @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:44PM]

While I can't speak for LCD TVs, Sharp LCD screens in PDAs are always, always a piece of crap compared to Sony PDA screens.

[JAmerican @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:52PM]

Actually My Sony CLIE UX50 (from 2003) had a Sharp screen in it so it wouldn't be the first!

http://jamerican.net/UX40Screen/ScreenBack2.jpg
http://jamerican.net/UX40Screen/brando_UX40.JPG

[JAmerican @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:53PM]

I meant to say UX40.

[BURP @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:48PM]

Its not a secrete. I hope everyone knows this already
like your hp computer is not manufactured from any hp
parts .samsung-toshiba-panasonic-intel-via-maxell-asus-sony-and 200 other companies.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:12PM]

I cannot believe how many grammatical errors are in your sentence, my friend.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:54PM]

Sony gets their panels from samsung and AUO .

Samsung gets their panels from Chi Mei and a few other chinese (not taiwan or korea) companies.55 % on their lcds have chinese panels.


every one gets their panels from outside due to lack of supply not technology issues.

[IphoneWinner @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:48PM]

@CUBSWITLLWIN

Stop complaining about ppl's grammer
Only complain if if make a real grammer mistake, not a typo...

[Shadow08 @ Feb 26th 2008 4:39PM]

Are you sure you didn't mean grammar mistakes?

By the way I agree with cubs.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:03PM]

I know you meant that post to me, even though you misspelled my name. Just so you know, those weren't typos.

[derekwf @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:18PM]

iPhoneWinner-

It's "grammar".

;)

[daniel @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:13PM]

No they don't.

Samsung gets their LCDs from their factories in Korea and elsewhere.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 24th 2008 2:07AM]

@daniel

the joint sony samsung venture (S-LCD) is mainly for sony.

Samsung uses a few of their own panels and like I said earlier mostly panels made in china by others.

[broli @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:58PM]

I hope they'll overproduce these buggers so the price can take a dive just like ram did.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 23rd 2008 1:58PM]

sorry bout the hurried second post.


the japs are basically consolidating their panel supply just for each other.

hitachi panasonic sharp already have a panel agreement even canon has one , so basically sony was the only one left out.

Samsung and LG are gonna have some real issues with selling their lcds in some time.

[Mathew @ Feb 23rd 2008 9:44PM]

@ guerilla779

"Japs" is derogatory.

Stop being lazy and just type Japanese.

[Alex @ Feb 24th 2008 9:59AM]

Or he's just plain lazy. It seems in internet speak japs has lost the derogatory value and become standard shorthand. And yeah, they're consolidating their supply.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 25th 2008 3:24AM]

The Hinomaru initiative


google it...ull get to know wat I mean.

[Thinker @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:15PM]

There is a lot more that goes into an LCD TV than just the panel! Putting a quality lens on a Nikon SLR camera body is not the same as putting the same lens on a Samsung SLR camera body. Apparently the new Sony XBR4 and XBR5 LCD TVs are incredible, they are the only LCDs I would consider in place of my 60" Sony SXRD Projection TV!

[guerilla779 @ Feb 24th 2008 2:07AM]

exactly...panels gust give contrast ratios and response times which are also very important but the main part of any lcd is the backlight and the image processing which sony makes on their own.

[David W. @ Feb 23rd 2008 2:19PM]

I LOVE my Sharp Aquos, hopefully the technology will stay top-notch

[Steffen Jobbs @ Feb 23rd 2008 9:03PM]

He was talking about Kelsey Grammer.... I think. Definitely not granma or gramma or Grammys.

[giantenemycrab @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:46PM]

Sharp is one of the best LCD manufacturers in the world, this is good news.

[compguy765 @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:31PM]

Amen!

Sharp is the best!!

[SOCOMRAIDER @ Feb 23rd 2008 3:47PM]

Goodbye to 40" Bravias, hello to 42" Bravias.

[Rob @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:52PM]

That's nothing new. Plenty of items out there are made by other companies. The craziest example of this was when I lived in Japan and saw a Chevy Cavalier with a big Toyota logo on it. I used to own a Dodge Colt, but when you popped the hood opened, it was a Mitsubishi all the way. So, if Sony is slapping their name on otherwise Sharp's TV sets, then I'm not surprised as that's common business practice.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 24th 2008 2:07AM]

they are not slapping any name ...they are just buying panels from sharp. There is a major difference between having a sharp panel and having a sharp lcd with sony bravia stamped on it.


dont always believe what u read on engadget (the post headlines).

[pulsart @ Feb 23rd 2008 4:56PM]

As long as I'm pleased with it and the price is right...

[Brendan Sheehan @ Feb 23rd 2008 5:53PM]

I own a Bravia, and I can tell you my next LDC TV will be a Plasma [not an LCD]. There's no competition.

[John @ Feb 23rd 2008 6:25PM]

God help Sony if they are buying from Sharp! They are the worst looking LCD's in the stores right now (not including the low end brands). They should stick with Samsung. Even LG's are starting to look better the the Sharp products, and that is saying a lot!

[raider24 @ Feb 23rd 2008 7:20PM]

Oh well that sucks!

[AdvWar @ Feb 23rd 2008 7:42PM]

Most people here don't really understand what is actually happening here (not everyone though). Basically, Sony is switching their main supplier of LCD panels from Samsung to Sharp. This doesn't mean that Sony will begin rebranding Sharp's televisions, just that a major component of the television will be made by Sharp.

[Hung @ Feb 23rd 2008 11:24PM]

So Samsung and Philips is getting too steep for Sony? Hopefully this means Sony is saving up cash and capital to develop its OLED tech. +12" OLEDs for the win.

[guerilla779 @ Feb 24th 2008 2:07AM]

no basically sony doesnt want any more SAMMY panels in their lcds in some time.

[CaliforniaKid @ Feb 24th 2008 11:32PM]

Who cares about LCDs anyways? OLEDs and SEDs are the next wave and far superior. Did you get that, mother? Yes, Mother, Superior.