Sharp rolls out 46-, 52-inch LCD TVs with built-in web browser
By Donald Melanson 
posted May 13th 2008 3:58PM
posted May 13th 2008 3:58PM
Sharp has just let loose a pair of new sizable and feature-packed LCD TVs, although you're more likely to find one of 'em in a kiosk or a conference room than a home theater. Intended primarily for commercial use, the 46-inch TL-M4600 and 52-inch TL-M5200 each boast a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, along with a "sub-6ms" response time, a full range of ports (including DVI-D and HDCP-compatible HDMI), optional speakers, and a 1,500:1 contrast ratio on TL-M4600 and 2,000:1 on the TL-M5200. Both also boast fanless internal cooling systems to keep the noise down and, perhaps most notably, LAN connectivity complete with a built-in web browser. Of course, just because Sharp's targeting businesses and the like doesn't mean it won't sell you one, although you'll have to drop a hefty $4,000 for the 46-incher or $5,000 for the 52-inch model.
Just wondering why they woluld use LAN over WIFI.
Considering the overall price, extra bucks for WIFI (if any) would be insignificant.
Yeah WiFi would have been cool
Look at recent German schools ban on Wifi, why are they banning child expose to those frequencies? I would rather prefer LAN over this Wifi especially in my living room..
What kinda browser?
I am assuming it will be limited to watching youtube videos. What else would it be good for?
While I would like it to be Firefox, it will probably be a version of Opera. With their drive to non-PC devices (phones, Wii, DS), they seem to be taking a good chunk of market share right now.
No idea what Sharp favors in their consumer electronics setups, but my InFocus RP has embedded Windows CE, and thus a version of Internet Explorer...
But mine is a slightly dated bit of hardware and software, so hopefully Sharp takes a smarter route.
As long as it features ABP....
Good question...a really hyped up version of Lynx? :)
No, really, who knows. Even better question...how will people type? With the remote? HA!
I am the maintainer of this embedded/mobile user agent tool:
http://osnews.com/story/19681/Open_Sourcing_OSNews_Mobile_Detection_Kit
If anyone buy any of these TVs, or anyone from SHARP is reading, please email me at eloli-AT-hotmail-DOT-com with the exact user agent that their web browser reports. Thanks.
if you were a guy, you would aready be rated lowest.
Yes, dude, dude, yes.
how come the women at meetings i go to never look like that?
Because you don't work at Models In Glasses, Inc.
Because you're in I.S.?
You need to be in Sales or Marketing...
Time for me to give up Architecture?
So true, so true...
Because you don't go to meetings with models and aspiring actresses ;)
well I for one work on an IT project and my boss as well as most colleagues are women - none over 26, all very competent and fun to work with. All but one wear glasses.
I don't see why you're complaining. Probably just working at the wrong place.
Jeez that's expensive.
I'd sooner buy a 52 inch TV and a PS3 than go through all that LAN malarkey.
When did "LAN" become the term for a wired Ethernet connection versus a wireless WiFi connection?
True a LAN can include wireless, but in this case, Sharp's press release specifically says "RJ-45 LAN"
Why are they all looking at me? :/
Makes me wanna buy the damn thing just out ot fear
so...does it have an on-screen keyboard like the iphone ;)
and a little gizmo to clean the screen afterwards, like those LG phones...
Oh snap, the hdmi is hdcp compatible.
>.>
Just buy a 60 incher lcd and a vga cable and use your laptop with cordless keyboard and mouse. And then you can surf on a huge screen without paying 5000gs
I think the man in the back is mad at me for not buying one yet. Sorry Mr. Standing Guy, I can't afford this!
And really no wi-fi, not even optional? Fail.
I dunno.. you might want to rethink that.. he looks pretty pissed. I am just glad its you he was staring at.. I was worried it might be me.
This has to be the future of these TV's, it only makes sense that if you just want to log on really quick, check your e-mail or get some quick new updates that you need to go all the way over to your computer. This is just the beginning in my opinion.
One hell of an expensive web browser.. I'll stick with my HTPC.