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Sharp's AQUOS BD-HP1 Blu-ray HD recorder
The Blu-ray Disc camp just unrolled another: the BD-HP1 AQUOS hi-vision recorder from Sharp. Yes, it records, to single-layer (only) BD-R/RE in MPEG-2 format with AAC audio for about 2-hours and 10-minutes of 1080p video at 24Mbps. Of course, it will also playback DVD±R/RW and DVD-RAM discs as well. It comes packing 1x HDMI (presumably with Familink support), Japanese D4, S-Video, and composite video outputs; optical/coaxial digital audio; and support for 7.1ch sound. It also brings 2x Firewire allowing the BD-HP1 to augment your existing hard disk recorder set-up for BD dubbing. Hitting Japan like a mutated lizard for ¥150,000 (about $1,238) starting March 20th. [Via Impress]
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]
