Sharp had many product introductions at the 2007 CES including a preview of its 108” LCD, new gaming LCD HDTVs and new series of LCD panels including 120HZ models.

The 108” monstrosity was a 1080p LCD flat panel integrated HDTV. Sharp executives said the product will be available in the US by this summer, but would not provide price or specifications. Considering that Sony’s 70” LCD is retailing for $33,000, my guess is this panel will be in +$50,000 range. The image was huge, but otherwise, in the HD Guru’s opinion, not very impressive as far as picture quality was concerned.

The new products included the “43” series with 1366 x 768 resolution, 6,000:1 rated contrast ratio; less than 6ms rated response time; 450 cd/m² brightness and rated at 60,000 hour lamp life. The models are as follows (all prices are manufacturers suggested retail)

LC-26D43U 26” Feb. $1099.99
LC-32D43U 32” Now $1399.99
LC-37D43U 37” Now $1699.99
LC-42D43U 42” May $TBA
LC-46D43U 46” March $2699.99

The 82 series product comes in 46 and 52-inch screen sizes. Sharp boasts this series has 1920 x 1080p resolution and bottom mounted speakers. In addition, it uses Sharp’s “Multi-Pixel technology which it says improves color reproduction by 60 percent. This series has a 120HZ frame rate conversion for reduced blur with fast motion as well as Sharp’s “quickshoot circuitry claiming a 4 millisecond response time; a four wave-length backlight for enhanced color. Sharp specs brightness at 450 cd/m², dynamic contrast (another worthless undocumented industry spec-hdguru) at 10,000:1 and 176-degree viewing.

· The LC-52D82U will be available in March for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $4,799.99
· The LC-46D82U will be available in March for an MSRP of $3,699.99

The 92 series product comes in 42,46 and 52-inch screen sizes. The 92 series have all the features and specs of the 82 series (including 1920 x 1080 resolution and 120 HZ) plus

Black low reflection coating for less reflectivity, 15,000:1 dynamic contrast and 5 wave-length backlight for more vivid reds and greens.

The LC-52D92U will be available in January for a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $5,299.99
The LC-46D92U will be available in January for an MSRP of $4,199.99
The LC-42D92U will be available in April for an MSRP of $3,499.99

The GP1U series are two HDTV LCD models (32 and 37 inch) specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts. Both sizes have 1920 x 1080 resolution, (though I question the benefit of 1080p in sizes this small especially 32”), 4 wavelength backlight, 10,000:1 dynamic contrast, Black anti-reflective coating, 450 cd/m² brightness, 6-millisecond response time and 176-degree viewing angle specification.

Unique game features include Viper Drive to reduce lag time between game console input and TV display, a custom remote control with game button for one touch access to the sets’ side mounted inputs.

The LC-37GP1U will be available in March at an MSRP of $1999.99 and the
LC-32GP1U will be available in March with an MSRP of $1699.99

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