Last week, we mentioned that Sharp Electronics snagged the bragging rights to the first THX 4K Certified TV. However, that wasn't the only thing that the company was showing off at last week's 2013 International CES.
The company actually had 20 new AQUOS LED TVs on hand -- and all in sizes 60 inches and up. Sharp is sticking with its bigger is better model for 2013, with more than half of those models packing in Quattron technology. That image perk, which can be found on this year's 7- and 8-Series, adds a yellow pixel into the usual red-green-blue sub-pixel structure. The end result promises better colors -- and a lot more of them.
At the top of the heap are the AQUOS Quattron 8-Series 3D LED TVs. Besides the Quattron features, this line includes brand-new Super Bright technology. This combines an intelligent contrast engine with a 50 percent higher brightness panel for the ultimate in bright images with better contrast.
All three of the TVs in this line have active 3D technology, for a full 1080p image in 2D and 3D. Each one also comes with two pairs of new, lightweight Bluetooth 3D glasses. Other 8-Series features include Aquomotion960 technology with a 240Hz panel, a dual-core processor, a wallpaper mode, and 35-watt audio with a built-in subwoofer.
Last, but certainly not least, these sets have built-in WiFi, with a web browser and Sharp's SmartCentral smart TV platform. The 2013 version of SmartCentral promises split-screen features, more apps, Flash and HTML5, as well as Android and iOS support. There's also a new feature called Sharp Beam, which will allow users to send content from Android and iOS smartphones and tablets right to the TV. Netflix subscribers can also search for content using a smartphone or tablet and watch it on the TV, via Netflix's "Second Screen" capabilities.
Look for the 60-inch LC-60LE857 ($2999.99) to start selling in March, with the 70-inch LC-70LE857 ($3999.99) and 80-inch LC-80LE857 ($6499.99) arriving sometime in April.
Three different lines and seven models make up the AQUOS 7-Series 3D LED TVs. All feature the Quattron technology, a 1080p HD image, the dual-core processor, built-in WiFi with the SmartCentral platform and web browser, a wallpaper mode, and the 35-watt audio system with a built-in subwoofer.
The LE757 line will have the 60-inch LC-60LE757 ($2299.99) and 70-inch LC-70LE757 ($3499.99) shipping in April, with the 80-inch LC-80LE757 ($5999.99) following a month later. All three of these models include the Aquomotion480 technology with a 240Hz panel and active 3D technology. Sharp is also throwing in two pairs of the new Bluetooth 3D glasses with each LE757 purchase.
The two models in the LE755 series will have a 240Hz panel, active 3D technology and the two pairs of Bluetooth 3D glasses. The 60-inch LC-60LE755 ($2199.99) will ship next month, with the 70-inch LC-70LE755 ($3399.99) coming in March.
Last in the 7-Series is the C7500 line. This crop doesn't have any 3D features, but does pack in the Aquomotion480 with a 240Hz panel into the 60-inch LC60C7500 ($2099.99) and the 70-inch LC70C7500 ($3299.99). Both of those models will start shipping in March.
Finally, the AQUOS 6-Series LED TVs has three lines, for a total of eight models. Each one has a full 1080p HD image, the wallpaper mode, the dual-core processor, built-in WiFi, a web browser and smart TV features. Shipping in March, the 60-inch LC-60LE657 ($1799.99) and 70-inch LC-70LE657 ($2799.99) are the two models for the LE657 series. Both have active 3D technology and the AquoMotion 240 technology with the 120Hz panel.
The LE650 series doesn't have 3D. However, the 60-inch LC-60LE650 ($1499.99) and the 70-inch LC-70LE650 ($2499.99) will start shipping next month, with the 80-inch LC-80LE650 ($4999.99) coming in May.
Last in the 2013 line is the C6500 series. Not much is known about this line, except that all three models will start shipping sometime in the first quarter of 2013. This includes the 60-inch LC-60C6500 ($1499.99), the 70-inch LC-70C6500 ($2499.99) and the 80-inch LC-80C6500 ($4999.99).
"It's simple -- consumers want big screens with excellent picture quality, something that Sharp is uniquely able to deliver," said John Herrington, president of Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America, a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation. "We're gearing up to extend our leadership in the large screen LED TV market with our finest AQUOS lineup ever, including more choices in large screen LED TVs, more Quattron models and iconic designs."
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