Sharp Demonstrates New Products and Technologies at CES 2008

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At CES 2008, Sharp is demonstrating several products and technologies that help to make the LCD TV both a design statement and the leading technology for home entertainment. Sharp is taking LCD technology to new levels and responding to consumer demand for stylish, unobtrusive home theater products. For the first time in the U.S., Sharp is showcasing a line of large screen next generation LCD TVs. These prototype LCD TVs bring together Sharp’s unique LCD technologies nurtured over long years of experience in this field to achieve unprecedented levels of performance and design with a thickness of just 2cm (main display section; 2.9 cm at the thickest part) for a 52” screen size model, a bright room contrast ratio of 3,000:1 and a power consumption level that is half that of today’s LCD TV’s.

Sharp introduces a technology called AQUOS Net that brings Internet content and remote diagnostics to AQUOS LCD TVs at the touch of a button. To connect the AQUOS to an internet source in another room utilizing existing electrical wiring, Sharp debuts several PLC (Powerline Communication) adapters. These PLC adapters allow consumers to connect multiple devices, such as TVs, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, PCs, and routers, using Sharp’s PLC adapters wherever there are power outlets in the home.

The newest lines of large-screen AQUOS HDTVs feature enhanced contrast ratios, response times that are among the fastest in the industry, and more inputs. The company has unsurpassed LCD screen manufacturing at its new state-of-the-art 8th generation factory in Kameyama, Japan, where an entire production line focuses on the creation of large-screen units, ensuring that Sharp maintains their top position in the growing market for larger screen size LCD-TV’s. This manufacturing superiority helps Sharp offer one of the most comprehensive flat-panel LCD TV selections, with more than 50 models in screen sizes ranging from 15- to 108-inches.

The new “Special Edition” SE94 AQUOS Series with AQUOS Net capability is headlining the company’s wide breadth of TV offerings, which also includes a myriad of styles of AQUOS LCD-TV’s, ranging from new 720p AQUOS models in 32- and 37-inch screen size classes, through 65-inch 1080p Full HD screen class sizes, as well as a series specifically intended for gamers. Furthering the company’s digital home theater dominance, Sharp’s CES 2008 booth will introduce its second-generation AQUOS Blu-ray Disc player, the BD-HP50U, with BD-ROM Profile 1.1 support. The BD-HP50U player includes several innovative features that turn the player into an all-in-one entertainment center. Through the HDMI cable connection, users can experience AQUOS Link, which enables integrated and seamless operation between the Blu-ray player and AQUOS LCD TV.

The booth is also packed with advanced digital technologies that complement the flat-panel TV revolution and exceptional new digital technologies. In addition to AQUOS and Blu-ray Disk players, highlights include new versions of the stylish docking systems made for iPod that allow the user to charge and play music directly from any iPod as well as an innovative 1-Bit, 2.1-channel audio home theater rack system.

AQUOS Net

AQUOS Net is a service that will provide customized Web-based content as well as real-time customer support directly on the AQUOS television. AQUOS Net is a gateway, available through the Ethernet jack on the television that can connect to several unique services. Using this service, viewers can potentially configure “widgets” to check, for example, the local weather forecast, get stock quotes or even follow their favorite comic strip, while watching television, all directly from the TV’s remote control. Through AQUOS Net, consumers will also have access to unparalleled customer support for their television, including the ability to have dedicated AQUOS Advantage advisors connect remotely to their TV to assist in adjusting the TV’s settings and optimizing picture quality for the best viewing experience. This interactive tool, known as AQUOS Advantage Live, is easily accessible from the AQUOS Net home page. In addition, AQUOS Net provides consumers with instant access to important information about their television. Consumers can find FAQ’s that explain HDMI connections, HDTV and other TV technology-related features, as well as view the user manual directly on the AQUOS LCD-TV. A “What’s New” page will also be available, outlining new products and news from Sharp.

AQUOS Widescreen 1080p HDTV Series (models LC-65SE94U, LC-52SE94U and LC-46SE94U)

Sharp’s new elegantly styled “Special Edition” SE94 widescreen AQUOS LCD-TV series, available in 65-, 52- and 46-inch screen class sizes, combines a best-in-class picture quality with a new and distinguished “Cornerstone” design and “AQUOS Net” capability. The latest version of Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) panel provides an incredible Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 27,000:1, for exceptional detail in both light and dark scenes. Sharp’s proprietary Fine Motion Advanced technology offers 120Hz frame rate conversion, doubling the traditional 60Hz driving speed, for even finer video performance. Sharp’s new proprietary 10-bit ASV panel provides more accurate color and 4ms response time ensures flowing motion in fast-action scenes. These new models also incorporate Sharp’s proprietary 5-wavelength backlight system that provides deeper, more vibrant reds and truer greens than previously possible. With viewing angles of 176 degrees, consumers can experience the superior picture quality from virtually anywhere in the room. Through the unit’s Ethernet jack, users have access to AQUOS Net, a service providing customized Web-based content as well as real-time customer support. The “Special Edition” AQUOS series features Sharp’s proprietary 5-wavelength backlight system that provides an enhanced color spectrum, producing more vivid, deeper reds and greens than previously possible. Additionally, all the units include 3 HDMI (version 1.3 with x.v.Color and 24fps compatibility) inputs as well as dual HD component terminals, all of which are compatible with 1080p signals. The unit also houses an RS-232C port for custom installations and a dedicated PC input. These newly redesigned slim-line models are available in a stunning, new textured finish with eye-catching corner accents and detachable bottom speakers to match modern home décors, and include a detachable table stand. The LC-65SE94U and the LC-52SE94U will be available in January. The LC-46SE94U will be available in February.

AQUOS Widescreen 1080p HDTV LC-52D74U

This new 52-inch Full HD1080p HDTV AQUOS LCD TV, features an incredible 18,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, for deep blacks and crisp picture quality; enhanced Quick Shoot video circuitry for faster pixel response time of 4 ms; and wide viewing angles of 176 degrees, so users can view the television from virtually anywhere in the room. Through the unit’s Ethernet jack, users have access to AQUOS Net, a service providing customized Web-based content as well as real-time customer support. Using this service, viewers can create and configure “widgets” to check the local weather forecast or get stock quotes while watching their favorite television show. Through AQUOS Net, consumers will also have access to unparalleled customer support for their television, including the ability to have dedicated Sharp advisors connect remotely to their TV to assist in adjusting the TV’s settings and optimizing picture quality for the best viewing experience. The LC-52D74U also includes Sharp’s proprietary 4-wavelength backlight system that provides a wider color spectrum to achieve deeper, more vivid reds than was previously possible. Additionally, the model includes three HDMI (version 1.3 with x.v.Color and 24fps compatibility) inputs as well as two HD component terminals, all of which are compatible with 1080p signals from Blu-ray Disc and other new devices, in addition to RS-232C for custom installations and a PC input so the TV can be used as a PC monitor. This model features full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080) resolution for an unparalleled high-definition experience, and is available in a stunning new “Cornerstone” design with a slim-line casing and tight-fit stealth speakers. The LC-52D74U will be available in April.

108-inch Screen Size Class High-Definition LCD

Sharp is showcasing its 108-inch LCD, a Full HD 1080p LCD, which measures 93.9-inches (W) by 52.9-inches (H) in size, and features Sharp’s Advanced Super View LCD Panel manufactured at Sharp’s Kameyama Plant No. 2, the first facility in the world to produce panels from eighth-generation glass substrates. The success of this development means that it is now possible to produce LCD TVs in all sizes from 13-inches to the super-large-size class.

AQUOS Blu-ray Disc Player BD-HP50U

The slim-profile AQUOS Blu-ray Disc player, model BD-HP50U, features full digital 1080p video output, that when combined with an AQUOS HDTV Liquid Crystal Television, allows consumers to view the latest high-definition films as well as enhanced definition titles in stunning high-definition quality. The BD-HP50U supports BD-ROM Profile 1.1, or BD Live, the latest version of the Blu-ray Disc format. BD-ROM Profile 1.1 provides secondary audio and video decoders for Picture in Picture (PIP) capability, as well as a USB terminal for a local storage device. Interactive features of the BD-HP50U allow consumers to view additional content available on Blu-ray titles - including movie trailers, special subtitles, and director commentary - without stopping the movie. Reflecting Sharp’s strategy of creating great products from great devices, the key components of the AQUOS Blu-ray player were all

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