. Beginning November 15 in Japan, Sharp Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) (www.sharp.com) plans to roll out two 37-inch models in its Aquos line of LCD TVs. The company used the CEATEC (Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technologies) show in Japan to announce both a stand-alone TV unit and a unit with premium speaker system. Distribution in the U.S and Europe is expected by March 2003. The two are part of seven new LCD introduced at the show.

The widescreen 37" LC-37BT5 will be positioned as the flagship model in the Aquos line and a part of Sharp's Living Theater concept. The home theater system carries an MSRP of 1M yen (~$8,050). It comes bundled with 5 speakers and subwoofer for surround sound and includes a 150W audio using Sharp's 1-bit digital amplifier technology. Sales of 500 systems a month are targeted.

The LC-37BDS is priced at 850K yen (~$6,039) and has built-in stereo side speakers only. Monthly production for this set will be 1,500 units. Both are offered with built-in Japanese broadcast and satellite tuners. Resolution is 1366 x 768 and the Hi-Vision panels are illuminated with Sharp's twin inverter backlight system (~60K hour backlight life).

Contrast is rated at 800:1 with a 170-degree horizontal and vertical viewing cone. Brightness is 450 nits. Coming next year will be Mobile Aquos and Broadband Aquos LCD TVs. The Mobile Aquos system will couple a DVD player to the LCD TV via a wireless AV link whereas the Broadband Aquos will feature a PC card slot and still picture playback.

......................................................................................................Sharp LCD TV line-up

harp recently broke ground on a new integrated LCD module and TV production factory in Kameyama that will be completed in May 2003 and fully operational a year later. While the plant can make LCD panels that are 60 inches in diagonal, Sharp will limit sizes to 40 or 45 inches for the time being.

"Plasma display technology is a more cost-effective solution in screen sizes of 40 inches or greater," noted Sharp president Katsuhiko Machida. A 42-inch LCD panel has been rumored to be in development, but is so far unconfirmed.

Machida also said conversion to LCD TVs would be slower in U.S. and Europe that in Asia. He expects Sharp to sell only LCD TVs in Japan by 2005, but projected 2010 for the U.S. and 2006 for Europe.

Sharp Electronics, Tony Favia, 201-760-3813, faviaa@sharpsec.com

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