Sharp puts Internet on giant-screen TVs

05/12/2006

THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200605120192.html


Sharp Corp. is going head-to-head with TV-compatible computers by equipping 
its flat-panel TVs with hard disks and Internet capability.

Its new liquid crystal display TVs will let people watch TV programs, surf 
the Internet and view broadband video on a large, high-definition screen, 
all with the push of a remote-control button.

Sharp aims to leverage its strength in state-of-the-art LCD panels by 
enhancing the Internet experience. Users can easily visit Web sites related 
to a TV program.

The Internet Aquos lineup, which goes on sale in late May, comprises 
32-inch and 37-inch models.

Each size has two HDD options: a 500-gigabyte HDD that can record 
high-definition programs and a 250 GB version that can record only analog 
terrestrial broadcasts.

In addition to TV programs, digital photos and music can be downloaded and 
stored on the disks.

While PC makers are introducing TV-capable personal computers, the 
computers often have to boot before the TV function is available. The wait 
can be unacceptably long for someone who only wants to watch TV, Sharp said.

Further, if there is a computer malfunction, the TV feature could be disabled.

To prevent such inconveniences with an all-in-one computer, Sharp's 
Internet Aquos models have two separate hardware units--a TV and a computer.

The two-unit setup will give users flexibility in laying out the systems.

The four models are expected to retail for about 350,000 yen to 550,000 
yen. The company aims to sell 300,000 units by the end of March.


================================
George Antunes, Political Science Dept
University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204
Voice: 713-743-3923  Fax: 713-743-3927
antunes at uh dot edu



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