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 Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list medianews@twiar.org To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
