Sharp's AQUOS DX LCD TVs with Built-In Blu-ray Recorders

Sharp will introduce into the Japanese market the 16-model AQUOS DX Series (including 52V-, 46V-, 42V-, 37V-, 32V-, and 26V-inch models), the world's first series of LCD TVs equipped with Blu-ray Disc Recorders.

The all-in-one design and the single remote control offers a simple, easy operability as you watch TV or record on DVD and Blu-ray discs.

For example, you can navigate the TV-viewing, disc-playing, recording, and pre-set record functions all with just one action, and the newly developed Motion Guide offers "one-shot" disc playing by playing discs automatically when they are inserted.

As for recording and playing media, the Digital W Tuner lets you record programs while watching TV, and the H.264/AVC (Advanced Video Coding) standard enables 5X extended HD video recording (5X Mode), which allows for extended recording time while retaining the same exact full-HD quality as the original high-definition broadcast.

The DX Series also features 2X Mode and 3X Mode with Full-Capture Extended HD Recording, which allows recording of audio surround-sound data and extended HD recording while keeping intact the program data links embedded in the original video.

The TVs are made from a Kameyama LCD panels that promise to offer high-quality images with smooth images. Plus, the DX Series comes complete with Sharp?s 1-Bit digital amp to faithfully recreate original sounds and its side-port Bass Reflex Speaker to deliver powerful deep bass sounds from a compact sound system.

All the Full-HD models (1080p, 120Hz) feature a brigtness of 450 cnd/m2, a contrast of 2000:1 (livingroom contrast 900:1) and a viewing angle of 176°/176°. The HD-ready models (1366 x 763) offer the same brightness and viewing angles and a contrast of 1500:1 (living room contrast 650:1).

The built-in Blu-ray recorder supports playback of BD video, BD-RE Ver. 2.1 (single layer/dual layer), BD-R Ver. 1.1/1.2/LTH (single layer/dual layer), DVD-RW/-R, DVD video, standard audio CDs, CD-RW/-R (audio CD format), DVD-RAM, DVD+RW/+R (video format finalized).

For recording, consumers may use BD-RE Ver. 2.1 (single layer/dual layer) and BD-R Ver. 1.1/1.2/LTH (single layer/dual layer).

Estimated prices:
52" LC-52DX1 (1,920x1,080 120Hz): 500,000 Yen ($4,894)
46" LC-46DX1 (1,920x1,080 120Hz): 450,000 Yen ($4,404)
42" LC-42DX1 (1,920x1,080 120Hz): 380,000 Yen ($3,720)
37" LC-37DX1 (1,920x1,080 120Hz): 300,000 Yen ($2,936)

32" LC-32DX1 (1,366x768): 200,000 Yen ($1,957)
26" LC-26DX1 (1,366x768): 170,000 Yen ($1,663)