Adding 15 inches onto Sharp’s previous largest LCD screen size class, the 70-inch AQUOS Quattron LED LCD delivers 62 percent more viewing area and is now shipping, the company announced at a press conference in New York City Wednesday.
Sharp’s 70-inch LCD TV delivers 62 percent more viewing area
Sharp plans to ship three more 70-inch models in the next few months, including a 3D version, the company said.
The 70LE732U model that was demonstrated to the media on Wednesday features 1080p resolution and Sharp’s Quattron Quad Pixel technology, which is designed to produce more vivid images by adding the yellow pixel. The LCD offers built-in WiFi and video streaming apps, including CinemaNow, Netflix, VUDU, DLNA, as well as Aquos Advantage Live customer service.
With a suggested retail price of $3,799, the 70-inch LCD is available at most major retailers, which have been selling them for a few weeks now and have reported “better than expected response,” according to John Homlish, Sharp’s VP of sales.
The big TVs are rolling out with a snazzy new marketing campaign focusing on simplicity and sheer size. According to John Herrington, president of Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America, “Large TVs are the fastest growing segment in the U.S. consumer market.”
Sharp executives also made a point at Wednesday’s press conference to comment on the ongoing Japanese earthquake disaster relief, reporting that their employees are ok, and that the company’s one damaged site is already back up and running. Sharp has donated $1.2 million to the earthquake response, as well as vital solar charging stations in locations that don’t have power. Sharp also donated $100 for each journalist that attended the event and visited all four of the company’s demonstration displays.
