HANOVER, GERMANY -- Sharp Electronics Europe is revamping its lineup of LCD TVs with the introduction of several new models for the European market, the company said at a news conference at the Cebit trade show here this week.
Three of the models, to be sold under Sharp's Aquos brand, are the first to include panels that are compatible with both the PAL and SECAM analog TV standards that are used widely in Europe, the company says.
PAL is used in Western European countries, excluding France, Asian countries including China, and some parts of Africa. The SECAM standard is used in France, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and some parts of Africa. Both standards use an interlace method that commonly delivers 625-line horizontal resolution at 25 frames per second, according to Sharp.
Coming Soon
The three models are: The LC-32P50E, which has a screen measuring 32 inches diagonally, is available on June 18; the LC-26P50E, with a 26-inch screen, goes on sale on July 13; and the LC-37P50E, with a 37-inch screen, which will be on sale on August 1.
Each model has a brightness of 450 candelas per square meter, a contrast ratio of 800:1, and a resolution of 960 pixels by 540 pixels, the company says.
The company hasn't officially announced prices, but the 26-inch model will be on sale for around $2005 and the 32-inch model will be priced at around $2675, according to a Sharp executive who declined to be named.
Sharp is also releasing three high-end Aquos HD models that each have a resolution of 1366 pixels by 768 pixels, which will be on sale in the middle of the year. These are the LC-37GD7E, the LC-32GD7E, and the LC-26GD7E. Each model has a brightness of 450 candelas per square meter and a contrast ratio of 800:1. The company did not disclose prices or when the new models will be on sale.
Europe has become the second biggest market behind Japan for LCD TVs and global sales of the devices jumped during the last quarter of 2004, according to Hans Kleis, chief executive officer of Sharp Electronics Europe.
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