Sharp-Looking TVs

Sharp 57 inch scaled.jpg Sharp's got some of the lovelier LCD TVs on the market, and it keeps on whipping them out. In fact, according to the media rep, the company is introducing 20 new LCD TVs at CES, which brings the grand total in its line to 65 models. I didn't realize that you could make 65 variations of LCD TVs, but what do I know?

First up, at the low low price of $16,000 is the Aquos 57-inch LC-57D90U HDTV, which features a whole host of impressive specs: 1080p resolution, 1500:1 contrast ratio, 4 millisecond response time, and 176-degree viewing angle. It also has two HDMI connectors and a CableCARD slot. It's due out in March, which should give you plenty of time to ask your boss for a raise.

In the more-affordable category, the company also showed off a couple of LCD TVs with built-in DVD player. These models come in 20- and 26-inch screen sizes ($900 and $1,200, respectively) and feature high-def 1366x768 resolutions. Both are due in May.

Sharp also had a couple of "technology demos" (aka, "look what we can do!"), including a Network Aquos, which utilizes PowerLine technology to carry high-quality audio, video, and Internet to a TV over your home's power lines. This means that one 65-inch screen can be divided into quadrants to display, say, live TV, video being streamed from a networked TiVo, and the Internet via your PC--all at the same time. Get one of those fridge-equipped La-Z-Boys and you really won't ever have to leave your couch.