Sony to Ship Lower-Priced SXRD Front Projector

Hashimoto declined to disclose yields Sony is achieving from the 8” wafers used to produce the SXRD microdisplays. But the switch to 0.61” from the 0.73” panel used in a 70W rear-projection TV ($13,000) and front projector ($30,000 with lens) upped from 61 to 88 the maximum number of panels possible per wafer, Hashimoto said. A separate line is used to make 0.61” panels, he said. “We will continue to manufacture 0.73” panels, but our focus will be on 0.61” for our products,” he said. The panels are made using a 0.25-micron process.

The new VPL-VW100 will stay with 1,920x1080p but feature 15,000:1 contrast ratio, 800 lumens, 22 db noise level and Perkin Elmer’s 400 w Xenon lamp. It uses the same cooling system as a higher-priced projector, drawing 610 w. A move to a more powerful lamp -- from the 200 w model used in the Qualia 004, which had a 3,000:1 contrast ratio -- cut brightness, conceded TV Product Planning Gen. Mgr. Shigeo Saito. But the VPL-VW100 is “better suited” for screen sizes 120” and under, Saito said. The new model also has a built-in 1.8x zoom lens, whereas the Qualia model required a separate lens.

The VPL-VW100 introduction rounded out the array of SXRD-based products carrying the Sony brand this year, positioned as lower-priced alternatives to the Qualia 70W rear-projection TV and 004 front projector.

Meanwhile, Sharp Electronics demonstrated a 65W LCD with 1,920x1080p resolution with 800:1 contrast ratio and less than 12-millisec. response time that will ship in Nov. at $21,000, said Consumer Electronics Group (CEG) Senior Mktg. Vp Robert Scaglione. The 65W LCD TV, whose panel is made on Sharp’s 6th-generation LCD line, will be priced higher than the $14,000 charged in Japan, where Sharp is chasing market share quite aggressively, Scaglione said. The new set has a CableCARD slot and Gemstar-TV Guide International electronic program guide.

The 65W will figure prominently in Sharp’s Oct. 2006 opening of an 8G facility in Japan. The 8G plant will enable Sharp to produce larger LCD TVs, some in the 50-60W range, where Sharp now doesn’t field a model, he said. It also will enable Sharp to compete more effectively with plasma in 40-50W screen sizes, he said.

Sharp’s inventory of the 65W set will be tight this year, with distribution likely limited to about 200 dealers, CE A/V Sales Senior Vp Steve McNally said. The LCD TV probably will reach most major markets -- but not every store in a chain may be able to carry the set, he said.

Sharp has postponed introduction of its 750 series 56W and 65W DLP-based rear projection TV with CableCARD slots, waiting out price cuts sweeping the market, Scaglione said. It has shipped the 650 series 56W ($3,299) and 65W ($3,799) DLP sets to regional dealers. “We watching to see how fast the market moves, and if it’s moving at a rapid rate does it make sense to introduce the next models,” Scaglione said. “We're doing okay with the first models, but it’s been more of a regional play.”

In smaller sizes, Sharp showed the D-4U and D-6U series of LCD TVs, differing mainly in their piano black and titanium finishes and side and bottom speakers, respectively. The 4U and 6U lines consist of 37W ($3,499, $3,599), 32W ($2,399, $2,499) and 26W ($1,699, $1,799). Sharp has kept expanding distribution of LCD TVs under its own brand, adding a 26W model to a line introduced last year via Wal-Mart in 13-20” sizes. -- Mark Seavy

CEDIA Notebook

Sharp and Best Buy have parted ways on distribution of Sharp’s 45W LCD TV, largely over pricing, sources said. McNally confirmed that Sharp isn’t selling new 45W LCD TVs via Best Buy, but wouldn’t elaborate. Best Buy officials weren’t immediately available for comment. Best Buy still carries Sharp LCD TVs in other sizes. Sharp’s current 45W LCD TV carried a $5,999 price and a new model was introduced at CEDIA with 1,920x1,080 resolution and a $6,499 suggested retail. Best Buy and other retailers want a $5,499 price, but Sharp officials have said that price can’t be hit profitably yet. Best Buy was promoting a 45W LCD on its website Fri. at $4,299.

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Thomson hasn’t struck a retail distribution agreement for its Acoustic Research Digital MediaBridge ($349) despite the product’s expected arrival at its warehouses Sept. 23, Advanced Product & Business Development Vp Lou Lenzi said. “Multiple” talks with retailers on distribution haven’t resulted in a deal yet, he said. Among high-profile retailers selling AR products is Best Buy. The set-top home networking receiver distributes content on a PC hard drive to a TV. It incorporates built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi, DVI with HDCP and S-video outputs, and supports audio/video formats MP3, WMA, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Windows Media Video-9 and others. It has a 1.8 MHz Advanced Micro Devices processor, 32 MB of RAM and an Nvidia graphics processor. Thomson also debuted a line of Jensen Bluetooth devices, including a portable transmitter ($119), hi-fi headphone ($119) and 3 USB-based devices, including one able to transmit audio and data from a PC to any portable product ($119).

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Samsung will a ship a 27” version of its SlimFit reduced-depth direct-view TV ($799) in Oct., broadening a line launched in May with a 30W ($999). The 30W has a 13.8” depth; the 27” shrinks to 11-12”, National Mktg. Mgr. Kevin Cahill said. Unlike the 30W, the 27” will feature a 4x3 aspect ratio with side-mounted speakers. The 30W is available with 20 W bottom speakers for specialty chains or with speakers side-mounted for wider distribution, Cahill said. Samsung plans to add a 26W model in March; most of its direct-view line likely will shift to the SlimFit design in 2006, including a 34W, Cahill said. Samsung is assembling the sets at its Tijuana plant, shipping direct to many retailers, Cahill said.

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A DVD/hard disc recorder using Microsoft’s Media Center Technologies and program guide service made its debut at LG’s CEDIA exhibit. The LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder ($599) has a 160 GB hard drive, and records to all DVD formats, LG said. The Microsoft program guide can search for up to 14 days’ worth of programs by title, keyword, actor, director or category, and automatically record them at the touch of a button. The combo also permits up to 90 min. of “live” TV pause while recording, so users can take a break from viewing or go back to review an earlier scene while recording continues. A skip function on the remote control enables instant fast- forward in 30 sec. increments. Subscriptions to the service are available at a $249 one-time fee, $99.99 yearly or $9.99 monthly.