Sharp Offers More Wide Projectors, Signage Options
Sharp is leaning more toward widescreen projection with the introduction of three new WXGA models.
Sharp is leaning more toward widescreen projection, with the introduction of three new WXGA models, the XG-P560W 3-chip DLP and the XG-C455W and PG-C355W 3-LCD projectors.
At 4,000 and 3,500 lumens, respectively, the 455 and 355 models come in a portable size that suits K-12 environments, where the projector may often be transported from classroom to classroom, and are Sharp’s first widescreen 3LCD offerings. The 560 is an installed unit that combines 5,200 ANSI lumens with 1280×800 native resolution and Texas Instrument’s 3-chip DLP technology; offering a 3-chip DLP in WXGA is also a first for the company.
Several televisions and monitors were on display, including the 108-inch class LB-1085 LCD, which made its debut at last year’s CES but is expected to begin shipping in September after manufacturer tweaks.
The TL series of digital signage monitors offer a budget-conscious alternative to the higher-end PN series. Unlike the PNs, the TL monitors are only available in a landscape configuration and were made to run 12 to 16 hours, rather than 24/7; so they would not be the choice for mission-critical facilities. They do, however, offer HDMI connectivity and RJ-45.
Senior Product Marketing Manger, LC-TV for Sharp’s Entertainment Products Division Anthony R. Favia was on-hand to discuss more about the Aquos line’s potential commercial applications. Noticing that more and more installers were using the consumer television line for business purposes, Favia used customer feedback to specify HDMI 1.3, Ethernet, and RS-232 inputs for the latest displays. He noted the advantages of using a television with these professional-grade features rather than a monitor without a TV tuner for digital signage applications in certain situations, such as during a critical situation where the display could switch to the TV input to broadcast emergency alerts.
The Aquos TVs also offer a greater range of sizes, down to 26 inches, where as the smallest digital signage monitor is 46 inches. Aquos displays are already being used for digital signage applications in hotel chains such as the Wynn, the Hilton, and the Embassy Suites.
