Sharp’s new LCD Debuts at abNew Tokyo Cinema
 
 
 
A new cinema complex opens in downtown Tokyo this weekend but the screens won’t be the only thing drawing the attention of customers. The Piccadilly cinema in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district is the first place in the world that people can see Sharp’s monster 108-inch LCD (liquid crystal display) screen in use.
 
 
 
The screen, which was first unveiled as a prototype at CES 2007, is the largest LCD available from any manufacturer and is only possible because Sharp recently opened a new plant in Japan that can handle sheets of glass large enough to make the screen.
 
 
 
The plant, at Kameyama in western Japan, handles so-called 8th generation glass sheets, which measure 2. 2 meters by 2. 5 meters. Usually several displays are made on each sheet — for example the 8G glass is most economically suited to making eight 46-inch panels or six 52-inch panels — but in the case of the new screen, the entire sheet has been used.
 
 
 
For that reason, a larger screen isn’t likely to hit the market until a more advanced factory is built and at present no LCD-maker has announced concrete plans to invest in such a factory.
 
 
 
At the Piccadilly, the screen sits on the third-floor lobby area above a set of escalators and is used to show previews of upcoming movies. Its positioning makes it a little hard to really appreciate the sheer size of the set as the lobby is large and the escalators mean customers cannot get close to it. The screen appeared a lot larger when debuted at CES  because it was easy to see that it’s taller than a person.
 
 
 
The full high-definition screen is complemented by 50 other LCD panels around the complex. Several 65-inch panels sit above the ticketing desk and show the latest movie times and schedules while smaller 52-inch panels are located above the food counter to provide changing promotions of different items.
 
 
 
With the debut of the screen at the Piccadilly, Sharp is launching the panel on the commercial market as a build-to-order product. It’s aimed at corporate users in the public information, entertainment and broadcasting industries  ()and costs ¥11 million (US$103,000).
 
 
 

• ClearFrame 120Hz with 5:5 pull-down
• New SRT Technology
• 10Bit LCD Panel
• Color Temp Controls
• Vesa Compatible

Product Description
Cinema Series Regza 1080p Full HD LCD… More >>

Toshiba REGZA Cinema Series 46XV545U 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

There used to be a time when you sat down in front of the television and watched television in mono sound on a screen smaller than the one you are viewing this article on. Today televisions have grown in size and capability and the home cinema and home entertainment system has come of age. Televisions come in all sizes from ones on your mobile phone to 150-inches large.
But what is the best way to set up a home cinema system in your living room and what do you need to make it work? Here is a simple check sheet to make sure you don’t miss anything out.
Television or projector?
The first decision you are going to have to make is whether or not you want to have a projector or a standard LCD or Plasma television. The advantage of a projector is that you’ll get a larger picture, however you’ll need to factor in changing the bulbs every couple of thousand hours (not that long considering you probably watch around 20 hours of television a week) and while projector technology has improved drastically over the last couple of years, they still need a fairly dark room and a white wall to be viewed.
LCD or Plasma?
So you’ve decided to go for a television over a projector, now you need to decide whether or not to go for plasma or LCD technology. The main criteria will be size. Under 46-inches you can’t really tell the difference. However your choice will be restricted if you opt for plasma with Pioneer’s Kuro range the one to go for if your plans are to go big. If you are going LCD then there are a number of manufacturers that offer solutions from Samsung, LG, Philips, Sony, Sharp and Toshiba. Philips has Ambilight for those looking for something a bit different. Ambilight fires light out of the back, and with its Aurea model out the front, that matches the colours on the screen. The idea is that it reduces strain on your eyes.
Amp
Once you’ve got the visuals out of the way you need to look at the sound and you start with an amp. Amps again come in all shapes and sizes with complete kits offered by companies like Samsung and LG, while companies like Denon and Arcam specialise in a system that you add components like a DVD player or games console to. An amp is also good for controlling all your different devices within your home entertainment system.
Speakers
You’ve got an amp, but now you need to hear the music. Yamaha and a couple of other manufacturers make a single speaker that sits under your television called a Soundbar. This saves on cluttering up your lounge with speakers, however for audiophiles it won’t beat a 7. 1 surround system where there are speakers everywhere you look.
DVD/Blu-ray/Content
Once you’ve got a compete system set up you need something to play on its. If you are into movies you’ll need to get a good up-scalling DVD or if you’re an early adopter a Blu-ray player. Of course you can also get HD movies and TV shows via Sky’s HD service.
Remote controls
Having all this kit will mean a remote control for virtually every device. Rather than clutter up your armchair’s sofa, make sure you look at getting an all in one offering from either Philips or Logitech.

• 46″ screen (measured diagonally) * widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio
• High-gloss black finish
• Built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required)
• Built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required)

Product Description
46″ screen (measured diagonally) * widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio * high-gloss black finish * built-in digital (ATSC) and analog (NTSC) tuners for over-the-air TV broadcasts (antenna required) * built-in QAM cable TV tuner receives unscrambled programs without a set-top box (cable service required) * CineSpeed 10-bit LCD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) *… More >>

Toshiba REGZA Cinema Series 46XF550U 46-inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Sharp’s new LCD Debuts at abNew Tokyo Cinema