JAPAN NEWS: Sharp set to launch cheaper, greener TVs, and greenlight Sony LCD joint venture

Sharp's greener LCD TVs

Power savings have been made by more efficient backlighting and the use of an ambient light sensor, reducing the backlight – and thus the power consumption – when the TVs are watched in a darkened room.

The sets are expected to be priced between Y200,000 (just under £1400) and Y390,000 (around £2700), making them 13-28% less expensive than last year's equivalents.

10th-gen LCD subsidiary

Sharp has also announced the establishment of a new subsidiary company, as part of its moves toward a joint venture with Sony to make and market large LCD panels and modules.

The company's new LCD factory, being built at Sakai, Osaka, will be prepared for the joint venture, planned as the first able to handle 10th generation LCD motherglass substrates.

These 2.85x3.05m glass sheets are able to yield six 60in screens, eight 50in or fourteen 40in panels.