While Samsung was busy launching its first 8K TVs at IFA 2018, Sharp was busy showing off a prototype of its “second-generation 8K TV”.
Sharp wants to be a leader in 8K
Sharp, now owned primarily by Taiwan’s Foxconn, has declared that it wants to be a leader in 8K TV. The company has been so eager to portray itself as a cutting edge that it launched an 8K TV before 8K was ready.
The next version of Sharp’s 8K TV is positioned as a second generation 8K TV but it is nevertheless the first to feature a HDMI input capable of receiving 8K video signals. It is based on LCD technology and also supports High Dynamic Range. Of course, it also has 8K up-conversion.
- “8K isn’t the future, it’s already here. The new 60” 70” and 80” Sharp 8K AQUOS TV will be here soon. It is going on sale in Japan later this year, and with the intention to launch in Europe and US early next year,” said Sascha Lange, Sharp’s VP of marketing and sales.
The 80-inch TV is still a prototype so Sharp declined to comment on specifics but it appears to use a type of zone dimming in combination with Sharp’s VA-type “UV2A II” LCD panel. If you think that the colorful images on the screen look familiar, it is because Sharp actually exhibited its first 8K LCD prototype way back in 2011.
Great picture quality
The display had deep blacks and intense colors, even in challenging scenes. Sharp used native 8K content shot in collaboration with Japan’s NHK broadcaster and the picture looked great, mainly due to its deep blacks and intense colors. The 8K TV is a significant step forward from the previous model in terms of picture quality. We saw most of the new LCD TVs at IFA and this one was definitely one of the highlights.
Could the historic Sharp TV brand be on its way back? Based on what we saw at IFA 2018, it looks like a strong competitor to Samsung’s 8K TV.
Sharp’s 8K TV will launch as the AX1 model in 60, 70, and 80 inch sizes in Japan later this year. Only the 80-inch model has been confirmed for Europe where it is scheduled to ship sometime in 2019. Pricing details were not announced.
