Sharp! We never saw you as so obsessed with imposing figures, like your gaudy rivals Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic are. But you've come out as a lover of the bada-bing! with this big, 108-inch LCD that crushes even the largest Plasmas. What a beautiful model. (And the TV isn't bad, either.)
Sharp's flashy presentation of technology, as well as babe-age, marks a turning point. The title of biggest TV has always gone to plasma—with good reason. It used to be far cheaper to manufacture than LCD. Before the show, I thought that the upcoming 70-inch Samsung and Sony TVs would take the world's largest record for LCDs. But today Sharp bested the previous record holder—the 103-inch plasma that Panasonic showed off last year (and again this year).
And Sharp plans to really sell this giant TV, along with a 65-inch model, and a slew in the now-modest 40-some and 50-some inch range. LCD is still pricier than plasma—especially in the giant sizes. And plasma can whip LCD's butt in areas such as black levels and viewable angle. But LCD has come a lot farther than anyone expected. And it's enjoying the kind of buzz that plasma hasn't had for a long time.
LCD is now the sexy bling-bing technology. And plasma is looking like a dowdy old maid.