Sharp unveils its first 3D TV at IFASharp has announced its first Quattron 3D TV

03 September 2010

Sharp unveil it's first 3D TV at IFA - the 60-inch LE925

Sharp has finally entered the 3D TV market with its first 3D set - the mammoth 60-inch LE925

The new 3D TV features active shutter 3D technology, Sharp's much-hyped Quattron technology and its new 'Frame Rate Enhanced Driving' (or FRED for short) software specifically designed for 3D television.

To find out how rival 3D brands Sony, LG, Panasonic and Samsung fared check the Which? in-depth 3D TV test report.

Sharp Quattron with added FRED

The television comes bundled up with a variety of impressive sounding claims, including the ability to appear 1.8 times brighter than rival 3D TVs, and deliver a 3D picture with less cross-talk (a ghost image effect). 

Sharp say this is thanks to a mixture of rapid back-light switching and its new FRED technology. 

As 3D glasses make the screen appear darker, the general rule of thumb is the brighter the picture the better. Cross-talk can appear on 3D TVs with slower response times (the time it takes to switch pixels on and off) and cause the left and right eye 3D images to overlap causing a ghosting effect.

Quattron hype

The television will also use Sharp's four sub-pixel Quattron technology, which adds an extra pixel, a yellow one, to the standard red, green, blue (RGB) array. Sharp claims that this will improve the screen’s picture quality.

Which experts have already tested the Quattron technology in run-of-the-mill 2D and were less than impressed. Mike Briggs, Which? TV expert commented, ‘Quattron sounds like an interesting idea but to be honest the results we've seen to date do not justify the hype. Colours just looked wrong on the 40LE821 Quattron TV we tested.'

'But we'll reserve judgement on this new 3D model until it's been through our test lab assessment. The cross-talk and brightness claims could make a crucial difference when watching 3D material.'

See Quattron technology for yourself in the Which? Quattron review.

Sharp add Net TV too

Completing the game of catch-up Sharp also revealed that its new ranges will include a new way to access the internet - AQUOS NET+.

Just like similar services from Sony, samsung and Panasonic this allows you to view a wide variety of internet video content and web browsing services via the TV.

3D Blu-ray

To accompany the TV, Sharp also unveiled it's first 3D Blu-ray player, the BD-HP90S. 

The 60-inch 3D Quattron TV will be available in the UK from October, priced at £3500, while the 3D Blu-ray player follows a month later, priced at £380.

For more information on how 3D TVs measure up in the full Which? TV test check out the LCD, LED and plasma TV reviews.

Related links

Best 3D TV

3D TV essential guide

Buying a new TV

LCD and plasma TV reviews