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Sharp introduces LCD TVs with built-in Blu-ray
In the shops in November
Japan's Sharp has launched what it claims is the world's first liquid crystal display television with a built-in next-generation Blu-ray DVD recorder. Dubbed the Aquos, the line of televisions will hit the market in late November with prices between US$1,680 and $4,950.
Sharp chief executive, Mikio Katayama, said that competition was tough and the business climate bad, so Sharp wanted to differentiate itself from its rivals by offering customers products that are of great quality but simple to use.
The new Aquos "DX series" means a customer does not need to buy a separate DVD player or recorder, although the DVD unit can still come out of the television if there is a need for repair.
Sharp said it would not immediately release the new Aquos overseas. Besides, Japan has been the key market for next-generation DVDs, rather than the U.S. and Europe, which have been slow to buy them.