Sharp to Debut Lightweight, Portable LCD Screens

On September 15 Japan’s Sharp will release a series of Freestyle Aquos television sets featuring wireless LCD screens that are light enough to be easily moved between room.

The new monitors will come in four sizes: 20 inches for 80,000 yen ($1,040); 32 inches for 110,000 yen ($1,430); 40 inches for 150,000 yen ($1.950) and 60 inches for 380,000 yen ($4,940).

The 32-inch model weighs 5.5 kilograms (12.1 pounds), about 40 percent less than conventional LCD TVs. The maximum thickness of 3.3 centimeters (1.3 inches) is only about half the thickness of conventional screens, allowing it to be hung on the wall like a painting. The monitor has a wireless hookup to a tuner connected to an antenna terminal, allowing it to be moved freely to any room with a power supply.

TV sales in Japan during Aug. 15-21 was only 28 percent of the number of sold between June 27 and July 3 just before the switch to digital broadcasts on July 24, according to the marketing firm BCN Inc. Given the weak market Sharp expects the new lightweight screens to be loss leaders.