At Google I/O last year, Google announced Android TV as their next platform focused on the entertainment hub of your home. At I/O, Google announced that both Sony and Sharp would be releasing TV’s with Android TV built-in, and today Sharp has announced their first TV’s with Android TV, and they won’t be cheap.
Sharp has announced three TVs in the AQUOS range, with the two higher end models using Android TV to power the ‘Smart’ component of the TV. The UE30 and UH30 models are 4K compatible offering Android TV functions such as the ability to play movies, apps and games from Google Play, as well as incorporating other features such as voice search and the ability to cast content from your mobile device to the TV.
The price for the TV’s reflect the specs included, and they won’t be cheap, although at this stage only the US pricing has been announced.
Sharp AQUOS 4K Ultra HD UE30 Series:
- 60” (diag.), 70” (69.5” diag.), 80” Class screen sizes
- 4K Ultra HD: 4X the pixel resolution of Full HD
- Revelation™ Upscaler
- 4K Ultra HD Streaming (HEVC/h.265; VP9)
- AquoMotion™ 480
- AquoDimming™
- SmartCentral™ 4.0
- Android TV platform
- 4K Ultra HD Specs (HDMI 2.0; HDCP 2.2)
- 70″ (69.5” diag.) has 16% more screen area than a 65″ (64.5” diag.) Class; 80″ (diag.) has 50% more screen area than a 65″ (64.5” diag.) Class TV
- Modern Design – ultra slim bezel, sleek stand
- Dual Stand Placement Options (70” diag./80” diag.)
- Wallpaper Mode
- Quad-core processor
- 4 HDMI, 3 USB, Wi-Fi
- Pricing:
- MSRP 60” Class LC60UE30: US$1,999.99
- MSRP 70” Class LC70UE30: US$2,799.99
- MSRP 80” Class LC80UE30: US$5,399.99
Sharp AQUOS 4K UltraH D UH30 Series:
- 70” (69.5” diag.) and 80” (diag.) Class Screen Sizes
- THX 4K-Certified Picture Quality (THX certification pending 70” (69.5” diag.) only
- SPECTROS™ Rich Color Display
- Revelation™ Upscaler
- 4K Ultra HD Streaming (HEVC/h.265; VP9)
- 4K Ultra HD Specs (HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2)
- AquoMotion™ 960
- AquoDimming™
- SmartCentral™ 4.0
- Android TV platform
- 70″ (69.5”) diag. has 16% more screen area than a 65″ (64.5” diag.) Class.; 80″ (diag.) has 50% more screen area than a 65″ Class
- Modern Design – ultra slim bezel, sleek stand
- Dual Stand Placement Options
- Wallpaper Mode
- Quad-core processor
- Touchpad Remote
- 4 HDMI, 3 USB, Wi-Fi
- Pricing:
- MSRP 70” Class LC70UH30: US$3,199.99
- MSRP 80” Class LC80UH30: US$5,999.99
Sharp has only announced US availability for these new TV models, advising they will be hitting retailers in ‘Spring 2015’. We’ll be speaking with Sharp Australia about new models and availability today.
Would you consider a Sharp UHD TV with Android TV built-in?
Call me nuts but considering:
Australia’s (or at least my) poor internet speed,
the lack of native 4K content
Multiple 4K standards still competing
I just want a 55″ 1080p Android TV including screen. Come on LG make it happen. Ill have 4k if I have too.
Lock in HDMI 2.0 as the connector standard. And yeah, 4K has diminishing returns in terms of perceived sharpness when viewing a big screen from a distance.
US only devices at a US trade show. Whoda thunk it.
I would have no problem at all paying those prices, especially for the THX Certified models. Do Sharp still manufacture in Japan?