In order to meet rapidly growing market demand for clear, cost-effective, high-definition digital signage Sharp Electronics has launched a new line of professional large-format video monitors with the introduction of the LC-M3700.

According to a press release, this sleek, black 37-inch widescreen Liquid Crystal Display monitor is ideal for digital signage and public information applications, particularly in the hospitality, corporate retail, transportation and government sectors.

The LC-M3700 features widescreen high-definition resolution, true 16 x 9 aspect ratio and 1366 x 768 matrix resolution. The monitor delivers an 800:1 contrast ratio on its non-glare screen, making it bright and clear enough for any professional application.

The LC-M3700 offers 170-degree viewing angles, for a clear, crisp picture that can be seen from virtually every angle. Potential applications for the slim, lightweight LC-M3700 include videoconferencing and television broadcast and production, as well as hotel, retail, tradeshow, museum, casino/sports-book and stadium installation.

Sharp's LC-M3700 addresses customer needs left unfulfilled by plasma models. One primary difference can be found in product lifespan: the LC-M3700 boasts a 60,000-hour replaceable backlight, nearly double the life of similarly sized plasma models. Sharp's LC-M3700 consumes less power than plasma, and features lower reflectivity, heightening the perceived image contrast when viewed in a well-lit space. Higher contrast lets viewers discern details they might otherwise miss, particularly in dark scenes.

Designed with Sharp's renowned Liquid Crystal Display technology, the ultra-thin LC-M3700 is compatible with digital television input signals and offers a widescreen aspect ratio for HDTV display. The LC-M3700 boasts component video inputs and PC compatibility, and provides optimal viewing for video sources from HDTV signals and DVDs to XGA, SVGA and VGA computers.

Sharp claims to be the leading manufacturer of Liquid Crystal Display TVs with its award-winning AQUOS line. The AQUOS collection of beautiful, versatile, high- performance Liquid Crystal Display TVs includes models ranging in size from 10- to 37-inches, in a variety of styles and colours. Similar to the LC-M3700, all AQUOS TVs boast thin-film transistor (TFT) Liquid Crystal Display screens that have an 800:1 contrast ratio, extremely high brightness and 170-degree viewing angles.