Sharp AQUOS LCD TVs are to receive the EU energy label from the very first day

More brilliant and brighter images, more natural colours and finer contrasts than ever before – in 2D or even 3D: What makes the heart of any home cinema lover beat faster, now goes hand-in-hand with particularly low energy consumption in the newest AQUOS LCD TVs that have Quattron technology.

The excellent energy efficiency of the Sharp AQUOS LCD TVs will be seen in retailers with the new EU TV energy label, which can be attached to devices from 20th December 2010. The relevant European directive was published on 30 November 2010. A similar label has been compulsory for household devices for many years. Using the visible label in traffic light colours - red, amber and green - the user can differentiate devices that consume less energy (green) from those that use a lot (red).

The so-called energy efficiency index is the key factor for assigning an energy efficiency class, which comes from the relationship between a device's current power consumption compared with a stipulated reference value. The power consumption information in the various operating modes on the label is based on a common measurement standard. It is therefore possible to compare various televisions with each other.

 
The energy efficiency of an LCD TV has become an important purchasing criterion in recent months. The new EU energy label TV represents a reliable and above all neutral orientation aid for consumers when buying modern TVs. 37 TVs, around 85 per cent of the current Sharp range, already fulfil the requirements for being graded in the top "green" energy efficiency class. The Sharp AQUOS LCD TVs are therefore leading in terms of their ecological performance as well their technical issues.

The unique combination of power-saving LED backlight, the Quattron technology and other energy-saving characteristics results in a much better performance balance than traditional flat TVs with three-colour technology (RGB) and cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) as backlight.

 
"Thanks to Quattron, we were able to significantly reduce the consumption of our televisions compared with traditional flat-screen TVs that have the RGB pixel structure and CCFL backlight", comments Sebastian Stiegler, manager of the environment department at Sharp electronics Europe. "It is a significant improvement that benefits both the environment and the consumer's wallet," continues Stiegler.

Sharp – green by tradition
Televisions that in addition to energy-saving properties, also meet the other strict criteria can carry the EU Eco label (stylised flower). To date over 160 Sharp LCD TVs have received this desirable environmental award. The Sharp SH1E series flat-screen TVs were the first televisions in the world to receive this award in 2005. Sharp is proud that all of the AQUOS Quattron TVs have the highest energy efficiency class as well as the EU Eco label.

Environmentally friendly devices, sustainably produced.
Sharp values sustainability even in production: in its LCD factory in Sakai, Japan, Sharp produces large LCD panels and and thin film solar modules from mother panes that are 9 m2 in size and therefore products that save energy rather than consume it. For this the electronics group choose environmentally friendly chemicals and all of the products have good recycling characteristics. Sakai is lit by over 100,000 LED lighting systems - which means saving less than 18,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. For the future Sharp plans to complement its energy supply in Sakai with a photovoltaic system and thus to generate its own, clean electricity.

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