Hannspree to Introduce 47-inch Widescreen 1080p LCD

Hannspree, the California-based “lifestyle-targeted� TV maker, plans to branch out from its traditional sports- and activity-themed designs this April with the introduction of full HD 1080P LCDs in various sizes above 42 inches, with a 47-incher slated for top-of-the-line status. Hannspree sets its pricing to fall below Sony and above Panasonic, said one executive in a briefing of press at CES. Although the shipping price of this set has not yet be firmly set, expect the 47-inch LCD to cost below $2,000.

Hannspree has definitely nailed the “thinâ€? factor with this TV in every respect except with its model name. Less than 5 inches thick even in the packing box, the YT06-4701-000G will feature 1920×1080p at a contrast ratio of 800:1. The set has two HDMI with/HDCP inputs and leads Hannspree right into the middle of the hot HD market for LCDs.

Priding itself on unusual designs such as TVs with a baseball or soccer motif, Hannspree is aiming for a more traditional look with this new crop of its first HD 1080p LCDs, but execs promise that enough design flair will be there to still set them apart form the mainstream, notably with hookups centered in the back of the TV in a small footprint for ease of use as wall-mounts and with brushed finishes that reflect some of the Hannspree approach. The April launch will follow with a number of these sets in various sizes.

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