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Jan. 11, 2006

[Updated Jan. 12] -- Sharp used embedded Linux and Devicescape's WiFi stack to build a 32-inch flat-panel TV/PC display with a built-in 802.11a/b/g wireless media adapter. The IT-32X2 has a built-in HDTV tuner, and USB ports for viewing photos from digital cameras or USB storage devices.

(Click for larger view of the Sharp IT-32X2 in silver)

According to Devicescape, Sharp used a beta version of its Secure Wireless Client to build both the IT-32X2 and the CE-MR01 wireless multimedia adapter. Sharp first completed the standalone media adapter, and then incorporated the design into the flat-panel TV, Devicescape says.

Both the CE-MR01 standalone adapter and the IT-32X2 flat-panel TV work in conjunction with Sharp Media Library Server software, which is only available for Windows XP. Licenses for four XP computers are included with the IT-32X2.

The IT-32X2 runs Linux on a Sigma Designs EM8620L, an SoC (system-on-chip) incorporating an ARM core and video processor with hardware acceleration for decoding a variety of compression formats. The EM8620L was also used in a multimedia adapter reference design from Toshiba, and will soon be replaced by a pin-compatible upgrade announced at CES last week.

Translations of Sharp's Japanese-language web pages suggest the IT-32X2 can display outputs from two sources simultaneously, either side-by-side, or one within the other. For example, an attached PC display could occupy half the screen, while the built-in TV tuner controlled the other half.

Other features and specifications for the IT-32X2 include:

27.5 x 15.4 inch, 1,366 x 768 pixel backlit black LCD
8-bit color
450 cd/m2 maximum luminance
800:1 contrast ratio
0.511mm x 0.511mm pixel pitch
170-degree vertical/horizontal viewing angles
12ms refresh rate
Hardware input selector button
Aspect ratio pull-down functions
20-Watt stereo amp and speakers, with Dolby processing
3.5mm mini-stereo PC sound in jack
Brightness sensor adjusts brightness to ambient lighting
VGA and DVI PC inputs
10/100 Ethernet port
NTSC digital HD tuner, UHF, VHF, and CATV
3 x RCA video inputs
RCA audio I/O ports
Supports up to three USB mass storage devices
AOSS (AirStation One-touch Secure System) one-button wireless config when used with Buffalo access points
Consumes 147 Watts at full brightness level, and a claimed 0.1W in standby
Weight: 65lbs (29 kg)

Availability

The IT-32X2 became available in Japan in mid-summer, 2005, in silver or black. Sharp has not announced a US launch date for the device, however. Sharp also offers a version of the device without WiFi, USB, and Ethernet, called the IT-32M2.

This story was corrected on Jan. 12 to reflect that the IT32X2 is powered by a standalone EM8620L chip, rather than a chipset with a separate applications processor.

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