Sharp's solar-powered LCD TV

(Credit: Crave Asia)

At 26 inches for an LCD TV, you might sniff at its puny dimensions. But Sharp's shining some light on this particular flat panel, literally.

Its 26-inch LCD TV, showcased at this week's G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, is powered by solar energy. The set was designed specifically for developing nations where the nearest AC mains are probably a town away. Sharp claims its experimental eco outing guzzles 30 percent less power than its low-power rival, though no names were mentioned.

While the TV is intended for those earning less than $2 a day, its specs are far from the worst: It's a svelte 20 millimeters thin, with a decent 10,000:1 contrast ratio that's not out of place in a middle-class home. Whether this eventually makes it into the global marketplace remains to be seen, though the idea of an accompanying 26-inch solar panel to power a similar-sized TV will likely limit its appeal on a broader scale.

(Source: Crave Asia)

[illil0]

eh, I never liked watching tv at night anyway.