Sharp unveils Aquos LCD HDTV/Blu-ray combo sets

Rather not deal with an external—or wall-mountable, for that matter—Blu-ray player? Sharp's got a unique solution on display here at CES.

Set to arrive next month in sizes ranging from 52 to 32 inches, the Sharp Aquos BD series LCD HDTV sets boast most of the usual amenities, including full 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rates, three to four HDMI inputs (depending on the size), as well as ATSC and QAM tuners.

In back, however, you'll find a surprise—a hardback book-sized rectangular bulge, which houses the built-in Blu-ray player. No details on supported audio formats, but BD-Live functionality is a given, and the set also boasts a feature called Aquos "Pure Mode," which automatically detects the content on your Blu-ray disc (film or video source, aspect ratio, etc.) and tweaks the appropriate image settings.

Pricing for the BD series isn't too bad—from $2,599 for the 52-inch model down to $1,099 for the 32-inch set—and I'm told that wall mounts are available to accommodate the added bulk of the Blu-ray player.