Sharp today launched two new lines of 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) resolution commercial displays. Sharp’s PN-HM Series includes the PN-HM651 65” Class (64 ½” diagonal), PN-HM751 75” Class (74 9/16″ diagonal) and PN-HM851 85” Class (85 9/16” diagonal) displays. They each provide a brightness of 500 nits, are designed for 24/7 environments and are built to handle a range of signage needs, from simple set-ups to large networks with multiple displays. The new PN-HB Series includes the PN-HB651 65” Class (64 ½” diagonal), PN-HB751 75” Class (74 ­9/16″ diagonal) and PN-HB851 85” Class (85 9/16” diagonal) displays. They each have a brightness of 350 nits, are designed for everyday 16/7 operation and are ideal for most well lit environments, providing outstanding versatility in commercial settings. Both new lines deliver digital signage straight out of the box with a built-in system-on-a-chip (SoC) controller.

rAVe co-founder, Gary Kayye, has been saying for years that the future of displays is built-in, thin-client computers (eliminating the need for a computer in the room and opening up the possibility of cloud-based content delivery) and both display lines come with Sharp’s integrated system-on-a-chip (SoC) controller driven by an Arm Cortex hexa-core processor. The displays support both H.264/AVC as well as H.265/HEVC. The latter is a next-generation, high-efficiency video codec that reduces the communication burden during video transmission and gives content a new level of depth and presence.

This platform also allows third-party soft­ware developers to create custom signage applications, allowing for rich possibilities for digital signage in retail, office and other settings. Sharp has alliances with various developers through its Sharp Open Architecture Program, including Appspace, Enplug, Capital Networks, Industry Weapon, Navori, Novisign, Omnivex, Onsign TV, PingHD, Revel Digital and Starmont.

Certification under the Google Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) assures compatibility with third-party Android apps. Moreover, the displays feature a pre-installed HTML5 browser and supports high-speed wireless LAN and features built-in Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to deliver content and connect equipment wirelessly.

When the displays are powered on, a built-in media player automatically starts playing content stored in internal storage or on a USB memory device or microSD card. A simple schedule function allows users to pre-register seven patterns for when to start/stop the content playback. Users can also make playlists that combine still images and videos, all without any extra software, special skills, or even a PC. This capability allows for cloud-based content providers to serve content to the displays in the future.

The displays also come bundled with Sharp’s e-Signage S software, which supports creating, scheduling, distributing and managing a wide range of signage programs on Sharp LCD displays, as well as creating editing signage programs through simple drag-and-drop operation.

All of the new displays can be installed in landscape or portrait orientation, or even face up. They can also be tilted – either backward up to 90 degrees or forward up to 20 degrees. Up to four displays can be set up in a daisy chain configuration, allowing users to display the same content simultaneously on all screens.

The PN-HM751 and PN-HB751 smart 4K Ultra-HD displays will begin shipping in April, while the PN-HM651, PN-HM851, PN-HB651 and PN-HB851 will ship later this spring 2019. Here are all the detailed specs.

Here is a video that we shot at DSE 2019: