It's here: Sharp brings 108-inch TV to Oz

The bragging rights to having the "biggest big screen" TV have passed from Panasonic to Sharp, with the local arrival of the latter's 108-inch (274 cm) LCD model LB-1085.

Measuring a whopping 2382mm x 1340mm, which equates to a viewing area of roughly 3.2 square meters, the Sharp LCD pips Panasonic's flagship 103-inch plasma, which has been on the Australian scene (and The Footy Show set) since March 2007.

While it has impressive full 1080p high definition picture quality and a complete set of connectivity options, including 3 HDMI ports, technically it's a professional LCD monitor, so you'd have to hook up a TV tuner and speakers for home use.

The giant Sharp panel first appeared a couple years back at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Trade show in Las Vegas, but given its size and AU$169,000 price tag, it's not the kind of model the company would drop into the market simply on speculation. The impetus to bring it here came with Sharp Australia's growing success in commercial signage, and its contract to replace all the television displays at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, in particular. Over 400 Sharp Aquos LCDs have been installed at the MCG so far, but that number is expected to grow to more than 3000 over the next 18 months. Most MCG displays will be in the 37-inch to 65-inch range, but the 108-inch behemoth is looking likely for the security monitoring HQ and possibly the spectator's entrance.