New Sharp Aquos TVs Sport Big Screens, Skinny Chassis

Sharp has just introduced a new line of LCD TVs that are 25 percent slimmer and 20 percent lighter than it previous models, further proof that you can't be too thin in today's flat-panel world.

The new Aquos D64U HDTVs come with screen sizes of 42, 46, 52 and 65 inches. All are "Full HD" 1080p models. Dressed in piano-black finishes, the TVs have a thinner bezel than other Sharp sets, and recessed, bottom-mounted speakers, along with fewer parts. That gives them a sleeker look and more compact footprint that will enable consumers to fit larger screens in smaller places, the company said. In addition, the models are more energy efiicient than previous Aquos models, according to Sharp.

Prices range from $2,099 for the 42-inch model, to $3,799 for the 52-incher. The 65-inch model, which will be available in September, doesn't yet have a price. Two D62U models, in 42- and 46-inch screen sizes, are CR Quick Picks for LCDs in our current online Ratings (available to ConsumerRerports.org subscribers).

Features include easily accessible side- and rear-mounted connections--a total of three HDMI 1.3 inputs, plus two component-video, two composite and one S-video input. They also have an RS-232 control jack and one dedicated PC input.

--James K. Willcox

Comments

[wendy]

I bought a 19 inch Sharp LCD for Christmas last year. At first it had a black box in the middle of the set. Finally got that to go away and now it is completely toast. There is not picture and no sound. The technician at Sharp doesn't care. She thinks she can troubleshoot it over the phone. I asked what would happen after that unsuccessful step. I can package it up and send it into Sharp and pay them labor to fix it. I asked if they didn't think that it was a bit ridiculous to charge $400 dollars for a television and it doesn't even work for a year. Her response was that it is an electronic piece of equipment. I don't understand why company's can't stand behind their products. I might as well have put the money on the sidewalk and watched it blow away. Thanks Sharp and thanks Best Buy for helping me NOT resolve this problem.

[DHB08]

Help! Help! Our 2 year old Sharp LC--32D4OU is having the "black screen" problem - sound no picture problem began after about 14 months of ownership. The Sears salesperson (technician?) told us that it was probably a problem with the HMDI cable and sold me $150 cable (he must have known I was a sucker). The new HDMI cable seemed to work for about 2 months. Now problem is worse than ever.

I heard that a Circuit City technician told his customer that Sharp has put a "Bulletin" out regarding this particular problem, as it is apparently endemic to this and other models from this year.

We are Very frustrated by Sharp's unresponsiveness to our pleas for help/guidance - we're basically "out of luck." - Yet this "bulletin" seems to be an acknowledgement that a problem exists.

Can a product be recalled if it doesn't pose a safety risk? Is there an economical solution available to us? Should we pay whatever cost for repair and attempt to get reimbursed by Sharp? That seems risky.

This was a a pretty big expense for us and we feel like we've been taken-advantage of by Sharp and Sears.

[everett whitney]

TO: Stacy M.- "Using VCR tuner on bad AQUOS ..."

Do recall that your "fix" is a temporary one & only results in analog channels / reception.

Another "fix" would be to get cable & a HD Box & simply use the AQUOS as a Monitor ...

Either that digital tuner will need to be replaced before Feb for OTA digital or another HDTV.

[stacy mosher]

I bought an Aquos at the end of 2006 and have had no issues with the screen, color, etc. But recently the tuner died -- it just stopped working for no reason (a few months after the warranty finished, of course). And guess what, no suppliers have the replacement part -- it's on "back order" absolutely everywhere, which should tell you a lot right there.
Luckily my local TV guy taught me to hook the TV up to a VCR player that has a built-in tuner. The TV now uses that, and the picture is better than it ever was with the actual Aquos tuner, and at very modest cost. At least this problem could be solved, but shame on Sharp for what is obviously a dud tuner!

[Lita]

We purchased a 46" Sharp AQUOS 1080P LCD HDT and enjoyed it for 1 yr + 2 months until the picture went. It was 2 months after warranty. The repair Tech told us "It's gone"..........With regret an extended warranty wasn't purchased. Has anyone else experience a situation like this:any recourse?

[Karen]

I am planning of buying a Sharp Aquos 52" but I heard a lot of bad review on it especially the dent screen color. They have the 120Hz refresh rate but I don't want to spend a lot of money that I will regret one day.

What do you think the best LCD TV ranging from 50"to 52" brand? Is it OK to go with the Sony Bravia or Samsung?

Thanks.

[Sharon]

Dennis:
We have had the same problem with the Sharp holding its input settings. Sharp was NOT VERY RESPONSIVE, especially as it took our television 2 years to do this. We have found that disconnecting it from the DirectTV box and then reconnecting works pretty at least 50% of the time. Sharp used to make dependable products....the picture is great, the clarity too, but it has to display the picture in order to be great. Last Sharp product we buy. We are replacing it this weekend...Worst $968 we ever spent!

[Dennis]

I purchased a 32-inch Sharp Aquos TV in Sept 2006. Within 6 months I was experiencing occassional periods when the set would not hold the Input selection when turned off. Upon turning back on the set would have sound but no picture. After multiple on/off sequences the set would eventually come to life with a picture. 11 months into the 1 year warranty Sharp arranged to replace the deefective part. This helped for about 2 months after which the same problem re-appeared. I am now told that it is out of warranty and too bad. After spending $1300 it is unbelievable that the manufacturer will not back their product. Has anyone else experienced these type of problems with the Aquos TV or with Sharp in general? Thanks

[Will Waller]

Why is it that the Aquos line has a digital lightpipe out for audio but is not available for the inputs with HDMI? It requires having a receiver with HDMI switching capability in order to get true surround if you have more than one DVD (blueray or HD-DVD) with an HDMI output. Why not have the HDMI 5.1 audio throughput to the lightpipe digital audio out of the television so you could run direct into any surround receiver?

[CRFan]

Cory,
The Costco LC-60C46U is just a rebranded LC-46D62U for Costco (so that consumers cannot directly "price match" to Costco's prices at Best Buy or Circuit City or etc.). They represent the same tv from the same plant (Kameyama II) in Japan.

For fast moving video, the issue is not with LCD response, but with the onboard video processor. For native 1080i or 1080p programming, any of the Sharp 1080p LCD TVs will do just fine (as there is no need to "scale" the image). If you're watching SD (480i/480p) or 720p source programming, the lower end Sharp LCD TVs do not have the best on-board video processors. You're best bet is either a higher end TV (like the 92u series) or an external video processor.

Regards and good luck.

[Victor]

Cory, Sharp now has a 120Hz processor which makes they fast action seamless, no pixalation. The model number is LC-then the size-82U, for instance LC-46d82u or LC-52d82u

[Ed]

what should I look for on Contrast Resolution on a LCD T.V.2000:1 or 10,000:1 ?

[J. Wagner]

We recently purchased the Sharp Aquos LC-52D62U through ShopNBC for $2,798.00 and after 2 months all is well. With Directv service standard def is average to above average. It really varies from network to network apparently. HD broadcasts are AWESOME however.

[hollenstine]

I am looking at buying a Sharp but have held off due to the color uniformity or banding issue. Does anyone know if Sharp fixed it on the LC 52D64U? I was originally looking at the LC 52D92U. I wanted the higher contrast ratio and faster processor.

[Cory Mayback]

Hello.

I'm thinking on purchasing a Sharp Aquos 46". My choices are the LC-46D62U which is carried by many retailers, and the LC-60C46U, which is only offered by CostCo.

1. Are the two TV's basically the same? I've done a serious deep dive into the technical specifications, and they look almost identical. Is there anything besides the technical specs (i.e., spare parts later in life) that I should worry about?

2. I watch lots of movies and lots of sports. With the sports, I am concerned about the pixelation coming from high speed action. I know that both have a response time of 4ms (milliseconds). Is that fast enough? Should I research plasma TV's?

Man, I never knew buying a TV would be tantamount to writing a Senior Thesis! :')

Thanks.

Cory