Sharp Aquos LC32D44U 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV

Sharp Aquos LC32D44U 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Review

I have owned this Sharp Aquos 32-inch LCD TV for over half a year, and I continue to be impressed with it. However, consumers should focus upon their particular needs, since their desires might not match my own.

RESOLUTION --
First, this is a 720p resolution screen. Yet, as a 32-inch screen, this resolution is more than sufficient. Viewing distance is important with this television. I have it placed at the end of my bed, approximately 10 feet from where I normally view the television. The picture is AMAZING from this distance. However, if I sit at the foot of my bed (only 3 feet or less from the screen), I can see a great deal of pixelation. There are various websites that can calculate the proper viewing distance for each size of screen and resolution. I highly recommend using these calculations when choosing an LCD TV, since most stores will place these "smaller" HDTV's in isles where you are standing within 3 feet of the screen, giving you a distorted perspective on how the screen will actually look within your home. I suggest finding a venue where you can stand the proper distance away from the screen to evaluate the picture quality.

CONTRAST RATIO --
While the Sharp Aquos may have a lower contrast ratio than its competitors, please note that most competitors utilize their "dynamic" contrast ratio as their base line. For those familiar with digital imagery, this means that when using the "dynamic" range, the images are "stretched" (with the darkest pixels contrasting sharply with the lightest tones). I must admit that the Sharp Aquos has a horrible Dynamic range function. Like most dynamic range LCD TV settings, it makes each color garishly bright (this might be nice if you watch football and want the astro-turf to look greener than green, but it's not pleasant to watch if you are viewing a drama or action film). The benefit of the Sharp Aquos is that the "Standard" contrast setting is exponentially better than the "dynamic" setting of any of its competitors. It provides a true-color experience, (more like a well-adjusted CRT television yet in high-def) without the hyper-contrasted colors and tones of similar HDTV's.

VIEW MODES --
The Sharp Aquos has a half dozen pre-set viewing modes, including "Standard" (which I prefer for most purposes) and "Movie" (which increases the soft golden tones you would expect from a theater experience, like the old Kodachrome film). Each preset can be modified with fairly detailed options and saved as the preferred mode for an individual input. This means that you might fine-tune the "movie" setting to your own preferences, and then save that as the default setting for watching DVD's. If you pop in a DVD, that preset will automatically be used. But if you change to watching Cable television, the Sharp Aquos will automatically switch to whatever other view mode you chose to associate with that input. There are also the "User" (customized) mode, and a "Gaming" (high contrast) mode, as well as the additional two "dynamic" mode functions.

There is also the unique OPC option (which can be saved as a preference on any of the view modes listed above). It reads the ambient light in your room and adjusts the backlight of the LCD accordingly. I like this because it saves energy and adds hours/days/months to the life of your television (the bulb will eventually burn out -- more quickly if it is on its maximum setting all the time without the OPC). In fact, watching movies in a pitch-black room, I've noticed I get blinded by the brightness of this screen if I don't turn OPC on. That's how wonderfully bright the screen can be (yet does not need to be all the time).

INPUTS--
I have an HD-DVR hooked up through Verizon FIOS using an HDMI cable. Verizon sends out HD at 1080, and standard definition television at 480. But this TV only displays 480 (native) or 720 (downsampled from Verizon's 1080). The Sharp Aquos is able to quickly recognize and convert each signal to the proper resolution within about 1.5 seconds of switching between Hi-Def and Standard-Definition channels (between 480 and 1080), providing amazingly clear images from down-sampled HDTV signals. I have been consistently amazed at the HD picture of this television, including action-packed movies and television shows with fast movement.

Note that most cable companies broadcast their HD in 720 (the native resolution of this television), so you do not need Verizon/Fios to attain this quality.

I also have a PS2 connected to this television. When I first connected it with the standard "composite" video cables (the "Red, White and Yellow" cables) it was horrendous. However, hooking that same PS2 through the "component" cables made the video games appear almost movie-like. I was greatly impressed.

I do have a standard DVD player (not up-sampled) connected to the Sharp Aquos through "component" video cables. The output is exceptional, with no issues.

I have also hooked up my iPod Classic to this television, using the iPod-to-composite cables (available online, but nearly all such cables are sold separately). For down-sampled videos (iPod videos that were only meant for the iPod screen), these images were sub-par on the Aquos HDTV. However, for videos purchased at HD resolution through iTunes, the picture was amazing on the Aquos.

SOUND --
My wife and I have been surprised by the complaints about the Sharp Aquos on-board speakers. We watch our T.V. within a relatively small bedroom, and the on-board sound regularly tricks us to think the special effects are coming from outside the house. The sound quality also depends upon the input. I've noticed that the best sound comes from my HDMI inputs. I do own a surround-sound 5 speaker system that we use occasionally with this Aquos set (the audio output is easily accessible on this TV) but we have found few reasons to use it, other than the truly blockbuster sci-fi or action films. Most of the time we use the on-board speakers and keep the volume set at about 1/4 of the total output. That is PLENTY loud. Much beyond that and we'd be covering our ears (and probably damaging the speakers).

OVERVIEW --
A great HDTV for a medium-sized room when the viewers will be between 8 and 10 feet away from the screen. Don't worry about the "Dynamic" contrast ratio. This HDTV is best in "standard" mode (more "life-like" than any HDTV I've seen). If you want an HDTV with the most true-color tones and a flexible menu for the average user, I highly recommend this television. If you don't believe me, go into any store and compare the true color tones of the Sharp Aquos to any of its competitors. That test is what finally sold us on this TV. You'll see what I mean.

Sharp Aquos LC32D44U 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Feature

• 32" HDTV LCD-TV
• 7500:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• 6ms Response Time
• 2 HDMI, 1 PC Input
• Black Cabinet

Sharp Aquos LC32D44U 32-Inch 720p LCD HDTV Overview

The elegant AQUOS D44U Series easily enhances the decor of any family room, living room or den. With a true 16:9 aspect ratio, HDTV resolution of 1366 x 768, and breathtaking color purity, it is a next-generation TV to carry you into the high-definition future. The D44U Series utilizes Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel providing 7500:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 6ms response time and wide viewing angles (176°H x 176°V). Both models are HDTV's with built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuners and include 2 HDMI and HD component video inputs as well as a D-sub, 15-pin input for PC compatibility. The D44U Series features a black cabinet and the included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications. Features: 16:9 ASV LCD Panel from Sharp's state-of-the-art Kameyama factory producing 7500:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio and 6ms response time. True 16:9 wide-screen aspect ratio with 1366 x 768 HDTV resolution. Wide Viewing Angles (176°H x 176°W) Sharp's AQUOS LCD TVs viewing angles are so wide, you can view the TV clearly from practically anywhere in the room. PC Input conveniently turns your TV into a PC monitor. Enhanced Color Filter uses finer points to achieve higher throughput, enabling deeper, more vivid colors and 150% higher contrast ratio. High Brightness (450 cd/m2) AQUOS LCD TVs are very bright. You can put them virtually anywhere - even near windows, doors or other light sources - and the picture is still vivid. Built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC Tuners provide access to DTV and analog TV channels.

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 16, 2010 21:40:04