Sharp flat-panel LCD TVs
A complete, side-by-side comparison of all 4:3 models of this TV type from this manufacturer.
A complete, side-by-side comparison of all 16:9 models of this TV type from this manufacturer.
Price range (MSRP):
$450 to $21,000
Initial release dates:
Jan. through Sept. 2005
Size range (inches):
15 to 65 (diagonal)
Highlights:
Many 4:3 models can handle HDTV; adjustable backlights on some models; 65-inch model
For years, Sharp has been the leader in LCD manufacturing, not just for TVs, but for smaller screens used in cell phones, camcorders, and digital cameras, as well as for LCD elements used in projectors and other displays. The company's LCD experience is unmatched, but as competition from original manufacturers such as Samsung has increased, the company has seen its once-dominant market share erode somewhat. Sharp's LCDs are still very popular, however, and it uses the minibrand Aquos to distinguish these sets from its other television products. Sharp has 17 different TVs in its Aquos lineup for 2005, more than any other manufacturer. There are 5 sets with 4:3 display and 12 with 16:9 wide-screen displays.
Sharp's 4:3 TVs, at their best, offer some of the most impressive specs available for the traditional aspect ratio. The 20-inch LC-20B9U and LC-20B8U sets have dual component inputs, an RGB PC input, and native resolutions of 1,024x768, which, while not quite able to deliver 720p images, can produce a very high-quality 480p picture. CNET reviewed the
LC-20B8U-S and found it to perform quite well for a 4:3 TV.
The selection of 16:9 Aquos sets tops out with the 65-inch LC-65D90U, the largest LCD TV available. This set features
1080p resolution, still a rarity among LCDs but fast becoming the latest must-have high-end spec. We reviewed one of the first 1080p LCDs, the 45-inch Sharp
LC-45GX6U but haven't reviewed any of the later 1080p models yet--we expect that the company has made strides since that first-generation TV but can't confirm one way or the other.
With a flood of less-expensive LCDs on the market today, Sharp targets shoppers who are willing to pay extra for better style and image quality, as well as additional features. Among the features common to each of the 12 wide-screen Aquos TVs are an ATSC tuner, an HDMI input, and with the exception of the LC-37DB5U, a CableCard slot. We've consistently rated Sharp's LCDs at or near the top of their category in performance, especially in terms of black level.
Sharp announced a slew of new LCDs for 2006. We highlighted the new
57-inch set in our coverage, and we'll publish information on the rest of the 2006 line once the company releases finalized information.
The Sharp lineup
From entry level to top of the line, with the step-up features that distinguish each line from the previous ones highlighted.
The LC-S4U-S series is Sharp's entry-level
4:3 series of Aquos LCDs. TVs in this series have a
native resolution of 640x480, which is fine for regular TV but can't really do justice to HDTV. Both sets have bottom-mounted speakers. The 20-inch LC-20S4U ($750) and the 15-inch LC-15S4U ($450) are both currently available.
- 640x480 native resolution
- Two composite-video inputs
- S-Video input
- Component-video input
The LC-B8U-S series is a step up to the LC-S4U-S series. This series is mostly similar, but there are some important differences. The LC-15B8U and LC-13B8U have similar specs to the LC-S4U-S series but have their speakers mounted on the side instead of the bottom. The LC-20B8U-S has more connectivity options, with two component-video inputs and a VGA-style PC input. It also features a higher native resolution of 1,024x768 and can display HDTV sources. For more information, refer to our full review of the
LC-20B8U-S. The 20-inch LC-20B8U ($950), the 15-inch LC-15B8U ($600), and the 13-inch LC-13B8U ($450) are all currently available.
- 1,024x768 or 640x480 native resolution
- S-Video input
- Two component-video inputs (LC-20B8U-S only)
- RGB PC input (LC-20B8U-S only)
The LC-B9U-S series is exactly the same the LC-B8U-S series except the cabinet color is titanium rather than silver. The 20-inch LC-20B9U-S ($950) and the 15-inch LC-15B9U-S ($600) prices are both currently available. There is no 13-inch model in this series.
- 1,024x768 or 640x480 native resolution
- S-Video input
- Two component-video inputs (LC-20B9U-S only)
- PC-input (LC-20B9U-S only)
The LC-DA5U series is Sharp's entry-level
16:9 series. Both TVs have a native resolution of 1,366x768, which means they should be able to display every pixel of
720p content. The LC-DA5U series does not have an
integrated HDTV tuner or a
CableCard slot, so external equipment is needed to receive over-the-air HDTV and digital cable. Their connectivity is highlighted by a single
HDMI input and two component-video inputs. The 26-inch LC-26DA5U ($1,300) and the 32-inch LC-32DA5U ($1,700) are currently available.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- One HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
The 37-inch LC-37DB5U is a step up to the LC-DA5U series. It is very similar to its smaller line-mates but has some important improvements. The LC-37DB5U has an integrated TV tuner but lacks a CableCard slot. This means it can receive over-the-air HDTV but requires external equipment to receive digital cable. The LC-37DB5U also has an RS-232C input, which could be important to those with home-automation systems. The 37-inch LC-37DB5U ($2,800) is currently available.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- ATSC tuner
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- RS-232C input
The LC-D4U series is a step up to the LC-37DB5U. TVs in this series have both a built-in ATSC tuner and a CableCard slot, which means they need no external equipment to receive over-the-air HDTV and digital cable. The LC-D4U series is cosmetically different from the LC-37DB5U, featuring a black finish. The 26-inch LC-26D4U ($1,600), the 32-inch LC-32D4U ($2,000), and the 37-inch LC-37D4U ($3,000) are currently available.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- ATSC tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- RS-232C input
The LC-D6U series is essentially the same as the LC-D4U series. The only differences are a titanium finish as well as detachable, bottom-mounted speakers.
- 1,366x768 native resolution
- ATSC tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- RS-232C input
- Detachable speakers
The 45-inch LC-45GD5U is Sharp's entry-level 2005 45-inch model. It features a high native resolution of 1,920x1,080, otherwise known as
1080p, which means it should be able to display every pixel of 720p and 1080i HDTV content. The set also includes a TV Guide On-Screen
EPG, although you should be aware that we've had trouble getting the TV Guide to work with digital cable. Its connectivity is highlighted by an HDMI input, a DVI input, two iLink ports (also known as
FireWire), and two component-video inputs. It also features a black finish with side-mounted, detachable speakers. The 45-inch LC-45GD5U ($5,500) is currently available.
- 1,920x1,080 native resolution
- ATSC tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- TV Guide On-Screen EPG
- Two iLink inputs
- DVI input
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- RS-232C input
- Detachable speakers
The 45-inch LC-45GD7U is essentially the same as the LC-45GD5U. The only differences are a titanium finish as well as detachable, bottom-mounted speakers. The 45-inch LC-45GD7U ($5,500) is currently available.
- 1,920x1,080 native resolution
- ATSC tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- TV Guide On-Screen EPG
- Two iLink inputs
- DVI input
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- RS-232C input
- Detachable speakers
At 65 inches, the LC-65D90U is one of the largest available flat-panel LCDs on the market. It is mostly similar to the LC-45GD7U. The LC-65D90U has a titanium finish with bottom-mounted detachable speakers and is listed for $21,000, making it the most expensive widely available TV on the market.
- 1,920x1,080 native resolution
- ATSC tuner
- Digital Cable Ready
- TV Guide On-Screen EPG
- Two iLink inputs
- DVI input
- HDMI input
- Two component-video inputs
- RS-232C input
- Detachable speakers
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