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23 out of 23 people found this review helpful
5.0 stars
"This is the best LCD flat panel HDTV I have seen yet"
Pros: Awesome picture quality, black levels, details, styling
Cons: No CableCard slot
Summary: I had been researching the purchase of my first HDTV for approximately two years. I finally took the plunge and purchased a Sharp LC-46D62U. Although I have not had the set for very long, I thought I would share my experience and impressions with it so far, in the hopes that it might be beneficial to those interested.
Design
I am moving up from a 19" CRT. With that in mind, I'm sure you can understand that the size difference alone is staggering. The design of the set looks awesome. I really like the black bezel and the "hidden" speakers below. It has a very clean, modern look. When setting up on the included stand, the main case and stand felt solid and sturdy. I am definitely pleased in this area.
User Interface
The menu is laid out well. Settings are placed in categories and locations that, for the most part, are highly intuitive. The only setting I initially didn't find was the black level enhancement. When I did find the setting, it was already turned on by default.
Overall Picture Quality & Performance
The picture quality of this display is absolutely incredible. The only input that has not been tested yet is component, as I currently do not have any available devices with that output. In all aspects, this set has vivid colors, excellent black levels, and a good trueness of pictures. For example, when watching a football game, the grass looks so clear and realistic. On some other televisions, it looks like the greens are glowing with an unnatural vibrancy. I have not noticed any ghosting or lag effects, even on rapidly-moving scenes. There has not even been a need to enable the 'Fine Motion' setting.
The only negative I have noticed is that the Sharp struggles somewhat to render smooth gradients. I'm not sure if this is the same or similar to the "banding" issue that some owners have experienced, but I'm guessing it's different since it is very slight. The effect that I can see looks exactly like a limitation of the video processor bit-depth, and I can make out the same effect on most flat panels, even those of other manufacturers. Since Sharp makes no mention of a particular bit-depth, such as 10-bit or 12-bit, my guess is that it uses a standard 8-bit processor, although I have absolutely no technical information to support that assumption (just a guess on my part).
Picture Settings
I tend to prefer a slightly darker picture overall. The default 'Dynamic' picture mode has plenty of pop, but to me it's just way overpowering. My typical user settings are as follows...
- OPC: Off
- Backlight: -6
- Contrast: +35
- Brightness: -10
- Color: -2
- Tint: 0
- Sharpness: -8
- Color Temp: Mid-High
- Black: On
- Fine Motion: Off
- Film Mode: On
High Definition Picture Quality
The Sharp has a built-in QAM tuner, so even with basic cable I am able to receive the local channels in HD. The tuner picked up the channels without any problems. The number scheme is new to me, as it uses the QAM frequency, rather than a typical cable-mapped channel number. For example, the CBS high definition channel is 87.2, whereas if you have the HD cable box, the CBS HD channel is 653 or something like that. Since the channel numbers are difficult to remember, I entered them into the available favorite channel listing. The TV allows for four channels on four lines (sixteen total channels) to be entered as favorites, which can then be accessed by the favorite channel buttons on the remote.
The HD picture quality is absolutely stunning. When viewing 1080i source material in 'Dot by Dot' mode, the picture is phenomenal. Even on 720p material, the picture looks amazing. The picture just blew me away while watching some recent NFL games and highlight shows on CBS, NBC, and FOX. The picture has practically no pixelization. The clarity and depth of the high definition material on this set is better than I have seen on any other HDTV.
Standard Definition Picture Quality
Comparing the picture quality of the high definition channels mentioned above to the standard definition channels is really like apples and oranges. However, the Sharp does a commendable job of rendering SD programming. While the 'Smart Stretch' display mode expands the SD material to fill the whole screen, I generally prefer to leave the original aspect ratio in tact by using the 'Side Bar' display mode. For SD programs in the 16:9 format, the 'Zoom' display mode fits the picture to fill the entire screen, with excellent quality (for SD). As previously discussed by another forum member, turning the 'Sharpness' setting down helps considerably with the SD picture quality.
DVD Picture Quality
The clarity of regular DVD movies is impressive. I have tested this using both a regular interlaced GE DVD player over composite (probably about the worst DVD player and signal possible) and using the DVD drive in my PC connection using a DVI-HDMI cable (see the next section for details). Obviously, the DVI-HDMI-connected DVD usage through the PC is much clearer than the standard player over composite. The colors and details are very good. While not up to the quality of a true HD signal, the television renders standard DVDs exceptionally well.
PC Picture Quality
This is one of the major reasons I initially decided to go with an LCD over other display technologies. My connection uses the DVI output of an ATI video card, which is connected to the HDMI input on the Sharp via a DVI-HDMI conversion cable. Quite simply, the picture is amazing. The colors are true, and the clarity is magnificent. The text is crisp and easily readable, even at normal seating distances. Contrary to the CNET editor?s review, the Sharp does accept a 1920 x 1080 PC resolution using the HDMI input. Without any tweaking, the Sharp shows the signal as '1080p'. The display mode is set to 'Dot by Dot' to avoid any overscan. Having a 46" monitor with this type of quality is something to behold. The Sharp really shines in this manner.
Viewing Angle
This is one area where I think the Samsung panels perform slightly better than the Sharp. Still, the viewing angle on the Sharp is quite good. The Sharp has slight picture washout at angles, particularly in the dark black colors. There is also an interesting effect - it appears that the viewing angle is better at extreme angles than at about 45-50 degrees off-angle. For example, if you start directly facing the screen at the center and move your way in a semi-circle out to an extreme angle, the picture goes from ideal, to slightly washed out, then improves again. My guess is that this is a result of the 'multi-pixel' technology. Overall, the viewing angle is very good. The only LCD panels I have personally seen with better viewing angles are the new Samsungs.
Sound Quality
For a television, the sound is quite good. It's better than a lot of other sets I have heard, but it begins to show its limitations when the volume is turned fairly high and/or the source audio contains a significant amount of bass. For the best experience with movies, video games, etc., a dedicated home theater audio system should definitely be utilized.
Alternative Comparisons
Before I purchased this Sharp model, I had narrowed the potential field to the Sharp LC-46D62U, the Samsung LN-S4695D and LN-S4696D, and the Mitsubishi LT-46131. I did not get a chance to view the Mitsubishi in action, but I was able to compare the two Samsung models with the Sharp in store. While I think both of the Samsung models are very nice, the Sharp just looked a lot smoother. The biggest difference was when the Sharp was receiving a high definition signal and set to 'Dot by Dot' display mode. With those settings, there are virtually no scaling artifacts. When compared directly to the Samsungs, the artifacts on the Samsung panels became more noticeable. When the Sharp is changed to 'Zoom' or 'Stretch' mode, it more closely resembles the picture on the Samsungs, with regard to scaling artifacts. The areas where the Samsung panels beat the Sharp are trueness of viewing angle, and possibly processor bit-depth. I can't say how it directly compares to the Mitsubishi, as I did not have a chance to view it in comparison.
Conclusion
The information in this post reflects the experience I have had with my panel thus far. This is only my opinion, and please take it as such. There are many excellent manufacturers and models from which to choose, with each having its own share of strengths and weaknesses. From my experience, the Sharp has exceptional performance. I could not be happier with my first HDTV purchase of the Sharp LC-46D62U.
- 6 replies to this review
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I also have this panel and have seen no 'motion banding' that has apparently been affecting some panels. I believe the 'motion banding' they may be seeing is when the image splits into 'parts' and separate parts of the screen get updated at slightly different times from others. This will leave a vertical or horizontal line between the two parts becoming a 'band'. I should mention that I have never seen this type of artifact with my set.
So, this may be a manufacturing problem with certain units and their electronics. Perhaps they have a defective part inside or it's possible that the people who are seeing the banding are doing DVI to HDMI conversion. I've already run into trouble on certain sets where HDMI to DVI (or vice versa) can lead to trouble (incompatibilities).
As far as the color gradient problem you mentioned, this is and will continue to be a problem with all digital signals and digital TVs until we get where the pixel bit depth exceeds the number of horizontal pixels and/or vertical pixels. 24 bit color only has 256 steps between black and white or between black and green/red/blue. 32 bit color is technically 24 bit color with an additional 8 bit alpha channel (and the alpha channel is likely not used on the TV). Think of 24 bit depth as 8 bit depth each with red, green and blue (8*3 = 24 bit depth). So, it's 2^8 = 256 positions each per red, green, blue, black to white. So, with a 1080p screen, there are 1080 pixels vertically and 1920 pixels horizontally. This means that from top to bottom of the screen, there can only be 256 steps for a black to white gradient.
For a vertical gradient (black on bottom, white on top), this leaves 824 additional horizontal rows to fill with that gradient (hence, visible gradient banding). When rendering a single color gradient, you will always see bands between the colors without dithering. This is especially true with black/gray and white/gray transitions. So, we'll need to get to about 2000+ shades of black to white before the banding is no longer visible on a 1080p picture. Or, alternatively, the TV manufacturers will have to get some smarter/faster technologies that can use on-the-fly dithering technologies to reduce/eliminate the color banding issues. Of course, the more processing they add, the slower it takes to render the image on the screen.
So, for now, without dithering we have color banding with digital signals. Perhaps in the future with a 48 bit depth (RGB only, no alpha) or higher, we can overcome some of the limitations of 24/32 bit color depths. Once we get to 48 (64 with alpha) bit depth, we should have 65535 steps per red, green, blue, black and white. This is well enough steps to cover a 1080p screen without any visible banding. But, it also means that content providers will have to create content that supports at least 48 bit depth. I'm almost positive that DVD, HD-DVD and Blue-Ray discs (not to mention digital broadcasts) are encoded with a maximum of 32 bit depth.
I should mention that some TV manufacturers are adding additional color depth enhancers (which I don't think is on the Sharp) effectively giving the images a 48 bit depth and should reduce color banding. But this means that the TV's digital processing is effectively altering the content before it's shown on the screen. The original content is still likely 24 bit depth, though.
Anyway, I very much like this TV and have had no problems with the 'buzzing' or the 'motion banding'. The only complaints I have with this is that this TV should have had PIP and supported the broadcast HDTV program schedule (other HDTVs support an on-screen broadcast guide). But, I guess that would have increased the price much higher. TV manufacturers need to get with the program and produce WiFi compatible and firmware upgradeable units. -
Thank you thank you thank you. Bought the TV a couple weeks ago and just tried out your settings. Had attempted to set it up myself several times with mixed results. Not the TV's fault, my inexperience with a new TV mostly. Starting with your settings and tweaked them a little for my house and the picture is phenomenal. I think ppl with the banding problem most likely have the backlight cranked too much... you can make any TV look like crap, but once setup correctly, this TV is awesome.
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I read the review written by you, warlock187 on the Sharp LC-46D62U. My opinion is, your review is a must read, for anyone who owns a Sharp Aquos LC-52D62U. I implemented your recomendations on the latter HDTV, and it is picture perfect. The T.V., now works like a charm, and I am glad that I didn't have to return it. Your recommended picture settings may be helpful to someone who is having problems with this particular Liquid Crystal Television.
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Great review. It was very detailed and informative.
I see that this review was posted a few months ago, but I'll comment anyways. I got the LC-52D62U in December, after also having looked for an HDTV for about the past 2 years. I finally settled on LCD TVs (instead of plasmas) because their colors don't fade nearly as quick, has backlighting, reduced power consumption, etc.
Also, I saw many side-by-sdie comparisons of other great LCDs and the Sharp one blew them all away. The first thing I noticed was the contrast sharpness when seeing black font on white background. The edges were PERFECT, and the black was incredibly deep. Also, viewing HD channels on it is simply breath-taking. In fact, it's so good that the people on TV look like they are right in my living room (with a window inbetween hehe).
All in all, it is a fantastic product for a good price, and I love every moment I use it, be it wacthing HD sports, blu-ray movies, or playing on my xbox360 in 1080p.
I very much DISAGREE with CNET's review, especially the 7.5 rating. It should be more like 9.5 / 10, with the biggest flaw being the "banding" issue (which I don't really care much for :P). -
Based on your research, is the so-called "color banding problem" (1) a manufacturer quality control issue on SOME units, (2) a problem for ALL units or (3) an HD cable box problem for SOME but not ALL units.
If there is no banding problem on your particular unit, then I agree with at least a 9.5 review on this product - better than SONY's XBR2 or SAMSUNG's 96D.
Please post your thoughts - Paulys12 -
I just wanted to comment on what a good review you had of the Sharp LC-46D62U. After about two weeks of research I just bought mine(actually the 42" model) online this afternoon and am psyched! Your review just confirmed everything good and bad I had read so far from other reviewers.
That "banding" issue might also be a lack of set-up knowledge from other users. The only thing and I mean the only thing I am a little concerned with will be dead pixels and if over time I will have some. This will drive me absolutely nuts if this happens. I would like to find out Sharp's policy in their warantee concerning this issue if it does arise. Any info you might have would also be helpful. Take care and thanks again for a very thorough review.
HighTechJunkie
Sharp AQUOS LC-46D62U:
