Sharp Aquos LC-65D64U

Got it three weeks ago. I have mine mounted on the wall. This LCD is impressive to look at - whether turned on or off. This LCD is not for your 10 x 12 spare room - it needs the wide open spaces for one to fully appreciate its presence. HD cable channels are outstanding. HD-DVD playback is visually 3D crystal clear. Regular DVD playback is almost as good as the HD cable. (Of course - DVD playback is only as good as your HD-DVD / I'm using a Tosh XA2). Old VHS tapes - not so good if you have the inputs set for HDMI. Very grainy - and hard to watch - after viewing other options. This new design weighs 50lbs less than their previous 65" models and only 3.5" thick. The 4ms pixel refresh rate eliminates fast motion stutter and the banding problems previous Sharp models had - have been addressed. Blacks are sharp and defined. Plenty of easy to access on screen menu options for adjusting picture qulaity and virtually anything else you can imagine. Inputs and other adjustment features are conveniently located on the back - on the right side of the LCD. My room is brightly lit with lots of windows and recessed lighting. Screen glare is non existent. Can't rate this a ten yet - just because I only have it three weeks - but it's definitely a 9. As for the editor's comments on the price - it's right in line with other 65" competitive models - and in most cases - less. 42" models can be had for under $1,500 and in some cases - under $1,000. But if you want to be the "bad boy" and the envy of everyone on the block with a cinema sized screen - the Sharp LC65D64U should be on top of your list to audition.

Overall, I am VERY happy with my decision to purchase this television 14 months ago. I really bought it because it was the only 65" flat panel 1080p HDTV that I could find below $4000. I was upgrading from a 60" Sony Grand Wega KDFE60A20 1080i rear-projection HDTV (which was really nice, BTW). Although I was pretty happy with the Sony, I wanted a true 1080p HDTV to fully enjoy my PS3/XB360 gaming and Blu-Ray experience. I also picked up a 7.1 Onkyo TX-SR806 and full Klipsch 7.1 speaker system to "complete" my home theater setup.

This TV blows the Sony away. Not only is the picture AMAZINGLY CLEAR and stunningly beautiful, it is also superbly backlit and thus the colors shine through incredibly. It's just so bright and accurate. When any of my friends or family come over to watch a game, movie, or play some HD video games, all of them are simply amazed at how great such a huge picture can look! In fact, I've inspired several of my friends to go out and upgrade their 32" HDTVs, just by inviting them over for some chillaxing! Up until a month or so ago, I thought this was absolutely the best HDTV you could get - especially in this price range. For the most part, I still feel that way.

But unfortunately, just before Christmas day, my TV stopped working - it simply wouldn't power on. I updated the firmware (Sharp released one back in October 2009), but that didn't fix the issue. It was dead - 13 months after the date of purchase. I was sick to my stomach, angrily thinking, "How could my $3500 TV die after one year!!!" Luckily, I got an extra 3 months tacked onto my 1-year factory warranty, when I signed up for the Aquos Advantage club just after purchasing the TV. I'm so thankful I did, because I called Sharp the day the TV broke, and no matter how much I begged and pleaded, they would simply not allow me to purchase their 3-year extended warranty because I was past the 12-month mark. However, I did get it fixed under warranty because of that 3-month extension, but that extended warranty expires in the next two weeks. :(

After searching some online forums and Google, I discovered this and some other large Sharp 1080p HDTVs suffer from problematic main circuit boards and power boards. Replacing either of these can oftentimes cost around $700-$800, or less, if you find used ones on eBay and try to do-it-yourself (which can be dangerous with high-voltage appliances). I'm very nervous about the fact that my amazing television will be without warranty soon, considering these "known issues". But there's nothing I can do now, other than warn all of you to ENSURE YOU GET THE 3-YEAR SHARP EXTENDED WARRANTY if you buy this television. You will thank me later, trust me. Many excellent consumer products are prone to manufacturing defects, and in this case there's a documented history of a potentially pricy problem surfacing, so this is a case where the extended warranty should be strongly considered.

In summary, this 1080p LCD HDTV can easily hang with and actually outperform other TVs at a much higher price point. And as of right now, I'm pretty sure you can't buy a larger LCD TV anywhere. So if you're looking for a superior flat-panel TV with a crisp HD picture, the largest possible screen size, an amazingly affordable price, and a superior value - then look no further. Do not hesitate to buy this television! Just BE SURE to get the 3-year manufacturer warranty. Regrettably, I wish I had - but don't make the same mistake I did! The main board replacement warranty service I had done is the only reason why I gave this TV 4 stars instead of 5. Apart from this known issue, this Sharp television is, in my opinion, very tough to beat.