Thoughts on this Sharp HDTV? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

metallicat · 01-21-2008, 02:03 PM

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...47&catid=23524

If you are good with TVs, any chance I can get some pro's and con's of this TV? This is the size I am looking for, and I definitely wanted a 1080p unit...

Old Yeller · 01-21-2008, 02:19 PM

Before any pros/cons, what are you using it for? Movies? HD Sports? Console gaming? PC monitor?

And where are you planning to put it?

metallicat · 01-21-2008, 02:25 PM

It will be used for Shaw HD, and my Xbox 360. And it will be in the living room of my condo, I don't know the distance from where I'll be sitting though. But it won't be a dark room if that helps.

Edited to add: Also, my Xbox HD-DVD player.

underGRADFlame · 01-21-2008, 02:30 PM

I own that model, I love it.... haven't had one problem, no banding either which i'm happy with. I have run my MBP through it at full 1080 res it looks amazing. Shaw HD looks great too.

metallicat · 01-21-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by underGRADFlame

I own that model, I love it.... haven't had one problem, no banding either which i'm happy with. I have run my MBP through it at full 1080 res it looks amazing. Shaw HD looks great too.

Thanks, I appreciate the first hand information.

burn_this_city · 01-21-2008, 02:58 PM

The sharp is the best right now.. My buddies' blows my bravia out of the water..

Russic · 01-21-2008, 03:19 PM

I also have this model and I will agree with the above post . . . it rocks. I have my shaw hd and ps3 hooked up to it. Absolutely amazing, you're going to love video games on it.

My one comment is this: pay attention to the minimum distance specs. This isn't going to make or break it, but I actually am shocked at how much it can matter.

There is currently 10.5 feet between my couch and my screen. According to the guidelines I read, at that distance the max screen size you should get is 46". I went with the 42" purely because of financial restrictions. Anyways, I set up my system and everything is beautiful. However, when i stand up and take a step towards the tv I notice some artifacts so the picture doesn't look as "clean" as it does when i'm literally 2 feet further back. I had no idea the difference could be that dramatic and I'm very happy I didn't go with a bigger screen.

TurnedTheCorner · 01-21-2008, 04:23 PM

Good advice about viewing distances and screen size. You're going to be right on the border about benefitting from a 1080p display at that screen size.

Sharps make great LCDs.

kermitology · 01-21-2008, 04:35 PM

I've got a 37 inch Sharp and love it.. Not that model I think but still.. great television.

Draug · 01-21-2008, 05:36 PM

Here is a Panasonic plasma at the same price, at Best Buy. Interestingly, its $100 more at FS. You can price match to save an extra whopping $10!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/prodde...73&catid=23249

Personally, I prefer a good plasma to a good LCD. LCD's look opaque and merky to me, whereas a plasma looks sharp and vivid. But, Sharp does have the best LCD.

The newest Pioneer's are widely considered the best plasma, with Panasonic second best but having better value for your dollar. Pioneer's are stupid expensive.

The plasma wont have problem in a bright room. But, if there is direct light on it, they do glare a little more than an LCD. But, the new panels have come a ways in that department also.

I would definately look at this plasma before buying the LCD. They are the same price. Go with what your eyes like better.

TheyCallMeBruce · 01-21-2008, 06:05 PM

Sharp Aquos is the king. You can't go wrong buying one.

sclitheroe · 01-21-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kermitology

I've got a 37 inch Sharp and love it.. Not that model I think but still.. great television.

I have the 37" as well, and it's a fantastic TV.

metallicat · 01-22-2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russic

I also have this model and I will agree with the above post . . . it rocks. I have my shaw hd and ps3 hooked up to it. Absolutely amazing, you're going to love video games on it.

My one comment is this: pay attention to the minimum distance specs. This isn't going to make or break it, but I actually am shocked at how much it can matter.

There is currently 10.5 feet between my couch and my screen. According to the guidelines I read, at that distance the max screen size you should get is 46". I went with the 42" purely because of financial restrictions. Anyways, I set up my system and everything is beautiful. However, when i stand up and take a step towards the tv I notice some artifacts so the picture doesn't look as "clean" as it does when i'm literally 2 feet further back. I had no idea the difference could be that dramatic and I'm very happy I didn't go with a bigger screen.

I actually didn't know much of anything about minimum distance specs until I read this. So how far, for this TV, is it recommended that you sit? I looked at the Futureshop link and can't see anything there about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurnedTheCorner

Good advice about viewing distances and screen size. You're going to be right on the border about benefitting from a 1080p display at that screen size.

Sharps make great LCDs.

Do you mean that 1080p TVs are better, the bigger you go? The only reason I am actually asking about this particular model of TV is a co-worker of mine knows a manager at a store in which we can get a very good deal.

Another general question I have is about extended warranties. My current TV is a 47 inch Toshiba DLP. It was a floor model that I got about a year and a half ago for 1300 with the 3-year warranty included. It already virtually paid for itself anyways, as the bulb went on it and I had to replace it. It is a good idea to pay the extra 300 or whatever it is for an extended warranty with this TV?

Thanks for all the help by the way guys, I appreciate it.

Vulcan · 01-22-2008, 02:23 AM

From what I understand is that if you have a 1080p set, you can sit closer than a 720p set, when watching HD material. If you are watching SD content, you should sit further back so you don't see all the imperfections.
From this poll it seems the most popular distance is twice the diameter of the screen. So on a 42" screen the viewing distance would be 7'. I've seen recommendations of 2 to 21/2 times the screen size.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=46708

There is a link to a calculator on post #10 but the best idea is to pace off a distance at a store to find what's comfortable for you and what content display you'll be watching. My feeling is bigger is better but I don't want to be so close that the angles are too large.

Maybe having a chair that can move forwards and backwards depending on the content would be ideal.

Russic · 01-22-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilers_fan

I actually didn't know much of anything about minimum distance specs until I read this. So how far, for this TV, is it recommended that you sit? I looked at the Futureshop link and can't see anything there about that.

When I tried to research it I found conflicting info (i imagine because "good quality" would be opinion based). From my personal experience with that particular model I'd aim for at least 10.5 feet from the screen. That being said, you could probably be closer depending on what you're watching. When I'm watching Planet Earth on bluray it seems like you can be inches from the screen and it still looks amazing. Video games are the same kind of thing.

Tyler · 01-22-2008, 04:15 PM

I've got the 46" version of that TV.

Easily the best on the market right now for the price. Great TV!

Antithesis · 01-22-2008, 04:24 PM

I love my 37" Sharp Aquos. It's terrific, and was hands-down the nicest-looking LCD at Best Buy when I went to get it.

Incinerator · 01-22-2008, 09:28 PM

No point getting a 1080p if you're gonna be in the 42" range, save your $$ and get the 720p unit or get the 52" for a few hundred more

Draug · 01-23-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyler

I've got the 46" version of that TV.

Easily the best on the market right now for the price. Great TV!

You totally discount the Panasonic PZ77 Plasma, for the same price?

Why?

There are pros and cons to both LCD and plasma ... but it is hardly an "easy" win for either.

Vulcan · 01-23-2008, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Incinerator

No point getting a 1080p if you're gonna be in the 42" range, save your $$ and get the 720p unit or get the 52" for a few hundred more

I hear people throwing out this idea from time to time but usually have nothing to back it up. From my personal experience this isn't true but I guess different people have different visual acuity.
According to this chart from Sound and Vision Magazine, a 42" TV at 720p should be viewed at just over 8' whereas a 42" TV at 1080i or p should be viewed at just over 5'.

http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/hit...esolution.html

Another aspect to take into consideration is that a 1080p set is usually top of the line or close to it so it has better processors and better response times and better viewing angles and better contrast and better brightness and better sound and more inputs.
I'll add that these other aspects can maybe be more important than the resolution but the higher resolution and the higher end product seem to go together in LCDs.