Sharp Aquos 46" 1080p LC46D62U

Apocalypse23 · Dec 28, 2006

Well after giving some real thought into my recent monitor upgrade, it was just a little bit bigger from my 19" wide screen. But I just don't get the joy of watching movies on a tiny 22inch wide screen. Also, spending so much money on such little monitors is a bit bogus if you ask me, when there are 50-60" HDTVs easily available for an affordable price these days. What I would like to do is either wait or see what is the largest and the best picture quality monitor out there for DVD playback as well as some computer gaming that I could use. I'm thinking on a ridiculous scale here but I want something around 50" or a 60" screen. I hear plasmas are more sharper in image quality but if someone could recommend me an expert state of the art screen that I could use for both gaming and DVD playback around that size it would be awesome.

I'm looking at some quality brands like Sharp, Sony, Pioneer, JVC, Hitachi, Samsung and LG.

I also mostly just see huge screens with just about 1366x768, once again I don't watch TV and just need a huge screen for DVD playback and at least some gaming. I was wondering if the image would appear pixelated at those scales.

Should I wait for another year for technology to start coming with monitors that support 1920x... or higher resolutions or should I go for glory and get what ever is the best? It just occurred to me that PC gaming has a lot of room to expand once we start gaming on the ridiculous 50" + level.

PS - 42" and above is also acceptable.

Some advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

PS - updated : Finally got the Sharp Aquos 46"lc46d62u set and the PS3 with logitech z-5500 speakers, thoughts at the bottom.

http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/11350/2006127505847738731_rs.jpg
http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/13330/2001221239125533677_rs.jpg
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/13027/2002119261327490333_rs.jpg
http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/13303/2002194448588149969_rs.jpg
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/10187/2002165284763596539_rs.jpg
http://aycu25.webshots.com/image/13304/2002154866767225544_rs.jpg

MS outlook http://aycu14.webshots.com/image/13253/2002167916273014305_rs.jpg
http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/12270/2002117583670918830_rs.jpg

http://aycu16.webshots.com/image/11975/2002174948977490403_rs.jpg
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/11019/2002126023425694327_rs.jpg
http://aycu07.webshots.com/image/14326/2002153670693486188_rs.jpg
http://www.houseofsith.com/newshots/HPIM0248.jpg
Enjoy:

http://aycu39.webshots.com/image/14158/2004484472222314332_rs.jpg
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/13662/2004431986134218106_rs.jpg
http://aycu28.webshots.com/image/13187/2004482711073100601_rs.jpg
http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/14525/2004423421032484928_rs.jpg
http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/13700/2004450365825365128_rs.jpg
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/14342/2004492463493738599_rs.jpg
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/12382/2004467720449152197_rs.jpg
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/12382/2004463008129767692_rs.jpg
http://aycu19.webshots.com/image/14498/2004473862024913402_rs.jpg
http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/12269/2004441810060022878_rs.jpg
http://aycu09.webshots.com/image/13768/2005504606960979341_rs.jpg
http://aycu23.webshots.com/image/11102/2005564518966598651_rs.jpg
http://aycu20.webshots.com/image/12339/2005587827277755799_rs.jpg

Better Angles:
http://aycu40.webshots.com/image/12879/2005588388763612397_rs.jpg
http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/13063/2005516935149545278_rs.jpg
http://aycu29.webshots.com/image/14628/2005554399306523085_rs.jpg
http://aycu25.webshots.com/image/14184/2005565599266345204_rs.jpg
http://aycu14.webshots.com/image/13013/2005539980416421790_rs.jpg
http://aycu24.webshots.com/image/13743/2005577235012404382_rs.jpg
http://aycu03.webshots.com/image/10762/2005512111219615165_rs.jpg
http://aycu10.webshots.com/image/13369/2000824545475389888_rs.jpg
http://aycu35.webshots.com/image/13474/2000814096645131948_rs.jpg
http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/13210/2000878880298419969_rs.jpg
http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/14125/2000830086064838396_rs.jpg
http://aycu04.webshots.com/image/13803/2000872964859991157_rs.jpg

child of wonder · Dec 28, 2006

You can get a Westinghouse 47" LCD TV. It's got HDMI and DVI inputs. Max res is 1920x1080. I'm looking at one right now for $1900 after tax.

RobertR1 · Dec 28, 2006

If you actually care about Picture quality, go with the Panasonic 50inch plasma series. If you want the best of the best, go with Pioneer elite series.

Apocalypse23 · Dec 29, 2006

Right now i'm looking at the Westinghouse 42" LVM-42w2, bestbuy here in Canada is selling it for $1,700 and reviews seem to praise it quite a bit. One of the questions I have though is regarding the contrast ratio, its only 1000:1 whereas now days LCDs are coming out with 2000:1 and even 10,000:1. How significant is this exactly? I'm mostly going to be watching DVDs and stuff at night time with the lights off, and using it at daytime as a computer monitor or for gaming(or trying to game at that res atleast, lol)

I have a budget, and since I am not going to be watching too much TV on it, I don't think it will be a good idea to overspend. Considering I also want really good picture quality, 1080p, this seems to be a pretty good deal for the price. I know I originally wanted 50-60" range but realistically speaking, that is going to hurt my bank account quite a bit. However, I've also heard a little about the Westinghouse 47"(like child of wonder mentioned) but I can't find any major Canadian stores selling it, anybody have an idea as to where I could get one and the approx. price in CAD?

Also, will I need a particular DVD player for this or can I just connect the LCD to my comp via DVI and play DVDs through the computer? Would there be any disadvantage to this?

Apocalypse23 · Dec 29, 2006

I am looking to go for either the cheaper 42" Westinghouse HDTV with a 8ms response time and a 1920x1080 res with a 1000:1 contrast ratio http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetai...0010075263&catid=24558&test%5Fcookie=1 , or

Sharp 42" Aquos with 6ms response time and 1200:1 contrast ratio http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/prodde...id=EN&sku_id=0770HDS0010079999&catid=#

or even the better

Sharp 46" Aquos with 4ms response time and 2000:1 contrast ratio http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetai...N&sku_id=0926HDS0010080000&catid=24558

Now the Sharps have no DVI inputs, but I hear that you can use the HDMI inputs with a DVI HDMI connector and get the same quality. Correct me if I'm wrong. But the sharps are really appealing to me atm. The only problem is wheter to go for the 46" or the 42".

Also, will I need a particular DVD player for this or can I just connect the LCD to my comp via DVI and play DVDs through the computer? Would there be any disadvantage to this?

Thanks.

Apocalypse23 · Mar 18, 2007

I bought the Aquos 46" from futureshop, going to pick it up tomorrow. I'm wondering, is an extended warranty worth it on these LCDs?

olmer · Mar 18, 2007

Check it thoroughly for banding with Everest LCD test or similar.

If you have a banding free one ? you have certainly got the best value for money.

Sharp does 1:1 pixel mapping , which is very important for pc connection and the ones suggested above do not.

I have one and it is great as a monitor. The only slight problem - i had to underscan for a dozen of pixels to get a whole xp desktop, but that may be just my set/graphics issue.

These are the optimal settings:

Backlight: -4 daytime, -6 evening
Contrast: 35
Brightness: -1
Color: -7
Tint: 9
Color Temp: Low
Sharpness: -10
Black, TruD, OPC, DNR: Off

Apocalypse23 · Mar 18, 2007

I'm posting from my new sharp right now, and it's an absolutely beautiful screen! I'm having 'overscan' issues though, I can't see my windows taskbar etc. How do I fix this? I'm using an 8800GTS with 97.92 drivers, thanks!

Apocalypse23 · Mar 18, 2007

Hahha never mind! I figured it out, just had to enable "dot by dot" via "view mode" settings on the LCD itself. Fantastic!

Joony · Mar 19, 2007

what resolution do you have it set for? and what kind of cable are you using to connect to it?

Hemsky · Mar 19, 2007

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23
I bought the Aquos 46" from futureshop, going to pick it up tomorrow. I'm wondering, is an extended warranty worth it on these LCDs?

Futureshop warranties are horrible. Not only do they outsource their warranties to the lowest bidders, the salesmen tend to say anything just to get them out the door. Whatever they told you, it does not replace damage, lamps, dead pixels, power surge (AFAIK) or anything else like that. As for shipping and handling, I'm pretty sure thats the only thing their warranties cover as sending a TV back to manufacturer will cost well over $300.

As long as you understand that the warranty doesn't cover much, its the S&H that you're really buying.
And you're looking at about 4 weeks turn around.

I know this because I work for a direct competitor and the majority of my customers are ex-customers of futureshop. This was mainly due to the fact that the salesmen get away with murder by telling customers the warranty supports things it doesn't.
If I were you, I'd return the warranty and keep the TV if you got a good deal on it, and pick up a warranty for it at CompuSmart. Not only are they cheaper, but all repairs are in-house and the turn around is a lot better.

But, I fully back our warranties. One of the best in the business. Especially the accidental

Apocalypse23 · Mar 19, 2007

I'll post pictures of the set soon, just watched the Casion Royale Blu-ray and it is absolutely fabulous on this screen, also checked for bandings and found absolutely none. This is a perfect set, I have the ps3 hooked up to one of the hdmi ports and the pc hooked up the other, switching screens is at the touch of a button from the sharp remote. I'd just like to tell everyone to get this set if they can get one without any banding, also go for blu-rays, once you had a look at them on the 46", you wouldn't want to switch back to normal dvds.

ALso, many games including Command and Conquer 3 (Tiberium wars demo) look spectacular at 1920x1080 on this set.

Edit: I got this LCD at an awsome price but I didn't end up buying the PSP because it was around $500 and I was hearing conflicting info from sales reps (one said it covered as low as 1 dead pixel and the other said it just extended the manufactures warranty, abiding by the same policy) I also heard good things about this LCD as far as longevity so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping it lasts me for a while!

GEOrifle · Mar 19, 2007

My congratulations APO23, i really wanted SHARP 46'' but NEWEGG started to sell it for
discount prices (free PS3 !!!!!!????) and i holded on it, i guess they did it not without reason.
B.B. salesman told me: the only LCD wort to by is SONY, because even without HD it shows better picture quality than some LCD's with HD. That's why it cost $1000 more at least.
I don't know what about future but texnology is changing prety fast.
Send to us some pic's. Good luck.

Matt2 · Mar 19, 2007

Originally posted by: GEOrifle
My congratulations APO23, i really wanted SHARP 46'' but NEWEGG started to sell it for
discount prices (free PS3 !!!!!!????) and i holded on it, i guess they did it not without reason.
B.B. salesman told me: the only LCD wort to by is SONY, because even without HD it shows better picture quality than some LCD's with HD. That's why it cost $1000 more at least.
I don't know what about future but texnology is changing prety fast.
Send to us some pic's. Good luck.

LOL x 10000000000000000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont EVER listen to a BB sales person. He really told you that 480p on a Sony LCD looks better than 720p/1080i/p on a non Sony LCD?

He just wants you to pay $1000 more so he can look better on the sales report. Either that or he knows NOTHING and just told you that Sony was better based on brand recognition.

Apocalypse23 · Mar 20, 2007

Childs · Mar 20, 2007

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23
Here are some quick pictures I took.

http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/13330/2001221239125533677_rs.jpg

Whats with the red vertical lines in this image??

EDIT: BTW, congrats. I have a 37" Aquos, and its excellent.

Apocalypse23 · Mar 20, 2007

Originally posted by: Childs

Originally posted by: Apocalypse23
Here are some quick pictures I took.

http://aycu11.webshots.com/image/13330/2001221239125533677_rs.jpg

Click to expand...

Whats with the red vertical lines in this image??

EDIT: BTW, congrats. I have a 37" Aquos, and its excellent.

Thanks

I think it just showed up in the camera since it couldn't really focus properly, but in reality it's a very clean picture, will post more later.

Apocalypse23 · Mar 20, 2007

mazeroth · Mar 20, 2007

Very nice screen! How far away are you sitting?

I just got a Mitsubishi HD1000U 720p DLP projector for $850 delivered. Playing on a 106" screen with 5.1 and an infinite baffle subwoofer = a sight to be seen/heard! Did I mention my speakers are over 6' tall?

Apocalypse23 · Mar 20, 2007

Originally posted by: mazeroth
Very nice screen! How far away are you sitting?

I just got a Mitsubishi HD1000U 720p DLP projector for $850 delivered. Playing on a 106" screen with 5.1 and an infinite baffle subwoofer = a sight to be seen/heard! Did I mention my speakers are over 6' tall?

Cool! I am sitting at about 7.5 feet away from the screen, the wireless keyboard and mouse are obviously in use here, I have a little table by the couch to keep them on.

lavaheadache · Mar 20, 2007

7.5 inches!!!!! :Q Hows your neck feel? I sit a solid 2 feet back from my 2407. Does the picture look grainy at all that close?

Apocalypse23 · Mar 20, 2007

Originally posted by: lavaheadache
7.5 inches!!!!! :Q Hows your neck feel? I sit a solid 2 feet back from my 2407. Does the picture look grainy at all that close?

lol, I meant 7.5 feet, but even at 7.5 inches it doesn't look grainy at all. 1080p and a 2000:1 native contrast ratio with 4ms timing for the win!

GEOrifle · Mar 21, 2007

What about watching non HD programs or chanels ?

CrystalBay · Mar 21, 2007

The Sharp Aquos has the best rating for picture and value over at Consumer Reports...

1.SharpLC-46D62U
2.Samy- LN-S4696D
3.Sony KDL-46XBR3
4.Toshiba Cinema 47LZ196
5.Sony KDL46XBR2

They also give the Olivia 573H a best value award despite some of its short comings...

Apocalypse23 · Mar 21, 2007

What about watching non HD programs or chanels ?

I have basic cable (don't watch a lot of TV) and it looks OK I guess, the quality is pretty bad in comparison but it's not like I watch a lot of TV anyways.

Sharp Aquos 46" 1080p LC46D62U

Golden Member

Diamond Member

Golden Member

Golden Member

Golden Member

Golden Member

Senior member

Golden Member

Golden Member

Diamond Member

Member

Golden Member

Senior member

Diamond Member

Golden Member

Lifer

Golden Member

Golden Member

Golden Member

Golden Member

Diamond Member

Golden Member

Senior member

Platinum Member

Golden Member