Sharp Aquos
Second Best is Still Pretty Good
Sharp’s Aquos 65” LCD TV - the LC-65D90U - was the largest LCD panel available, until Samsung manufactured its 82” LCD TV. Sharp’s Aquos televisions have garnered praise throughout the industry as a line of quality designs that are both stylish and innovative. As one of the world’s leading LCD manufacturers, Sharp is a major supplier of LCD material to other manufacturers. It never hurts to buy from a company that doesn’t use outsourcing as a manufacturing method.
Aquos is simply the name for Sharp’s award winning line of flat screen LCD TVs. Aquos offers a wide variety of sizes and functions that may surprise even the most jaded electronics aficionado. Designs include the 20” PVR model, which includes a unique little 6 Gig hard drive card. This television model offers built-in time-shifting features. The 6 GB HDD and 20” size might not be as impressive as the 60” plasma by LG, but it is much more affordable. Even a tiny 6 Gig PVR built into the TV is enough to rewind, fast-forward, or pause while you view. Normally, these features would only be available with TiVo, Satellite, or Digital cable boxes.
The Wireless Aquos is possibly Sharp Aquos coolest device. This is a handy, fully mobile 15” model with a convenient carrying handle on the top. It’s only 3” thick, but it has rechargeable batteries and a wireless transmitter to send signals to the TV. With the 15” mobile, you can walk around the house with this set under your arm like a morning newspaper. Wireless TV seems like more of a novelty than something people may feel they can’t live without.
Some of the technical problems associated with mobile television technology are evident when channel surfing. There is approximately a two second delay for the picture to appear when changing channels. Furthermore, with only 802.11b as its wireless protocol, the LC-15L1U-S is very susceptible to interference from anything in the 5 GHz range, such as cordless phones. Using 802.11g would be a solution to this problem. This is very little competition in this segment of the market. Currently, one of Sharp's primary competitors is Sony.
Another Sharp innovation found in its Aquos line is the 60,000 hour lamp life. Many Aquos LCD displays use a new lamp for backlighting rated to last up to 60,000 hours. In essence, this little lamp should have as much life as the actual television.
Possibly the best, and most expensive, innovation found in Sharp’s Aquos line of LCD displays is its 65” model. The LC-65D90U is a 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV with true 1080P resolution at 1920 x 1080. With an 800:1 contrast ratio, it produces an eye popping picture that compliments the large monitor. The LC-65D90U even employs the CableCARD system used by many digital companies today.
