Sharp LC42D64U Review

Sharp Aquos LC42D64U 42-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV

The Aquos line, Sharp’s flagship line in HDTVs, continues to churn out an occasional gem, though uneventful ones are more frequent. The Aquos LC42D64U is one such gem released by Sharp for 2007, and it’s an LCD TV that is perfect for those wanting to experience HDTV at a price lower than those of the more popular brands.

Design

The D64 series is designated by Sharp as the “slim line” and it shows in the stylishly thin design of the LC42D64U - ultra-thin bezel surrounding the screen and the relatively shallow depth at 3.75 inches, which is an inch or so thinner compared to other Sharp models. The thin glossy black bezels give the impression of wider screen acreage, with the lower portion holding the logo, control buttons, and the speakers which are camouflaged by a chrome strip.

Sharp’s remote remains the same as those from previous models, which is quite easy to use and generally user-friendly. The logical - save for a few - arrangement of the buttons, adequate spacing, full backlighting and capability to control four other equipment attached to the TV make the remote useful and pleasant to use. Sharp’s simple menu system is also easy to navigate and has helpful guides at the bottom to aid users.

Screen/picture clarity

For an LCD, the LC42D64U delivered superb black levels and primary colour accuracy, delivering believably dark scenes that make the other colours in the screen images come to life. Even the shadow detail of the Aquos is excellent compared to other LCDs, with a barely noticeable blue tinge on some occasions. But it is the bright scenes that really make this TV stand out - vibrant and realistic images are churned out, necessitating only some tweaking to make the onscreen display replicate natural skin tones and surrounding colours.

Sharp’s Multi-Pixel Technology also allows more viewing angles than conventional LCDs, as each pixel is divided into two parts to deliver more accurate color reproduction even in extreme angles. It is in uniformity across the screen that this TV fares poorly - the “banding” earlier observed in other Sharp models remains an issue, especially during fast movement in program materials. This could be a deal-breaking issue as the slightly discernible horizontal and vertical bands may turn off hardcore videophiles.

Features

The LC42D64U offers a lot of tweakable settings, five preset picture modes, and OPC -Sharp’s ambient light-sensing circuit which automatically adjusts the TVs light output. Other features of this HDTV are: compatibility with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA); Aquos Link that identifies gears attached via HDMI and allows control of other equipment attached to the TV; and multiple connectivity options, including three HDMI ports and PC port. Unfortunately, picture-in-picture is absent in this HDTV.

In these challenging times, people should be practical and opt for the lower-priced models in the market such as the LC42D64U, instead of the better-performing-but-outrageously-priced high-end models. If you can live on the minor issues that beset the LC42D64U, then this is the HDTV for you.

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