1080p LCD HDTV Review

• 46-Inch Full HD 1080p HDTV LCD-TV with 120Hz Fine Motion Enhanced
• 10-Bit AVS Superlucent LCD Panel
• 5 HDMI terminals, PC input, RS-232C Input
• 4ms response time
• Spectral Contrast Engine XD for Deep Black Level

The AQUOS LC46E77U sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel TVs. With Full HD 1080p resolution and an elegant new design, the LC46E77U produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The LC46E77U utilizes Sharp’s proprietary Advanced Super View Superlucent / Black TFT Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine XD, providing high Contrast Ratio, 4ms response time and wide viewing angles (176°H x 176°V). In addition, the LC46E77U includes 120HZ Fine Motion Enhanced for the ultimate in fast-motion image processing. The LC46E77U has built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuners and include 5 HDMI inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, and 2 HD 1080p component video inputs. The LC46E77U features a sleek piano black cabinet with subtle recessed bottom-mounted speakers. The included table stand features swivel capability for viewing angle convenience, and is also easily removed for wall-mounting applications.

 

Sharp LC46E77U 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV, Black User Review

I actually own the sister version of this product (the Sharp LC-52E77U), but the information in this review is equally applicable to this TV since they use the same, albeit smaller, panel.

Since I have owned this TV for a few months now, I thought it would be helpful to share a few tips and tricks I have learned:

PROBLEM: INCOMPATIBLE AUDIO SIGNAL

All my A/V devices (360, PS3, Wii, Samsung DTB-H260F) were connected to my Onkyo TX-SR607 receiver with HDMI, which was set to output to my Sharp Aquos LC-52E77U. And, although the receiver was set to “Audio TV Out” off (and even with it on), the TV kept popping up this error:

“Incompatible audio signal has been received, please check the output signal.”

It only pops up for a few seconds, and only when I would switch devices or resolution or whatever. Still, pretty annoying. Connecting the devices directly to the TV via HDMI caused the same error – the only time it didn’t happen is when there was 2ch 44.1/48Khz PCM involved.

Unfortunately, unlike every other TV I have ever owned, the Sharp doesn’t have a menu option to disable audio. Muting didn’t help, either.

The solution? Set the audio volume to 0. No more error!

PROBLEM: NO DEVICE DETECTED (DVI -> HDMI)

When I first got this TV, I plugged in my Mac Mini, using a DVI -> HDMI cable. After using it for a bit, the TV would stop recognizing that the Mac Mini was connected. It turns out that, whenever the Mac Mini would be rebooted or would go to sleep, the Sharp would refuse to recognize that it was connected anymore.

The solution? Physically unplugging and plugging in the TV (not just pressing the power button), and disabling sleep on the Mac. I still have to do this unplugging dance occasionally – like for system updates – but not as often as when sleep was enabled. I guess that’s the price you pay for a beautiful 1080p HDMI signal, as opposed to a letterboxed 1600×1200 VGA signal – the max this TV supports.

CALIBRATION SETTINGS

This TV has some definite problems with blues in areas of high contrast. Here are the best settings I have found, in order of their appearance in the menus:

OPC: Off
Backlight: +6 (you can adjust up or down a smidge if need be)
Contrast: +36
Brightness: -6
Color: +1
Tint: +1
Sharpness: -1

CMS Hue/Saturation/Value: 0
Color Temp.: Low (leave at Mid for color managed devices like Macs, or OTA TV)
R Gain: +11
G Gain: 0
B Gain: -10
Fine Motion Enhanced: Off (leave on for sports if you prefer)
Active Contrast: Off
Gamma Adjustment: 0
Film Mode: Off (I used Advanced(Low) for sports)
Digital Noise Reduction: Off
Monochrome: Off
Range of OPC: +16 Max, -16 Min (it is off, anyways)