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Sharp Aquos
52" LCD (LC52D85UN)
A surprising purchase we made from Dell,
It's a mid range TV, but has plenty of features that you would find in
higher end products. 52" - widescreen , 1080p (FullHD) LCD , 62.6 lbs ,
1920 x 1080. While a bit older model now in the world of LCD's, the
Sharp Aquos LC52D85U 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV is a well priced and
well rounded entertainment center piece.
It's multitude of connections can handle
most things your throw at it. We have it hooked up with our AlienWare PC
that we use for all of our PC software reviews, we switch it out from
time to time with an older Gateway computer system, A Karaoke system, a
Xbox 360, PS3, Scientific Atlanta HD DVR, and all pumping through a
Pioneer surround sound system that we can also for our music reviews
hook up an iPod Touch to the surround sound system. The 1024 X 768 image
we have PC applications and games running in looks spectacular giving a
whole new dimension and excitement to PC gaming. Games like Games like
Operation Flash Point Dragon Rising and Left 4 Dead 2 is really in your
face and looks spectacular.
The total connections and outputs for the model are 5 x HDMI ( 19 pin
HDMI Type A ), 2 x HD component input ( RCA phono x 3 ), 1 x S-Video
input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ), 2 x Composite video input ( RCA phono ), 3 x
Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ), 1 x Serial ( 9 pin D-Sub ), 1 x VGA
input ( 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) )
There are a lot of High Definition TVs out there on the market, and
thankfully they are coming down to a more consumer level of pricing.
This model has a breath taking picture, during our gleeful first tests
on Bluray movies, we ran films such as the new Star Trek film,
Transformers (Both the first and second ones) as well as the Pirates Of
The Caribbean series, plus broadcast HD as well. Even the 1080i and 720
Broadcast shows and movies looked pretty good on the LC52D85UN Sharp
Aquos. The Blu Ray 1080p was where it really shined though. So much so
that one of our fellow U.S Writers stated that it was too freaky,
because it looked too real.
Whites on the set are very distinct and vivid with out looking totally
washed out, the shadows and black colors all take on inky blackness. The
colors pop without looking animated in live shots The statements are
after viewing several different sources. From Bluray, to DVD, to PS3 and
Xbox 360 games and even PC games and standard desk top surfing. All in
all a truly cinema like experience in the viewing department. Doing any
video or picture editing sure was a lot easier with such a large
display. Picture results may vary of course depending on your set up for
the picture on the TV, you may or may not adjust things to your liking.
Out of the box went perfectly for us.
With such a large screen, we can sit as close as 1.5 times the screen's
diagonal measurement without loss of resolution or quality. Sitting
further away looks just as good, but it tended to loose that.. “in the
movie theater” feel.
The sound through the TVs speakers is impressive, offering an almost
simulated surround sound experience. TV shows and Bluerays all sound
very good. Music tracks and CDs sounded even better.
The TV comes in piano black cabinet with subtle recessed bottom-mounted
speakers. The included table stand easily removes for wall mounting
applications. We opted to mount it on a flat panel TV entertainment
center with a swivel mount. While the TV is not too heavy for it's size,
you will want at least two people to handle the mounting so there are no
mishaps.
For those that like to tweak things themselves there are plenty of
controls that can tweak just about everything. From picture to color and
of course the back lighting, the hue and saturation controls, color
temperature, active contrast, fine motion are all customizable. Right
out of the box the TV performed spectacularly. All easy to follow drop
down menus. Covering Picture, Audio, Power Control, General Setup,
options and even digital set up for you to be able to update any firm
ware. One of the things I very much appreciated was the ability in the
general set up menu, you can Label the inputs... so instead of trying to
remember what bit of hardware is connected to what input... you can
rename HDMI 4 (Or what ever) to what ever you have connected to it, like
Xbox 360 or PS3 etc etc.
The remote control is not bad, though in low to no light it is next to
useless. Other than turning the TV on and off and changing to the
different inputs the remote is not used. I would strongly suggest that
you do not get rid of the TV's remote, sure you may program a universal
remote and use that, but if you make the mistake of getting rid of or
throwing away the TV's remote, if something happens and you have to
reset up the TV you may have some problems with resetting it up with out
the TV's original remote.
Sharp Aquos LC52D85U 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV a good mid range
choice sporting everything an Impulse Gamer could want for the center of
their entertainment world.
Have fun, play games
Edwin Millheim
U.S Editor Impulse Gamer
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