Product Description

The AQUOS LC52E77U sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel TVs. With Full HD 1080p resolution and an elegant new design, the LC52E77U produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The LC52E77U 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 LC52E77U includes 120HZ Fine Motion Enhanced for the ultimate in fast-motion image processing. The LC52E77U has built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuners and include 5 HDMI inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, and 2 HD 1080p component video inputs. The LC52E77U 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.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15966 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: High-gloss black with gold accent
• Brand: Sharp
• Model: LC-52E77U
• Dimensions: 33.94" h x 49.38" w x 12.78" l, 59.50 pounds
• Display size: 52

Features

• 52-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

From the Manufacturer
From the Manufacturer Manufatcurer's Review (April 26, 2009)
Part of Sharp's E77U series, the 52-inch LC52E77U LCD Full 1080p HDTV offers increased video performance, improvements in energy efficiency and a dazzling new design. It features Sharp's 10-bit Superlucent Advanced Super View (ASV) panel for a dramatically bright and crisp picture with reduced haze and reflectivity. The Superlucent panel applies an ultra-smooth finish that minimizes gloss while intensifying panel brightness and contrast. It also includes Fine Motion Enhanced technology for 120 Hz Frame Rate Conversion and a special dejudder feature that helps eliminate background motion artifacts on Blu-ray movies, fast pixel response time of 4ms (milliseconds), and wide viewing angles of 176 degrees so you can view the television from virtually anywhere in the room.

The ASV panel with Spectral Contrast Engine XD (Extreme Dark) provides a high dynamic contrast ratio, enabling deep blacks and vibrant colors, and a special dejudder feature results in the smooth reproduction of film content. Two components of Sharp's Spectral Contrast Engine--Optical Picture Control (OPC) for automatically adjusting luminance to room brightness and lighting conditions and Brightness Preservation picture processing--make the E77U series very energy efficient. In fact, all models in this series exceed the EPA's ENERGY STAR certification requirement by at least 15 percent.

This E77U series HDTV comes equipped with a full array of connectivity options, including five HDMI (version 1.3 with Deep Color and 24p input capability) and two component video inputs, all of which are 1080p compatible, accepting signals from Blu-ray and advanced gaming devices. A dedicated PC input and RS-232 port for custom installations add to the feature set.

Not only does the E77U series provide a stunning picture, but it also features a new design sure to complement any decor. The black cabinet blends elegantly into to a soft champagne gold hue that accents the bottom of the frame, befitting both modern and traditional design schemes.

In addition to this 52-inch model, the 120 Hz E77U series includes the 40-inch LC40E77U and 46-inch LC46E77U. Sharp also offers these similarly outfitted 60Hz models: 40-inch LC40E67U and 32-inch LC32E67U.

Key Features

• Screen Size: 52 inches
• Full 1080p HD (Learn more)
• 10-Bit Panel offers more colors (Learn more)
• Superlucent Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD Panel provides pure whites, deep blacks and a more vivid range of color (Learn more)
• Spectral Contrast Engine XD (Extreme Dark) dynamic contrast ratio with 450 nit brightness
• 4ms response time
• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 60,000 hour lamp life
• Active Contrast: Dynamic range extension based on advanced real-time picture analysis for greater sense of depth.
• Wide viewing angles (176°H x 176°W) enable viewing from practically anywhere in the room
• 120 Hz Fine Motion Enhanced for the ultimate in fast-motion picture quality (Learn more)
• Optical Picture Control (OPC) automatically raises or lowers the TV's brightness to match your room's ambient light (Learn more)
• Seven 1080p compatible inputs including five HDMI (v1.3 with Deep Color) and two HD component inputs
• Built-in tuners: ATSC, QAM and NTSC tuners provide access to DTV and analog TV channels.
• Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing including a solar-powered factory (Learn more)
• V-Chip system allows blocking of rated TV and movie programs determined by the parent to contain objectionable content.
• Audio: 10W x 10W stereo speakers (for 20 watts of total power)
• Removable swivel table stand included
• 1 year parts and 1 year labor warranty
• AQUOS Advantage extends your warranty and adds special benefits (Learn more)

Connections
A variety of multimedia devices can be connected to the set through any one of the four HDMI 1.3 inputs, and the customizable remote lets you control all your CEC-enabled peripherals using just one device. HDMI is the best performing interface for displaying an HD source on an HDTV. With the convenient 15-pin dSub connection, you can connect to your computer system and play your favorite PC games.

• HDMI (version 1.3): 5
• Component: 2
• Composite A/V: 2
• S-Video: 1
• PC input (15-pin, D-Sub): 1
• Digital audio output: 1 optical
• See a schematic of all the ports

Dimensions

• TV without stand: 49.4 x 32.15 x 5.25 inches (WxHxD); 52.9 pounds
• TV with stand: 49.4 x 34.15 x 14.5 inches (WxHxD); 61.7 pounds
• What size TV should you get?

Learn More

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Full HD 1080P Resolution

By dividing each pixel into two sections and developing an advanced driving system, Sharp's new Multi-Pixel Technology delivers more natural and accurate color reproduction when viewing the screen from virtually any angle. This technology improves extreme-angle viewing by approximately 60 percent. Full HD, or 1080p, contains 1920 x 1080 pixels, 1.5 times more scanning lines than conventional HD TVs. More scanning lines mean more pixels, more details and a better picture. Sharp's 1080p panel uses an impressively high-speed liquid crystal to cut response time to 6ms. The fast response time keeps images smooth even in the midst of high-speed motion.

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120 Hz Fine Motion Enhanced

Displays with 120 Hz capability provide a smoother picture with less jitter and makes scrolling text easier to read. Sharp's advanced processing technology delivers ultra-smooth fast motion--no matter what the source. Many LCD HDTVs use a technology that has the ability to display 60 frames of video per second, or 60Hz. Sharp uses a unique proprietary algorithm to display 120 frames per second, or 120 Hz--thereby enhancing the smoothness of objects such as grass on a football field or a baseball player swinging a bat. When thinking about 120 HZ versus 60 Hz, consider the analogy of a flip book with 10 pages showing a character walking from point A to point B. If the book doubles in size, there will be twice as much information and the character's transitions will be smoother.

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10-Bit Panel

A 10-bit panel is capable of displaying up to approximately one billion colors, while an 8-bit panel is capable of displaying approximately 16 million colors. This means richer color and a more accurate, more brilliant depiction of the world on screen. And you'll get smoother transitions between colors as a 10-bit panel has the ability to show up to 64 times the color variations of an 8-bit panel. This panel technology is a great match with Blu-ray Disc players and high definition game consoles, which take greater advantage of the additional color spectrum and depth.

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Superlucent Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD Panel

Sharp's innovative Superlucent Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD panel technology provides pure whites, deep blacks and a vivid range of color thanks to a dynamic contrast ratio up to 27,000:1 and LCD TV industry leading 4ms response time for true film-like smoothness. The new Superlucent ASV panel also applies an ultra-smooth finish that minimizes gloss, providing an excellent balance of light control that cuts down reflection from the panel. The leveled panel surface draws together external light and intensifies the panel brightness and contrast. The clear pictures reproduced on this panel takes full advantage of the details of a 1080p panel. Additionally, by changing the layout of circuits inside the LCD panel and by reducing the number of parts, Sharp engineers developed the slim-line design which reduces depth by 25 percent, allowing placement of the BD80-series televisions in virtually any setting.

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Optical Picture Control Sensor

Optical Picture Control (OPC) is a sensor on all Sharp AQUOS LCD HDTVs that, when activated, will automatically raise or lower the brightness level of the TV to match the ambient lighting in a room. Think about how bright a TV can seem when laying in bed at night. OPC automatically adjusts its brightness level to make it easier for your eyes to adjust and be less likely to hinder the ability for someone else in the room to sleep while you watch TV. A dedicated Power Savings button allows you to set the Power Saving level that can result in decreased overall power consumption and increased backlight lifespan.

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Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing

Opened in 2006, the Sharp LCD television plant in Kameyama, Japan, includes one of the world's largest roof-mounted solar electricity installations. All Sharp factories achieved green status according to international recommendations that combine economic efficiency, social-mindedness and environmental conservation. At the factories, cogeneration and photovoltaic power generation systems supply approximately one-third of the total energy used. Combined with an on-site fuel cell system that converts energy without combustion, Sharp has reduced CO2 emissions by 40 percent per year. It's Sharp's goal that by 2010, the emissions avoided through the use of Sharp's energy-creating and energy-saving products worldwide will equal their annual global emissions. All Sharp products are designed and manufactured to virtually eliminate lead, mercury and cadmium.

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AQUOS Advantage Program

Sharp AQUOS LCD televisions are covered by a 1-year warranty for parts and labor, but you can get even more coverage and extra benefits by enrolling in the free AQUOS Advantage Program, including: 3-month extension the manufacturer's limited warranty Dedicated toll-free number directly answered by AQUOS Advantage Advisors Extended customer support hours (including weekends and holidays)for added convenience Next-Business-Day service scheduling Expedited turnaround time on all in-home service visits If your TV cannot be repaired on the first visit, the Sharp Authorized Service Provider will provide you with a complimentary 32-inch HD loaner TV until your original TV is repaired. Learn more at AQUOSAdvantage.com.

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Which Size HDTV is Right for My Room?

With standard-definition TVs, the rule used to be that viewers would feel comfortable watching a set from a distance of 3 to 6 times the screen size in inches. With HDTV, the resolution is so much better that you can sit closer to a larger TV without noticing the pixels. So with HDTVs, the rule tends to be you can sit anywhere from 1.5 to 3 times the screen size (in inches) for the best experience. If you know the size of the room you have already, where you want to sit, and where your new HDTV should go once you get it, you can figure out the size HDTV you should get. Minimum size = Viewing distance/3 Maximum size=Viewing distance/1.5

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Customer Reviews

Low price leader
At least for now this TV seems like the low price leader among new 2009 52" sets. I am very happy with my purchase after 2 weeks of ownership. I am watching it without any custom tweaking at all and blu-ray looks great, and ATSC digital broadcast reception via a RCA ANT1500 Large Multi-Directional Digital Flat Passive Antenna (White) is excellent too.

I bought this sight unseen because the price was right and it seemed to have the important stuff and not the frills, which was just what I wanted. Also previous models of the Aquos line got decent reviews.

This is my first large LCD so I don't have much to compare with. The features seem to be just a somewhat more mature version of last years features which is great if you don't want the dubious advantages (and expense) of things like 240hz mode, LED backlighting or ultra-thin screen.

The built-in sound is decent with hidden, downward pointing speakers and I use it for live TV (ie News and Sports) but for movies I have it connected to an AV surround amp.

Looks great mounted on the wall (nicer than on the stand).

Pros:

- 10-bit screen
- non-glare screen
I have it next to large window and although you can certainly see the light reflected, it is a kind of matte look not a Sharp reflection. And the brightness of the screen can overcome whatever reflection there is except in dark scenes.
- 120hz mode
I really don't see a lot of difference so I tend to leave things in the regular movie mode, even for baseball
- good response time
subjective, nothing to compare
- good black
subjective, nothing to compare
- plenty of connections
- can custom label the on-screen menu inputs
well, it's important to me :)

Cons:
- no PIP
I don't care
- no DLNA/Internet connectivity
I'm connected to a MediaPC so this would be redundant except for firmware upgrades which have to be done via a USB port (not sure if end user can do that)
- the USB port is good only for service, not, for example, loading home pictures - again with a MediaPC it's not needed.

The delivery via Amazon/CEVA was by a couple of very nice guys who brought it in, unpacked it, put it on the stand (which I later removed) and turned it on, which was exactly what I wanted and expected. No dead pixels. 15 month warranty (12 month plus 3 more for registering online) which I hope I don't have to use.

Excellent TV for the price!
Just received this TV yesterday and had it up and running in no time at all. I have successfully connected my Cox HD-DVR, Roku (Netflix device), and Pioneer DVD player (1080p upconvert) to the TV...all with new HDMI cables. Visually this TV looks great, I like the piano black finish and the slight champagne gradiant at the bottom...will look even better once we get it up on our wall I think (wife likes the look too).

Upon first powering it up I was greeted with a few simple setup questions all laid out nicely on a very easy to read menu system. Once done I was up and running on our Cox HD-DVR. I went to a basketball game that was on and being broadcast in 1080i. Wow, simply wow. Amazing picture quality...and I hadn't even tweaked the settings yet. After watching a few more channels I switched over to my son's Cars (Pixar movie) DVD to check out the 1080p upconvert and the 120Hz dejudder capabilities. I had never really been able to detect the difference of this in big stores, but wow in the Cars movie at home it was very evident and actually looked really cool. The animation was sooo much smoother, it took a little getting used to but now I'm just amazed at it. Some might not like it, but I think most will.

SD channels actually look suprsingly ok. Was expecting them to look like total crap on this size TV, but they dont.

Later in the evening I started to get down to adjusting the video settings to get the blacks a litter better and the color to be just right (for my eyes anyway). Took about 30-40 mins but I think I have everything set the way I like it, and it looks even better than the initial settings. Blacks are VERY good.

For $1468 shipped, this is an amazing TV. Sure it doesn't have some of the newest bells and whistles...but for some of us who don't have a need for those or the added cost, its nice (ie, ethernet port, USB port, 240Hz, etc).

There are only 2 little downsides I have come across:
1) The sound is only so-so, but that was to be expected...most TVs just aren't spectacular. The sound is very clear, and voices are easy to hear/understand...but just no bass at all. So movies seem a little drab in the sound department. We will be adding a sound bar soon.
2) The viewing angle could be a little better I think. The image gets a little washed as you move to the sides of the TV. I was able to minimize some of it by tweaking the backlight level and contrast/brightness. But still could be better. The stand on this unit swivels though, so we just angle it towards the couch or chairs we will be in and the problem is solved.

Calibration Settings + Tips/Tricks
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 1600x1200 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)