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| Buying an LCD Flat Panel Television |
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The Standard
Smart shoppers like to check out
who's on top, figure out what makes them great, and then find other similar
products that cost less. In the case of LCD TVs, the Sharp AQUOS line is
generally considered the top of the line*, but it has one fault. It is
expensive.
For comparison purposes, let's
look at the Sharp 32" AQUOS LCD TV whose larger 37" brother was, according to
PCMag's Best of
2004 Edition, "the best large-screen LCD TV we've seen."
At the same time, they said "it's
easily the most expensive LCD we looked at." (At the time it was selling
for $5,499.99)
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Sharp AQUOS LC-32GA4U
Sharp
makes other 37" LCDs but all the others have a built-in HDTV tuner, making them
significantly more expensive. |
Lowest prices (as
of 7/10/05)
TigerDirect - $1499.99 + shipping
Amazon - $1848.94 + $69 = $2068.94
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But what makes this LCD so special?
When we break it down to the specifications we described earlier, we get the
following -
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Contrast Ratio |
800:1 |
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Aspect Ratio |
16:9 (i.e. widescreen) |
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Native
Resolution |
1366 x 768 (i.e. HDTV-capable) |
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Brightness |
450 cd/m2 |
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Response Time |
less than 16ms |
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Tuner |
Built-in NTSC TV tuner, but no HDTV tuner |
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Inputs
(separate box) |
| HDMI x 1 |
The best connection for HDTV. It can carry
both the video AND audio signal from your source to your TV.
Advantageous only if you have the output from your source (check
your cable/satellite box), and if you plan to use your TV
speakers. |
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DVI x 1 |
A step
below the HDMI connection (slightly older technology), and only
transfers the video signal. In order to get audio, you'll need
to have a separate audio connection.
Can
also be used to connect a computer with a high-end video card
that has DVI output. |
| HD Component x 2 |
Useful to connect your secondary source, such
as an XBox and/or a DVD player. |
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S-Video x 1 |
Can
be used to connect to a PC |
| Composite X 3 |
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Others |
170°
viewing angle, 10W stereo speakers, includes table stand |
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So it is fair to say that, at least in terms of specifications, this TV has
everything you could need and then some. There is no HDTV tuner, but why spend a
few hundred more dollars for something your cable/satellite company will give
you for free. The only reason you would need a built-in HDTV tuner is if you
don't have cable or satellite.
Some people consider having a separate input/output box a turn-off because it
is one more thing they have to put in their AV stand. But for wall-mounters,
this is the best option because you connect everything to the box and only one
wire goes up to the TV.
Prices are falling for all LCD televisions, so it is possible this will be a
"bargain" in a few months. Unfortunately, if you wait that long, the LC-32G4U
model may no longer be available as Sharp comes up with more advanced TVs for
which they can charge more. We will now review some "bargain"-priced LCD TVs and
see if they are comparative to our standard. If you'd like to be updated with
the prices of the bargain-priced 32-inch LCD TVs, join our monthly
LCD Newsletter. |
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* For true
videophiles, there are better LCD TV's, such as Bang & Olufsen's $12,000
BeoVision 7 32-inch LCD TV. But because it costs about the same as a car,
it's not really a consumer staple. |
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