Product Description

Sharp LC32D41U 32" LCD TV

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #70342 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sharp
• Model: LC32D41U
• Dimensions: 23.31" h x 4.56" w x 32.31" l, 37.50 pounds
• Display size: 32

Features

• 32-inch LCD TV ready for HDTV right out of the box; measures 32.3 x 25.5 x 10.8 inches (WxHxD) with stand
• Integrated NTSC, ATSC tuners; QAM tuner compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception
• 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, 450 cd/m2 brightness, 1200:1 contrast ratio, ultra-fast 6 ms response time
• Inputs: 3 composite, 1 S-Video, 2 component, 2 HDMI, 1 DVI, 1 RF
• Two stereo speakers, 10 watts apiece (20 watts total); digital optical audio out

Amazon.com Product Description
Sharp's LC32D41U high-definition LCD HDTV proves you don't have to sacrifice style for technology. This gorgeous 32-inch set features a strikingly shiny piano black cabinet that will become an elegant centerpiece to any room. It also features the latest Sharp screen and video processing innovations, as well as an integrated HDTV tuner, a space-saving design with bottom-mounted speakers, included stand, and a rapid-fire response time of 6 ms (milliseconds)--perfect for watching fast-action sports and movies. The LC32D41U also offers pure digital audio/video connectivity with two HDMI inputs as well as one DVI connection--great for viewing your PC through the set.

This set features Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD panel technology, which uses an enhanced color filter that permits more light throughput. This increases the contrast ratio by 150 percent to 1200:1 for pure whites, deep blacks, and a higher range of colors. Sharp's Quick Shoot video circuitry provides an ultra-fast pixel response time of 6 ms, which helps to ensure excellent detail and smooth motion during high-speed scene transitions. The screen also offers a low-reflection coating to reduce the effect of sunlight and interior lighting to provide vivid large-screen pictures wherever you install your LCD television.

The built-in ATSC tuner pulls HD signals right from the airwaves, and its QAM tuner is fully compatible with unscrambled HDTV cable reception. A standard analog NTSC tuner receives standard-definition (SD) programming. The screen delivers a true 1366 x 768-pixel HDTV resolution, and it also features a wide 176-degree viewing angle and 450 cd/m2 (candela per square meter) brightness rating--perfect for viewing colorful details in even direct sunlight.

You'll enjoy enveloping audio from the set's built-in 20-watt bottom-mounted stereo speakers (10 watts per channel), which can also produce virtual Dolby surround sound. It provides the following connection options:

• Composite AV (RCA): 3 in
• S-Video: 1 in
• Component Video: 2 in
• HDMI: 2 in
• RF: 1 in
• Total analog audio in: 4
• Analog audio out: 1
• Digital optical: 1 out

Tech Talk
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. HDMI supports standard, enhanced or high definition video, plus multi-channel digital audio on a single cable. It supports all ATSC formats--standard (SDTV), enhanced (EDTV), and high (HDTV).

DVI (Digital Video Interface) provides an uncompressed transfer of high definition video from a digital video source (such as a cable/satellite set-top box or PC) to a digital display device. Unlike HDMI, it delivers only video--you will need a separate RCA or digital cable for delivering audio.

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

What's in the Box
LCD TV, remote control (with batteries), stand, AC cord, cable clamp, printed operating instructions

Customer Reviews

Mine works fine and was purchased from a reliable dealer....
This is the first LCD television I have purchased. Like most, my familiarity with LCD's has been with computer monitors (Apple, in our case). Our other televison, which I would describe as the primary viewing unit, is 42 inches with 1080i cable and 720 DVD. As such, it provides a good basis for comparison. BTW: this set will be used in a "media" room, where I keep the stereo gear; sort of a second TV.

First, with any relatively complex technology, purchase from a reputable dealer. While I did pay more (over 10%) than "mail order", the advice was top notch and there is a 30 day return policy; no questions asked.

Second, when you view (side by side) units in a store, make sure the source material is similar to what you will utilize. If you do not have 1080 digital and you make your selection with only that programing, you will be mightily disappointed. Take a DVD that you are familiar with and have the dealer play it. This will give you a good basis for evaluation.

In our case, it was appropriate to compare with 1080 and normal analog signal. As such my utterly subjective analysis is:

-The Sony Bravia (XBR) was, as it should be, excellent; however, there was no discernable difference meriting another $800.00;

-The Samsung was also quite nice; but, again, very similar to the Sharp and Toshiba; also, it was a few hundred dollars more.

-The Toshiba and Sharp were, based upon my observations (yours may differ) identical, with a negligible difference in image quality compared to the Sony and Samsung. All sets were the most recent models, some with build dates in July. (Curiously, the Panasonic was inferior to the other four.)

Why, then, purchase the Sharp? Glad you asked:

-It was the least expensive of the four I was considering. I usually do not look for bargains in electronic gear; however, if the quality is the same, money is still money.

-6 ms rate; this may be irrelevant, but to my PS2 (soon to be PS3) colleagues, it sure is a neat conversation piece ("What does your set do? Only 8 ms? You poor sloth").

-Excellent accessibility to component plugs and jacks, and a goodly number of them.

-The salesman, from whom I have purchased a number of toys, gave it his thumbs up (it is nice to know that Eric has thumbs).

My initial reactions are that this is a first rate piece of electronics that will do the job very nicely. It is quite likely that several other brands would have performed just as well. Much of the nuanced talk of subtle differences in LCD's (particularly the nature of the manufacturing process) is worthless jargon; trust your eyes and, if you are lucky to run into an intelligent and well meaning dealer/saleman, trust his/her opinion, as well. They do spend most of their waking hours ruining their retinas on these things.

One bit of advice: when in doubt, go larger. The 32, viewed from about 9-10 feet is very impressive. A 37 or 40 would be more impressive, still. If I was to do it over, that would be my only alteration. The $400-$600 difference is worth it. However, if you are on a budget, do not shy away from the 32; but, if you are able, spring for the larger unit.

Sharp LC-32D41U initial impression
The Sharp LC-32D41U is an impressive display for about a grand. Many LCDs in this price range exibit poor video processing (video noise & edge enhancements), and poor de-interlacing (picture softening during motion). The LC-32D41U does not have these problems. Feed it a high quality source (HD DVD, Blu-ray) and you'll be rewarded with a beautiful picture.

As with most TVs these days, the default video settings are a bit cartoon-ish (over-bright, over-saturated colors, and over-aggressive sharpness). The pleasant surprise is how accurate a picture this set can provide for folks who are willing to do a bit of picture tweaking. For those who don't wish to spend time experimenting with a calibration DVD, try the following settings in the Picture menu: OPC OFF, Backlight -16, Contrast +30, Brightness +8, Color -22, Tint 0, Sharpness -9. In the Advanced Picture sub-menu: Color Temp Mid-High, Black Off, Monochrome Off, Film Mode On. Feed this set a hi def (1080i) signal via HDMI if you can.

A drawback to this set is that the black-level cannot be adjusted to be completely black, even with the Backlight adjustment all the way down. (This is typical for LCDs.) Also, the sound quality from the built-in speakers is mediocre. A home theater surround sound system would be a welcome addition to this set. Aside from that, there's not much to complain about. Anyone looking for a reasonably priced flat panel TV should take a close look at Sharp's D41 series sets.

No picture at all, not resolved through sharp.
I bought this TV on 10/9/06 and in 5/08, with the warranty expired, the TV began to lose the picture completely, no menus no picture. It did this periodically for short periods of time at first and now it spends the majority of the time just black with sound. I guess I will have to try to get it repaired but am pretty sure that I am just screwed. I purposely purchased this TV (which was more expensive than comparable sets) because of the superior picture quality and the EXPECTATION that it was of better quality than them, in other words as an investment. I am extremely disappointed and the company has pretty much responded to my call to them by saying, "Tough break, try to fix it." They have not responded to emails.