Product Description

The AQUOS LC42D85U sets a new standard for large-screen flat panel TVs. With Full HD 1080p resolution and an elegant new design, it produces a breathtaking picture quality that is second to none. The LC42D85U utilizes Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View/Black TFT Panel with Spectral Contrast Engine, providing high Dynamic Contrast Ratio, 4ms response time and wide viewing angles (176H x 176V). In addition, The LC42D85U includes 120HZ Fine Motion Enhanced for the ultimate in fast-motion image processing. The LC42D85U has built-in ATSC / QAM / NTSC tuner and includes 5 HDMI inputs, compatible with 1080p signals, and 2 HD 1080p component video inputs. The LC42D85U features a sleek piano black cabinet with subtle recessed bottom-mounted speakers. The included table stand easily removes for wall mounting applications.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19480 in Consumer Electronics
• Color: Black
• Brand: Sharp
• Model: LC42D85U
• Dimensions: 27.56" h x 40.16" w x 12.94" l, 51.40 pounds
• Display size: 42

Features

• 42" Full HD 1080p HDTV LCD-TV with 120Hz Fine Motion Enhanced
• 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• 5 HDMI inputs (v1.3 with Deep Color)
• PC Input for better viewing
• RS-232C Input for control

Customer Reviews

Sharp 42" 85U came out on top
I did a lot of research between Sony, Toshiba, Samsung and Sharp.
After much research, I wanted to have a thin, light and clear LCD.
The one that met my goals were the Sharp brand. I was thinking about the 64U and the 65U, but this new 85U has the 120Hz refresh rate to smooth out action frames.

Compare:
Toshiba models are lower end.
Sony only has one 42" model, but it weights 10lbs more and only has a 60Hz refresh rate.
Samsungs are the worst. I know more than 3 friends who needed fixing of the panel. So, the picture is there, but not the quality and durability.

Now, I ask around sharp, and I was told that CBS has Sharp lcds everywhere. And from reading reviews of the older 64U model, this seems like a great TV and durable. The 85U is also 10lbs lighter than Sony's with a better refresh rate. Also, doing more reading, starting 2009, Sharp will be making most of Sony's LCD panels.

Likes:
1) light. At 40+ pounds, I can move this TV easily.
2) I was able to set up the TV on the stand in 10 mins. The set up is very similar to the setup of computer LCD monitor.
3) speakers are flush on the bottom of the tv. So I dont have to deal with hooking up and worrying about it.
4) Picture is beautiful. In analog and HD. which is a bonus now a days since most hd tvs will show horrible analog images.
5) the stand is very sturdy. The stand is about 10lbs of metal with a nice black.

Dis-likes:
1) the remote, its like a grand father's remote. Design is awful.
2) Manual is not that good. It does not tell me the type of wall mount brackets I would need except it try to sell Sharp's version.

I would recommend it to others.

Best Value for a Big TV
I originally bought a Sharp D64U, and it arrived a little defective. I'm not sure if this is Amazon's fault, or if it's Sharp's fault. I'll go with Amazon's fault as I have suspicions that the TV wasn't entirely new. So, I upgraded and had it replaced with a D85U. However this new TV was also a little defective, as the sound on the right speaker didn't work right. This I think is Sharp's fault, and it makes me wonder at Sharp's quality and durability. So, I finally had this new one replaced as well with the same model D85U, and thankfully this third TV works good so far.

Pros:
-Picture looks good
-Trim is pretty slim, maximizing space and making it look slick
-Very light
-Top of the line, with 1080p and 120hz
-Price, compared to Samsung and Sony
-Returning/exchanging TV's from Amazon.com was easy

Cons:
-The remote is long and clunky, looks and feels cheap, and is poorly designed (I might consider giving this TV 5 stars if the remote was cooler)
-Quality issues? (Oh and I have not seen any banding problems on the TV)
-Based only on reviews I've read, Samsung and Sony have better picture quality and blacker blacks (which you pay for in the price).

Like most people, I did a lot of research in buying a big TV. The consensus that I've found is that Samsung is the best, followed closely by Sony. However, I think that the cost of buying a Sony(XBR6) or a Samsung(650 or higher) will only get you a marginally better product, at a much higher price. Sharp is a respectable brand and this is their top of the line 42in. I got this TV and a free Sharp Blu-Ray player for a total of $1,040 dollars shipped from Amazon. You'd be hard-pressed to find a deal this good. I feel that I have definitely gotten the best bang for my buck.

Sharp does not honor warranty
I owned this TV for a little over a year and now it is broken. The LCD screen is cracked and Sharp claims it can only be caused by physical damage, and will not pay for the repair. We never even moved the TV once it was installed over a year ago. As a matter of fact we were in the middle of watching it when we changed the channel all of a sudden the screen had all these verticle lines appear. We also have taken it to the Sharp authorized repair shop and they have verified that there is "No evidence of physical damage". The best part is Sharp customer service claimed to have called the repair shop and were told something different. When I called the repair shop back to ask why they told two different stories he said that Sharp customer service had NEVER called, to ask about the condition of the TV. Since it is a small repair shop (only two guys) I think they would both know. Sharp has offered to sell me another piece of crap TV for a small discount, which I have declined. Basically Sharp sells crap and lies to its customers. Buyer beware! Besides, I just replaced this piece of crap Sharp with a Sony 46", 120Hz and a four year warranty for $1400, and I am looking for a second LCD for our bedroom, I will never buy Sharp again!