Check It Out

No.172 (9/24/10)

Sharp Aquos TV

By Robert Finley
Chief Writerr

The days of TVs shaped like large boxes and taking up all kinds of space awkwardly in homes are all but over. Cathode ray tube technology in TVs is just about a thing of the past, as today's TVs are almost as thin as a painting and come in two basic options -- liquid crystal display (LCD) and plasma. Sharp, manufacturer of TVs and other electronics for years, has had a lot of success in the LCD television market with their brand Aquos.

You may have encountered Sharp Aquos televisions at the mall or at local electronics stores like K's Denki or Yamada Denki. Their crystal-clear picture and incredibly thin design have made them very popular with those looking to upgrade their electronics. Aquos televisions vary from as small as 13 inches to as large as 65 inches for home theater use. A few years ago, they even unveiled a 108-inch LCD TV!

One of the latest models in the Sharp Aquos line is the Quattron, which has been called a turning point in flat screen technology. In addition to the standard red, green, and blue, there is now a yellow color subpixel to the screen that allows for a higher quality picture, reportedly 1,000 times better than its rivals. It supports 1080p video, has HDMI, S-Video, and Composite interfaces, and has most of the other common features on LCD TVs. They are offered in sizes 40 inches and up and have been receiving pretty solid reviews on consumer review sites.

The Quattron is also home to a revolutionary concept in home theater - 3D television. First unveiled by Sharp this past January at a tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV, 3D has now been incorporated into their top-of-the-line LCD TV. In order to view television in 3D, viewers have to sport active shutter 3D goggles. This technology is brand new and a little awkward in appearance, but will surely improve over time if it catches on with consumers.

The Sharp Aquos TVs are moderately priced. On Amazon.com, you can pick up a gigantic 60-inch TV for $1,888. There are 42-inch and under screens available for under $1,000, however, which positions it as much more affordable than the popular Sony Bravia line of TVs.

Buying a new TV can feel overwhelming with all of the options out there today. LCD, Plasma, or the old-fashioned cathode-ray tube TVs all have their advantages and disadvantages (well, maybe not so much as far as the CRTs are concerned), so it's best to do some research into what would work best for you and your home, instead of running out and grabbing the one that looks the clearest or has thinnest design.

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