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Sharp AQUOS LC-52A77M 52-inch Full HD LCD TV: Bullying The Competition

littlelion | 21 July, 2009 13:13

The Sharp AQUOS LC-52A77M is one of the largest LCD TVs that we have seen so far for this year. In this respect alone, we thought that this would be a subject that might interest you. Hence, we decided to bring out this special feature for your perusal. But the enormous display panel is just the tip of the iceberg. As you read through, you will find out that this 52-incher has more fascinating stuff to show off up its sleeves.
 
 
 
 
 Like the AQUOS A66 Series, the A77 Series, in which the LC-52A77M belongs, leverages on an LCD panel type dubbed by Sharp as the ASV Super Lucent. This LCD panel espouses a super smooth finish that reduces the annoying glare caused by ambient light. Additionally, featuring 10-bit color depth, the ASV Super Lucent panel covers a more comprehensive color spectrum. With that said, this type of LCD panel should be capable of producing images with smoother gradations in theory. Sharp boasts that their ASV Super Lucent panels are fabricated from their assembly line in Kameyama, a city in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
 
As what we had mentioned before, Japanese LCD TVs are not as teasing as their blushed Korean counterparts. The LC-52A77M is an inclusion, but Sharp has ensured that it will still stand out a bit amid its competitors in terms of design. Its glossy bezel is made narrower so viewers can concentrate more on what they are watching without being distracted by a wide frame. To make it more elegantly attractive, the base of the panel is painted with a mild golden tone.
 
 
 
Given the massive size of its display, this AQUOS has a relatively thick profile measuring at 94 millimeters.
 
 
 
While most LCD TVs employ crosshead screws, the LC-52A77M makes use of socket head screws as fasteners for its stand. Hence, be sure that a set of hex keys are close at hand, before setting up this HDTV in your living room.
 
 
 
Inspecting the right side and the rear side of the TV, we found a standard cocktail of analog and digital connectors, though there is no USB 2.0 interface. Noticeably present amid the connectors is the RS-232C (serial) port. While most people never use this legacy interface, some might find it useful if they own a third party remote control box that uses RS-232C commands.
 
 
Unlike the fancy user interface found on other LCD TVs, the LC-52A77M embraces a simple, more straightforward one.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Before we proceed to the video playback test, let us take a glimpse at some of the screenshots that we got using the DisplayMate application. Take note that the LCD TV was set under the Standard Mode in which all variables are considered more or less balanced.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We had tried to make some adjustments on the backlight, brightness, contrast and sharpness settings as well. Interestingly, we noticed that even a small adjustment on each variable echoed significant effects on the LC-52A77M's overall picture quality, and this was due to the large step increments that each setting has.
 
 
 
Among the seven AV modes that the LC-52A77M offers, we preferably chose to focus on only four of them - Standard, Movie, Game, and Dynamic - considering that these presets are quite similar to those that are commonly seen on other HDTVs, regardless of the brand or model.
 
 
Beginning with the Standard Mode, the LC-52A77M was able to render skin tones naturally, and this was observed under other AV modes as well. Among the four AV modes, the Standard Mode used the least amount of backlight intensity, which resulted in deeper shadows to the point that it obscured some of the subject’s minuscule details.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Under the Movie Mode, we can clearly see here that each HDTV manufacturer has its own idea of composing preset modes. Based on what we have seen on other HDTV models, the Cinema/Movie Mode is usually made dimmer, and that is for the purpose of simulating the lighting conditions inside a movie house. In this AQUOS’ case, the Movie mode is surprisingly brighter with more intense contrast.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Meanwhile, the Game Mode on the LC-52A77M banks on the combination of increased backlighting and contrast levels, producing a sharper transition between light and shadows. In any case, the abrupt gradation was very apparent under all AV modes.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Finally, the Dynamic Mode maxed out the TV’s backlight, along with an increased level of contrast and sharpness. Minute details were more visible, though there were times that images looked a tad overexposed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The 52-inch Sharp AQUOS LC-52A77M is convincingly a whopper of a full HD LCD TV and a promising head turner in any home appliance depot. The large size aside, oblivious passersby would hardly ignore it, given that it also carries a respectable brand such as Sharp. Simply put, it is a decent supplement to the short list for someone who is rummaging around for a larger sized full HD LCD TV. 
 

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comments

Comment Icon How Much

Anime Fan | 22/07/2009, 10:50

How much does this baby go for? Aquos used to be a really good name when LCD TVs first came out.

Comment Icon Price

pale pilsner | 22/07/2009, 15:15

According to Sharp, this is priced at PhP 169,998.00

Comment Icon sharp vs sony

haroldthegreat | 22/07/2009, 22:58

I can't stop myself comparing this to the BRAVIA. After all, size really doesn't matter. If I have the money to splash out, I would go for the BRAVIA

http://www.hardwarezone.com/ourvoice/blog/in_the_zone/spotlight/2009/06/16/Sony-BRAVIA-KLV-46W550A-46-inch-Full-HD-LCD-TV-The-Star-Of-The-Season

Comment Icon sharp vs sony

kraven69 | 23/07/2009, 22:31

The AQUOS has a very strong bluish tint. Those giant clams appear violet on the BRAVIA.

Comment Icon blusih tint

narcissus | 26/07/2009, 13:23

Yes. It overcame the red tint a bit. Nevertheless, it can be corrected.

Comment Icon blusih tint

narcissus | 26/07/2009, 13:41

Yes. It overcame the red tint a bit. Nevertheless, it can be corrected.

Comment Icon neutral

cynical | 21/08/2009, 20:34

On average, who would really buy a 50+-inch TV? To throw in 160 grand for such an item is a waste of money.

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