Sharp has just discreetly commercialized its new televisions dating from Spring 2008.  The Aquos LC-32D44E, an HD-Ready LCD (1366 x 768 pixels), is the first model we test in this line.

Immediately, we noticed the lack of an HD compatible TV tuner.  For those wishing to receive HD programs starting in October 2008, they will have to equip themselves with a supplementary box – with the accompanying cables and additional remote.

Design and ergonomics

With its rather plastic design, the LC-32D44E is sober with a uniform black finish from top to bottom.  The base does not pivot.
Otherwise, menus are not overly attractive and they prove to not be too practical in use.  This is all the more so true because there are sometimes delays during navigation.  In our tests, it seemed to happen especially when dynamic contrast was being calculated.


Very dynamic contrast

For our usual measurements, it was somewhat complicated.  In short, dynamic contrast was impossible to deactivate.  In all of our tests and independent of the setting, this option remained a factor complicating our measurements.  However, one thing is sure; black attained very low levels.  We regularly measured it between 0.03 and 0.04 cd/m² or excellent values.  On the other hand, our first measurement for white didn’t surpass…56 cd/m²! This ridiculous number can be explained by the fact that only a single white square covering 10% of the image was displayed.  As it detected an image that was more or less dark, the TV automatically lowered brightness to produce the deepest black possible.  By using a 100% white test card we were then able to measure 193 cd/m².  Given the above, it was rather difficult to compare contrast values with other televisions on the market with which we measure the actual qualities by deactivating dynamic contrast.

With the sensor and our eyes, the same conclusion

While our sensor has some trouble giving us coherent results due to contrast set in dynamic mode, our eyes were also not immune to this rather odd choice made by Sharp.  On certain lighter sequences, blacks lack gradation while in darker scenes there was a problem with the clear display of vivid details.  In addition, we noticed the screen turned dark or bright when there was transition to a very contrasted sequence. Thus, when changing from a scene with a bright background towards one with a face in a dark forest, we noticed the foliage gradually darken in the background until the TV estimates that brightness is correct.  The adjustment takes a half a second and therefore isn’t quick enough to go unnoticed.  It takes some time to pick out this defect but, unfortunately, once observed it was difficult to ignore. 

Otherwise, at first sight, the display is quite flattering to the eye.  In addition, colors are rather accurate and viewing angles large enough so that at least 4 viewers can sit comfortably from 2.5 meters.

HD rendering wasn’t exceptional due to the panel being limited to HD-Ready definition.  Moreover, this TV refuses to display 1080p sources.  Finally, SD rescaling is mediocre resulting in a lack of sharpness in images.

 
We should also point out that sound quality is rather mediocre and below average of other TVs tested recently.  However, this is quite normal for entry-level models.

It was moody with our PS3

We wanted to use a PS3 to carry out our HD tests.  Unfortunately, the PS3/LC-32D44E combo obstinately refused to display an image coming from a protected source.  A problem related to HDCP, the protection standard, seemed to be the cause.  Only the sound on Blu-ray discs made it to the TV and not the image.  On the other hand, PS3 menus were properly displayed.  We therefore had to fall back on an HD multimedia hard drive that we usually use for other tests.  Note that this same PS3 hadn’t given us any problems up until then, whether it was with TVs or video projectors, and that it continued to function perfectly in other tests in progress.  Otherwise, this TV was no longer with us when we had another Blu-ray player available for further inquiry into the problem.