Sharp LC-45GD4U 45" AQUOS Flat-Panel LCD TV with Integrated HDTV Tuner

Rating:
Summary: TV needs to catch up or something
Review: Apparently, all TV is going to become HDTV.

Right now, though, most channels come in looking funny because regular TV apparently can't compare to HDTV's high resolution. So, my dad's got this super-expensive TV that can't even make South Park look good. He talks about how it's going to be the big thing in a year or two and everyone's going to need HDTV.

Question: why not just wait until then?

Another one: With HDTV so much more expensive than regular TV, doesn't it remind anyone about Betamax losing out to VHS? Betamax was apparently so much better. DVD is so much better than VHS, but VHS has still been around the whole time.

Result: Just wait a while to buy one. The price will go down and more channels will be HDTV. I do have to admit that the HDTV channels do look really good.

Rating:
Summary: I don't own one.... yet.
Review: I have been researching this beautiful TV for a while now, and I've had the privilege of seeing it first hand at a Best Buy. Wow. If you are in the market for an HDTV of any sort, flat panel, or (crappy, unless it's DLP, even then...) rear projection, you have to give this one serious consideration. First and foremost, it is true High Definition- that's 1920x1080 resolution. Most Flat Panel TV's of comparable size are only 1280x768. Also, this takes any signal you throw at it and up converts it to 1080p, so the picture is sharp and fast. Rear Projection screens will never get as sharp as this, it's the fault of their design. The color on this beast is fantastic. The only thing I've seen that compares is high end computer monitors. Which is basically what this is, only brighter, faster (response time for pixels) and the dot pitch is good too. The contrast ratio is great (800:1). The picture is bright, and there is a sensor on the front that "sees" the surrounding light intensity, and changes the level of the display's brightness accordingly, if you turn it on in the menu. I have discovered only two flaws, from what I've read: The PC in-put seems limited. It seems that you are limited to only a few resolutions, and it doesn't look like it would accept 1920x1080, maybe it will if you set your computer to 1920x1080, then set the TV to the "Dot by Dot" screen size. And the iLink (IEEE 1394 four-pin) is only for D-VHS. It will not support digital video cameras or DVD recorders. If you have a D-VHS for some reason, then this is a cool feature. It gives you a controller on the screen, and you can hook up and control a lot of D-VHS from the screen. To end my ramblings: I can only recommend one other option for a high end Home Theater display. The Sony Qaulia 004. This is a 1920x1080 projector with a Pure Xenon® lamp, with SXRD display. SXRD is like LCD only better for projectors- no screen-effect (visible lines between the pixels). This juggernaut of self-indulgence is about $23,000. And then you have to buy a $3,000 lens for it. And then a good screen (up to 400 inches). Then build a theater in your house. So, $8,000 or less for an LCD from the Sharp Aquos line seems to be the best option for the best picture currently available to Mr/Ms Taxpayer. I'll accept any invitations to help construct the theater that includes your new Sharp Aquos 45" LCD. Also there is another version of this that has a separate input box... the LC-45GX6U... it has the same functions and specs as this, but the removable speakers are mounted under the screen, and is about 20 lbs lighter since there is a console sized box for the inputs. Happy spending.