Why You Can Trust CNET Sharp LC32D77X review: Sharp LC32D77X
The Sharp LC32D77X is quite an exceptional 32-inch television, it's best with 1080p content but also plays standard-definition content quite well.
Who's to say that just because a television is small in stature it can't compete with the big boys? This 32-inch LCD TV not only brings exceptional image quality to the table but is also one of the few 1080p models on the market. It isn't cheap by any means but if you want something of high calibre, you have to expect to pay that little bit more.
Sharp LC32D77X
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
Design
Sharp certainly know how to make a television look impressive. While every TV out there seems to embrace the glossy black look, somehow this unit still manages to bring something unique to the design. The lower bezel has a faint blue hue accented with a transparent strip at the very bottom. It looks quite sophisticated and is on-par with other high-end models we have reviewed.
Features
While 1080p may not be essential for a 32-inch television, it definitely brings an added edge when it comes to image quality. Not only can this panel natively display 1080p footage but it is also 1080p/24 compatible which means that Blu-ray films will play at 24 frames per second — the same frame rate as the cinema. Additionally, this model has a 100Hz mode which does a great job of eliminating motion judder. Fine calibration options are included and will help advanced users achieve the best possible image quality and colour accuracy.
When it comes to connection options, there are plenty on offer here. With three HDMI ports, two component, three composite, an S-Video port and a PC connection, you aren't likely to run out of places to plug in your AV equipment.
Performance
Since this is a 1080p TV, the first thing we tested was Blu-ray performance. The resultant image quality was stunning with accurate colour reproduction and deep blacks. The backlights are a little low on default settings but they can be ramped up quite a bit to make the image much brighter. Of course, this will mean higher power consumption.
Even though this unit isn't an LED model, we were impressed with how little the backlight affected the black levels. If turned up too high, though, they can make the colours and blacks look a little washed out, but finding a balance isn't difficult. Like most panels, the sharpness was set a little too high but it is easy to correct.
We tested the standard-definition performance by watching multiple DVDs. While the image quality was good, it did suffer from a little too much noise at times and some minor pixellation. That being said, the few issues we found were fairly low impact when it came to image quality. While not perfect, it still looked great.
Lastly, we tested the 100Hz mode and found it did a superb job of removing judder. However, like most 100Hz systems, it can make a movie look like it was shot on a handycam, with the motion looking unnatural. Thankfully, the 100Hz mode can be turned off, so we'd recommend only using it when watching sport — not for watching movies.
Conclusion
The Sharp LC32D77X is quite an exceptional 32-inch television. It will handle 1080p content brilliantly and plays standard-definition content quite well. Sharp also has a 720p panel available in this size as well which costs AU$300 less. Essentially, the premium paid is for the 1080p resolution and the 100Hz mode. If you don't want either of those, the cheaper panel may be a good option.