View Full Version : 32-40" LCD's-- Sony vs. Sharp--which is best?
Hello all!
I'm trying to decide if a Sony XBR or Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV is best for me. I'm having trouble finding any info on either the Sony KDL-V32XBR1 or KDL-V40XBR. I did find one review on the smaller of the two. Then when I go over to sharp and try and find a compairson there are far too many choices. I see lots of 32" and 37" over at Sharp, but I don't really know what the differences are between the Sharp models. Their online listings look to be about the same.
Anyway, I'm looking for the best LCD HDTV's in this size range (32"-40"). I know the Sony XBR's are going to cost more, but that doesn't make a difference as long as they are better or the best. The TV has also got to look good, its one of the main centerpeices in my kitchen. An optional wall mount would be a plus.
I need the TV to have an ATSC tuner and a working QAM/CableCard tuner. I hear that some of the Sharps are having major CableCard problems. I hate CableCard, but this TV is going in a kitchen and I'm not paying $7.95/m for a box with VOD that I'm not going to be using. If I can get a set with working CableCard (or a high success rate) then that would be great.
Please don't recommend any Plasma's or other mico-displays, I don't want them and I can't use them in this room.
Which is HD LCD is right for me, Sharp or Sony?
I'm leaning towards the Sony's right now. I just need to decide on a size.
Thank you for your help in advance!
I'm so glad you created this thread miniz. I wanted to ask the same thing. I can only find the XBR at the Sony Store, and the Sharp 32DA5U at BB which has no XBR. The Sharps in stock around here have no CCard, but the XBR does. If it wasn't $1G more I'd already have the Sony.
sony is better than sharp. i have 2 gd6u's but before i had a 23 inch sony lcd with just one component input and it showed blacks way better than both sharps and the picture did not make reds over red. pick the sony!
CrocHunter
09-17-05, 08:23 PM
Why not consider DLP?
More screen real estate for your buck!
Thanks for your help so far.
As I said, I can't even consider a DLP. This is going to be the centerpeice of my kitchen and I only have a very small amount of space to put it in. I want to hang it on the wall also, no DLP can do that.
Does anyone actually have any of the Sony XBR's that I listed?
Thank you!
Someone must own one of these.
Check out these threads on the Sony XBR:
Some Pictures of the New Sony XBR LCD 32" (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=578135)
Sony 32" KDL-V32XBR1 - Gamer's Review (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=580736)
Sony New V Series LCD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=553820&highlight=32xbr1)
First and second link was very helpful!
I would still like some actual compairsons between Sony, Sharp, and I saw Philips and Hitachi mentioned also.
I'm a big fan of the Sony XBR's, (I love my 34" XBR 960) but if another brand is really better then I'll buy it.
I saw the Philips 37PF732OA and Hitachi 32HDL51 mentioned in the first link. Are they any good?
Thanks for your help!
OK, I actually went to see the TV's at the store today. I don't like the Philips. Build quality isn't great and most stores said they had alot of problems with that model. No one had the Hitachi on the floor, so I was unable to see that one. The Sharps were OK, but not as good as the Sony XBR. It looks like the 32" XBR is the winner. The 40" is too big for my application.
Now, I just need a wall mount. Can anyone recommend a good wall mount for the 32" XBR?? I don't know much about wall mounts as I usally put LCD's on a stand. I want something that can pivot the TV right to left and if possible up and down.
Thank you for your help!
Last try for help on the mount...................
Thanks!
about the wall mount... the guy at the sony store here was throwing in my choice of a tv stand or wall mount for free.
OK now how about qualifying some of these XBR votes with a reason or two? PQ? Features? Cooler stickers on the front? ;-)
Why not consider DLP?
oh I dunno. Like how long is a spinning air bearing gonna last? 5 years? And how about I'm standing there and the salesman is saying "some people see rainbows, but I don't" and the scene changes and there are vertical bars on the Hitachi DLP but not the other TVs beside it. Also rear projectors look nice from 30 feet away. Literally, I'm at my friends and from in the backyard through the window it is nice, but side on the sit couch and its uh dark. Nice but too dark for me at angles or when you are walking. ;-)
waltchan
09-19-05, 11:48 PM
Why is everybody forgeting about the Toshiba? Check out the new Toshiba 37HL95.
sony has much better quality. sharp has many many problems with their lcds. BEen waiting for about a year for this lcd from sony and its finally here!
[QUOTE=amitt]sony has much better quality. sharp has many many problems with their lcds. BEen waiting for about a year for this lcd from sony and its finally here![/QUOTE]
Huh? All the LCDs I've seen have minor problems if you look hard enough, HDMI problems here and there, PC sync problems, CableCard problems, etc. etc. Sharp is among the best quality LCDs both materials and design. Newer Sony's sound like they are getting better, but old Sony flat screens were way overpriced and didn't perform better. In the old days, Sony CRTs were top-of-the-line. I still use my XBR. However, even back then, per consumer reports, Sony repair rates were higher than Panasonic and Toshiba (for CRTs).
mallu2u
09-20-05, 11:01 AM
Seems like no one has actually compared the two TVs side by side. Therefore so far I see subjective rather than objective recommendations.
I have a Sony 60'' XBR RP LCD and love it. Best RP LCD I think. But for LCD, I chose 37'' Sharp LCD TV. Two reasons: Sharp's reputation and Price (costco). And I have to say, I am very impressed with the Sharp TV. Extremely nice colors, fantastic menu, super HD. So far, I have found no flaws with Sharp.
But I am going to be looking to this thread for a 'real' comparison. The Sony has to be significantly better than sharp before I can justify making the switch. Sony cannot even come close to the price I got the sharp for. Also coz sharp has lot of features than Sony.
You may want to wait. I just read that Sharp is introducing a 1080 (full high def) 37" in Japan in October... retailing for about $4900 US Dollars (in Yen). A little expensive, but that appears to be msrp for the introductory models.
And it's interesting... many poo poo the desirability of having full 1920 x 1080 actual resolultion... and it's typically ignored. YET... and I could see this coming... when these resolutions are available in sets, it gets played-up as "Full HD" and such as in the press release for the new Sharps.
Like you (thread originator) I found the new Sony XBR's interesting... but you know I finally just said to myself no... I'm not paying that for a 720p set. It's an issue that irks me and I've been waiting for 1080p's. True you can wait forever since technology always changes, but 1080p will be a stable standard for many years. I'm actually looking for a 32" 1080, but there's now a number of models available or being announced (at least down to 37"), so it looks like the corner is finally being turned.
If I was going to get something now, I'd get cheap, maybe even plasma or whatever's heavily discounted... and then look to make a more serious investment in a year or so. My 2 cents.
-- rc
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