Sharp's $16,000 1080p 57-inch AQUOS - LC-57D90U reviewed

When money is no object, it usually rings true that bigger is better, but in the case of the extra-large $16,000 Sharp AQUOS display, those blinded by bragging rights may overlook the unexpected lack of quality. While the general consensus has held the AQUOS lineup in high regard, the 57-inch LC-57D90U 1080p LCD HDTV has somehow missed the mark, or at least failed to reach those stratospheric expectations created by the pricetag. Although we can't imagine this thing looking awful -- or even bad, actually -- Home Theater Mag stated that it "couldn't be taken seriously" considering the "inexcusable faults" on the "most expensive TV it had reviewed in years." The most glaring fault in the erroneously-priced set was its apparent inability to accept a 1080p signal over HDMI (ahem), while several other sets way below this price range currently can. Reviewers were also annoyed by the unparalleled 10+ second lag time experienced when the display attempted to lock up to a 3:2 sequence, and the "inaccurate color points" seen when viewing HD DVDs. While the list of issues probably overshadow the boons, the set did manage to "bring out a lot of detail" in 480i content, and no one could argue with the speedy 4ms response time. Realistically, however, a display this expensive is presumably expected to obliterate any prior efforts of TV manufacturers, and to be frank, it failed -- so if you'd been saving those pennies benjamins just waiting for this to drop, you're probably better off just picking up a less expensive model (and a new commuter car while you're at it).

[Via HD Beat]

[marcin @ Aug 15th 2006 10:05PM]

sucky TVs FTL!!!

actually though, i'm considering the purchase of the 37" model.

[budbud @ Aug 15th 2006 11:28PM]

wtf 16k...i would buy a tv xbox 360 a car a bike a couple of games....what else a computer.......a small indian boy to do my homework....but not this peice of overpriced trash....whoever made and priced this should be hunted down and castrated with a spoon....

[Perrey Z. @ Aug 15th 2006 11:34PM]

Costco.com sells the 65" version for $17,999.99 still not affordable, expecially when neither CANNOT display true 108op content. Apparently the LC-37D90U is the only AQUOS that can.

[xenokilla @ Aug 15th 2006 11:56PM]

maybe i have no idea about anything, but can't you get a bad mamma video projector for about $2k and project something with the same resolution over an entire wall?

[GDUB @ Aug 16th 2006 8:01AM]

Only 16k I knew prices of LCD televisions would eventually come down.

[Jason H @ Aug 16th 2006 10:17AM]

I don't think there are any $2K 1080p projectors on the market. However, for $8K+ your point is 100% valid. I would much rather spend my money on a good Projector, Screen, and Scaler ("Line Doubler").

[Wedding Singer @ Aug 16th 2006 7:37PM]

It looks like this TV has a distortion problem. Unless she really just looks like that...