Sharp intros entry-level SB series of 1080p LCD HDTVs

Oh sure, Sharp's doing the whole OLED thing because of societal pressures, but it's no secret where its passion lies. The outfit best known for its AQUOS brand has just introduced a trio of newcomers aimed at those looking for an "entry-level" HDTV: the 42-inch LC-42SB45U, 46-inch LC-46SB54U and the 52-inch LC-52SB55U. Each of the LCD HDTVs boast a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution panel, glossy piano-black finish, a pair of component jacks, a dedicated PC input and built-in NTSC / ATSC / ClearQAM tuners to boot. As for HDMI sockets, you'll find four on the big fellow, two on the 46-incher and three on the "little guy." The pain? Try $2,299.99 for the LC-52SB55U (available now), $1,699.99 for the LC-46SB54U (also ready to snatch right away) and $1,399.99 for the September-bound LC-42SB45U.

[fieldcar @ Aug 5th 2008 3:32PM]

I like your attitude, A+++++ eBayer.

[Alec @ Aug 5th 2008 3:32PM]

We should high rank him for the sake of irony.

[Tomheivers @ Aug 5th 2008 3:40PM]

That would be his goal Alec
You fell for it

[Richard Garfinkel @ Aug 5th 2008 3:41PM]

Huh? 3 HDMI ports on the smallest one, but only 2 on the next size up? Isn't that a little backwards?

[MMisterio @ Aug 5th 2008 3:41PM]

IPhone is still better

Rank away nerds

[iofthestorm @ Aug 5th 2008 3:43PM]

What. The. Fuck?

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 5th 2008 4:08PM]

If you insist.

[Krush @ Aug 5th 2008 5:38PM]

@MMisterio ...
so true .... lets go back to licking those toads maaan... I told you the mushrooms weren't as good. I hear Clak s bringing in some prescription drugs from his school for the after party ... peace out y'all

[MARSHAK @ Aug 5th 2008 6:44PM]

everyone reply to this. i know we shouldnt feed the trolls but it'll spam his inbox.

[greatsunjester @ Aug 5th 2008 3:41PM]

In a real living room, is there a visible difference when sitting on a couch and watching a movie between this and a Vizio 1080p ? At least enough of a difference to warrant the $1,399.99 vs $1,099 price? (Currently $899 at Costco for the 42" 1080P LCD.)

[Pochi @ Aug 5th 2008 3:50PM]

I recently bought a $1000 Samsung 40" television. I watched a few shows/movies on it. Played a game or two. Hooked my PC into it. Gave it the works. I was horribly let down.

I returned it and got a 40" Bravia for $200 more.

NIGHT. AND. DAY. I am very, very happy now.

So yeah, I do think there would be a major difference when it comes to models in this price range.

[Rage @ Aug 5th 2008 3:50PM]

Yes. Go to your B and M of choice and look around.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 5th 2008 4:12PM]

Yes! There is absolutely a difference other than the name. Like Rage said head to your local B&M store and your eyes will not deceive you.

You're paying the extra money for the quality, as well as your dignity. It says something subtle about someone who displays a Vizio as opposed to a Samsung/Sony/Sharp; the rank of this comment will serve as a measurement to how much of the population here has which.

[Pochi @ Aug 5th 2008 4:43PM]

@Lowest Ranked

"It says something subtle about someone who displays a Vizio as opposed to a Samsung/Sony/Sharp"

Eeeeh... I don't know about that. My dad just wanted some high definition action so I grabbed him a Vizio for his birthday. He loves it and truth be told, I have no problem with it either. It looks very nice.

It's one thing to be a techie reading Engadget. It's another entirely to just be a casual TV viewer who won't really give a damn when the blacks aren't quite THAT black.

[Preston @ Aug 5th 2008 4:45PM]

What's B&M? Do we have those in VA?

[Pochi @ Aug 5th 2008 4:52PM]

@Preston

I hope so. Unless you Virginians are about 200 years ahead of the times and have gone completely online for your purchases. Which would be cool.

[letstakeawalk @ Aug 5th 2008 6:52PM]

B&M = "Bricks and Mortar"

As in go to a store and take a peek for yourself. A particularly good suggestion would be to find an AV (that's Audio-Video) specialist that will let you take a loaner model home so you can see how it looks in your own room before you decide which bit of gear to purchase.

That said, I had to think about B&M for a moment myself - is it some West Coast chain or something?

[Alec @ Aug 5th 2008 3:43PM]

So then....we should not rank him at all.

[Pochi @ Aug 5th 2008 3:48PM]

Hey BLOGSMITH. Get your act together and start banning consistently low ranked IP addresses.

That'd make this place a lot more fun. Especially if they told us who the bans were.

[Lowest Ranked @ Aug 5th 2008 7:13PM]

I agree with your idea, however IP Bans aren't as effective as they were 10 years ago with the growth of broadband and dynamic IP addresses.

[Pochi @ Aug 6th 2008 9:53AM]

...what?

10 years ago people were using AOL. That provided a random IP every time you signed on. With less dial-up and more broadband, IP bans are MORE EFFECTIVE.

[NutMac @ Aug 5th 2008 3:52PM]

These sets are about $100 or so cheaper than D64U series, which are higher-end models (although perhaps more obsolete in some way). Sharp is offering very limited set of spec (not even dimension is yet offered). So other than $100 or so lower MSRP, how are they different?

[fieldcar @ Aug 5th 2008 3:58PM]

I think trusted moderators would work... no more "would this work with an iphone" "First FTW!" or similar.

[Redbeaver @ Aug 5th 2008 4:05PM]

hmm Sharp, eh?

i have a 32-inch bravia and its alot sharper/brighter/colourful than my buddy's "no-name" 40-inch.....

quality matters, that's for sure.

hell its even alot better than my Samsung 205BW + Acer X213W combo.... lol

[Redbeaver @ Aug 5th 2008 4:06PM]

i hate this stupid "email me when someone reply" default to YES all the time.

[Bobby D @ Aug 5th 2008 4:19PM]

Sharp is considered a high-end LCD source. The black levels on their high-end sets are unparalleled in the LCD.

That being said... these panels are awfully expensive for being entry-level

[bpmurr @ Aug 5th 2008 5:08PM]

@Bobby

Actually the Samsung 650/750 series has the best black levels for an LCD. (ok Samsung 81 Series LED LCDs have the best black levels but have been discontinued) They blow the Sharp SE94 away. Sharp can make a good LCD however many of there sets have been plagued with vertical and horizontal banding. Hopefully this will be resolved because even the high end SE94 has it.

[Muhammed @ Aug 5th 2008 4:07PM]

crysis?

[GaryZ @ Aug 5th 2008 4:29PM]

$1400 for an 42-incher, I don't see how this is entry-level

[wgarth @ Aug 5th 2008 5:05PM]

Not really new news.

Check out the B&M internet sites. Some of them have had the SB series for a couple of months.

[Captain Obvious @ Aug 5th 2008 6:28PM]

"Check out the B&M internet sites."

Isn't that some kind of oxy, moron?

[goOutSide @ Aug 6th 2008 12:47PM]

Sony/Sharp and Sony/Samsung have barely an difference between them. Sony's panels are all made by Samsung or Sharp plants. Other than that, these TVs aren't worth the money, spend the little bit more to get 120hz.