The Sharp AQUOS D85U Series are all Full HD 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels) resolution LCD HDTVs with a premium performance specification. Significant features and performance figures include;

• the new 10-Bit Advanced Super View (ASV) Panel technology,
• Sharp’s Spectral Contrast Engine for deeper blacks and fine contrast management,
• extremely fast 4ms response time – ideal for gamers
• 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
• 120Hz Fine Motion Advanced Frame Rate Conversion for improved picture quality and

D85U models have Sharp’s new 10-Bit Advanced Super View Panel which has an impressive 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. This delivers more visible detail in both dark and light scenes. At 4ms the response time is market leading for LCD display panels providing more accurate rendering of fast moving action scenes. Twin (10W) speakers are bottom mounted.

The 176 degree viewing angle (horizontal and vertical) is provided by Sharp’s use of their Super View liquid crystal molecules which are aligned to all directions, much like a firework burst. Super View liquid crystal technology has also helped improve black levels.

Sharp’s Next-Generation Advanced Super View (ASV) LCD Panel

Sharp’s ASV LCD panel used in the SE94U Special Edition models is 10 bit which means it has the color bit depth to reproduce over 1 billion colors. A wider available range of colors means that real world colors can be reproduced more accurately.

120 Hz Fine Motion Advanced

The D85U series uses 120Hz Fine Motion Advanced Frame Rate Conversion as a way to help improve picture quality. Increasing the rate at which frames are shown from 60 to 120 frames per second makes on-screen motion smoother. Sharp’s unique rendering algorithm also help’s smooth edges on moving objects.

Other Sharp Display Technologies implemented in the D85U Series

• Spectral Contrast Engine UD improves the deepness of blacks and provides fine contrast control
• Active Contrast Dynamic range extension is based on advanced real-time picture analysis
• Active Color picture processing delivers richer colors, particularly in bright scenes
• OPC (Optical Picture Control) automatically adjusts picture brightness to suit the surrounding ambient light level

Connectivity

The D85U series HDTVs have in-built ATSC, QAM and NTSC tuners, giving access to analog and digital programming available over the air and via cable TV providers.

AQUOS Link is Sharp’s version of CEC enabled control of other compatible multimedia products, such as Sharp’s ??? Blu Ray Player [Amazon Affiliate link] using a single remote.

There are 5 HDMI inputs (v1.3 with x.v. color) and two HD component inputs. For connecting a PC there is a dedicated PC input (15-pin D-sub x 1). There is also an RC232 port for custom installations.

Other Features

• Sleep timer
• Flashback to switch to previously tuned channel
• Surround sound effect
• Screen freeze for capturing a screen shot
• V-Chip for parental control
• Software update by USB key into service terminal of HDTV

Other Sharp AQUOS Models

The Sharp SE94U Special Edition series has all features of D85U plus;

• AQUOS Net for delivery customized Internet content and live customer support via Ethernet, viewable in full-screen, split screen or sidebar format,
• a five-wavelength backlight system enables the display of very deep greens and crimson reds, widening the available color spectrum,
• a higher 27,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio (vs 10,000:1),
• two less HDMI connections (3) and
• more powerful 15W speakers (vs 10W) which are also detachable.

The Sharp AQUOS D64U models don’t have the latest Sharp Advanced Super View (ASV) panels and have a 4 rather than a 5 Wavelength Backlighting system which means a lightly narrower color gamut and less true-to-life images. There is a drop in dynamic contrast ratio from 15,000 to 10,000:1 and static contrast ratio from 3,000 to 2,000:1 which blacks might not be as deep and some of the detail in darker scenes may be harder to see. There is an extra composite video input.

Resources

Sharp AQUOS D85U Manual (pdf)

Sharp Advanced Super View Technology

User Reviews and Price Comparisons

The Sharp AQUOS D85U series has been getting some excellent customer ratings and reviews on Amazon. Have a look at Amazon and the other online retailers below for competitive prices and hands-on customer reviews.

Sharp Aquos LC52D85U 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Sharp Aquos LC46D85U 46-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Sharp Aquos LC42D85U 42-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV

Sharp AQUOS LC-52D85U 52" LCD TV – 52" – Active Matrix TFT – ATSC, NTSC – 176° Horizontal / 176° Vertical – 16:9 – 1920 x 1080 – HDTV

Sharp AQUOS LC-46D85U 46" LCD TV – 46" – Active Matrix TFT – ATSC, NTSC – 176° Horizontal / 176° Vertical – 16:9 – 1920 x 1080 – HDTV

Sharp AQUOS LC-42D85U 42" LCD TV – 42" – Active Matrix TFT – ATSC, NTSC – 176° Horizontal / 176° Vertical – 16:9 – 1920 x 1080 – HDTV

SHARP AQUOS 52″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV LC-52D85U

SHARP AQUOS 46″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV LC-46D85U

SHARP AQUOS 42″ 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV LC-42D85U