HDTV & Televisions : Sharp Aquos LC-32D40U

I've had a Sharp Aquos 32D40U that i paid a little over 1k two months ago.



This Sharp model has a good angle viewing.

I use this TV mainly for computer cloned display and PS3 gaming. All my movies come from the computer...that's my setup.



The 32D40U does not have any PC input. So you have to use a DVI-to-HDMI converter to hook your PC in.



The 32D40U does 720p/1080i. Like most computer to 16:9 TV setup (DVI to HDMI), wether you use as main or secondary clone display you will end up with an overscan issue (you won't see your windows taskbar).

An Overscan means that the screen will be bigger than normal and you will miss maybe 5% all around the edges.

In order to eliminate the overscan you must underscan (lowering the resolution signal). To better understand OVerscan and Underscan you can google :"DVI HDMI Overscan underscan"



If your computer has an ATI graphic card, The Catalyst Control 6.11 will allow you to underscan by choosing 1776x1000 and from there you can modify that given resolution to something custom (mine is 1824x1028). You do not need install Powerstrip anymore.



If you have an NVIDIA card, you can also underscan. Unfortunately, the latest NVIDIA drivers have a serious video issue. NVIDIA does not scale videos (AVI, MPG, WMV) on 16:9 properly and you will endup with vertical streched video until they fix it. Solution: get an ATI card until NVIDIA fix their drivers.



In other words, you can use this 32D40U as secondary cloned display after you change the setting in your video driver (ATI Catalyst or NVIDIA). The screen seem to flicker a little bit. It is not as crystal clear as the computer LCD monitor is. But texts are perfectly readable at 1776x1000 on this TV.



For gaming this TV does a good job too, i don't see any ghosting and i tested it with a PS3. Only beware that this TV is a 1080i not 1080p (1080p are true HDTV) this TV is not. Some PS3 games are 1080p.



Turning on this TV can produce a strange "hummmm" electrical noise if your backlite option is set too low.

To stop the "hummmmm" noise you have to increase the Backlite and set it to factory default or higher.



The 32D40U commes with an ugly remote control. The remote control is so ugly that even universal remote control made in the 90s look better.



Changing channels is slow. But atleast you can watch cable channels because there's a coaxial-input which allow you to receive analog cable signal and the TV tuner is built-in.



No picture in picture function though.



Sharp Customer service is not very good either. There is no tool free number to call. I called them regarding several known issues and Sharp always pretended not to be aware of any issues and will call you back when they find answers to your problem. Hide Full Review

Fifteen months ago a bought a Sharp LC-32D4U AQUOS 32". It worked fine for 13 months. (12 month warranty)

What happens is the unit turns on a message "please wait" comes on. In normal operation at this point the input (e.g. DTV) comes on and then the picture starts. When it fails, the message "please wait" comes on and then a black screen. This started about 13 months from purchase but it might happen every 2 weeks. So, it just seemed like a glitch. It has finally gotten to the point where some days it doesn't want to work at all.

I Googled the set and others are having the same problem. A call to Sharp says that it's not a known problem and it's out of warranty and not their problem. Fortunately I bought it with my AMEX and they will cover repairs. I can't recommend this set. There is a problem with it and Sharp will not admit to it. Hide Full Review

1 years after initial purchase started having problems with screen going black. Sound still there and could change channels, but no picture.

Had Sears out 4 times. Would not look at TV because it was on the wall and technician said he would not take it off the wall without 2nd person. Finally 4 visit he brought an assistant and again the screen was black and after two hours of looking and phone calls agreed to honor my Master Protection Agreement with Sears and replace the TV.

From May to August they kept blaming it on the cable service and/or DVR box. It's the TV!

Disappointed with TV and Sears. Careful.... their Master Protection Agreements has loads of loop holes consumer is not aware of until you need it. Hide Full Review