Times are tough enough for Sharp without having to convince people to pay extra for esoteric add-ons like 240Hz, 3D, and Quattron's extra yellow pixel. But that's exactly what the company is trying to do with the LC-LE847U. It costs hundreds more than Sharp's step-down sets, including the highly recommended LC-LE640U series, and occupies the same size range as Vizio's lower-priced, entirely decent E601i-A3 series. Meanwhile, if you consider 3D a must-have feature, the company's ownLC-LE745U is a much better value. Compared with those LED TVs, not to mention the numerous plasmas that outperform it by a country mile, the Sharp LC-LE847U just can't compete.
Series information:I performed a hands-on evaluation of the 60-inch Sharp LC-60LE847U, but this review also applies to the 70-inch LC-70LE847U. The two TVs have identical specs and according to the manufacturer should provide very similar picture quality.
Design
Externally there's almost nothing that separates the LE847U from its less-expensive brother the LE745U, and both look very businesslike. I appreciate the narrow frame around the image -- which does thicken up a bit along the bottom -- and its matte-black coloring. That frame is, unusually, made of actual metal, for a higher-end yet still understated feel. The corners have little plastic bumpers that unfortunately spoil its shape a bit, but are probably there to prevent freak accidents caused by the sharp corners.
Externally there's almost nothing that separates the LE847U from its less-expensive brother the LE745U, and both look very businesslike. I appreciate the narrow frame around the image -- which does thicken up a bit along the bottom -- and its matte-black coloring. That frame is, unusually, made of actual metal, for a higher-end yet still understated feel. The corners have little plastic bumpers that unfortunately spoil its shape a bit, but are probably there to prevent freak accidents caused by the sharp corners.
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Unlike the stand of the even-less-expensive LE640U, the LE847U's has a swivel on the 60-inch version (not the 70-inch, however) and a textured matte finish on the base. The LE847U is definitely a nicer-looking TV on the outside, but the improvements are subtle.V
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All three Sharps come with essentially the same remote. Thinner and longer than most clickers, the wand is plagued by lack of backlight and insufficient differentiation between the mostly too-small keys. One great feature, however, is the trio of programmable buttons that provide instant access to your favorite apps. Another, new for 2012, is the big red Netflix button. The remote can control three other devices directly via infrared.
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Sharp didn't change much about the menu system from last year, and it's serviceable if unremarkable. Navigating among the choices along the main top strip could be snappier, and I prefer overlays to Sharp's method of reducing the picture size to make room for its menus.Vie
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| Key TV features | ||||
| Display technology | LCD | LED backlight | Edge-lit | |
| Screen finish | Matte | Remote | Universal (three devices) | |
| Smart TV | Yes | Internet connection | Built-in Wi-Fi | |
| 3D technology | Active | 3D glasses included | No | |
| Refresh rate(s) | 240Hz | Dejudder (smooth) processing | Yes | |
| DLNA-compliant | Photo/Music/Video | USB | Photo/Music/Video |
