New Sharp LED TV Lineup for 2013

There’s no arguing that Sharp has continually been at the forefront of consumer trends, and for 2013, the CES tradeshow in Las Vegas made it clear that the consumer is demanding larger TV panels that offer more ways to “connect” with media sources. Taking this knowledge to heart, Sharp surpassed every one of their major competitors by equipping 85% of all their 2013 retail TVs with “Smart” Internet connectivity. Sharp’s closest competitor in this area only endowed 57% of their TVs with standard Internet connectivity. In fact, many of Sharp’s 2013 TV models also feature MHL mirroring, Bluetooth streaming, USB connectivity and DLNA certification.

Sharp is also at the forefront of the industry trend towards larger TV panel sizes. While many of the other major TV manufacturers have been hesitant to increase their screen sizes across the board, Sharp has listened to the customer demands and drastically enlarged TV sizes for many of their 2013 models. Of all Sharp retail TVs available this year, 31% feature 60-inch screens, 26% feature 70-inch screens and an impressive 14% are equipped with extra-large, 80-inch panels. It’s worth noting that these percentages are much larger than the percentages of even Sharp’s closest rivals.

Let's take a look at Sharp’s new AQUOS LED TV models for 2013, including the E650, E757 and E857. Following the consumer trends, Sharp has become an industry leader and that hasn’t changed with these new arrivals. Each of these three models is available in 60-inch, 70-inch and 80-inch options. All three are Smart TVs, equipped with 801.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless network connectivity. They also feature high-quality LCD panels with image-improving, Edge-Lit LED backlighting. Another feature that should satisfy consumers is the availability of Sharp’s free technical support from their dedicated AQUOS Advantage LIVE experts. Sharp has even attempted to improve the environmental friendliness of their AQUOS LED TV line. All of the following AQUOS LED models are Energy Star qualified, and they were all manufactured using Sharp's centralized energy management system, which reduces the company’s Co2 emissions by 48,000 tons per year.

To begin, we’re going to shed some light on the new Sharp E650 AQUOS Full HD Smart LED TV, which is available in a 60-inch, 70-inch or 80-inch option. The E650 features a 10-bit, Full HD 1920 x 1080p LCD panel with an Edge-Lit LED backlighting system and a 120 Hz native refresh rate. It's also equipped with a dual-core processor for faster multitasking and page loading. The TV’s built-in Wi-Fi affords access to several popular entertainment apps including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow and much more. There's also a built-in Web browser so you can surf the Web from the comfort of your living room. Plus, Sharp has built their intuitive SmartCentral user interface right into the TV, which means you will always be able to quickly find and organize the apps and content you want.

For connectivity, this model provides four HDMI inputs, a VGA PC input, dual USB ports, an Ethernet jack, a digital optical audio output and a handful of analog connection options. The USB ports are basically media players that you can use to share your home videos and photos on the big screen. All you have to do is connect a USB memory stick or external USB hard drive. You can also listen to your favorite music files through the TV’s speakers by connecting your MP3 player or smartphone to one of the USB ports. There’s an Ethernet jack as well, for those of you who require a wired Internet connection.

The E650’s sound system features two integrated 10-Watt stereo speakers that support simulated surround sound. However, if you have an AV receiver with a multi-channel surround sound system already in place, you can use the digital optical audio output to connect the TV to it for true surround sound. The E650 also employs Sharp’s Optical Picture Control (OPC). OPC automatically adjusts the TV’s brightness, depending on the ambient light level in the room. Some of the TV’s other specifications include a wide 176-degree viewing angle, a widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio and an Energy Star rating.

The next new model we’ll look at is the E757 AQUOS Full HD Smart LED 3D TV. Like the E650, it’s available in a 60-inch, 70-inch or 80-inch model. The E757 features an Active 3D Full HD 1920 x 1080p LCD panel with an Edge-Lit LED backlighting system, a 240 Hz native refresh rate, AquoMotion 480 scanning technology, a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio and Sharp’s Quattron 2D/3D color technology. Quattron is unique because it adds two million yellow subpixels to the TV panel. This creates a more natural and realistic picture with lifelike color detail and more organic brightness. Sharp’s AquoMotion 480 backlight scanning technology doubles the TV’s native refresh rate, which promotes clear images even while you’re watching fast-moving sports and other high-speed action.

Like the E650, the E757 features a dual-core processor and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity for accessing your favorite entertainment apps. Additionally, the E757 also offers MHL smartphone mirroring, which lets you send uncompressed HD video with up to eight channels of digital audio from your compatible mobile device directly to the TV screen. MHL connectivity also uses the TV’s power source to charge your MHL-enabled smartphone or tablet. The TV’s other “Smart” features include a built-in Web browser, Sharp’s SmartCentral user interface, support for flash-enabled content and Sharp’s innovative Split-Screen Web + TV feature, which lets you surf the Web while simultaneously watching TV. This feature should make it a multitasker’s dream machine. The E757 is even setup for Skype video calling (an optional camera is required).

Besides the MHL mirroring, the E757 also features Sharp’s Beam Bluetooth technology. This lets you use your compatible mobile device to wirelessly send photos, videos, movies and other content from your smartphone or tablet directly to your TV screen. The TV employs Netflix Second Screen as well, so you can use your mobile device to browse and select the movie or TV show you want to watch, then play it right on your TV screen. Sharp’s Remote Control App is also available, which makes it possible to use your iOS or Android mobile device as the remote for the TV.

For traditional connectivity options, the E757 is outfitted with four HDMI inputs (one of which supports Audio Return Channel for multiple device operation from a single remote), a VGA PC input, dual USB ports, an Ethernet jack, a digital optical audio output and more. The USB ports can play back a variety of photo, video and audio file formats as well. You can use the digital optical audio output to connect the TV to your AV receiver for true surround sound through your multi-channel home theater system. If you don’t have that option, the E757 also features two built-in 10-Watt stereo speakers, which are complemented by an integrated, down-firing 15-Watt subwoofer for rich, 2.1-channel audio with a 35-Watt total output delivered straight from the TV.

Sharp isn’t as well known as Sony or Apple for intriguing industrial design, but their new TVs are poignant examples of what they want their products to look like in the future. The E757’s AQUOS LED screen is housed in a strikingly slim and clean aluminum frame that’s also VESA compliant for easy wall mounting. The TV even offers an artistic Wallpaper Mode that essentially turns your TV into a digital picture frame whenever the TV is off. You’ll be able to display your digital pictures on the TV screen at a reduced light level that requires very little power. You can set on-and-off times as well, depending on when you want to take advantage of this option. Some of the TV’s other features include DLNA certification for home-network streaming, Sharp’s Optical Picture Control (OPC) and a convenient child-lock function. It also supports hassle-free, automatic software updates and it comes with two pairs of AN-3DG40 Bluetooth 3D glasses that let you individually switch your view from 3D to 2D whenever you want—without affecting the 3D viewing of anyone else in the room.

The last 2013 Sharp model we’ll look at in this review is the fully loaded E857 AQUOS Full HD Smart LED 3D TV, which is available in a 60-inch, 70-inch or 80-inch option. This model is very similar to the E757. In fact, both models share all the same Smart TV features including: built-in Wi-Fi, an integrated Web browser, a fast dual core processor, the SmartCentral user interface, Sharp’s Beam Bluetooth wireless technology, MHL mobile device mirroring, Netflix Second Screen, Sharp’s Split-Screen Web + TV function for simultaneous TV viewing and Web surfing, DLNA certification, automatic software updates and support for flash-enabled content.

However, there are several upgraded and additional features that set these two AQUOS models apart. Although both models feature Active 3D Full HD Full HD 1920 x 1080p LCD panels with Edge-Lit LED backlighting, Sharp’s Quattron 2D/3D color technology and a 240 Hz native refresh rate, the E857 also benefits from Sharp’s Super Bright display technology and a more advanced AquoMotion 960 backlight scanning function. The Super Bright technology uses an intelligent contrast engine to continually analyze your TV signal. It then enhances the TV’s brightness where needed, while simultaneously maintaining the dark areas of the screen. The result is a brighter picture than you’d get with the E757 and a higher 12,000,000:1 contrast ratio. Where the E757 only doubles the 240 Hz native refresh rate, the E857’s AquoMotion 960 backlight scanning technology quadruples the 240 Hz refresh rate. This delivers exceptionally clear images when you’re watching fast-moving sports sequences and other high-speed action.

When it comes to traditional connection options, the E857 shares the exact same inputs and outputs as the E757. These include four HDMI inputs and dual USB ports for viewing/listening to video, photo and audio files from a USB memory stick or external USB hard drive. The TV’s HDMI connections also support Audio Return Channel (ARC) so you can control multiple devices from a single remote. And, like the E757, the E857 features the low-energy Wallpaper Mode for those times when you want to use your TV as a digital picture frame. The E857 also offers Sharp’s Optical Picture Control (OPC) for automatic brightness adjustment and VESA compliancy for easy wall mounting. It ships with two pairs of the AN-3DG40 Bluetooth 3D glasses as well.

For additional information on these three AQUOS LED TV models or for information on any other Sharp televisions, you can visit the B&H website or stop by our SuperStore in Manhattan, and speak with a sales professional over the phone at 1-800-606-6969 or online via Live Chat.

	Sharp E650 AQUOS Full HD LED TV	Sharp E757 AQUOS Full HD LED TV	Sharp E857 AQUOS Full HD LED TV
Available Screen Sizes (Diagonal)	60.03" 69.5" 80"	60.03" 69.5" 80"	60.03" 69.5" 80"
Panel Type	LED LCD	LED LCD	LED LCD
LED Backlighting Technology	Edge-Lit LED Backlight Technology	Edge-Lit LED Backlight Technology	Edge-Lit LED Backlight Technology
Aspect Ratio	16:9	16:9	16:9
Native Resolution	1920 x 1080p	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080
Dynamic Contrast Ratio	4,000,000:1	10,000,000:1	12,000,000:1
3D	N/A	Yes	Yes
Refresh Rate	120Hz	240Hz	240Hz
Image Smoothing Technology	N/A	AquoMotion480	AquoMotion960
Color Technology	10-Bit LCD Panel	Quattron	Quattron
Viewing Angle (Horizontal)	176°	Not Specified by Manufacturer	Not Specified by Manufacturer
Processor Type	Dual-Core Processor	Dual-Core Processor	Dual-Core Processor
Supported Video Systems	NTSC / ATSC	NTSC / ATSC	NTSC / ATSC
Supported TV Tuners	QAM	QAM	QAM
HDTV Compatibility	Not Specified by Manufacturer	Not Specified by Manufacturer	Not Specified by Manufacturer
Audio Channels	2	2.1	2.1
Speaker Type	Stereo Speakers x 2	Stereo Speakers x 2	Stereo Speakers x 2
Speaker Output	10W x 2	10W x 2	10W x 2
Subwoofer Type	N/A	Down-firing	Down-firing
Subwoofer Size	N/A	Not Specified by Manufacturer	Not Specified by Manufacturer
Subwoofer Output	N/A	15W	15W
Total Audio Power Output	20W	35W	35W
Simulated Surround Sound Technology	Yes	Yes	Yes
Inputs/Outputs	HDMI x 4 (Side) Shared RCA Component Video (with Composite) x 1 (Rear) RCA Composite Video (1 Shared / 1 Individual) x 2 (Rear) VGA PC Video x 1 (Rear) RCA Stereo Left/Right Audio x 3 (Rear) 1/8" (3.5mm) Audio Mini-Jack x 1 (Bottom)  USB 2.0 Port (Audio/Video/Photo) x 2 (Side, Bottom) Ethernet Wired LAN Connectivity x 1 (Bottom) RS-232C Control x 1 (Rear) Digital Optical Audio x 1 (Bottom) 1/8" (3.5mm) Audio Mini-Jack x 1 (Side) RS-232C Control x 1 (Rear)	HDMI x 4 Shared RCA Component Video (with Composite) x 1 (Rear) RCA Composite Video (1 Shared / 1 Individual) x 2 (Rear) VGA PC Video x 1 (Rear) RCA Stereo Left/Right Audio x 3 (Rear) 1/8" (3.5mm) Audio Mini-Jack x 1 (Bottom)  USB 2.0 Port (Audio/Video/Photo) x 2 (Side, Bottom) Ethernet Wired LAN Connectivity x 1 (Bottom) RS-232C Control x 1 (Rear) Digital Optical Audio x 1 (Bottom) 1/8" (3.5mm) Audio Mini-Jack x 1 (Side) RF Antenna Input x 1 RS-232C Control x 1 (Rear)	HDMI Inputs x 4 Shared RCA Component Video Input x 1 RCA Composite Video Inputs (1 Shared / 1 Individual) x 2 VGA PC Video Input x 1 RCA Stereo L/R Audio Input x 3 1/8" (3.5mm) Audio Mini-Jack Output x 1  USB 2.0 Port (Audio/Video/Photo) Inputs x 2 Ethernet Input x 1 RS-232C Control x 1 Digital Optical Audio Output x 1 1/8" (3.5mm) Audio Mini-Jack Input x 1 RF Antenna Input x 1 RS-232C Control x 1 (Rear)
USB Media Player	Yes	Yes	Yes
Built-In Wi-Fi Wireless Internet Connectivity	Yes	Yes	Yes
Mobile High Definition Link (MHL)	N/A	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth Wireless Technology	N/A	Yes	Yes
Supported Menu Languages	English, Spanish, French	English, Spanish, French	English, Spanish, French
Power Requirements	AC 120 V, 60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz	AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power Consumption (Operational)	268W	Not Specified by Manufacturer	Not Specified by Manufacturer
Dimensions without Stand (60" Model)	54.3 x 33.5 x 3" / 137.9 x 85.1 x 7.6 cm	54.3 x 31.8 x 2.3" / 137.9 x 80.8 x 5.8 cm	54.3 x 31.9 x 2.3" / 137.9 x 81.0 x 5.8 cm
Dimensions with Stand (60" Model)	54.3 x 34.5 x 14.2" / 137.9 x 87.6 x 36.1 cm	54.3 x 33 x 14.3" / 137.9 x 83.8 x 36.3 cm	54.3 x 33.4 x 15.2" / 137.9 x 84.8 x 38.6 cm
Dimensions without Stand (70" Model)	62.6 x 37.3 x 3.3" / 159.0 x 94.7 x 8.4 cm	62.1 x 36.8 x 2.3" / 157.7 x 93.5 x 5.8 cm	62.1 x 36.7 x 2.3" / 157.7 x 93.2 x 5.8 cm
Dimensions with Stand (70" Model)	62.6 x 38.3 x 14.2" / 159.0 x 97.3 x 36.1 cm	62.1 x 37.8 x 14.3" / 157.7 x 96.0 x 36.3 cm	62.1 x 38.2 x 15.2" / 157.7 x 97.0 x 38.6 cm
Dimensions without Stand (80" Model)	72 x 42.8 x 3.4" / 182.9 x 108.7 x 8.6 cm	Not Specified by Manufacturer	71.9 x 42 x 2.3" / 182.6 x 106.7 x 5.8 cm
Dimensions with Stand (80" Model)	72 x 43.6 x 17.5" / 182.9 x 110.7 x 44.5 cm	Not Specified by Manufacturer	71.9 x 43.4 x 17.5" / 182.6 x 110.2 x 44.5 cm
Weight without Stand (60" Model)	55.1 lb / 24.99 kg	71.7 lb / 32.52 kg	72.8 lb / 33.02 kg
Weight with Stand (60" Model)	61.7 lb / 27.99 kg	79.4 lb / 36.02 kg	88.2 lb / 40.01 kg
Weight without Stand (70" Model)	76.1 lb / 34.52 kg	93.7 lb / 42.50 kg	93.7 lb / 42.50 kg
Weight with Stand (70" Model)	82.7 lb / 37.51 kg	100.3 lb / 45.50 kg	108 lb / 48.99 kg
Weight without Stand (80" Model)	121.3 lb / 55.02 kg	Not Specified by Manufacturer	138.9 lb / 63.00 kg
Weight with Stand (80" Model)	130.1 lb / 59.01 kg	Not Specified by Manufacturer	152.1 lb / 68.99 kg