As more and more LCD manufacturers incorporate faster 120-Hz frame refresh display technology into new sets to improve picture clarity, larger 60-Hz panels with 1080p resolution now sell for about half of what they did just two years ago. The 52-inch Sharp LC-52SB55U ($2,299.99 list) is a prime example of one such big-screen value HDTV, delivering a superb, detailed HD picture. But as HDTV prices continue to fall, appealing alternatives abound.

Sharp's SB LCD series features a thin-and-glossy black bezel (about 1.8 inches wide) surrounding its dark, antireflective screen. The set's fixed 2-by-10-inch stereo speaker bar (2 x 10W) sits below the display and minimizes the set's overall width, but it provides anemic bass response. The rectangular, matte-finished stand requires some basic assembly (the necessary tools are all included). The TV's baton-style remote is identical to the one included with the Sharp Aquos LC-32D44U, and its performance was excellent from distances exceeding 20 feet and at wide off-axis angles.

The LC-52SB55U has the best selection of video inputs of the sets in Sharp's SB series. The series' smaller screen sizes (42 and 46 inches) offer fewer HDMI ports; this set offers four, one of which is side mounted. You also get two component video inputs, and one VGA port for analog PC input. The set's HDMI ports are compatible with the 1080p24 (1080p resolution at 24 frames-per-second) video format, which is a common output option on many Blu-ray disc players. There's no multimedia file support: The set's one USB port is for firmware updates.

We tested the 52-inch 1080p screen using HDMI input and video signals sourced from a variety of professional and consumer-grade gear. (For details on our testing, see "How We Test TVs.") Overscan isn't an issue with this set. The TV's picture-size options revealed every pixel of 720p and 1080i/p video material when the screen was displaying HDMI or component video input. The Editors' Choice Westinghouse TX-52F480S is another rare example of an LCD TV with this detail-preserving picture size capability.

The average contrast ratio of 1,105:1 indicates that the set's ability to produce video black (the TV's "black level") isn't as dark as the Samsung LN52A550 (2,782:1), so it will be less impressive in dimly lit environments. Inky, dark black levels, however, are not as noticeable in average to brightly-lit environments. The darkly colored screen surface and ample light output (at default picture settings) are still effective at maintaining apparent picture contrast.

For most movies and primetime TV shows, the LC-52SB55U's default picture preset needs a quick tweak. Selecting the TV's "movie" preset enables film detection and activates the LCD's integrated room-light sensor. This setting adjusts the panel's backlight system in response to ambient light conditions—the darker the room, the lower the backlight output—and provides a substantial reduction in energy consumption.

The default picture settings leave reds undersaturated, but the resulting picture is otherwise acceptable for daytime viewing. The TV's "movie" preset slightly improves red saturation, but the preset's white balance is a bit too blue, resulting in slightly inaccurate colors. Fortunately, this set is the only SB-series model with a custom white-balance control for professional calibration.

With the LC-52SB55U's film-detection feature enabled, the set's ability to process 1080i video (prime-time TV) into a progressive picture (1080p) was superb, producing as detailed a picture as any LCD HDTV on the market. The aforementioned Samsung had similar HD HQV Benchmark test scores with 1080i sources, but the Westinghouse failed to conceal jagged-edge artifacts.

A note about 120-Hz technology: Although the LC-52SB55U is a 60-Hz display, 120-Hz screens (those that update pixels 120 times per second) like the Samsung LN52A750 can, in some cases, produce a picture that appears more detailed than a traditional 60-Hz display, which refreshes half as often. With long panning shots, 120-Hz tech can smooth the camera's movement, but not all 120-Hz LCDs are created equal. Some sets, like the Vizio SV420XVT, for example, can become easily confused by complex scenes containing lots of fine detail and produce smearing or picture corruption artifacts.

As energy consumption goes, the LC-52SB55U is on a par with most 52-inch LCD TVs: good out of the box, but even better with a few adjustments. The set's estimated monthly operating cost at default picture settings is $4.27 (5 hours a day at $0.13/kWh). This result bests the similarly sized Mitsubishi LT-52148 ($7.02) but falls behind the Samsung LN52A550 ($4.14). Sharp's cost estimate for dark-room viewing drops to $2.51, compared with the Samsung's $2.25 and the Mitsubishi's $2.59 "energy-saver" levels.

The Sharp LC-52SB55U represents an overall good value for a big-screen 1080p LCD, but the Samsung LN52A550 delivers equal if not better color performance and picture contrast for about the same price (online) and can also play digital music and pictures via USB. This Sharp set still beats the Samsung in terms of picture sharpness and number of HDMI ports, proving that there are solid 60-Hz deals to be had—even if LCD HDTV's future is 120 Hz and beyond.

Sub-ratings:
Image Quality:
Value:
Usability:

Benchmark Test Results:
Calibrated display settings
HDMI video input @ 1080p24/1080p60

Compare the HDTVs mentioned above side by side