Sharp puzzled on how LCDs can beat PDPs
By Matt Burns 
posted Oct 3rd 2005 9:21AM
posted Oct 3rd 2005 9:21AM
Sharp Electronics is almost ready to open its new 8th generation LCD planet but is working on a plan to compete with plasmas. We all know that plasmas are the ruling king of large flat panels due to their picture quality but also, price. Sharp seems to know this as well. They were recently quoted saying that they ether need to find a way to produce a quality product cheaper, or just give up and go for the high end market.
We're wondering if this is a sign of the times. LCDs are struggling to gain a foothold in the home theater market, but with Sony aggressively pushing them, they could improve their market share. Plasmas just produce such a better black level and therefore, a better color balance. They have such a hard question in front of them. Do they drop their quality to compete or just get out of the race all together? I am sure that many of us can remember when everyone said that LCDs would replace plasmas. SED might but that is another post altogether.
Well, we might have even cheaper LCDs this Christmas then we thought.
I've been saying this all along! LCD, while convenient for many applications, is not taken seriously by the home theater crowd. 90% of this crowd is made up of professionals that advise the nubies as to what they should own. The fact is, i don't know any installers that would advise their clients to purchase an LCD projector over a DLP, or CRT model for their theater room! It's just not in the same league. If your not going to have a dedicated room, most would advise the clients to purchase a plasma...LCD's work in the smaller applications, such as bathrooms, bar area, patio, etc. etc.. Once you start getting into the 40 plus inch arena, attention goes right back to the plasmas....
Unless LCD improves to the point where it can handle fast action scenes - which includes anything sports-oriented - it will continue to be a loser technology. Most sports are simply unwatchable. The first post above mentions that this is "not taken seriously by the home theater crowd." What I find so amazing is that I actually read reviews in some home theater magazines where they recommend this crap. How do these "professional" reviewers sleep at night? I don't think I have ever read an LCD review where they say "Oh, by the way, don't try watching any programs where objects move quickly." Sharp could lower the price of their 45" model from $7,000 to $1,000 and my wallet stays right in my pocket.