Sharp Elite PRO-60X5FD 3D LED LCD HDTV HT Labs Measures

HT Labs Measures

Full-On/Full-Off Contrast Ratio: 25,080:1

The measurements were taken in the movie (THX) mode, through an HDMI input.

The above result was taken in the local dimming On setting of the intelligent variable contrast (IVC) control, with the backlight on –3, the contrast control at +28, the brightness at +1, and the gamma adjustment at –1. At those settings, the peak white level was 25 foot-lamberts and the black level 0.001 ft-L. The latter is the lowest reading possible with our industry-standard Minolta LS-100 light meter and therefore doesn’t provide laboratory-grade precision. However, it’s clearly close and representative of the visual result in which some very faint light was visible on screen when displaying a full black field. With the gamma adjustment at 0, the measured gamma averaged 2.17, with a high value of 2.22 and a low value of 2.14. With the gamma at minimum (–2), the average was 2.34 with a high of 2.42 and a low of 2.28. The high values (indicating darker mid-tones) were at the high end of the brightness range and the low values (brighter mid tones) at the lowest.

With local dimming off, the black level increased to 0.011 ft-L (though it dropped to 0.001 after a few seconds), with a peak white level of 23.49 ft-L, for a full-on/full-off contrast ratio of 2,135:1.

The available settings of the backlight control, together with the advanced settings of the IVC control offer a generous brightness overhead. With the backlight at its maximum (+16), IVC on advanced high and the remaining settings unchanged, the peak white level reached 186 ft-L. I don’t recommend this torch (ure?) mode setup, but as noted in the review, there’s enough spare brightness, even at more sane settings, for superior punch in 3D.

After some false starts in the Elite pure mode, which proved to be less than accurate (probably by creative design), I went immediately to movie (THX), which proved to be the right choice for both 2D and 3D (it can be set up separately for each). In 2D, the Delta E values, even before calibration, never exceeded 5.0. After calibration, they remained at 2.3 or less. The After Calibration 3D result deviated significantly at a very dark 20 IRE, with a Delta E of just under 16, but remained below 2.82 at all other brightness levels. Prior to calibration, it was under 2.77 from 30 IRE to 90 IRE, going rogue only at 20 IRE and 100 IRE. Delta E is a figure of merit indicating how close the color comes to the ideal D65 white point.

The set’s color gamut in the THX modes (see the CIE chart—2D is shown, 3D was very similar) was also excellent, with good color points before calibration. I used the CMS controls to fine-tune the color points a bit (in 3D) and bring the brightness levels closer to the Rec. 709 standard values (for both 2D and 3D).—TJN

Comments

Solid review

Submitted by Robert Zohn on December 12, 2011 - 5:51pm.

Tom, very accurate and honest review. Very much validates what we found at our shoot-out event. I brought my personal 141FD that was just perfectly calibrated to the shoot-out so we could have a reference point.

Thanks for the very well done and detailed review!

-Robert

Lip Sync Issues / AVR Variable Audio Delay ?

Submitted by Jeff_4833 on February 24, 2012 - 6:55am.

Tom, in your excellent review you mention:

"The sound from a Blu-ray player passed through an Onkyo TX-SR608 A/V receiver required me to dial in a bit more lip-sync delay than usual, but that won’t be an issue as long as your AVR has a variable audio delay, as most do. There was no delay when I listened to the set’s internal audio."

I am considering the Elite 70" along with the Elite SC-57 receiver and probably an Oppo disc player, but in looking through the SC-57's manual I don't see any option for "variable audio delay." If this function is something that apparently is needed, it seems odd that the Elite's "matching" receiver doesn't provide it. Or, am I missing seeing that it does have it?

Could you educate me a bit, especially if the Elite SC-57 receiver might leave me wanting (I hate poor lip sync.)

Thanks!

I have to go with Tom on this one

Submitted by notabadname on February 29, 2012 - 7:56am.

My parents have a 60" Kuro, which truly has a stunning picture. I myself thought nothing could match it. But I finally just saw the Sharp Elite in a darkened room demo. Wow. It's blacks are stunning. And that is all the demo focused on: pitch black environments with fireworks, city skylines at night, an intricately detailed golden statue against pitch black and finally a night carnival scene with plenty of isolated points of light against black. All truly stunning, crystal clear and with no blooms of LED zones to be found. If I had my parents Kuro, I would trade it for this screen in a heartbeat. How someone could say the Elite doesn't come close is a mystery. And in my opinion, the image actually bests the Kuro. Certainly it's equal. If you get a chance, find one of this and see for yourself.

I personally don't think there is a better screen available on the market today. I SO want one now.

Color Accuracy on the Elite Pro......

Submitted by BabeRuth3 on May 29, 2012 - 12:40pm.

I have had my Elite Pro for approximately two months, and no matter what color calibrations I try, my reds look more like a "candy apple " red, bleeding into a magenta range. Has anyone experienced this problem on this set, and does anyone have calibration settings that they can recommend for Standard , and/or Dynamic modes?

color calibration

Submitted by kent harrison on November 27, 2012 - 2:07pm.

Tryed game mode or get it professional to do it or calibrated.