Bought the Sharp AQUOS LC-32GP1U **UPDATED**

[CuriouslySane]

Originally posted by: ra990
Give it a try. I had the same fear when I bought the 37w3, but the size is just perfect. The text is so sharp and it works flawlessly with my PC as a monitor. HD-DVD and upscaled DVD's look amazing from my PC. I keep the monitor about 2-3 ft away from my face and I got used to it after a day.

I'll keep that in mind. I have desk size constraints to deal with as well though.

 

[CuriouslySane]

I printed out the PDF Westinghouse has on their product page that simulates the full screen size, and assembled and fitted it into an old poster frame. That's right, my level of obsession has descended into the realm of arts and crafts projects.

With some rearrangement, it looks like I could fit a 37" display into my desk area--barely. It really does seem imposing from 3'...particularly the height, but seeing how it would look from 7' for games and movies, I think I might be able to get over it...

 

[AVonGauss]

I own the LC-32GP1U and haven't really noticed the "dynamic contrast" issue with PC viewing, but honestly I haven't looked that hard as I only use a PC with the Sharp to view a MythTV box and for that the enhancements are nice.

Anyways, the reason why I am posting is I was just wondering if someone that has the unit and is easily able to reproduce the issue also sees the issue when the AV Mode is set to "PC"?

 

[CuriouslySane]

Here are a couple of posts that seem to confirm that it's a problem in the "PC" AV Mode as well.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10207611&&#post10207611
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10498310&&#post10498310

 

[AVonGauss]

Thanks for the links, I have actually been watching those threads quite a bit recently - okay, maybe a little obsessively....

I was holding out a bit of hope that maybe the Sharp engineers would have been using the LCD's as monitor's for themselves and maybe just made the "PC" mode the only way to turn off the digital "enhancements"...

 

[CuriouslySane]

Between here, HOCP, and AVS, it's a bit nuts. I keep going back looking for one bit or another and realizing I read it on a completely different forum.

I was waiting for my new Amex card to arrive (figured the free warranty extension was worth the wait), but now that it's here, I need to make a decision, and although the 32GP1U was my quick favorite, I'm finding it hard to rationalize over the Westinghouse model. I'll let it stew for a couple more days, but the odds of my becoming a Sharp owner are dwindling.

 

[AVonGauss]

It's a tough call, I guess the questions I would have is are you planning on buying it at a brick and mortar or online? If it's a brick and mortar, it will probably cost more but you should be able to return it no questions asked. The other is do you plan on just using it as a monitor or as a TV? If just a monitor, from what I can tell the Westy is simpler.

 

[CuriouslySane]

The local price for the 32GP1U is about the same as I would pay from Newegg. But ironically, seriously considering the 37w3 has shaken my original confidence in the 32" size, and none of the 37" models I would consider are available locally.

I do wish the Westinghouse model had a tuner, but that omission may have actually made it a stronger product by forcing it to focus on suitability for PC use (it seems to have a proper sleep mode, for example). With the GP1U and its contrast enhancement issue, PC connectivity seems like more of an afterthought.

And the relative price is a factor, particularly between the 37w3 and the 37GP1U. I like the features of the GP1U series and would be willing to pay $500 more for a superior product, but despite the better specs (except for missing PiP which is just stupid for something that will be doing double duty as a TV and PC monitor) it doesn't seem to be the unqualified better choice.

So, except perhaps for another run out to the big box stores to get an eyeful of relative sizes, I think my decision is made. The other nice thing about a $1000 display is that I'm not going to feel as bad financially about replacing it in a couple of years if/when something really compelling comes along.

 

[CuriouslySane]

I got to see the 32GP1U at BB the other day. They had it hooked up to a PS3 playing Ridge Racer on a night course. As a demo, it was very impressive. No ghosting or lag, and a great image. Even the 32" size felt immersive at several feet (though I find it very difficult to judge size in that kind of environment with so many other displays around). If I were only interested in TV/movie/gaming performance, I'd have bought one.

But reasons I've already stated won out, and I've gone ahead and ordered the Westinghouse 37w3 from Newegg.

 

[justinope]

hmm I just got it today and the settings I find here (oneofthesedays) seem to help but it still isn't doing it for me. the only thing I couldn't do was turn film mode on (its completely greyed out with a o and / through it). any ideas why that is greyed out?

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

i was using those settings with the COMPONENT inputs. i find that HDMI/DVI inputs have completely different results after calibration compared to component inputs.

 

[CuriouslySane]

Originally posted by: ra990
Give it a try. I had the same fear when I bought the 37w3, but the size is just perfect. The text is so sharp and it works flawlessly with my PC as a monitor. HD-DVD and upscaled DVD's look amazing from my PC. I keep the monitor about 2-3 ft away from my face and I got used to it after a day.

I think the 37w3 is worth every penny, if not more.

I'm posting on my new 37w3. It's height made it difficult to use when placed in the same position as my old CRT, but once I removed my desk's built-in monitor stand and got the monitor centered at eye level, I found it much more comfortable. The width makes window management interesting, but isn't really a problem.

For just desktop applications, I think I would choose something a bit smaller, but this is a multi-purpose display, and for games and movies, I wouldn't sacrifice an inch. I watched a 16:9 feature last night and was delighted by the level of detail and immersion. Blacks could be better, but for a $1000 product I'm very satisfied.

 

[Hadsus]

I just bought the Westy SK-32H240S (32 inches, 1080i) for my bedroom. BB had an excellent deal a week ago....less than $600. Anyway, I'm surprised just how good this thing is with regard to PQ and connections (and I have a 50" Panny plasma). It's not connected to a computer but, instead, an upconverting Samsung DVD player, Dish satellite, and my 360. TV has scads of connections.

 

[boglwe]

Good lord. I am so frustrated with Displays these days. This Sharp looked so good. I even had it on he purchase order of my new system build. But DAMMMMMMMMMMM, Why did they do something so stupid as the Contrast thingy. Folks, who have this monitor, how bad is it, really? And why does it doi it only browsing? What about in word or publisher? I currently have the old school samsung 24 inch monitor, simply love it. But want something bigger and have duel monitor. So, The sharp would be for games and movies, the Samsung for Browsing? How about that?

I mean, why is the world of Display production just full of idiots? The technology is there, Wherer are the great monitors? Dont you think they know what people would want? there really is NO GOOD MONITOR. 30 inch Dell and Samsung both have serious lag and/or ghosting. This Sharp has the contrast issue. The 37 westy might be a bit big. ETC ETC, the list goes on and on. Man when somone makes the right display they will be RICH.

BTW< how does the WEsty handle FPS games?

 

[boglwe]

Originally posted by: OneOfTheseDays
You make good points Imyourzero. I've been using the Sharp as a HT display, and not for PC purposes. I don't think it was ever intended to be used for the PC to be honest. The Westy no doubt was, with its dual DVI inputs and lack of tuner.

My advice to someone looking for a new PC monitor would be to get the Westy at its ridiculously low price. If your someone who needs a monitor for HT and light PC use, then the Sharp would be a better choice IMHO. And I'll do some more investigating on this shifting contrast issue, I definitely noticed it when I first got the set but now that I have it set to USER mode I can't say I've seen it.

Are you still not having that contrast issue? I am very interested in your post here, and it might make a believer out of me of getting the LCD i really want. I dont mind the 1080p for gaming, everything about this LCD screams BUY ME, but that contrast thing is a huge no no, but if I can set it correctly for that NOT to happen, then yea, its mine. help me please.

 

[Arkitech]

For the owners of the Sharp gp1u's, have you experienced any problems acheiving 1920x1080 from a PC? I just recently purchased the 32gp1u and while I think the picture looks fantastic for some reason I can't get 1920x1080 resolution.

I have the TV set to dot by dot mode and I'm using a Radeon x850, when I set the resolution to anything higher than 1440x1050 the display is unwatchable. I get a wierd green color over the display and screen appears to be fragmented (kinda hard to explain, I'll try to post pics later).

Can anyone share powerstrip settings if you had to use them?