It's been several years since my wife and I were introduced to plasma televisions in a remarkable demonstration by one of the leading manufacturers. As techno-junkies, we were amazed at the clear picture and bright colors the new thin sets provided. As consumers, we were put off by the inhibitive prices this new technology brought to the table. Certainly anyone interested in high-quality video for their home theater environment would want the best picture possible, but at a cost exceeding many automobiles, it hardly seemed worth the expense at the time.

A few years have passed and plasma televisions have not only dropped in price, but they are more readily available to mass consumers. Unfortunately, plasma units are still not cheap enough to rival conventional picture tube or rear projection models. But for those wanting to step up to plasma style at a fraction of the cost, or for people looking for a small quality unit where space is a concern, liquid crystal display televisions may be the answer. Compared to plasma, LCD televisions are lightweight but still offer flat shallow screens. Sharp Electronics Corporation has capitalized on the LCD design with their AQUOS line of televisions and has recently introduced a 15-inch unit that fills the void of small elegantly designed televisions.

Unique Features - My first impression of the 15-inch Sharp AQUOS television was that its design was completely unique in itself. Stylish and sophisticated, it would be just as "at home" in an art gallery as it would be in a game room. The small silver frame and matching stand are downright sexy in comparison to conventional tube sets of the same size. The 15-inch TFT LCD panel is among the brightest available, so you can place it near windows, doorways and other sources of light without fear of the picture becoming washed out. The extensive 170/170-degree viewing angles and anti-reflection coating provide a wide viewing range for every room from the den to the kitchen. The 60,000-hour lamp life ensures that the LCD will burn bright for many years. In fact, you could watch this set for 10 hours every day for over 16 years without the lamp system failing. During this marathon viewing session you can take comfort in knowing that you will save money thanks to an energy-efficient rating that is 60% better than conventional CRT televisions.

The size of the Sharp AQUOS is impressive. Weighing under 12 pounds and less than 2.5-inches deep, this may truly be the perfect alternative to plasma. If space is limited, this television should fit the bill nicely.

Installation/Setup - Almost kin to plasma, LCD televisions lend themselves nicely to a variety of installations. This Sharp AQUOS model is no exception. It comes with an attractive table stand with integrated cable clamps that keep unsightly wires from view, and two separate covered pods hide cable connections inside the rear panel of the television. The array of supported inputs and outputs include: S-Video, component video and RCA interconnects. A sturdy carrying handle makes it easy to move the unit from room to room. For buyers looking for portability, this may be one of the strongest arguments to buy one. The lightweight slim model is easily transported from kitchen to family room to bedroom or office.

If a fixed mounting is preferred, the table stand can be removed and you can mount the LCD on a wall. This television can even be mounted in an unconventional manner such as upside down or under a counter by using the image inverter. With a simple change of the on-screen menu, the image can be turned upside-down or turned into a "mirror image. This may be useful in under counter applications or at angles requiring mirrors to project the image.

Final Take - Aquos is derived from the words aqua and quality. Perhaps Sharp chose this word to represent the fluid video motion, the quality design and exceptional performance of the AQUOS series flat screen televisions. This well crafted state-of-the-art LCD display is packed with features and rivals more expensive plasma TVs. I found myself mesmerized by the brilliant colors and bright display while watching my favorite test DVDs. Multiple brightness settings for normal, bright and dark environments aid in the exceptional picture quality of the Advanced Super View (ASV) il'-LCD flat panel. The wide viewing angles and compact size of the LC-15B2UA open up many new applications, where larger tube televisions need not apply.

The overall design is modern and attractive. The picture quality--superb. Be forewarned that the striking appearance and styling of the Sharp AQUOS is pleasing to the eye and will draw a crowd. Hidden controls are integrated on top and stereo speakers are permanently mounted to each side. Sharp elected not to make the speakers removable in the LC-15B2UA, as they are in the sister model: the 30-inch widescreen LCD unit. Although the speakers Sharp paired with the LCD TV sound quite good, high-end users interested in upgrading the sound are stuck with the supplied speakers mounted in the case. But if cost isn't a concern and space is limited, the Sharp 15-inch LCD television will suit your needs very well. It has one of the nicest pictures on the market in a compact package perfect for a dorm room, kitchen, game room or anywhere limited space is an issue.

Suggested Retail Price
$1,499.99