New Sharp Aquos LC-XXD64U driver

[robertmee]

Okay,

Here's the first official BETA for the Sharp Aquos LC-XXD64U driver. I'll say up front that the protocol is ugly and TV not well behaving, so we have to go through some hoops to calm it down. This driver offers direct 2 way control of:

Inputs (TV, Inputs 1 through 7 as well as defining Inputs 1 and 3 as Auto, Composite or Component)
Aspect Ratio
Picture Mode
Channel Selection (Analog, ATSC, QAM)
Volume
Surround Mode
Mute
Power

There are also the following 1 way commands
SAP Audio
Closed Caption
Channel Up
Channel Down

And the following Read Only fields
Model Number
Ready* (more on this later)

Because of the protocol the Direct Channel tuning is divided into separate Read and Write fields. When installing the driver you have to select whether you are using the ATSC tuner or the QAM tuner for digital channels and this will create the appropriate fields.

Also in the manifest you need to specify a Power On delay time. The TV misbehaves and will sometimes lock the COM port on power up so that we can't query it or write any field changes. So, this delay prevents the TV from doing those things during power up. It also holds out the Ready field during this time. So, on power up, you will see the power field go true, but the Ready field will not go true until after your time expires. Use the Ready in your actions to ensure that you want get ValueRejected errors when trying to change a setting on the TV.

The other issue is that during Power Off the TV for some reason will lose its mind and not process queries in the normal rate (500ms). So, during Power Off, we slow the querying down to 5 seconds and only query the power state.

So, please post any and all bugs and odd behaviors here. I'd like to knock this driver out as it will be the springboard to several more different Sharp models.

[robertmee]

Beta available again....Confidence level 95%

[eded9698]

Thinking of buying a new TV. How do you like the Sharp?

[sic0048]

I have a lc-46D64U and Robert wrote this driver since I had requested it. He doesn't actually own one, so I will give my two cents.

I love the TV. I got in during black Friday at CC for $1200 so the price was right. The sharps do have a history of minor banding (seeing darker bands when watching white backgrounds) and this set still has a little. On my set, I've only seen it twice when watching actual material (I've also seen it on a banding test) and both times it was against a pure white backgroud which only lasted a couple of seconds. Under normal viewing it is undetectable.

Honestly, if you don't try to look for it (ie don't watch a banding test pattern) you will probably never notice it. However, if it is bad, Sharp has been good about replacing the set through their service department. They will bring a replacement set to your house and swap it out so you are not without a TV. Personally I don't think you could ask for better service.

I'm sure some of the other higher priced brands are going to produce a nicer picture (pioneer kuro, sony xbr, etc), but for a mid priced LCD, I think the Sharp is as good as it gets. I would recommend it to anyone.

There is a calibration and settings thread for this set on AVS. I would suggest reviewing it if you get this set. I was able to tweak the factory settings (color correction is available in the regular menus - not through a service menu which is typical on most sets) and get a very nice picture.

The only negative I can come up with this TV is the single RF connector. You have to choose whether you want the TV to tune OTA stations through the ATSC tuner OR digital cable stations through the QAM tuner. I have both available to me, so it would have been nice to have two RF connectors and allow me to watch either without changing the TV settings. This is typical for most TVs today however, so having two connectors is the exception to the rule it seems.

Robert has done a great job with the CQC Driver. The protocal isn't the greatest, yet he has been able to right a two way driver that does most normal functions. Power, channel, inputs, volume, mute, audio settings, etc all report status back to CQC which makes it very nice. You can also control closed caption and a few other things through the driver. The only thing that I wish was available through the protocol (not Roberts fault) is the ability to turn off the TVs speakers when I want to listen through the stereo. It isn't a big deal as I generally just turn the vol to 0 (muting the TV will leave the mute icon on the screen). But that is the only thing I can think of that I wish the TV would do through it's serial connection but will not.

[eded9698]

Thanks, that helped.

[znelbok]

What are you looking for, best picture, best control or both?

LG protocols are fully featured

Panasonic I cant comment on as none here have a serial port

Sharp have a serial port on most of the LCD from what I can see - its better than nothing.

[sic0048]

Robert,

I think this driver is ready for prime-time if you want to get it to Dean to include in 2.4.

I haven't had any problems using the last version and I think there are a couple of others using it. Since there hasn't been any complaints, everything must be going well. I say go ahead and release it.

[robertmee]

Originally Posted by sic0048

Robert,

I think this driver is ready for prime-time if you want to get it to Dean to include in 2.4.

I haven't had any problems using the last version and I think there are a couple of others using it. Since there hasn't been any complaints, everything must be going well. I say go ahead and release it.

Okay, I'll try to get the docs ready.....

[IVB]

How's the smearing on this set during fast motion scenes?

I was looking at the smaller Aquos units, ie 32-37", but reports of that on AVS about all LCDs has me skittish in general.

[sic0048]

I honestly don't notice it very much. I'm sure it is there, but it isn't enough to be distracting. Especially since we are viewing it from a normal distance (probably 16' away on a 47" screen). If I sat closer, it might be more noticable. It's just one of those things you have to deal with if you go with LCD. Plasma has it quirks too. I will say that I really like this TV however. Very nice colors and picture (perhaps not quite plasma quality). Small black bezel, hidden speakers, no glare screen, decent 2-way CQC driver, etc all make it a pretty nice TV.

Of course the smaller LCDs are actually different models, so I cannot really speak to their quality, but the LC-xxD64U series is very nice (especially when you catch them on sale and only spend $1200 for the 47" model).