40in LCD Picture Sound Features Usability Value In some ways an excellent budget introduction to the benefits of LED but not without its problems. Rating: 90%

Reviewed: 01 March 2010

  Vibrant colours and excellent contrast

  Suffers from a small amount of Motion Blur

Design

Looking a little more chunky side on than the ultra slim LED screen we have seen recently from the likes of Samsung indicates that Sharp's LC-40LE700 uses the more sophisticated 'Local Dimming' implementation of LED technology.

Saying this however, we rather like the look of Sharp's budget range of LED TV's. Gone is the extended 'teardrop' bottom edge of the Aquos TV's we have become familiar with, to be replaced with an all square design in black with a subtle hint of azure along a thin strip at the bottom edge of the screen.

The redesign is a clever move by Sharp, whose Aquos LCD TV's have become synonymous with, quite frankly, rather mediocre performance. It is a pity then that while the new design is quite appealing, the finish feels just a little on the cheap side.

Features

The LC40LE700 adds a number of features over its LE600 sibling, the most notable of which is 100Hz processing. It is worth noting that 100Hz can be switched on or off dependent on its suitability for displaying different source material. Elsewhere, the HDMI input count goes up from three to four while there is now a USB jack for the display of still photos or playing MP3 music files.

	Screen: 40in 16:9 Tuner: Digital Sound System: Nicam Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Contrast Ratio: na Other Features:Direct LED backlighting with local dimming, Virtual surround mode, Digital noise reduction. Sockets: 4 HDMI (v1.3), 2 SCART (RGB), USB, S-Video, Component Video, Composite Video, PC input.

 

With the introduction of affordable LED technology and the promise of greatly improved screen performance, Sharp have very quickly propelled themselves right back into the forefront of public consciousness; as far as flat panel TV's go at least.

What's more, Sharp have gone for a more sophisticated 'local dimming' (Direct LED lighting) implementation of the technology. This approach uses LED clusters to cover the whole of the screen rather than limiting their placement to the edge of the panel.

With hundreds of individual LED 'clusters' arranged across the entire surface at the back of the panel, specific areas of the screen can be effectively 'turned on or off' (and sit directly alongside areas which remain illuminated) for greater contrast.

The LE700 doesn't go quite as far with LED technology as Sharp's cutting edge XS1E (RGB arrays) however, employing white LEDs, rather RGB arrays. In this case, separate filters produce colour within the image, rather than outputting RGB colours at LED source. You might like to read our LED TV Guide for more information.

The LE700 also features a Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution along with Sharp's "X-Gen Panel" which introduces "Mega Contrast" and "Brilliant colour Processor" technology. Both technologies have been designed to deliver deep blacks and more vivid colours.

Elsewhere on the LE700, there are a comprehensive range of picture adjustment/control options. There is a decent colour management system, noise reduction options and a dedicated film mode.

• One of the often overlooked benefits of LED technology is a significant reduction in power consumption. The LC-40LE700 can claim an impressive 40% reduction over an equivalent traditionally back lit LCD. Adding to its green credentials, the LE700 uses a lead/mercury free production method.

Performance

To a greater degree than possibly any other manufacturer, Sharp is demonstrating the importance of LED technology for the consumer and manufacturer alike. With Black Levels now on par with Samsung and Sony, Sharp has managed to re-invigorate a sector of its business which was looking increasingly like an also ran.

Gone are the murky grey areas produced by non LED screens from Sharp, replaced by areas of deep rich solid black with precise detailing even across darker areas of the picture. Ultimately, shadow detailing is not as good as the best rival manufacturers have to offer, but for the price, there is very little to challenge the LE700.

Where the LC40-LE700 really does excel however, is in its ability to produce high levels of contrast. The rich deep blacks we have just described sit comfortably right alongside brighter areas of screen content.

The comparison with Edge based LED technology is telling in that the less sophisticated implementation is unable to produce a convincing black level response without compromising (ie reducing the brightness) of the picture.

The black level ability of Sharp's LE700 acts as an excellent backdrop for on screen Colour. With a gloriously rich and vibrant colour palette, the LE700 makes full use of this backdrop.

As important as the vibrancy of colours produced, the LC-40LE700's picture processing wizardry is capable enough to present those colours in a fashion which makes even tricky areas such as facial tones appear wholly realistic.

While LED seems to have overcome one of the main inherent failings of LCD technology, a poor black level ability, concerns still remain over the motion handling ability of LCD TV's.

Sharp's implementation of 100Hz processing has some noticeable shortcomings in that a degree of 'motion blurring' on most fast action sequences became apparent. The problem is not serious, but there is a noticeable lack of definition with any form of on screen movement. The loss of sharpness does not impinge to a great degree on the enjoyment of this screen but the more accomplished LCD TV's have noticeably better implementations of increased frame rate technology.

Unfortunately, the motion handling shortcomings do compromise, to a degree, the Standard Definition performance. While the SD picture, being largely free from 'noise' compares well with less accomplished rivals, the LE700 is not the best choice when it comes to fast action standard definition viewing.

While standard definition was on the whole more than acceptable for day to day viewing, the likes of Samsung and Sony do SD pictures just that little bit better. Even mid range LCD TV's from both of these manufacturers present standard definition pictures which are just that little bit sharper overall and more stable with fast action sequences.

While High Definition performance is affected once again by a disappointing motion handling ability, it is evident to a much lesser degree when compared to SD sourced material.

While we have seen better HD performances, the excellent black level ability, colour handling capabilities and general competence of the picture processing combine to create a predictably good HD picture.

Once again, we are left disappointed by the Acoustic ability of a flat panel TV. As with many screens, the lack of 'Bass' is the main problem and to be fair to Sharp, most other flat panel TV manufacturers fair little better. Unless you are going to be consuming a greater than average amount of demanding film scores, the problem will not affect your day to day viewing to any great degree.

Conclusion

The LC-40LE700 is a bit of a conundrum, excellent in some respects and rather mediocre in others. Worthy of serious consideration for any form of content that doesn't contain a great deal of fast on screen action; we would advise against this screen if the majority of your viewing will comprise more high paced content.

  Vibrant colours and excellent contrast

  Suffers from a small amount of Motion Blur