Sharp Aquos LC37D40U 37-Inch LCD HDTV with Integrated ATSC Tuner
Superb 37 Inch LCD TV
The LC-37D40U is a brand-new model.  One of the local retailers had it on sale, and I was able to compare it against other LCD and plasma sets before buying.  The picture compared favorably to a Sony 40 inch LCD, as well as to various 42 inch plasmas. <br /> <br />The set weighs about 53 pounds with table stand, and consumes 186 watts according to the back panel.  Both factored into my purchasing decision, as I didn't want a massive set that consumed a lot of power and threw off a lot of heat.  In my mind, less heat implies higher reliability, another plus over plasma. <br /> <br />I do not have cable or satellite; Input comes directly from a roof antenna into the TV's coax connector.  Picture quality on most analog channels is good to very good.  Quality of most HD channels is stunning.  Picture clarity, color and brilliance still astonishes me every time I turn on the set. <br /> <br />I was surprised at how many broadcast HD sources are available now in the San Francisco Bay Area.  In addition to getting 4 PBS stations, I now get many more PBS HD digital subchannels, in particular 4 or 5 from KQED.  This alone is a powerful reason to move from an analog-only TV. <br /> <br />I highly recommend this product.  It is as good or better than other 37 inch LCD TVs, and sufficiently close in quality to plasma sets to make them irrelevant for me. <br /> <br />The case is black, which I much prefer to silver.  My only quibble is the face of the frame around the display which is high-gloss black.  I find the reflections from this annoying, and wish they had given it a matte finish. <br /> <br />The specifications are somewhat in dispute; some sources say 1200:1 contrast ratio and 6 ms response time.  What matters to me is the appearance of the image.  I do not see a distracting level of motion artifacts when watching basketball or NASCAR.  Contrast  and black levels are excellent to my eye.  Also, the picture is in no way lacking in brightness.