[humanoid]

Do any of you fine folks know if any of the Sharp LCD models (37" to be exact) come with the AV all-in-one box as well as the DTV tuner? I really want both, but....


I was looking at the LC-37GD4U and would sacrifice the AV box for the DTV tuner. Good idea?

 

[JGene]

The only 37" that ships with the digital tuner is the LC-37GD4U/GD6U. If I remember correctly, both incorporate the AVC right into the TV itself.

 

[humanoid]

Quote:

Originally posted by JGene The only 37" that ships with the digital tuner is the LC-37GD4U/GD6U. If I remember correctly, both incorporate the AVC right into the TV itself.

Yeah, but I was hoping to have a seperate box for all the cables to be plugged in to rather than having them all run up to the TV. My dad plans to put the TV on the wall and would rather have all of it hooked up near the floor than to have all of that crap routed up through the wall to the TV.

 

[cmunro]

I own the 30" sharp LC30HV6U that comes with the separate AVC box and assumed until I read this post they all came like mine. When did they do away with the separate AVC box? Maybe there is an option to purchase one with your unit. I was at Best buy today looking at that exact display, looked beautiful. Can you use a AVC box from another model.

 

[Kensmith48]

I was also at Best Buy and they had the seperate AVC box sitting up on it's side, connected to a 37" Sharp lcd. Out of all the lcd's they had on display (15 or so) I thought the Sharp was the best looking.

 

[bgbem]

I believe the G series has the box. The GD series, with the ATSC tuner does not.

 

[cjv123]

i don't want to sound like a broken record, but the cable card is in my opinion the least valuable feature a TV can have.

 

[humanoid]

Thanks for all the replies, but back to my original question. Does Sharp make an LCD TV with both the ATSC tuner AND the AV box?

 

[PhoenixScreen]

Yes they do humanoid, but it's the 45 inch model.....


LC-45GX6U

 

[humanoid]

Only on a 45", huh? Damn.....


If I were to get the model without the DTV tuner, I would then need the cable box supplied by my cable company to view HDTV programming, correct?

 

[RU Geekman]

You are going to need the cable company's box if you want to watch premium HD content (HBO, pay-per-view, etc.), which is always scrambled.

 

[PhoenixScreen]

Humanoid,


You're taking the wrong approach. Instead, you should approach this as "Gee honey, they just don't have what we need in the 37" size. I guess I'll just have to get the 45" model....... ".


RU,


The digital tuner models do have a CableCard slot. This would allow you to avoid the clutter of an additional box.


Phoenix

 

[Mike53]

Sharp is discontinuing the separate AVC box. Market research (obviously not in here) tells us the people want all in one. The current LC32G4U, LC37G4U have the AVC box but are NTSC tuner only. The LC45GX6U comes with the AVC while it's sister models are all in one. All the 45's have the ATSC tuner plus cablecard.


Sharp will be introducing models after the first of the year which are cheaper and just barely meet the tuner mandate, meaning only ATSC OTA tuners, no cable. This will be the G5 series. Non-removable speakers, no 1-Bit audio amps, non tilt stand. (Still swivels).

 

[GadgetFreak]

What ??!!! Discontinue the AVC box? Not cool. Will it even be an option?

 

[Mike53]

Quote:

Originally posted by GadgetFreak What ??!!! Discontinue the AVC box? Not cool. Will it even be an option?

It has been discussed. The factory that makes the AVC is jointly owned with Pioneer and it is becoming increasingly difficult for logistics. The new LCD factory in Kameyama makes everything in house. The saying is "sand in one end, finished LCD product out the other". Sharp has to transport the AVC boxes to the US without the TV's and then overpack them here. This caused a delay in releasing the 45" in the beginning. The prgonosis is not good for ongoing AVC's.

 

[Paul Bigelow]

While "all-in-ones" might have their place -- small TV's in my opinion, I *really* like the separate A/V box.

 

[cjv123]

i strongly prefer the separate box.


i'm wondering if this "consumer research" is the same target for the slimmed-down new TV.


i.e., total newbies who don't understand the issue.


the cabling is fantastic with the AVC box. and the monitor is as slim as it can be. it is sooooooooooo outstanding, mike.


i think some research hack once turned a chevy chevelle into a chevy nova. pls don't do the same.

 

[GadgetFreak]

I would shop other brands if the AVC box is not an option. I understand the logistical problems of different factories -- if they decide to put a ton of connections on the back of the panel, you should at least have one connection for the AVC box and sell it as a seperate product -- if there are delays with the box, it won't impact shipment of the set.


Sort of like buying a port replicator with a laptop. People that want one can purchase one seperately -- people that don't want one don't have to. You could even sell multiple versions of the box -- a high end one with more DVI connections, or DVR functionality, etc.


It was mentioned elsewhere on this forum that AVC boxes are rarely upgraded. But as a seperate option, they might have a different life cycle than the display. A new box comes out, so you buy a new one to use with your current display, or keep your old box and buy a larger display, etc.

 

[martyj19]

Not to mention if they discontinue the AVC box, the little trick to get 1920 by 1080 by going direct to the panel goes with it.

 

[rll]

Mike 53,

Am intersted in the lc37g4u. I cannot find the manual to download on the sharp website. I realize this model is not the newest, but they still show it in the product line. Any idea where I can view it?

Thanks you.