Sharp Aquos 19" rant

Don_S · « **on:** 2 Mar 2009, 12:14 am »

I just unpacked my Sharp Aquos LC-19D45U. It is a beautiful looking TV. The picture seems good but it is hard to tell since it is a rainy day and I use an antenna. My complaint is the audio, or lack of it.

I have the TV sitting on my dining table. It replaced a 15" Aquos. I normally sit on the other side of the table and watch it while I eat. I had the new TV set to the maximum volume of 60 and the output was at a lower volume than I normally listen to---and that is NOT loud at all. I do not enjoy loud, in-my-face TV while I am stuffing my face. Even the commercials were not too loud.

I adjusted the bass and treble to the max and that boosted output some but I still cannot watch this tv from my kitchen area while I cook or clean up. The lack of volume from this TV is beyond belief.

I have three Sharp Aquos TVs and this will be my last. Hopefully I can return it to Sharp Direct where I bought it. All the Sharp TVs I own have poor audio output. I worked around that by watching my LC-46D62U through my stereo. For audio, the 15" I have works better than the new 19". I was looking forward to the larger screen and digital tuner. I had hoped they had improved the audio. I do not understand why Sharp spends so much attention to picture quality, fit and finish and pays no attention to audio output. They don't even provide RCA outputs to connect an external analog pre or amp. The output they provide is optical. There is also a headphone output.

This unit comes with a fancy kitchen timer/clock/remote. Sharp paid more attention and spent more money on the remote than they did on the audio output. Some managers need to be fired. I can't believe people get paid huge salaries to make and market such poor product designs.

My other complaint is there is only one view mode “stretch” but it really is not stretch because many programs are displayed in letter box format. Stretch does not do anything. On my 46” Aquos I can select a view mode (including stretch) that fills the screen with those programs. Why does Sharp even put the “view mode” button on the remote for the 19” if there are no choices to make?

Beware of a pretty face, this TV is tragically flawed.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Mar 2009, 12:28 pm »

Sorry to hear that Don.
My Mother bought one of these SANYO 19" units and hooked it up last night. Lot's of inputs and outputs. Not sure what she thinks about it yet. It's going in a second bedroom so there's nothing fancy, no external speakers, amps, DVD players or any other auxiliary components. Just the cable from the wall to the TV. I'll ask her if it's got enough volume from the internal speakers.

Bob

pjchappy · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 01:13 am »

Don,

Do you have the TV hooked up to any sort of cable box? If so, make sure the box's volume is turned up.

If not, sorry to hear about your problem.

Don_S · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 02:14 am »

Thanks guys, Curious if the Sanyo is better. This is my kitchen unit that keeps me company when I cook and wash dishes and eat lunch. It is not connected to any boxes. Rooftop antenna >TV

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 02:45 am »

Seeing your last post sparked my curiosity Don. I called Mom. aa
I specifically asked her about the volume. Now granted, she's in a quiet bedroom and not cooking or washing dishes, but she said there's plenty of headroom (my fancy audiophile word, not Mom's). She said she's at a fraction of the available "volume display thing showing on the screen" (her words) so there's plenty remaining. Also, the picture quality is much sharper than before (she's upgrading from a 20+ year old CRT

). Overall she is very happy with it. She became very curious about me grilling her about the available sound level but I just blew it of as being curious about new TV technology.

But it sounds like a unit worth more of your time to research, or check out in a store.

Hope that helps Don,
Bob

Don_S · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 02:53 am »

Bob, Thanks for the information. Hopefully it will help others as well.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 02:59 am »

So Don, are you going to return yours, or undecided as of now?

Bob

Lancelot · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 03:15 am »

Seems really strange. I have a 15'" Sharp ( not Aquos ) in the kitchen and an LG 20" in the bedroom. Both have a volume range significantly above anything I would reasonably use.

I also have an LG 32". The sound ( regular TV, not DVDs or music videos) is actually better than I expected.

If buying another LCD, at least on a budget, LG would be one of my first choices.

Don_S · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 05:04 pm »

Quote from: Bob in St. Louis on 3 Mar 2009, 02:59 am

So Don, are you going to return yours, or undecided as of now?

Bob

Bob, I am looking at options. I sent a "howler" to Sharp and Sharp Direct. I will wait for their responses.

I purchased the TV from Sharp Direct via a special offer from the Sharp Advantage Program. It was $250 with free shipping. When I consider what it would cost to ship the TV back and replace it, I may be better off to add a self-powered 2.1 computer speaker system. I could end up with a much better total package. I do not have much room on my table for speakers but the table is against a wall so putting a subwoofer under it would not be a problem.

Another option is to send it back and not replace it. I never liked the 15" Aquos (too small) I have but I could continue to use it. It works fine with a Zenith converter box.

The 19" only has optical and headphone (stereo 3.5mm mini plug) audio outputs. My questions are is the headphone output the same size as a computer output. Seems like it to me but 3.5mm isn't exactly 1/8". Are they off slightly?

Will the headphone output enough signal to get adequate gain from a 2.1 computer speaker set? Again, my guess is yes and I could leave the computer speakers at a set level and use the TV remote to adjust volume.

Any tragic flaws in my logic?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Mar 2009, 05:32 pm »

Pretty sure the headphone and 1/8th are functionally identical.

Your idea about setting the outboard volume, and then using the remote to fluctuate sounds perfect.

playback · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Mar 2009, 04:22 pm »

As far as the headphone jack and the audio 3.5mm go on the back of my NEW Sharp Aquous LC-C3234U, doesn't matter if they are the same or not because it doesn't work with either!....not headphones, not computer speakers. And when I try to connect the the audio phone plugs in the back (red and white rca's)to audio output, and then to self amplified computer speakers, only one channel works so I only get sound out of one speaker.

I have about had it with this tv, I have tried everything to fix this annoying "tinny" sound that actually hurts my ears even when quiet. Everything sounds like it is coming out of a tin can. Yes, I have called their support number and most of the time their people say "I don't know how to fix it unless you buy a home theater system". Sheeeeeeeeeeeeesh!

There is something very wrong with producing a TV in mass quantities that has such lousy sound!

Don_S · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Mar 2009, 07:08 pm »

playback, Sorry you are also not enjoying the sound "quality" of your Sharp Aquos. Misery doesn't necessarily love company all the time.

You scared me. I spent 20 minutes looking for my Walkman headphones. They work fine in my 19" Aquos. The jack fits, speakers disconnect, playback level modulates. I should be able to add a 2.1 self-powered computer system. I am considering these:

$83
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-Multimedia-NeoTitanium-Technology/dp/B00113XD72/ref=wl_it_dp?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1VXNC01IJZQB4&colid=2CZ6AS179W2L8

$57
http://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-VS2521-Computer-Subwoofer/dp/B001AE30SY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236193616&sr=1-1

$33
http://www.amazon.com/Altec-Lansing-VS2421-Speaker-Microphone/dp/B000PHW1UK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1236193616&sr=1-5

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Mar 2009, 09:25 pm »

Payback, it's a long shot, but there may be a setting in the TV for mono output on one channel only.
I know, it's a long shot but I've seen stranger things.

I recently bought a nice pair of $100 2.0 monitors; Alesis M1 Active 320USB Studio Monitors from "Musiciansfriend".
Very nice speakers with LOTS of inputs and outputs.

Bob

playback · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Mar 2009, 10:44 pm »

Don and Bob....Thanks for your replies and your input. I keep trying different connectors and have even connected it to my set top box via digital but nothing helps the sound out of the TV speakers and like I say , the audio jack in the back of the TV doesn't work with either headphones nor computer speakers. I am a musician and have much experience using electronics and different connections so it seems like I should be able to come up with something, but nooooooooooo.

I have looked for a TV mono on one channel only setting but can't find anything like that.....I do see that my audio sound on the TV says mono but for the life of me can't figure out how to change it to stereo. I think I would have to buy a home theater system to do that.

I will call the Sharp support number a couple more times but if I can't get this resolved over the weekend I am taking the TV back. I hear Sony's are much more reliable?

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Mar 2009, 05:33 pm »

From the SHARP FAQ's section:
-------------------------------------------------
I have connected an external source to my television and I get no picture and or sound.
- Check for the correct output connection on the external source and for the correct input connection on the television.
- Make sure you have made the correct selection for the input mode for the incoming source.
- Check for the correct settings in the Audio Select menu on your television.
-------------------------------------------------

Still sounds like there's a section of the menu tree you're missing, or it's just plain, good ol' fashion BROKE.

==============

I did find this question funny, and to think it's considered a frequently ask question.....

-------------------------------------------------
Can I connect headphones to my television using the audio input jack on the unit?
- We do not recommend it. That connector is used to send signals into your television. We suggest connecting headphones to a headphone jack, if your model has one.

DUH.... I thought that was funny.

Bob

playback · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Mar 2009, 06:17 pm »

Well Bob, if it's me you're laughing at, have at it, but I will say in my own self defense, the audio jack on the back of the TV does not say that it is an input jack, nor does it say anywhere in the fold out "manual" whether it is an input jack or a headphone out jack....guess I would have to know that. But since it doesn't work I would assume it is an audio input jack altho I can't figure out why anyone would want to feed audio into this set since it has such lousy sound. I agree with you and it must be broke!

Thanks for your ideas.

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Mar 2009, 06:31 pm »

No, no...I'm not laughing at you. Just thought it was funny that they had to spell out to the general public that "input" doesn't mean you can plug headphones in there.
I certainly wasn't thinking you where one of "those" people, not at all.
I think you've got a menu buried in there you've missed, or the unit is broke.

Buf if the jack isn't marked, then shame on them. That's just stupid. Now I see why it's such a frequently asked question on their website if it's unmarked.

Sounds like it's time to box it up and take it back.

Bob

Don_S · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Mar 2009, 06:44 pm »

Playback, My manual is clear on the 19". There is a headphone jack in the back. It is the one I tested and mentioned in a previous post. There is a little headphone icon (raised mark) which is hard to see if you don't look very closely. I suspect your larger TV may have a headphone output more accessible (front or side to allow for wall mounting).
Try the "real" manual, not the quick set up one.

I strongly suspect you are using the correct output but verification would not hurt. I just checked my 46" Aquos TV (not the manual) and did not find any mono/stereo setting option. Too bad, I always prefer pilot errors. Those are the easiest to fix.

playback · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 12:02 am »

Don and Bob, Thank you so much for your replies and concerend help. Looks like you were right and there is no headphone jack. Since the R and L audio outputs only connect thru one speaker when hooked up to self-amplified computer speakers, I guess I will take the unit back. too bad since it has a nice picture, but I will wait and buy a different TV in a year or so, they will be cheaper then too!!!!

pardales · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 Mar 2009, 01:01 am »

I have the same TV.....the volume level IS problematic.