Sharp Aquos Vs. Sony Bravia

The Sharp AQUOS and the Sony Bravia are two cutting-edge brands of high-definition LCD televisions. Both televisions have sleek, slim designs and high-tech features that include the highest quality pictures, surround sound, and green technology. Yet the two brands do have differences as well, and learning more about each is important in deciding whether the Bravia or the AQUOS is the best investment for you.

The most important element to a television is, of course, the picture, and the Sharp AQUOS and Sony Bravia both offer top-of-the-line picture technology.

According to DigitalTrends.com, the best feature on the Sharp AQUOS is its LED backlight, which creates high contrast and brightness levels for a better overall picture. A low-reflection feature reduces glare no matter where in a room the television is placed, quick-shoot technology reproduces images without a visual lag, and a high-performance color filter system allows for a much wider range of colors that can be reproduced.

The Bravia, meanwhile, features full HD resolution with LED backlighting to reduce glare. According to the Consumer Reports Electronics Blog, however, the most exciting aspect of the new Sony Bravia is that it offers a variety of 3D-ready models that come with two pairs of 3D glasses and a built-in 3D transmitter. Many Bravia models also come with an ambient sensor that will adjust color according to the light available in a room.

Both the Sharp AQUOS and the Sony Bravia come in a wide variety of screen sizes. The AQUOS features screens in the following sizes: 32, 40, 42, 46, 52 and 60 inches, while the Bravia offers screens that are 22, 32, 40, 46, 52, 55, and 60 inches. Both sets come in a slim, sleek design, and Consumer Reports was especially impressed by the AQUOS' large screen and compact body, although DigitalTrends.com thought the AQUOS' base with its large logo was rather unattractive.

The Sharp AQUOS boasts an ultra-high resolution 1-bit amplifier that samples an original audio signal 64 times faster than a CD. The AQUOS also features virtual Dolby surround sound, an aluminum speaker box that can be detached from the main unit and mounted on a wall for 3D sound, and a stainless steel speaker grill to ensure better sound. Despite all of these features, however, several user reviews expressed disappointment with the AQUOS' sound quality.

The Sony Bravia offers Sony Original Surround Sound with sound enhancers, automatic volume control, and invisible speakers with sound elevation, and the Consumer Reports Electronics Blog boasted of the Bravia's ability to adjust the balance of video and sound based on a viewer's position in the room. However, Sony does not promote the sound system on the Bravia so much as they do the Bravia-compatible home theater system, which provides many of the same sound features as the AQUOS.

The Sharp AQUOS features all-digital 1-chip image processing, which provides high-quality images via a small chip that does not take up a lot of space. In addition, the AQUOS boasts green technology that includes an energy-saving feature, eco-friendly materials, a 60,000 hour long-life design, and a green production facility. But one of the AQUOS' best features, according to DigitalTrends.com, is its video and stereo hookups, which make it easy to connect a camcorder, video game system, or audio output.

The Sony Bravia has built-in wireless Internet that enables the user to go online right from their television set and stream movies, videos, and music instantly. The Bravia also has a USB input for uploading photos, videos, and other files; Bravia Internet widgets that allow the user to information apps to the screen; and a switch that puts the television into a energy-saving stand-by mode. The Consumer Reports Electronics Blog liked the Bravia's Intelligence Presence Sensor, which automatically dims the set's backlight when you've stepped away from the TV for an extended period of time.

The Sony Bravia offers a variety of models that range in price from approximately $300 to $5,000, with an average price of about $2,000, while the Sharp AQUOS models range from $899 to $3,999.